Barcelo Solymar: Not too bad, could be better

Stuff were lovely and very pleasant. We had no running conditioning for one day but it was fixed the next day. We had no water for one day but no issues for the rest of the stay. Toilet would not flush for almost a day and we had a reoccurring problem the next day. Towels were very difficult to obtain. We had four beach towels for the five of us for the entire seven day stay. Mattress was comfortable. Showers had some mild in it. There was a laundry facility emergency and so we also had to conti [... read more]nue to ask for clean bath towels. We were always short on those but the cleaning lady did her best to provide them as soon as they became available. Big swimming pool turned green one day and it took it two days to be able to use again. We had other swimming pools to our disposal. Food was ok but could be better. Repetitive. Had to ask for spoons for ice cream. I did see some roaches on the floor and on the deli meet in the restaurant (on one occasion). The buffet had very few options to drink available for the kids and would often run out of alcohol for grown ups. The bars had alcohol no problem. There was one snack bar available which only had sandwiches but they were very tasty. No body got sick. Again, the stuff were always pleasant. The beach was spectacular. Swimming pools were great. Entertainment was fun but a bit too late for small kids to stay and enjoy (it would start at 9:30).

Melia Peninsula Varadero: Melia peninsula

Onsite rep for Hola sun rep was nothing but rude and had poor attitude towards any sort of complaint. Hotel customer service Roy is just as horrible! Roy likes to yell when you challenge anything he says and will call hotel security to weasel his way out of confrontation.

Hotel Tuxpan: First time all inclusive

My group of 7 booked the Tuxpan April 9-16, the first all-inclusive AND first Cuba for all. I do not recommend Cuba for a first time all-inclusive. The plus side of this vacation: weather was awesome, beach/ water gorgeous, restaurants (those you have to book for) were awesome, our room attendant lady was great. Downside: Location is desolate if you are looking to explore the area on foot, the open top bus only dropped us off at a "high end" mall place which most of shops were closed and the [... read more] supermarket were charging us a fortune for items, not to the Varadero area that we heard have restaurants and markets/ shopping. The food situation was bleak. The buffet that is daily is pretty much the same limited items through the day. It consisted of rice, beans, cucumber, watermelon others fruits (no banana or apple which was different), pork, fish, some desserts and ice cream. There was a "24 hr snack bar" poolside. Sad and disappointed that the only snack options I saw in my time there was a dinner bun with sliced ham OR a dinner bun with a scrambled egg. It did annoy me that the food service and bar staff expected tips. Selfishly my thought is that I've paid for an all-inclusive and I shouldn't have to carry cash at all. Also the fact that they make their guests get up and stand in line by 9:30 every morning to try to book for 1 of the 2 restaurants. We found that US cash was widely preferred, CDN cash was second choice when going in Havana or if you can find a market. It was an experience but I will be cruising next time.

Playa Vista Azul: Absolutely Amazing

This was my first trip to Cuba and from start to finish it was absolutely amazing. I was in the premium area and Yuri always made sure to check in and help us with anything we needed. He even got us a spare bed for our room so my cousin and I didn't have to share one bed. Yusi was also so unbelievably sweet. She always made our room look so bright and fun! Carlos was awesome too! He was very friendly and made the best drinks!

Playa Vista Azul: Needs improvements

Great beaches, except no service on them. Beach towels were an issue. Booked Premium and feel it helped make our stay (extra restaurants and the ability to make reservations at all the others too). Outstanding service from Jose at the Premium concierge. Others to make mention: Ernesto, Yuri and the lady at the infinity pool bar. Otherwise, the service was hit-and-miss. Most staff work one day on and then one day off, making it difficult to have consistency. Beach bar was staffed with rud [... read more]e people, so much so that we did not eat there once.

Selectum Family Resort Varadero: Beautiful new resort with mediocre beach

We vacationed at the Selectum Family Resort from April 13-20th. We had an absolutely wonderful time. The rooms are well equipped, having everything we needed including a nice hair dryer, iron and ironing board. Our housekeeper did a great job cleaning our room, including changing our towels when asked. We booked 4 a la cartes, Italian, Cuban, International and Italian again, all of them served delicious meals, including a birthday cake for dessert. Our server Teresa at the Italian restauran [... read more]t was an absolute sweetheart. Activities at the pool included bingo and name that tune/movie title. The entertainment team are very active and friendly. A big shoutout to our new buddy Jhoan and his crew. Unfortunately we are big beach people and the beach here didn't live up to our expectations, but this didn't stop us from basking in the sun while listening to the waves.(We knew the beach situation before booking but still gave it a try) You definitely need water shoes to enter the water, as there are alot of large rocks. As others have mentioned there is a clear spot to the left, it's few minute walk, however there are no chairs or palapas there. As for the pool area, it's in direct sunlight so you definitely need a spot with an umbrella or one of the palapas. They are saved quite early in the morning and we only managed to grab one once. They were building more as we were there. Service at all bars was top notch, although slow at times, but we were on vacation, so who cares. The day before we left was very busy, there were alot of locals visiting and having a blast. All in all we had a great time, the only reason we would not return is because of the beach. Oh, one other thing, the Varadero Hop On Hop Off bus changed their pricing, we were told by our Sunwing rep it was $5 CDN or US, well the lady on the bus taking the money said it was $7.50 CDN/$15 for 2 people. I couldn't help but think we were getting ripped off, considering they don't take any change. We went again 5 days later and she was only taking credit cards. Apparently she's lost too much money the last month due to exchange? I think she was trying to cash in on tourists. This had nothing to do with the resort but I wanted others to be aware.

Iberostar Origin Playa Alameda: Would Go Back in a Heartbeat

I just got back home from Cuba two days ago, so I may still be riding the high of a wonderful vacation, so take that as you will. Playa Alameda was really nice. Friendly staff, beautiful grounds, and an all around lovely stay. The resort was quiet and calm; an excellent place for rejuvenation and relaxation. My biggest complaints are the food (not bad, just not particularly good either), and the beach (gets stony about 15' from shore). From talking to people from other resorts, the food thing se [... read more]ems to be consistent all around, and can easily be solved by supporting local restaurants. It won't put much of a dent in your budget as the prices are very affordable. As for the beach I'll just say this: water shoes will be your friend. Problem solved. All this being said, I would absolutely stay there again in the future. And I'm a random person on the internet, so you know you can trust me.

Playa Vista Azul: Very nice resort!! Beautiful view from our room!!

The hotel was very nice! We went with the premium upgrade! Our friend Jose took good care of us, as well as Diana and Yuri! They tried very hard to make our trip the most enjoyable! Well worth it! Food was good! We went to the Coral restaurant every morning for breakfast. It was delicious food! Cappuccino’s were so good!! Our bartenders, Raymel & Carlton, at the pool took very good care of us! The people were amazing! So friendly! The manager, Arasay was the nicest lady! She couldnâ [... read more]€™t do enough for us! We were celebrating an anniversary and a birthday and Arasay & Jose made reservations at the international restaurant were we enjoyed a delicious dinner and a big cake for both celebrations! We will most definitely be returning as the people made it a very special and memorable holiday!

Paradisus Varadero: Loved it. I will be back.

The resort itself is fantastically laid out. The beach is beautiful. The main pool was fantastic. The staff... all were friendly, helpful and outstanding. I won't say there weren't little issues now and again but they did what they could to fix the issues. If you go to them with problems and are rude right away thats probably why you arent happy with the service. Remember, they have a different climate that wears things down quickly. Yes, there were days the food at the buffet was limit [... read more]ed but we didn't go hungry. The lunch BBQ was always good. Felix..you are awesome. Our room was always well cleaned daily. Add to all the the beautiful sunrises and sunsets, great music and happy staff... that's enough to send me back again and again. By far my favorite stay in Varadero yet.

Valentin El Patriarca Varadero: The great disappointment

We visited the hotel for the second time. / first Nov 2019/ and we are very disappointed from the service, food. We arrived at midnight- no water in the room ,flooding in the bathroom. Every days complaints for changing the bath towels toilet paper and supplies for the mini bar./ we used to receive 20 beers for 10 days we received at least 5/. The food- everyday chicken, only 4 times pork and if you are among the first in the buffet. The entertainment was nice. At the end our luggage was dama [... read more]ged at the Varadero airport and part of it was stolen. We will not visit Cuba for the next 5 years. We already recommend this to our friends .

Melia Marina Varadero: Avoid. Horribly managed

Terribly run, which exacerbates the problems innate to Cuba. They supposedly run out of food all the time but in reality are too lazy to resupply from the kitchen/storage. Staff dont care about guests, entertainment staff were rude. Room broke repeatedly. Drinks were good. Beach is excellent. But definitely not worth the experience. It was so stressful that we were thinking of leaving early the first few days

Hotel Bella Costa: Fantastic Resort

Friendly and fun staff. Rooms were clean, everything functioned. Food was good! Beach is amazing. Live music in the evenings was fun. Lunch buffet by the beach was really good. Been to Varadero several times. This resort is now my favorite.

Valentin El Patriarca Varadero: Great Vacation!!!!!!

After reading some reviews we were kinda scared to go but we went with an open mind! The hotel is clean, neat and tidy. The rooms were big...bathroom huge! We did upgrade and were glad we did as we got to book our a la cartes all at once ...our restaurant was the best in my opinion for breakfast and dinners. We did get a bottle of rum....20 minute massgae and laundry service with our upgraade. Also had access to higher quality liquor in the piano bar! The pools were both great...one quieter  [... read more]but both fun. The entertainment was fun at the swim up bar. They got people moving! The beach was beautiful as Cuba has the best!! There was alo activities on the beach...never a dull moment! The food was for the most part very good for Cuba....We ate very well and always found something tasty. We did take snacks but brought most home as we never touched them! The lobby bar was fantastic! The entertainment top notch!!! The Sax player, electric violin and the singers all were amazing! Staff for the most were very freindly and did whatever they could for us. They are amazing people. Mike's coffe bar...yummy! We took a cab to town for a look around and found interesting sites and people to talk to. We did not run out of anything..toilet paper, coffee, etc We did NOT see any cockroaches! The only negative view I have are of the sports bar...food and service was terrible!! But I just went somewhere else...no big deal! Towels were tough to get some days but again no big deal, as I reuse mine at home so was able to do so there. Our Vacation was GREAT!

Palma Real: Meets All My Needs

Allegro Palma Real, April 12, 2023 to April 20, 2023 Since this is a Trip Advisor my best advice for anyone planning on visiting any country for the first time is, do a little research. Look into traditions, conditions, laws and be respectful. After all you are a visitor in their country. After a 3 year break due to Covid, I was able to enjoy my 25th stay (my best guess) at The Palma Real. I was more than happy with what I had found. One thing that you will notice is the large number of mu [... read more]ltiyear return guest at this resort. There must be a good reason for this. “We” had several discussions on why so many returns and everyone came up with the same two answers. 1. The staff, I can’t say enough about them but I’ll try. 2. The returning guests are of the same mind in that they tend to be open to meeting new friends, have a good time, are helpful, and just add something to your time together. Upon arrival Oscar and the security staff are on duty at the front door keeping things safe. Great smile, strong handshake. At the front desk, check in is smooth and pleasant . Marley and her staff make a good first impression. My thoughts and prayers go out to a long time friend Marisol and her family. In the lobby bar you will served by Yara, Alina, and others. Efficient and pleasant service, professional but like to make things fun for everyone. You can get a great cup of coffee served the way I like it, “with a smile” from Learys. You can always find a good omelette for breakfast or eggs the way you like them. Pancakes, sausage, toast, juice will get your day off to a good start. No problem getting a hot meal at noon or supper. The a la carte is worth reserving. The snack bar is always open if you feel like a burger or sandwich. Many improvements have been made to the resort, most notably the two new pools with new pool decks, new showers, wheelchair accessibility to the pool bar. The additional waste cans help keep the grounds clean. New canopy covered walks provide shade and cover from the rain. Mike “The Pool Guy” and staff have the pools clean and clear. Speaking of the pool bar, it’s a happening place all afternoon. I noticed that there are many guests from The Arenas Blancas and Solymar that find the Palma Real pool, the place to be. The music is great and the bar tenders are super. Roberto and Yosleidys -”Tatica” keep things flowing and are so much fun to be around. I would remiss if I didn’t mention a relatively new employee. Anita was a great find. She has personality plus, whether working the pool bar or the buffet, you can’t miss her. The rooms were freshly painted and spotless. The beds are comfortable. I especially like the new thick pillows. Lots of hot water and good air conditioning. The WiFi works fine, but you’re on vacation , give that a rest also. The evening shows and water ballet display some real talent. The location is prime. No need to rent a car or call a taxi. The new Varadero Boulevard is literally right out the front door. Check it out on YouTube. Three of the best night spots in Varadero are within a 5 minute stroll. The Beatles Bar is on the edge on Josone Park and has really good rock cover bands that alternate nightly. Walking back to the resort there’s Cub 62, basicly a street dance with live Cuban music. Just down Calle 62 heading to the resort there’s The Havana Club. It’s actually built in the resort. It’s a disco with the latest dance mixes, light and video shows. A stroll to the beach is a must. I prefer the mornings to about 10am, before it gets too hot. Take your time and it should take you all of five or six minutes to get to one of the best beaches in the world. The Palma Real is the best value with the best staff in the best location near the world’s best beach. I couldn’t ask for more.

Palma Real: Great location and loved the resort

Many upgrades done and having access to the other sister resorts water sports and snack bar was the bonus that made staying a block away from beach worth while, Lots of variety in food and plenty of it when we were there, pool was newly done and very refreshing. This is a spot we will book again for and price was amazing :)

Valentin El Patriarca Varadero: Awesome resort

The room was quite outdated but the beach makes you forget all about it. Most staff is very friendly. Food is not that great, but we were expecting that to be the case. Well worth the money and would go again.

Grand Memories Varadero: Worst ever.. I want my money back

This was the most unsanitary place on earth.. we tried to get flights outta there but Sunwing wouldn’t… I will be fighting for my money back.. there were so many things wrong and unsanitary! No running water for 12 hours in the whole resort including the rooms.. people were just pooing until the toilets were over flowing.. no place to wash your hands or the STAFF HANDS.. The septic over flowed from one of the buildings and the poo was everywhere on the lawns and the pool had to be closed for [... read more] 2 days.. THIS PLACE SHOULD BE CONDEMNED!! My husband and I are very sick after coming home and I’m going to see my dr about mold testing.. the place was covered in mold.. all of the rooms..I can’t believe Sunwing would not help us when it was such an unhealthy environment!! I’m getting my money back if I have to get a lawyer..

Club Kawama: Great Getaway.

Club Kawama is beautiful and has much to offer eg.right on the ocean, large swimming pool,plentiful food and refreshments.Every evening we had some of the best entertainment I’ve ever seen.People here are friendly,and I felt safe.The downside is our private toilet did not flush when we arrived, the lid was resting against the wall, and the seat was unattached but resting on top of the toilet.After we complained,water was hooked up and the rest was rectified by removal and we sat on the porcela [... read more]in of the toilet. In spite of this, I would return.Club Kawama has a special charm.

Paradisus Princesa Del Mar: Beautiful, relaxing holiday

This hotel was clean, the staff were incredibly friendly and kind, this resort is big and there is a lot of walking but as a Royal guest we could flag down a golf cart or call the front desk for one. We stayed in the Presidential Suite (upgraded once we arrived), and we had our own pool, the room is massive but it’s at the furthest part of the hotel which meant we had to walk very far for the entertainment and to the restaurants but a quick call to front desk and a golf cart was on its way. M [... read more]ost of the entertainment and activities took place in the main area which meant all the Royal guests had to commute. There was never music or things to engage you around It is more like a place to rest and relax. Due to the food shortage in Cuba, there were minimal food options. Every single restaurant only offered chicken and some type of seafood. There were 2 or 3 options on the menu at the a la carte restaurants only. I think if they had meat options of some sort it would have been much better. They did try their very best to offer chicken in many ways to keep guests happy. The room service was good and I think this is the only place where the staff from the groundskeeper up did everything in their power to make you smile and feel welcomed! My cons were, the lack of English speaking staff. The language barrier is absolutely massive and a very big con. I am actually surprised how difficult it was to ask for something. Definitely don’t go for the food but certainly go for the incredible beach, ocean and kindness AND make sure you visit The Rock House (24 hour) serves drinks and easy foods like sandwiches, hotdogs and soup. If you want to meet the friendliest people… this is the place to go. If you want 5 star dining, go elsewhere, if you want a 5 star room, go elsewhere but if you want the most beautiful beach and ocean and outstanding people… this is your place!

Sirenis Tropical Varadero: Very nice older resort

First off I'd like to Thank Frank Reinaldo Yasel Avevoneg Jesus and Dayren and the staff for making our stay a really good 1. It's not a 5 star or even a 4 but the rooms and very nice and very clean thru-out All staff are very friendly and do their best to make your stay as nice as possible. Beach is very nice and with the 2 pools all with in walking distance makes this a easy resort to get around. Food is repetitive but there's always something to keep me full.