Playa Pesquero: 3rd year in a row at Playa Pesquero!

We had an excellent visit to Playa Pesquero visiting 26 Apr - 03 May. This was our 11th visit to Cuba and 3rd visit to Playa Pesquero. This resort continues to be an excellent value. All requests emailed to Tripcentral and directly to the resort ahead of time were met! Service at the resort was generally very good. Rooms are starting to show some age however nothing was broken, missing, or out of place. Our room was cleaned very well daily and the bar fridge was restocked daily. Whil [... read more]e this is a large resort our room was a 15 second walk to the pool, two minutes to the lobby/buffet, and two minutes to the beach. If you are too lazy to walk there are carts that will take you! We ate at all of the "a la cartes" and the food was very good! We went off the resort to Don Pepe grill for one meal and we glad we did. Most excellent food and a gracious host! The only excursion we did was a day trip into Holguin in an old 50's car (with A/C of course). On previous vacations we toured Havana and put off a trip into Holguin city until this 3rd visit. This was a fantastic adventure and we will do this trip again if we return next year! A couple of travelers tips: If you fly with Transat you want to ensure you select Option Plus which gives you a dedicated check-in line at the airports. This is an absolute lifesaver for the return flight (see below for why). The Holguin airport is ALWAYS a gong show. Arrivals are usually OK but departures are ALWAYS a disaster. The airport is too small for the volume of people/flights and there are ZERO attempts at organization. When you get to the airport for your return flight just go with the flow and try to remember that you will eventually get through the variety of line ups! We usually book 10 months in advance and continue to watch the prices afterwards and take advantage of price protection at some point to save a few bucks. Shortly after booking this resort Transat moved the flights and instead of travelling during the day like we always do we flew during late afternoon for the way to Holguin (not that bad), but this also meant our return trip did not land back in Halifax until the middle of the morning. As an added bonus a storm damaged another airport in Cuba and Transat moved flights around to accommodate. This added another 2 x hours of waiting around the resort. We had to check out of the hotel at 1200, spend the day killing time really until the bus picked us up at 1910 to go to the airport, and eventually got home shortly after 0600 the next morning. Despite being "repeaters" the resort would not give us a minute of extra time in our room. They were happy to sell us a late checkout at 11 pesos/hour but I was too annoyed at that point!. This resort is not a party resort. Mostly families and older couples etc. Would I book again? Tripcentral: Yes! We continue to use Tripcentral as they offer excellent customer service! Transat: They retain the right to move flight times but the next time they change day flights to night flights I would cancel and find somewhere else to go. So yes we would book but are also prepared to bail if they get up to no good with the flight times after we book. Play Pesquero: Generally good value for the money however this resort does not show a lot of loyalty to their repeat clients. I've been to resorts where returning for a second visit gives you free late checkout and more. Three visits to this resort gets you nothing! I'm on the fence for next year as the biggest way to show a resort that you were satisfied is to be a repeater and I don't want to encourage poor customer service by giving them my business again.

Aston Costa Verde Beach Resort: Excellent Value

Thoroughly enjoyed our stay at this hotel. Very clean, everything was in good working order, super friendly and efficient staff, food was excellent for Cuba and there was lots of variety. Would definitely recommend to anyone considering a trip to Cuba!

Iberostar Selection Holguin: Incredible 4.5 Star resort by any standards

We are seasoned travellers to Cuba, visiting 15 times. This was by far the most modern, friendly, clean resort we have been to. It was well worth the $$ for sure. The beach is being worked on but there are plenty of loungers and bar service. There are shuttles running all the time back and forth to the Playa Pesquaro. No biggy. The pools were very clean. You should go.

Club Amigo Atlantico Guardalavaca: hotel needs some work

We have been going here for years. We go in April because it's cheap and you get what you pay for then.The hotel itself is older and they are doing lots of repairs on certain parts of it. The dining areas are what you can expect in most of Cuba at a 3.5 star hotel. The food is same as anywhere else. The rooms are fairly nice and usually quite clean. Sometimes you may see an ant infestation but not too bad. Things that need to be done , or should be done are - They need bathroom at the Columbus b [... read more]each. I think it should be built in a way that you need a room key to access it, so it is only for hotel guests and then they should build a public bathroom somewhere close also. The hotel keeps changing managers for some reason and it seems they get rid of the good ones and keep the crappy ones.They are building two new bars this year. One in main lobby which they tore out and have done a bit to get it open again.I think they made it too big and lost a lot of seating. Then they are building a cocktail bar on fourth floor outside. Not sure if they are tearing out a wall and enlarging the space or if they are only having it big enough for a dozen people which would be foolish.This year we saw a lot of the locals at hotel (young kids) urinating in the fish pond near main lobby or on a rock just outside of the 24 hr bar. No one said anything to them. Parents just let them do it. I think the bartenders that saw them should speak up and tell the parents that it is not appropriate nor hygienic to do so.I like to go out on the deep sea boats fishing but after not being able to have a piece of my catch I don't think I will be booking anymore tours with them. Transat said they would look into it so will see if we go again next year . All in all for the price it is not so bad. We really like some of the people that work there and it is central to the families we help out so we go back.

Sol Turquesa Beach: Tow week s at the memories hoguin CUBA !!

The ground s : Where full of leaves .. birds shit all over the out side front walls ..2 out of 4 pools where fogy..anf the bar pool was discusting even water bugs in there living!!.you coudent see the bottom!! ..the first 3-4 days the buffet was very week!! no bread or rice..not bread at the snake bar..for hot dogs or hambergers ..no katup! for one week! onely one water bottle per famaly , a day!! we are 4 OMG!! at 38 c....insaine...then w [... read more]e got our sandals stolen 3 paires .one dr. sholes and 2 FILA THEN WHEN WE CALLED FOR A BUGY TO PICK UP OUR LOGAGES 7 SUT CASSES..Thy sayd ...NO..WE CANT SENT ENNY..THERE NOT AVALABLE!!..because there where germans VIP TOURING THE HOTEL..THAT MORNING...I WAITED TOW HOURS FOR A BUGY!1 AND IT NEVER CAME..AND IT WAS PORING RAINE !! SO I TOULK TOW WHITE TOWELLS AND WHENT TO COMPLAINE AT THE FRONT DESK...AND THEY BUSHITED US!! LIEING, THAT THEY WHER GOING TO SEND IT!! NEVER CAME !! SO I LEFT THE TOW WHITE TOWELLS AT THE BUFFET!! AND THE WAITRESS ..SAW THE FRONT DESK MANEGER PICK THEM UP!! THEN HE TRIED TO CHARGE US 19 $ EACH 2 TOWELL AND WHEN WE TOULK OUT $$$ FROM OUR POKET S HE WANTED MORE $$ SO HE CHARGED US, ONE UNBRELLA.= 34$.and called securite and dident let us leav, HE WANTED TO SCAME US FOR 35$ AND MAKE US MIS THE BUS TO THE AIROPORT HE MADE ALL KINDS OF ARGUMENT FOR US TO MIS THE BUS AND SCAM US !! THE LAST 3 DAYS BEFOR WE LEFT THEY CLEAND UP AND PAINTED ALL THE RESORT..AND THE BUFFET WAS FINALY EXCELLENT !! ONLY BECAUSE THE GERMAN VIP S CAME IN!1 AND WE AS CLIENTS WHER TREATED LIKE SHIT!! WE SPENT LOTS OF MONEY THERE AND TIPED ,400$ CANADIEN $! I AM NEVER GOING BACK TO CUBA AGEN!! THE EX CHNGE OF OUR DOLLARS ARE INSAINE 60 $TO 71$ FOR 100$ AND ON OUR TOUR AT THE TRAINE THEY GAVE US A PROPEGANDA BRAINE WASH OF HATE AGAINST GUNS AND U.S.A AND DONALD TRUMP..I WAS VERY AFFENDED !! AND MAKING CUBANS SOOoo great! i saw very pour people there terribule condition of life ..i have been to CUBA 8 TIMES THIS IS MY LAST!! LOVE HEIDI XOXO

Brisas Guardalavaca: Accommodating Resort- Good Value

This is our 6th time vacationing at this resort. Staff are very friendly, accommodating and go out of their way to please. The rooms are a little dated which is to be expected, since it is an older resort. We vacationed recently for 2 weeks, and experienced some difficulties residing on the 3rd floor in the Villa section. The heat and humidity combined with age and health concerns created some difficulties for us. Management could not be more accommodating relocating us to a first floor, when w [... read more]e expressed our concern. Pools and beach areas are beautiful, with ongoing entertainment. Food was very good, and Al-a-cartes quite exceptional! We both enjoy vacationing at this resort, and have met many “returnees” which speaks for itself. Friends of ours are to be married at this resort next year on our recommendations. Says it all, we will be returning!!

Playa Costa Verde: Old and Tired...

For the most part, the rooms are nice and clean...we did not have a problem with the room, once we changed as our air conditioning was not working. The Beach is a long walk and buffet is in an open air facility, which allows birds, bugs and flies in... The pool needs a complete revamp and cleaned a lot more than it is...swollen eyes due to green water is not pleasant for a few days. Probably, the biggest problem is allowing Locals to use the facility...funny, the staff don't even enjoy it [... read more]...we have paid a good dollar for the vacation and the Locals come in and take over...they like to be waited on and do not clean up after themselves...Take your vacation away from Easter and early in April.

Sol Turquesa Beach: Great memories at Memories

This was my first time to Cuba and had an amazing time.The Memories resort Holguin was clean,the food was great with lots to choose from,the room was huge and clean and no issues all week,the resort was huge with lots of steps so not a great spot for someone with a disability,the beach was a 7 out of 10 with the only down fall being the sea weed all in all it was a great week. Scott

Brisas Guardalavaca: problems with check in

Once we were at the hotel everything was fine. However, the check in process took over an hour in the middle of the night when everyone was tired after a long trip. There was only one woman at the counter doing her best to see to a busload of travelers. They know when the flights are arriving, so why not have more staff ready to check people in.

Playa Costa Verde: Disappointed

We were sadly disappointed with this hotel. We arrived on Sunday April 21 at 1. We could not get our rooms until after 3 yet it was very apparent the hotel was no where near full with many empty rooms. When we finally did get our room there was no toilet seat and the phone did not work. We asked three times over two days to have these things fixed and finally gave up. In addition to this while the bar service was great the alcohol quality was sadly lacking. Lastly, Thankfully the pool was great  [... read more]because going to the beach was quite a walk across a bridge over what we nicknamed the cess pool. Not appealing in the least.

Sol Turquesa Beach: A lot of walking

My first time to this resort and it is HUGE!!!! You are going to need walking shoes and a lot of stairs. If you are placed in the 800 block you have quiet a home to get to the lobby the buffet or pools and the beach. I was in the 500 block and was almost right on the beach. The food was amazing. I’m super picky and thought I would starve but it was great. A very clean resort and if you have any issues in your room they are pretty quick to fix it. My patio door didn’t lock and my safe did [... read more]n’t work the door was fixed safe was not. My air conditioner caused some leaking and it was fixed during the day while I was at the beach. I would go back but only if I was in the 500 block

Club Amigo Atlantico Guardalavaca: Over all a great resort

We have been all over Cuba, this was our 7th trip to this beautiful island. So far this was our favorite resort. Food was better than expected, many pools to choose from and friendly staff. A very clean resort. I would say my only issue was all though the room we stayed in was nice, the beds were very uncomfortable with flat pillows. We were in the Tropical section overlooking the "party pool" and the ocean, there's a small section of beach and boulevard next to the resort that is public space,  [... read more]cool to visit and get pizza from for 5 pesos but I could have done without the loud bass booming every other night till 3am. Just wish I had noticed that info in another trip advisor report I would have booked accordingly. But hey! Live and learn. We would definitely return and maybe stay in the bungalow section since that's where we chose to hang out mostly anyways.

Club Amigo Atlantico Guardalavaca: Beautiful Beahces

The beach and the view was spectacular- the food was ok once you found the right buffet to dine at, rooms were dated and the consistency of the hot water to cold water cold be better. The staff and service was great - it’s unfortunate that the pool bar and the snack bars close at 5pm - the only places to stay outside and receive that all inclusive is the lobby and the 24 place. I would pack a bit different dresser clothes are not needed.

Aston Costa Verde Beach Resort: absolutely fantastic resort

Everything from the service, food, rooms and all amenities were spot on. Would recommend this resort to anyone and plan on going back again!! The cleanliness of the resort was very noticeable, cannot think of one complaint.

Brisas Guardalavaca: Had a great time!

Just returned a couple of days ago. We had a great time. The resort is a good size, with lots to do. The room was very clean, the food was good and the staff were amazing. There were always activities around the hotel pool but also quiet areas as well. The beach was awesome. Looking forward to returning to Brisas.

Sol Turquesa Beach: Memories holguin resort

The grounds were nice. Beautiful vegetation and views. Needs some maintenance work. Experienced power outages and loss of hot water for several hours. Out of 10 I give it a 4. Center of the hotel next to the lobby needs a major face lift. Many loose tiles which made it dangerous for children running around.

Sol Turquesa Beach: Memories Holguin

Holguin was in a drought when we were there , however the hotel needed to be updated ! When we got there, our room was extremely dirty , dead and alive bugs everywhere, dirt all over the bathroom walls , we only had 3 lights in our bathroom ,two were burnt out, and no air conditioning it didnt work ! .when I called that night no one answered and we didnt know where the lobby was ! In the morning we went to the lobby and I asked for another room or to be moved to another resort , I was told the [... read more]re was no rooms and they were not moving us !!! ......We were so far away from the lobby that we had to get a golf cart to pick us up , which we always had to call twice , and then wait for over 30 mins to come .I have travelled quite a bit and this was the first time I have ever had service like this ! I'm not impressed !

Playa Pesquero: Playa Pesquero...

Upon arrival, our bus shuttle was made to be safe and informative. At check-in, we were greeted with kindness and promptness, and were pleasantly pleased with our 3 family, 3 room location. We were greeted with kindness at every eating location. The grounds and buildings appeared to require some attention to details. I can understand the dry growing conditions make it difficult to grow any vegetation with much success. I was concerned that the missing tiles inside the main pools may be a cutti [... read more]ng hazard to peoples feet. had to be vigilant in placing our feet and those of our little grandchildren. I did shake the hand of the maintenance worker refreshing the paint on the bridges. He was being careful and thoughtful to those that would cross the bridge whilst he was painting. It was interesting the notes that were on the Palapas indicating the unnecessary hoarding of loungers on the beach. Enforcement did not appear to be present and in fact there were workers receiving money to ensure the lounger remained vacant for the "buyer". Odd. I thought if there were leaf rakes and more trash containers on the beach, that resoidents may be more inclined to help keep the beach area cleaned. That would obviously take away some work that a contractor would do, but if we all play a responsible role, then it would be less for a worker. Our room attendants were very courteous and made sure we were well looked after. With all the attention, our visit with our all our family members (10) was a real holiday and one to remember.

Playa Pesquero: Paradise.

To start i thank Trip Central again for all the work Debbie Maguire has done again for us on our trip, Debbie is the best agent that i have ever booked with, and Trip Central is the best Travel Company, Thanks to my favorite Airline, Airtransat, for another great flight. Now Playa Pesquero and staff, Your the best, I have been at this resort over 10 times now and will be booking another trip soon, The place is always clean with a smiling face from everyone from the front desk to the garde [... read more]ner, The food is fantastic, The buffet has been going downhill a bit in the past few years but noticed on my last stay two weeks ago that they are improving again, The ala carts are great, Special thanks to Carmen at the Italian, And Jorge Pena at the sea food, You guys are the best. The beach is just beautiful and clean,with plenty of loungers . The pool area is huge with plenty of loungers, The entertainment around the pool and beach is short staff but this might change due to a new entertainment manager, Entertainer Ingrid Gonzalez goes out of her way to please the guest and makes you feel like home Ingrid you rock and have always made us so welcomed with your hospitality . The rooms are always clean and we feel totally safe with leaving things laying around in our room untouched, The Lobby is large with plenty of chairs and exelent servers and bartenders , we have never waited long for a drink, Always a smiling face , Only thing is they run out of the Cuban Baileys once and awhile and thats the only drink i drink, The cappuccinos are great and the girls working the station are fast and friendly, Poolside bar, These guys rock to serve us with open arms, The booking department is awesome, I always ask for a certain room when i book and 90% of the time i do get the room that i request,That is good customer service, I put in for my free week that you get after so many visits so we will see how that works out, I will put another review once i am notified , Once again Playa Pequero keep up the good work,

Aston Costa Verde Beach Resort: Overall okay, but needs improvements

The rooms were nice and clean. There were a couple of maintenance issues. One being the water in my block would go from cold to scalding hot back to freezing cold. We were there for two weeks and evey shower I took was like that. I had to watch the water closely when I was showering my daughter so she wouldn’t get scalded. We did contact maintenance but the problem was never fixed while we were there. One lamp needed to be screwed back into the wall, and the curtains were starting to come off [... read more] their rings. To me that wasn’t a big deal, but deserves to be mentioned. However, that room was nicely cleaned everyday, and our maid was so sweet with my daughter. The card in the room said her name was Edlisa I believe (I was in apartment building 18). She definitely deserves a shout out. The food was a let down. I know there’s a food shortage in Cuba right now, so I don’t want to be to harsh. However, there was not much variety of anything. I didn’t starve, but the food was far better the last time I went 3 years ago. The Asian al la cart was fantastic, and so was the Mexican. The Italian for dinner was not good at all, but for lunch the pizzas weren’t bad. I went to the lunch seafood al la cart once while there and that was good as well. Unfortunately we weren’t able to try Cuban while we there, due to the fact it was closed the night we tried going. Most of the time the service for the restaurants and snack bar was very poor. The one night at the Mexican and Italian restaurants we waited at least 1/2 an hour for service, and the time in between courses was far to long. The snack bar is for sure under staffed and could use at least 1-2 more servers. To be honest the only restaurant (including the buffet) that gave consistently good food and service was the Asian. The biggest let down was the fact that we paid a premium rate for VIP and we got nothing extra. When we were there last they had a VIP bar, pool, updated room, as well as extra al la carts. This time around there was absolutely no difference between VIP and regular rates. I do want to give one more shout out to the boys that run the rum tasting in the evenings. They are a great bunch of guys and very knowledgeable. The rum tastings are a fairly new thing to the resort, and they were very open to suggestions on how to make it better and perfect it. My husband absolutely loved going. I think he went 3 times! The beaches were nice, and the pools were fairly clean. Although, there were a lot of used straws laying around the pool area in the mornings. Overall it was a pretty mediocre experience. I think my husband and I will go back once fiesta works out the kinks better.