Tired Resort

Grounds and pool were well kept. Anyone with mobility issues would be challenged by the stairs/steps to go anywhere. Rooms are in need of updating, especially the bathrooms, mould throughout. Many infrastructure problems while we were there, no water to toilets for two days, we had no hot water for four days. Lack of public washrooms, you were lucky if any were even if working, the poor maid had to flush them with a bucket of water. Bring your own TP Maids do an excellent job of cleaning roo [... read more]ms. All staff were very friendly. Food was adequate, but on buffet nothing was ever hot. Lots of seafood, pasta offerings. Windy/red flag the whole time we were there, beautiful beach for walking. People need to know this area is almost 1.5 hr bus ride from airport

Wonderful vacation at Sanctuary Grand Memories, Cayo Santa Maria

My husband and I stayed at this resort from January 7 to January 14/2026. This was our second vacation at this resort and we will definitely be returning. The last time we were there was in 2024 and imagine our surprise when we entered the lobby of Sanctuary and saw the faces of workers who were there in 2024 and THEY RECOGNIZED US and greeted us with a huge smile, big wave and hugs. We were so touched by this. We felt we were back with family. Our room was lovely, including a very comforta [... read more]ble bed, comfortable pillows and an excellent shower with an abundance of hot water. Our butler Odlanier did everything in his power to ensure our stay was great including obtaining reservations for us at à la carte restaurants each evening. I also have to give credit to the director Cesar for keeping everything running in a very organized way. We found there was an abundance of food with an excellent variety. In fact, we did not notice any shortages of anything at this resort. We even had one of our favourite types of Scotches to drink in the evening and we very much enjoyed their Spanish Coffees. The grounds at this resort were very well kept, the pool was very clean and of course the beach is one of the most beautiful we have ever seen. With all this said we will be returning to this resort in the future and one of the main reasons for saying this is how we loved the Cuban people working there. We truly felt with many of them they were part of our family!!!

Sanctuary at Grand Memories Santa Maria is a wonderful resort

The gardens around Sanctuary at Grand Memories Santa Maria are extensive and meticulously maintained. Our room was spacious and very-well appointed. The maid service was excellent. The butler service was attentive and very professional. The food and beverages were abundant.

Great Resort

Beautiful Beach, grounds, huge pool, helpful staff, buildings in good repair and every amenity close by, the perfect location for some R&R. Very good food selection, excellent service; I really couldn't have asked for anything more or better. I spent most of my stay right here at Sanctuary, but all of Grand Memories was available to me. Only about a five minute walk, but the shuttle was nice.

I got the value that I paid for

Well well lets talk, I have been to Cuba over the years about 40 times and yes I have seen the ups and down of this country. This resort I would say is a solid 7 with always room for improvement The pools and beach are beautiful and clean with great views. There were lots of beach lough chairs in great shape in both locations. The problems that I seem to see is the workers and management lack of common sense. Some examples in the Sanctuary lobby doors opening into the buffet area the workers st [... read more]arted sand the edges of the door on their hinges rather removing these doors and removing them outside, so as they sanded the paint and dust where flying all over the buffet and into the kitchen over the food. Later at supper one of the cooks came over to the trays of food and stated to spray insect repellant over himself and the food. The open buffet was a fly magnet with no control it's like they have given up on this problem. As you can tell by me the food hygiene could be a lot better.IE common sense! If I had to pick to save time I would go to Cayo Coco same beach better airplane times. No 2 hour bus ride both ways. Now did I get my moneys worth, yes I did for what I paid.

Fabulous Resort

Visit: Aug 20-27 Reception: They really try to reduce the check in time and succeed at least in the low season. Rooms: Most rooms are in a good state of repair but some need attention Food: "Food is not good in Cuban Resorts" Forget yourself, this rivals places in Canada. I haven't had better steak at a la cartes anywhere and the buffet had an excellent quality selection. Staff: Friendly, prompt and courteous Biting Insects: They fog morning and night but you still need a good repellent Li [... read more]nens, Bed Cushions,Chair cushions: This area needs some attention. Towels weren't always replaced, the seat cushions and bed spreads need a cleaning/repair schedule, many are soiled and not changed all week. Shuttles: Electric vehicles that require charging. So. No excuse. Shuttles should be prompt especially in the low season. Area for improvement: the buffet could us some fly control, many flies. Try some fly paper or screen the hall at both ends of the buffet, Beach: White powder, beautiful sunrises, well maintained clean and raked every morning. Airport: Long ride, Cuban government please make the island airport international

Amazing resort

This is beautiful resort, this was my third time there in June 2, stayed there for a week, the weather was magnificent even thou it was showing online rain and clouds, you'll never know. All week was sunny and beautiful. Good room service, good buffet, love the bar and snack bar with yummy sandwiches at the beach. So bad there is no more coconuts at the beach anymore, we really loved it a lot!!!!! The stuff are very nice and helpful. Beach is the best. I'll definitely will be back again a [... read more]t this resort.

Little disappointed

This was my second time to this resort, was much better a couple of years ago.... I just have a couple of complaints,,first is, this time never had lobster unlike last time which was included at one of the elecart... Also no included late checkout...they wanted 25 American an hour....been to Cuba over 25 times...usually as a repeat customer, they throwing a late checkout

Good resort

Good resort. Grounds are well maintained. Food was OK, always something to eat. I didn't like the open buffet due to food being exposed to flies. Beach was very beautiful. Staff not very friendly. Long bus ride. I did get sick, so remember to bring gravol and imodium.

Outdated resort with nice beach

Great beach!!! The food was below average. In the buffet restaurant nobody takes care of hygiene. Rooms are outdated and beds are old. Usually bed sheets were stained as well as bath towels. If you don’t tip them, they will say we run out. Every single day you can expect different things to be missing. No bier, no caps, no gin, etc.

Beautiful resort

Not sure where to start our stay at santuary cayo santa maria was amazing. As for the staff they amazing and absolutely beautiful always ready to help.The beaches had to be the most relaxing part of the trip. I would suggest any one to visit cuba. Lucy Melo

Terrible experience!

Im shocked at the positive reviews. We found the food disgusting. You have to go to the grilling stations and get something fresh, buffet is cold and lots of flies. No specialty restaurants, they all serve the same meal. Not much else for food options. The beach has a Food shack and there is one by the pool. They serve a sandwich only, nothing else and seating by the beach is pretty decrepit and dirty. Pool was dirty and lots of algae, tiles missing everywhere. Never once saw it cleaned  [... read more]or chemicals added. No toilet paper ever in public bathrooms, sometimes not even a seat. Cold water in our room for three days until we asked to move, which they did. Ran out of beer and rum and vodka all the time, though bartenders are selling bottles under the table then they water down the rest to make it last the day Property is old and dated and steps, stairs and railings lose and dangerous. Positive - our room was clean always and the butlers were all very good, especially Jose who went above and beyond.

Meh

Meh Front desk awful Food cold Bugs in my room ..said they were ants. Tub way to high No hot water in the block finally got fixed 2 days before vacation was over. Garden view back of building looking at garbage. Beach amazing Communication regarding events very poor. New manager Eric didn't even care to ask how everything was knowing we had no hot water. New manager was watching soccer while there was only 1 bartender working the lobby bar that was busy . The manager didn't  [... read more] even jump in to help. That is poor management! Bus was almost 2 hours late bringing us to airport therefore we had no chance to use the VIP lounge which we paid extra for. I was really on the fence about this hotel but now writing this review its clear. I will never go there again let alone recommend it to anybody.

Hotel is getting bad

This was my 6th time at this hotel in the past 2 years. Used to be very nice and no shortages. I was there the first week in January 2025 and all was still good. My last trip at the end of March was not that good. Bars did run out of rum and even cola. Food is very limited. Mini bar now only consists of 1 pop and 1 water per day. They are pushing the prestige members and are mainly catering to them. I was only able to get into one Ala carte all week, it was always full. Beach and pool  [... read more]chairs can be hard to get. Most of them are taken by 7am even though no one is around. Beaches and staff still amazing and good service.

I would not go back

The people in the beaches were amazing. The facilities were extremely unsanitary. There was no hot water in my building the entire week. It was also no power for two days. A lot of shortages on beer and rum. The food was terrible. And the bugs were definitely out biting. I would consider this hotel to be a two star. I’ve stayed in Cuba about five times now and this was one of the worst. We weren’t able to get an à la carte dinner. A young lady was electrocuted in the pool while we were there. I  [... read more]have nothing really good to say about the resort other than the people and the beaches Were great..

Very nice resort

We found there was more variety in food choices over at Grand Memories . That is where we tended to eat at dinner time . Sanctuary had a beautiful big pool but we are beach people and it was spectacular. The staff were absolutely amazing always making sure you had what you needed .

Sanctuary at Grand Memories

We loved our 11 day stay at Sanctuary. Our room was ocean view and in need of some updating but it was very clean. There is a wonderful market not far from the resort that has restaurant's, shops and a bowling alley. Staff were so amazing and helpful The beach is breath taking. My daughter was lucky enough to see 6 dolphins we will definitely go back to this resort

Amazing vacation at Sanctuary Grand Memories!

Beautiful beaches , amazing staff all around , the butler service was amazing , saw dolphins swimming by on the beach ,the pool bar had a great atmosphere , we enjoyed the sunshine so much we didn’t make it much later after dinner , we had an amazing day deep sea fishing ! Only complaint was the sanctuary buffet had so many flies as it was an open air buffet but we had access to grand memories buffet and the selection was great ! We are hoping to go back in November ! Thank you trip cent [... read more]ral and Monique for making booking such a breeze !

Good resort

Grounds were well kept. Beach was amazing!! Food was decent just limited variety. They also ran out of beer for 2 days and limited on vodka and tequila. Rooms were nice and our maid did a very good job every day. The workers were all very nice.

Very good resort

We had a great time, the butlers are amazing will do everything they can for you love Jose. I sent an email to the resort before leaving and they gave me all my requests. Lovely people. The only issue are the flies on the food, the buffet is better at the grand memories