The hotel was great, staff were friendly and always made us feel welcomed. The food was good, there were 2 snack bars to chose from and we knew that the food could be repetitive at the buffet so we used these to change things up. The beach is amazing, it is a bit of a climb to and from but there is a walkway without stairs, just a bit more of a walk. Our flight was cancelled on departure day and the staff were quick to rebook a room and kept us informed. We did the Bay Adventure excursion which was well worth it and also took the bus to a nearby market which was fun. We would return to this area and this resort.

Overall the hotel, grounds and people are wonderful. Unfortunately the shortages of food and supplies are beyond the control of the hotel personnel. The people of Cuba are wonderful hard workers and are doing their best to create a GREAT guest experience with what little supplies they are receiving to work with.

Food (with full expectation for Cuba limited food choices based on multiple Cuba trips) was completely unbearable. If planning diet/weight loosing trip than it is right place. It looks like Melia managment chooses which weeks to provide normal food and which are bare minimum to survive. Beside the food, great hotel/beach/fellow tourists/service

Very attentive wait staff. Wonderful very clean beach. Pool was ideal. Will definitely make sol rio our annual go to resort in cuba To top it off...the airport in Holguin is so easy to fly in and out of

Overall we had an enjoyable stay here. The property itself is beautiful and well laid out. The beach was beautiful with warm and clear water. No seaweed. Mosquitoes very minimal as they spray often. Rooms could have been better. Mattresses were not overly great, bathroom had a strong sewer odour, and there were intermittent periods without water which was frustrating. Food was typical Cuban fare, got a bit repetitive but we always found something to eat. Snack bar was the best lace to get fresh food with a beautiful view overlooking the ocean.

Everything about the Luna y Mares was AMAZING, Esmeralda Beach and the staff most of all. The buffet was good and well stocked, the bars had many drink options and the "À la carte" restaurants were wonderful (I need the recipe for that cuban bean soup!). The gardens are beautiful and grounds extremely well kept. The rooms are clean and spacious. All in all, even if my luggage was delayed for 5 days (nothing to do with the resort), it was an amazing stay and we will definately be going back.

The Hotel is super clean and well maintained regardless that it is starting to show its age. Certain areas would need a refresher but overall not an issue. The ocean view & beach; just paradise! The staff is attentive and the service is excellent. I recommend & would return anytime!!

September 16-30, 2025. The flight was smooth. I had to pay $55 for checked baggage, but only once. Baggage return from Cuba was free. The charter flight to the hotel took less than 90 minutes on a new, comfortable bus. I was assigned a room in which everything worked except the air conditioning. I insisted on being moved to another room. This one did work, but I had to manually turn it on and off repeatedly. The hotel and room 1024 were clean and generally in good condition. The food exceeded my expectations, but there were still some shortcomings. They had eggs, bread, butter, cheese, edible sausages, pork, chicken, and a little fruit. No tomatoes or greens. For Cuba, this is definitely a four-star meal. Yesterday's compositions were limited. The yogurt and juice seemed to have been diluted with tap water. I've had food poisoning for the past four days. The snack bar was good. The weather was fine the entire trip, but it rained for the last four days. The temperature was 24/32°C. The water was very warm, 28-30°C. The beach is good, 5 out of 5. The bottom is a bit steep. If you can't swim, be careful. Beach shoes are not necessary. There are no rip currents. Coral reefs are within a 1-1.5 km radius. The loud noise from the entertainment wasn't too loud. The staff was busy with their work, and the results were visible.

Spent a week at this beautiful resort at the end of May with 5 great friends. The staff was incredibly friendly and welcoming! Had a gorgeous view of the pool and ocean from my 2nd floor balcony. The room was comfortable and I was impressed with the water pressure & temperature in the shower. The resort is very clean. My maid was so sweet. She had my room cleaned every morning by 9am and always left swans or hearts with towels & flowers on my bed. A short walk down the stairs/elevator and I was in the lobby, buffet, bar and pool area. The food was pretty good. Lots of fresh bread, butter, eggs every day, good breakfast sausages, yogurt, soups, salads, chicken and fish, hamburgers, french fries, papaya, mangos, rice, pickles, tomatoes, red beets, etc. The buffet had cooking stations for omelets, grilled fish & chicken, etc. The bars always had beer, gin & tonic, rum & cola, pina coladas, mimosas, mojitos. There are several stairs down to the beach but it was worth every step. Fluffy white sand and the ocean was crystal clear with so many shades of blue. There was a bar/restaurant and washrooms on the beach. It's not buffet style, they take your order and serve you. The views from the resort are amazing! We took some beautiful sunset photos of our group! Went on a horse & buggy ride to Guardalavaca. Our guide gave us lots of great information and pointed out things along the way. We stopped at a market with lots of vendors and a place to purchase beverages. There were also vendors set up in the lobby area almost every day at the resort. Shows in the lobby from 9-10 every night. We especially enjoyed retro night on Wednesday. We planned ahead and dressed up for the night. Had fun on the dance floor. The resort was very quiet with low occupancy when we were there so not much going on activity-wise. May be different in high season.

Best start to vacationing is a short bus ride to the resort after a long day of travel! The only thing I missed was those who couldn’t make the trip. Beach was beautiful. Staff was great. The things that could have been better were out of anyone’s control! Well done.

The beach is beautiful, the rooms were very comfortable. The staff go out of their way to make your stay memorable. The resort is a nice size and very easy to get around other than the walk to the beach but it is sooo worth it once you are there.

The beach is beautiful, the rooms were very comfortable. The staff go out of their way to make your stay memorable. The resort is a nice size and very easy to get around other than the walk to the beach but it is sooo worth it once you are there.

This was a great resort it was a smaller resort which I really like. A group of 6 ladies went on this trip the beach was very nice there are quite a lot of stairs going to the beach but it also has a smooth walking path if you can’t do stairs. There is a nice restaurant on the beach with a bar so you don’t have to go to the buffet for lunch it is sit down and you are served the staff are so lovely.

The resort was quiet as we were late in the season, but still provided a lovely, relaxing stay. The grounds were well kept, food areas were clean, beach and pool provided welcome respite from the 30 degree days. There were some shortages of food and drink, but not enough to take away from the hard work of the staff to make things as nice as possible.

After all the hardships on going in Cuba the workers are smiling and asking how we are. Always something delicious to eat and clean tidy beach and hotel grounds. Always trying to make our stay better. Full marks and 100% to resort. Muchos Gracias

This is a lovely hotel with an intimate, shady beach, which unfortunately seems to be subject to gale-strength winds virtually every day. I had a really nice room that faced a quiet, private garden. I saw a Cuban pygmy owl in the tree in front of my balcony. It stayed there for a couple of hours! However, compared to my stay last year, the food has deteriorated markedly. I found it pretty much inedible, except for the black beans and rice and salad. There was, however, plenty of chocolate ice cream always available, and there were always eggs and containers of yoghurt for breakfast. Some days, there was no bread. There were no hamburgers on any day at the snack bar, only hot dogs. The fried banana chips at the snack bar were great! And the two a la carte meals I had (one Cuban and one Italian) were delicious, and showed what the chefs are capable of when they are given the right ingredients. I found it sad that the buffet was so bad, and for that reason, I will not be returning to this hotel.

Barely passable: alcohol drinks (many ingredients are missing, never seen at the resort mojitos or conchancharas, for example; “orange juice” that is used for mimosas makes them undrinkable). Beer, gin/tonic, wines were always available though. Barely passable: food. Exactly one meat type available (chicken, sometimes pork) and one fish type (mackerel). Fruits - most days papaya, sometimes banana or guava. That’s it for fruits! Never seen oranges, grapefruits, mangoes, pineapples etc. The egg situation was good, no shortages and that is a big plus. No bacon at all though. One edible ham, the other one looking like a flavoured carton box fibers is inedible, little wieners the same, but finer carton fibers :). One time there was no bread. Side dishes: sweet potato, two types of rice always there, sometimes potato, sauteed chard/vegetables, beans. They also have a special station that makes fried rice with vegetables. Salad ingredients are mostly good: tomato, cucumber, swiss chard, lettuce, sweet peppers, onion, cabbage. Watch out sometimes for not very fresh tomatoes though. Catchup, olive oil, sweets, ice cream are always available. Waiters/waitresses are very attentive and friendly. Beach loungers guys are treating distribution of loungers like their private enterprise. It becomes annoying if you come to the beach the second time in early afternoon and they make sure there are no loungers available so they can collect tips again. They should lay off a bit. There were constant scheduled blackouts outside the resort, but the resort itself didn’t experience it except for a couple of surges that didn’t affect anything. Entertainment was mediocre except the daytime Cuban band that plays on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. They’re awesome! There is a new thing: they bring returning customers from all the nearby resorts to a special dinner at Plaza Pesquero (it’s not on Pesquero beach, it’s literally a plaza away from the resorts). They even had mojitos there! A couple of bands were playing, food/drinks were ok. Overall I wouldn’t go there a second time. Basically you are taken away for the whole evening and buses return to the resort closer to 10pm. I’m not sure why they do this, maybe due to a lack of entertainment options on the resorts? The returning guest dinner at the resort was just a failure. We were redirected from La Pinta beach restaurant to the snack back and there was nothing special about the dinner except the wait and the mosquitoes :) We were trying to get a paid lobster dinner but to no avail. It looks like you can buy a lobster dinner only outside the resorts now. Similarly, the situation with cigars is almost dire: SRLM shops had very limited selection of single cigars for sale, Almirante doesn’t sell cigars at all(!) and the specialized cigar shop next to Almirante had a couple of types only. Clientele: about 30% Germans, 30% Quebecois, 20% Cubans, 10% Ontarians, 10% Canadian Eastern Europeans. Overall I would still recommend this resort if you can handle limited and repetitive food/drinks.

The lobby and café bar were my favorite spot to hang out at the resort. Amazing, hot cappuccino were enjoyed daily. The food options on the other hand were extremely disappointing There was no bread for 5 days and the only fruit option was papaya that did not taste in season.

We've been to Cuba a dozen times in the past 15 years, but were a little apprehensive this year with news of power and gas shortages, lack of basic essentials, and such. But this is a great little resort, very friendly and helpful staff, nice beach maybe 20-30 minute walk from end to end. We were pleasantly surprised by the food, it was ok and we didn't lack for anything. They say the resort has been renovated, but in Cuba style, a little paint here and there, but still a little tired... beds were comfy. There are quite a few stairs from the main hotel area (lobby/pool) to the beach 3-4 flights... so if you are a little weary of stairs and walking, you may find it difficult. If you love Cuba... you will love this place, if you need the extras of the Dominican or Mexico, don't come here... but for the price, it really is great! Big shout out to the staff!!!

Staff are excellent, rooms are nice. No shortages of food or alcohol. The beach is one of the best I've seen. No complaints what so ever except my vacation is over. Xxx̌xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxx

Visit Jan 29 to Feb 5, 2025. We return every year as the resort is well kept & scenic. Huge fabulous beach sprinkled with natural trees. Great friendly service. They serve plenty of good food and drinks, and have a 24-hour restaurant with numerous things on the menu, plus a restaurant on the beach. For those who can’t do steps, there are ramps to the beach and on the ground floor and lobby, as well as a handicap washroom. The Mares building also has large walk-in showers with a seat built in, and long shower cords. Remember to take a carriage ride or the bus to the Guardalavaca market, just minutes away. We have visited 11 times, and will continue to come and bring our friends!

Over the years as I have been going to this resort what can I say. It keeps getting better all the time. I have met so many friends and to this day I still talk regularly to some of them, and it's been over ten years since we met. The staff is wonderful some have been there for 30 plus years. I met one elderly lady that has travelled to that resort 100 times. Now that says something about this resort. All as you have to go is one time and you will fall in love with Luna Mares. You have to go of the resort and talk to the locals and see how hard their lives are. Take plenty of small items like toothpaste, bandages, deodorant, toothbrushes candy for the children, medicine, they need it all and you will see their happiness. Only thing now, I have to wait till Oct to visit my second home.

It was a great family vacation from June 25-July 2 2024. The Hotel Sol Rio de Luna y Mares is probably the best resort we visited in Cuba. Very well maintained, clean, perfect layout. Everything is close: lobby bar, pool, restaurants, beach. Beach is amazing (Playa Esmeralda), lots of natural shade, very good place for snorkeling. Food was good (lots of variety), entertainment was good (could be a little longer at night, finishes at 10pm), service was very good, staff was very friendly and welcoming, they go extra mile to make you feel appreciated. We will definitely come back and probably make this resort our Cuban vacation destination in the future.

This was our second trip to SRLM and we were concerned about the negative reviews regarding the food in Cuba. There was no concern there. The Cuban soup was delicious. The omelets were very good. The buffet was good, a little repetitive but very good food. We never went hungry, believe me. We had eggs every day and bacon almost every day. Besides, I don't eat bacon and eggs everyday at home. lol. I would advise you bring condiments like ketchup and mustard, no big deal for me. The staff were wonderful, always smiling. It was wonderful to see Dora again. Most staff speak good English, The maids were always smiling and friendly. I looked forward to hearing "HOLA" every morning. The pool was clean and the swim-up bar was great. The beach is amazing, just like I remembered it. You can snorkel right off the beach, plenty of fish too. I can't wait to go back. My only disappointment was that the Luna side was closed for renovations but that really didn't but a damper on our vacation. If you are considering booking SRLM, go for it. You won't be disappointed. Thank You to the management of SRLM for keeping this resort as wonderful as I remembered. Thank You to Carol Mack from Tripcentral, who made our booking very easy.

The beach here is absolutely beautiful and there is great snorkeling. The staff here are very friendly. It is a small resort but it is great to have everything close. The resort is clean beds are comfy. The entertainment was great. Loved the coffee bar

We had a wonderful trip as always. Great beach , The staff is amazing. There's not a large variety of food but always enough to fill your needs. We go there mainly for the beach and people so there's everything we need. This was our 15th trip.

As we have just returned from 21 days at Sol Luna I feel I can give a fair and honest assessment for this resort. This is our seventh trip to this resort and our 14th to Cuba.First of all the staff and grounds are one of the best in Cuba. There are some serious issues in Cuba surrounding shortages The poor staff do what they can to satisify but even their frustration shows at times. Examples are no bread for days, no eggs for days ,no bacon for days, limited watered down juice. no mixed drinks except rum punch. At the A La Carte restaurants it seems to be the same old products just renamed.Example soup in all pretty much the same but renamed in each.Water issues for a few days resulted in some frustration. 1 day no water for 8 hours 1 day no water for 4 hours 1 day no hot water... We feel that we are fair and try to understand the problems Cuba is having however as we are paying good money for the trip we don,t expect to have these ongoing problems.Conditions were much worse this year than 2023. I have no issues with Trip Central and certainly will be using Jenn Black in the future.Unless things improve in Cuba i would not recommend any resort in this country.

Having been to Cuba and especially to this resort numerous times since 2008 I thought I knew what to expect. I was wrong! We are not just talking about some shortages but major shortage and big change in other areas too. From atmosphere to safety. While I was there, 2 couples left early due to safety issues. As always, the beach was beautiful and the pool is too. Rooms clean but no art, no love just a bare cell with 20 year old beds. I do not need bacon and eggs for breakfast, I am totally OK with toast, jam and coffee and fruit. But if there is no decent bread (flour shortage, no yeast) no butter, no jam, no yoghurt only fruit is watermelon and papaya, then it becomes an issue. Of course no eggs and bacon. No juice. Orange juice is Tang, the lemon juice and strawberry juice that is offered is not juice but the syrup mixture used for magaritas and strawberry magaritas. Lunch and Dinners: Next to the buffet there is only one restaurant at beach and the snackbar that doubles as Cuban restaurant sometimes and sometimes its the International restaurant. I was there for 7 day. Chicken and chicken. Fish is only Tilapi, why - there is an ocean out there. Same with the fruit, there are fruit vendors along road, but hotel only has water melon. Hamburge or hotdogs are served without condiments and bread or bun. Basically just a slice of burger with cheese and a slice of tomato. Hotdog had a big cracker that came with it. No potatoes, but mashed egg plant, mashed plantain, mashed banana, mashed pumpkin. A lot of mashed Salad bar: its defrosted vegtables and fresh cabbage but no dressing - no vinegar, no mayo etc. Hence its just dry piles of canned or previously frozen vegs. The brusselspouts were sitting there lonely the whole week. Cold brusselsprouts. Dessert station: Orange jello and mush again. Meaning there was rice pudding and choclate pudding. No pastries or lil cakes. They had something called donuts - however it was the same dense white flour dough, hard and dense, glazed with choclate or sugar. of course watermelon Atmosphere: Changed a lot too. Staff is tired and worn looking and acting. Front desk ignores customers and generally has no clue when asked a question - this is the young male staff. The older ladies were good. There were lots of American-Cubans this resulted in loud boombox music from different areas of pool. Rude and ill mannered. Lots of prostitution - young girls and old men. There were security incidences that were just scarry and people left. No police was called nor properly addressed. Water and electrical outages. Here and there for a couple of hours But also longer. Water was out one day for 12 hours during the day. Imagine the smell of the public restrooms. You werre unable to clean yourself, brush teeth or anything. I ended up getting myself a gallon of water and used it to clean myself. All in all. It was not worth the money at all. I am shocked at how much it has changed.

This was our eighth time visiting this resort, we were there from April 3 - 17th. Our room was nice and remodelled with a beautiful shower and the air conditioning worked very well. Food was good with only a few days without bread and eggs, we had fresh fruit every day. Every Friday is Cuban day, they roasted a pig and served it later in the afternoon. The beach is long and beautiful. There are lots of activities throughout the day and entertainment in the evenings, you will not get bored. As always, the resort staff are amazing and the cleaning staff and gardeners keep the resort clean and beautiful, they all made our stay wonderful. We have no regrets and look forward to our next vacation to this resort.

4th time back, can’t wait till the Reno is done, but it did not effect the amazing atmosphere of Sol Rio, the beautiful surroundings, beach and the staff are what makes this place special and keeps us coming back.. now, to be brutally honest as I’ve seen a lot of mixed reviews.. IF YOU ARE a picky eater, perhaps Cuba is not for you, but if not there’s tons of amazing food to choose from every day! Rice, pasta, chicken, pork, fish, salads and fresh fruits!! Alcohol- lots of rum, wine, mimosas, beer, however - we did not have vodka or tequila for most of our stay. It did pop up a couple nights though. Overall if you want to have a nice relaxing vacation, this is the spot, amazing service, never crowded and a beach that is an absolute gem.

This resort is a bit of "best kept secret". The beach is beyond expectation. The snorkeling is first class (if you know where to go...). The service is amazing and the whole staff is so attentive and work so hard to show us all a wonderful vacation. The grounds are (to me) the best in all of this area's resorts. Even though some renos are taking place on the Luna side, every effort was made to be as unintrusive as possible. I can't wait to see the results in a (hopefully) return visit! Speaking of, a special dinner was included for return visitors. We thought that was really nice. The dinner was amazing. Hope to stay longer next time....

Employees were warm, welcoming and very helpful as usual. Lots of food, and the variety was good, including shrimp, calamari, lobster, and also great pizza in the 24-hour restaurant. Enjoyed the sun and acres of clean white sand all week on the huge beach with a lovely sprinkling of natural trees. You can’t beat the spectacular views from the front or the rear of this resort! Take some bug spray this year though as unusually wet weather last fall brought out a few tiny but itchy mosquitoes.

This was my second time in this resort, two years in a row. The same feeling of being welcome and valued guest. The resort is well managed, staff are friendly and attentive, the beach is one of the best I have seen. There were food shortages however they were well compensated with other items. No eggs, plenty of shrimps and sea food. There is generally a good feel there. No drunk guests, parties enjoyed by all. Lots of returning guests, which means something. I will keep returning

This week just came back from 7 days in this resort. Everything was just excellent! From the very beginning: very skillful bus driver, then great experience and followup help of check-in and welcoming, very high quality service and fantastically pleasant stay! It is one of Cuban pearls definitely! The people are very friendly and personnel does just amazing job! Many thanks to all of the staff! Fantastic management! Not mentioning here some food shortages so many times mentioned in other comments; the situation in and around Cuba as well as the position of Cuba is well known and respected. In given circumstances Cubans and this resort do everything possible and even more than that. On the last UN general assembly only two countries voted against and one abstained on resolution condemning the illegal economic and trade embargo against Cuba imposed by the US in 1960. A total of 187 States voted for the resolution put forward each year against the embargo. UN General Assembly calls for US to end Cuba embargo. The food and drinks are of absolutely highest quality given the initial resources and the circumstances. So, it is great, healthy and very tasty, refreshing and energizing, well made with love and care. (Those whining about food etc. should go to Turks and Caicos all-inclusives or Florida ones and see what they will get there and for what price, let’s be honest :) ) Great and many thanks to all the people of this place and resort!

In the past, we had stayed at the Hotel Paradisus, but due to hurricanes that hotel’s beach is almost nonexistent, it is full of coral; but since we love Playa Esmeralda we decided to try out Sol Luna Mares since the latter had been renovated. We were pleasantly surprised. The grounds were beautiful, the beach was stunning as expected. We had reserved a room with ocean-view and to our great surprise, our room had cathedral ceilings! Service was impeccable, entertainment was amusing, although it does become very noisy if you want to sit in your balcony We are coffee drinkers and were very pleased to see a coffee counter in the lobby which was open 24 hours a day. I had cappuccino’s to my heart’s content. I have to mention how clean all the public bathrooms were. At the beach, the lady whose name I believe was Ymilce, cleaned the bathroom after each person who entered. Amazing! The only thing we were disappointed with was the food. Yes, yes, this is Cuba and the situation is really bad, but I think if they just offered a little more vegetables instead of canned mushrooms, canned beets and canned carrots, it would be an amazing improvement. The only fresh vegetables they had were cucumbers, oh also pumpkin. If you like, french fries, hamburger, hot dogs, sweet potatoes, pizza, pasta, pancakes, cakes, doughnuts, then you will be happy with the selection. They also had a very good selection of fresh fish, chicken, porc, and even steak and delicious pineapple and papaya. I hope that in future, the hotel will be able to add fresh vegetables, real eggs for omelettes instead of powdered eggs, cold cuts and maybe a better variety of cheese. If they make these changes, this hotel will easily become a 5 star hotel. In the meantime, we definitely intend to return to this hotel, since it is beautiful and well managed. Not to mention, the amazing employees which make this place even more special. In the meantime, gracias to the management, a job well done.

Very spacious and clean. Pool looks clean and neat. Beach area looks nice and tidy. Snack bar opens 24/7 with tasty burgers and hotdogs. Lots of drinks. Wi-Fi available throughout the resort. Cleaning ladies are always on time

Great location, Luna part closed due to renovation. Mares is completely renovated. Very helpful representatives at the front desk. Excellent service in restaurants bars etc. Clean updated rooms and facilities, everything in our rooms was functioning properly.. Playa Esmeralda is something that can not be described by words, you have to experience it. We'll be back.

The hotel is well maintained but tired. Check-in was simple enough but our room was not prepared based on our request. After an entire day of travel and transfer delays; we were a dismayed to walk in to a room that was crammed with three double beds. The safe didn’t work and the washroom basin did not drain. We were tired and decided to speak to the hotel in the morning, after we got some rest. When I explained, the wheels went into motion immediately. Safe battery changed, sink plunged one bed removed and the other two joined to form a king. We did experience food, water and electricity shortages but we knew the country was struggling with this. I would say that there could be some kind of notice posted advising guests of the issue but otherwise it was a good experience. Lovely beach with interesting on-site snorkelling. Wish tourists would not leave their plastic cups on the beach…we need to help preserve the pristine beaches we visit. Kudos to the staff who work hard and go out of their way to please. We thank you.

I've been here before and will go again... The renovated Mare part of hotel (Luna part is under renovation) looks very nice. Everyday cleaning inside and out makes it look bright! Weather (middle June 2023) was wonderful! Three restaurants serve your needs all day! You always find something special for yourself. Entertaining was surprisingly very good comparing to previous years. I enjoyed the concert with beautiful and very talented girl who made a perfect show with Whitney Huston songs. And people who serve you… O, they are amazing! Hope to see and listen her again!

I rate this resort as the best in the area. What are you looking for your vacation while traveling from, for example, Canada to Cuba? Firsts and most of all it is the beach and the resort by that beach. This resort is fantastic and playa Esmeralda is one of the most beautiful places in Cuba for sure. Everything went well and everything was just fine! The personnel was very friendly and helpful; the features, public areas, dinning, bars and coffee services, room and services were excellent. The beach and all the surroundings are just pearl of fantastic, tranquil vacation place. This place went through some renovation, still going through some additional improvements and it is on the ramp up, no doubts. I strongly recommend this resort for a vacation.

We had a wonderful stay at luna marrs as all ways even with only half open and supply shortages. Our 13th trip and will go back. Our trouble was with air transit after driving 3 hours to airport thay delay the flight 14 hours. 1st notice was when we dropped off our baggage 3 hours ahead. Next morning at check in thay gave us meal slips to be used at the airport .we already had breakfast and these expired the next day. Thay should of been useable on air transit plain. So as we left the country with in the hour thay were no good.

A happy return to our favourite Cuban resort. More buffet space as only one side of the resort has re-opened. Food variety was good. Rooms are upgraded with walk-in showers. A new centrally located disability washroom is much appreciated!! We’re looking forward to using the “quiet pool” again when renovations are completed on the Luna side of the resort. Nice upgrade on the beach washroom too. Thanks to our old friends for the warm “welcome back”!!! (Feb 10 to 24 visit.)

My Goodness, what a lovely resort! My wife and I just returned from Luna/Mares and we loved it there. This was my second time there and a first for my wife. Now that it`s post covid and the resorts are open again, I would like to mention that their were only slight changes from when I was there before. First of all the liquor selection lacked the variety prior to covid. If you love rum then your fine but it would have been nice to have a wider variety to choose from. Don`t misunderstand me for there is still a good selection of alcohol drinks to choose from but not like before. Of course there was also beer on tap and wine, the white house wine was good (drank that a lot) but the red not so pleasant. Remember that you are in a country which is struggling to get back to normal after covid (and it was very difficult for the Cuban people and their economy) so give them some time to have selections like before. Secondly, the food selection for the most part was great. I nor my wife were ever disappointed when we ate. The only exception that I have is that the dessert selection was really lacking (not in the amount but in how good they tasted) other than that we were not disappointed. There were slight problems with the food but not enough to really complain about. Now the resort was so very clean, It looked amazing, and as a guest all the staff were polite and helpful, very friendly indeed. We had an upgrade to an ocean view room and it was sooooo perfect! Such a clean well kept room and the view of the pool and ocean was spectacular! The wonderful lady which cleaned our room did such a wonderful job. As mentioned, all the staff were wonderful, pleasant and kind! Now the beach was just picture perfect! So clean and the water so clear. Only one morning did we have a problem getting a lounge chair. (There were many lounge chairs that were broken, hopefully they will repair or replace them soon). Other than that the beach is truly a paradise. It needs to be mentioned that the views from the resort are just fantastic with the ocean on one side and mountains (large hills) on the other side. It`s so wonderful because it`s not one resort after another along a beach. This is a paradise and I am looking forward to going back this coming July and then next March again with my wife. For some reason this is resort is rated 31/2 stars. I truly believe that it is a 4 star resort for sure!

This was a nice surprise my first time at this resort. The rooms were clean, staff very friendly and helpful. The beach is beyond beautiful with crystal clear ocean water. The food was good but the selection not so much. I liked the 24 hour coffee bar and will definitely plan on returning!

The people make the resort and in this case they made it beautiful! Welcoming, clean, and friendly. With today’s economy and the world situation, realize some things are difficult to get, but there is plenty of food to eat plenty of drinks to drink but more importantly, plenty of reasons just to sit back and relax. We have so much here in Canada yet the resort also made me realize what we are missing and that is friendship and humility and joyful times. Thank you so much.

We went for 2 weeks for the first time, and had a wonderful time. We heard there were several food shortages due to covid, but didn't find this to be the case. The food was the same as usual, just not much fish this time. Feb.14th was a fantastic lobster dinner. The Luna side is still closed for renovations, but the Mares side has been all updated and is beautiful. All new bathrooms, huge shower stall instead of tub, sinks with plugs, etc. Really impressive! The staff was wonderful as usual, and we renewed several acquaintances. Internet was free. Just go to reception and get a login password. I didn't know this, and didn't bring a phone or tablet as their internet was not very reliable or free in the past. Hydro went out more than usual, but we were told it was country wide. Not very many people on the beach, as Luna is still closed, so no problem getting lounge chairs. Beach restaurant has been re-furbished/renovated and there are now flush toilets at the beach. Covid has brought a lot of changes, with so many resorts closed for 3 years. Their store is about 1/4 of the size, mostly liquor, very few souvenirs, and the vendors don't come to the resort anymore. We didn't know this had changed. My husband went to Guardalavaca Market and it was much smaller than usual.Possibly the vendors have had to find other employment with resorts being closed so long. There are no cigars due to an extended drought. I understand the rice rations have been severely cut for the Cubans. I have no patience with people who complain about the food when the locals are going hungry. The resort employees are better off, but even they haven't worked in 2 1/2 years. We were unable to bring a second suitcase even if we paid extra. We usually bring one bag of clothes and toiletries to give away. I took fewer clothes than usual so I could bring some to give away. It's fine to tip with cash, but if the shelves are bare, it doesn't matter how much money you have. Russia's war with Ukraine has impacted Cuba adversely, and covid and the dry weather have not helped. This is the first time there haven't been tons of cigars available. No one at Trip Central seemed to know what currency to bring. They take Canadian dollars for everything, but it is based on US dollars.Things in the store are priced in USD, then converted to Canadian money and that's what you pay. (I suggest bringing more small bills like $5s and $10s rather than $50s) You generally pay for excursions with credit cards, and they won't take any which are affiliated with American banks. You don't have to bring USD or convert to pesos. You can exchange Canadian bills for loonies and toonies for tips, but the staff have to change it back to bills before they can use it. Their banks will not take American bills, so don't waste time buying American money or tipping with it. The entertainment was good, but not spectacular, and the activities staff tried really hard to engage the guests. Everyone loves Jose the waiter at the Lobby Bar. He's worth his weight in gold for this resort. There's a 24 hour snack bar with a limited menu, and maybe not as many "a la cartes", but that was often the same food as the buffet, just served by waiters, with smaller portions. Other years we used to go to the buffet for a top up. Lots of pork, spaghetti, great omelettes, bread, great soup, rice pudding, etc. We expected food shortages, but it was about the same as usual. Buffet has been renovated also, very clean, didn't see any bugs. Every year I take yarn with me and make scrunchies for the female staff. These go over very well. This year I also made earrings for gifts. They really appreciate anything you give them. Can't wait to go back next year.

As serial returning customers, we still find this resort very good: awesome beach, great service, clean pool, newly renovated rooms on Mares side (Luna side is closed). Access to coral reef near Rio de Oro for snorkeling is hard due to the exposed rocks. It appears that Rio de Oro dumps sewage into that small lake between the resorts. Sewage also can be smelled in the Mares lobby between the bar and the coffee island. People should know about the absence of some basic things like napkins, potatoes, ketchup and shortages of things like juices, pina colada, fruits, fish etc. Hopefully things will get better but as of December 2022 this is the situation.

We traveled to this resort Dec 9-Dec. 16 2022 and we can honestly say we sure did not go hungry or thirsty ! The beach is beautiful very spacious with lots of chairs . Didn't have to fight for a chair around the pool either. The staff are very kind, helpful and very accommodating. Yes there are many stairs to the beach however there is a ramp that you can use instead The entertainment Comitee really try hard to get everyone involved. It's very obvious that management is doing something right as the staff are very happy . I suggest pay the extra for a pool/ ocean view room as you will not be disappointed. First resort that I've been to that has an elevator and WFI throughout the resort .

Everything is kept spotless, the buffet is completely redone, the staff are all very nice and hard working and the beach is the best in the Caribbean with a combination of palapas, palm and almond trees so there is always shade if you like.

Just returned from Luna y Mares. It was my 3rd visit and although it is an older resort they have done a good job keeping it up to date. Pros: the view is as spectacular as ever, the ocean water warm and inviting. The pool is clean and just the right temperature. The gentleman tending the pool does a great job. The rooms have been updated with a new walk in shower, very nice! Most of the staff go out of their way to accommodate. I brought up several issues to the attention of the customer service team and they addressed them immediately. Yunoir (pron. Junoir), Gaby and Karalie were great. David the general manager is on top of things and was equally responsive to suggestions. There was quite a bit of litter and debris on the far left of the beach and he had it cleaned up the next day after I spoke with him. He also dealt with a few other issues in a timely manner. Near the end of my 2 week stay I noticed a large pile of plastic bottles and garbage in the wooded area on the right hand side just before the bridge that leads to the Paradisus. Yunoir said that they would have this cleaned up right away. I left before seeing it done, but I’m sure they have already done it. Cons: My biggest complaint is the music. Given the fact that the Luna side is still under renovation there is no quiet area at the resort, not even the furthest corners of the beach. On the right you get the renovation noise and on the left you get the music from the pool area. I tried several times to speak to Alex the activities manager to try and reach a compromise on the sound level, but could never find him and I wanted to speak to him first before speaking to the customer service team. Unfortunately, the mgrs. do not carry walkie talkie’s and therefore getting a hold of them is inconvenient to say the least. Management should either provide these devices or at the very least have the mgrs. accessible by way of a cell phone, as they all seem have one of those! Management needs to determine the maximum level that the activities staff are allowed to set for both the speakers and the microphone. One that is fair to all guests, because when you can’t even enjoy an hour or two at the pool or choose the furthest section of the beach and have some quiet moments then there is a problem! In retrospect I wish I had mentioned it to the customer service team right away. Hopefully, now that I have they may have made some changes. Overall, my stay was pleasant and I may return once the Luna side is complete. And don’t forget to tip whenever you can. They only make around a dollar or so a day, so even leaving 50 CUP makes quite a difference. At the time of my visit in Nov. 80 CUP was what you received for one Cdn dollar. It is important to note that they can’t deposit Cdn coins, so convert your Cdn. dollars to CUP’s. There is a small kiosk in the hotel that will convert your money.

Luna Side is under reno's right now. Mares side is now complete totally redone. WIFI in every room, lobby and also the beach. Know more buying WIFI cards its all included now. We had a great time but the mini excursions are know longer there probably because of covid.

The Luna section is closed due to renovations. Building 5,6,7,8, is not available. This is the more quiet section.Also closed off in this area is the Luna side pool, ice cream parlour, the two A La Carte Restaurants, the smaller lounge/bar, and the snack restaurant. The Pinta eating area on the beach has been completely redone and is now open.The washrooms there have been redone also. At the other end of beach the Nina eating and bar area has been demolished and is just a hole in the ground. There are many upgrades on the Mares side now. Each day was a struggle to find a peaceful, quiet spot on the beach to relax and enjoy the sounds of the ocean.Groups of people forcing their load Spanish Music upon others was a constant issue. The only pool currently is the Mares, and it is a dedicated activity pool with music and microphone dialogue.

The hotel is a bit outdated ,but very clean . Everything else is beautiful, the nicest beach, the hotel band - outstanding . People are very nice. Definitely will visit again .Thanks for the nice vacation !

Buildings a bit run down and need for constant maintenance and paint. But we know and accept that this is common in Cuba. For instance we changed rooms because the toilet did not flush, the wiring was exposed and you had to do a shoulder charge to open the door. But that's OK: the hotel made no problem about changing rooms and the new room was more satisfactory (although the bathtub finish had gone). The grounds were attractive and well kept. The beach is magnificent and the ocean swimming was superb. Staff were friendly and attentive. The food was fine, with lots of choices. But a pity to see guests stuffing themselves solid. I would like to see the hotel advertise permanently the walking trail in the adjoining conservation area ( only about 300 metres from the hotel). I must also add that we were impressed by our agent in Canada, Laura. She took a personal interest, answered our questions and was very helpful. Indeed we were impressed by Trip Central's 'customer support.' I don't think we have ever had such good service before, from any travel company.

everything was very satisfactory grounds superp staff super friendly Roomswhere a little tierd looking but very cleen Food and drinks where very good Pools and poolservice very good also the Beachservice was exelent

This was our third time at this resort. The resort consists of two parts - the Mares side with the main building where the majority of entertainment and other activities take place, and the more quiet Luna with several smaller buildings. We've always stayed on the Mares side, which is located somewhat higher up the hill and has a beautiful panoramic view of the ocean and the beach. The location is hard to beat - the resort is located right on Playa Esmeralda - the best beach in the region and probably one of the best beaches in Cuba. Overall, we consider this to be a decent value for the money, although for the price one could expect more. The resort would benefit from better upkeep and maintenance, as most rooms are outdated if not run down (which is not untypical for Cuba). We noticed some ongoing renovation, which will hopefully help improve future guest experience. The resort grounds are well-kept. The service was mostly friendly and quick. The food is mostly good quality and has more natural taste to it compared to foods sold at an average food service location or supermarket in Canada. The food variety was decent, although by the end of our first week we've exhausted the buffet menu, so it became repetitive. Coffee at the coffee bar in the lobby is great. Again, the main attraction is the beach and the ocean, with excellent swimming and snorkeling opportunities right off the beach. All the other typical activities, such as short sail trips on a small catamaran, kayaks, beach volleyball, yoga and dance classes etc. are available at no cost. As far as the entertainment program, this year we found it to be quite poor, compared to the previous years. On top of this, for some strange reason most of the performances were held right in the lobby of the Mares side, as opposed to the theatre located between Mares and Luna. This made it horribly noisy on the Mares side - a major complaint this year. We stayed there as a party of seven, including four adults and three kids. Overall - still a good experience, with a few remarks.

Very old hotel,everything us fooling in a parts,ppl cleaning ,but doesn’t look clean,bc of the very vey old environment..we will never go back there,,even fir free....sorry..Staff is amazing,but somehow the Big Management is sleeping about all this (( Rooms are smelling,A/C are old and you are all the time wet,clothes are wet,Don’t like my vacation ,pls go to outher hotels!!

Very good view, clean beach, vast area, a lot of bars, tennis area, theater, swimming-pools, a lot of rooms in renovations statue, some archaeological and old status. A lot of points of: services; as many restaurants; Italian, International, Cuban, and main restaurant. The service in both restaurants and rooms were excellent. The people were very friendly in spite of the embargo. We will recommend this place to revisit; I will go again and again for third time.

This is my second time and my girlfriends first, I absolutely love this place. The beach is one of the most beautiful in the world. So much character in the buildings and architecture, always clean, the people and staff are amazing and the food is pretty damn good for Cuba! If you go make sure to take a trip into Guadarlavaca and Holguín city there is so much more to Cuba than the resorts! I will be back time and time again,

Stayed at Sol Rio Luna Mares right after new years and really enjoyed our stay. The resort was great and the staff even greater. The location is excellent being close to local towns for shopping and exploring. The beach is beautiful and spacious. Even though there was reno's going on the noise was kept to a minimal . I would recommend this resort to everyone.

Got this vacation last minute no time for research. Arrived there reception was overwhelmed stayed in line about an hour. We were told the room was not ready so we waited for about 4 hours. Again stayed in line for another hour only to be told that we have to wait another hour. The grounds, beach and ocean are beautiful, other than that not a very good experience. the only restaurant is too small for the size of the resort (line ups all the time). Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served only between certain hours. At the 24h snack bar the food is not good to say it nicely so if you didn't get to breakfast, nothing to eat until 12:30pm. Also they were out of potatoes for the entire week. There is only one bar on the beach which was on the opposite side of the resort (a good walk), we stayed in the Luna side. Rooms and bathroom very outdated, the towels smell disgusting..

This resort is amazing. It transports people back in time to horse drawn carts, little traffic and peace and serenity. The beach is wonderful with a reef to protect from sharks and other worrisome sea creatures. White sand and clear green blue waters, great for young and old. The rooms are good quality and the food is plentiful. We had no complaints.This area of Cuba offers lovely hills and countryside. We would love to return to this place. Thanks to Lisa Selig and Trip Central

We have been to this resort multiple times and we love the beach, the amazing lookout and the people who run this wonderful place. It has good food and service, without all the fuss of other resorts. This great beach is only shared by another resort and they have the nasty part of the beach while this resort has best of beach and shade and the unbelievable fossils beyond the resort bordering on the preserve area. Will always return here! Thanks Lisa Selig of Trip Central

Beautiful location and grounds, very well kept gardens. The beach is amazing. The rooms are old, especially bathrooms need major revamping. We visited this resort many times, mainly because of the beach and nice grounds. The downside this time was the construction work on the beach (new restaurant is being built). So it was noisy and smelly at times.

Great resort, our 6th visit there, friendly staff, awesome beach, grounds were beautiful, buffet not too bad, the other restaurants were great especially the Italian, you never have to walk too far to get anywhere, more steps to the beach on the Mares side, we prefer the Luna side. The only negative comment would be the rude behavior of the Eastern Europeans, it was a real turnoff, may be a factor if we return.

Been here 6 times. Dining room and restaurants are above average and the entertainment and service is good. Quite a few rooms being renovated - elevators ( 2 of 3) not working, dark hallways. The beach is great with managed chairs and a nice bar that serves lunch. As always, the staff was amazing and went out of their way for everybody.

Beautiful landscaping—flowers, shrubs, trees, walkways, all maintained daily by a phalanx of gardeners. The staff, though, are truly the crown jewel of Sol Rio. A walk on the beach will take you 10 minutes, end to end. Lounge chairs abound, beach staff will help you set up—a restaurant on the beach, a bar,volleyball, yoga, surf boarding, sailing, all available, all part of Sol Rio’s considerable amenities. The entrance breezeway, 1492 Bar, and coffee bar, patio (for smokers), pool and morning, afternoon and evening entertainment is there for whatever pastime you wish to indulge in. And I could continue, but.....

The grounds were beautiful and well kept. The hotel/rooms are somewhat dated but clean. The view from our room was fantastic. There was a good variety of food at the buffet and it was surprisingly tasty (for Cuba!) On the other hand, the food at the a la carte restaurants was not good at all.The MC for the afternoon activities in the lobby and around the pool was always TOO LOUD.In the evening, the entertainment didn't start until 9:30, and again it was TOO LOUD. We couldn't stay in our room but went to the other quieter section of the resort further away.Why didn't they use the theatre?

It was my third time at Sol Rio Luna y Mares. It was 15 years since my last visit and not much has changed. The beach was as beautiful as ever. The staff as friendly and helpful as I remember. Unfortunately the first room I was given had a puddle of water on the bathroom floor. I changed rooms only to be given one above the speakers in the lobby bar which kept me awake. I was then given a great room on my third night that was quiet with a beautiful ocean view. I know not to go to Cuba for the food. I understand they have limited supplies. I got very sick a week into my two week vacation. I can’t be sure if it was food poisoning or a flu. The doctor came and gave me a gravol and antihistamine shot which helped me feel somewhat better but I lost my appetite for the rest of my vacation. During the last day of my stay the resort had no running water - for over twenty four hours. Apparently it was a broken water main that had nothing to do with the hotel. They tried to continue business as usual. It was frightening to me - having already been sick, that people were using and sharing tongs at the buffet with no hand sanitizer in sight. I would have hoped that health precautions would have been followed. Seeing a family of five with young childeren.. I could only imagine the germs... As much as I love Cuba and the people I was relieved to be going home. They got the water back on just as my bus to the airport was leaving.

Being mid November, not everything was open, so there was a LOT of walking; this resort really sprawls across a large area and everything seemed to feel like it was uphill for some reason. The staff were amazing, as always, and do their best. There were some shortages but we made do. The beach is absolutely beautiful and the food was quite good. I did enjoy my week there, but I can't quite say I'd return; it came across as more of a discount hotel to me, but hopefully it's better when everything is open.

Same menu for lunch & supper every day. There were not enough fruits & vegetables, not even pineapples or mangos, mostly rice. Not all items on the menu were available at the Snack Bar. A la carte restaurants were ordinary. We went in mid-October, is this the reason why there was a limited variety of food? On the Tripcentral, it was noted to be good for snorkeling, it was not, found only one area that has life. We spent our days at the beach, it was very clean & sandy (no seaweed). The people are very friendly & cordial. Note that if you walk along the beach you can only go so far, because you are in a bay. The resort next door had a rocky beach

The place is older, ok for the discounted price, don't pay too much!!! Lots of steps to get to the beach. Food is he same every day. No tomatoes no salad dressings. No theme night menus. Staff is great very helpful. For the price I payed it was a good holiday.

we stayed in this resort from September 20 till September 27, 2019. the special about this place is the beach!!! it is spacious and there are coral riffs for snorkeling nearby. Rooms are outdated but we could take it as is.

Great experience I love it with hotel food and people was amazing for sure in the future will go there again I will recomend it to people to go there is amazing you will have great time will recomend to go to Robert he is a tour guy will help you to set up a tour for you he is amazing

The only nice thing about the resort was the beach. I have been to Cuba many times, but food selection was the same everyday, ran out of ice cream, desert selection same and not a huge amount, fruit same everyday and some days only a few bowls offered at breakfast/super. Waiter staff was good. Service at reception was poor, had to wait over an hour to check in when only two people working and they knew a bus load of people coming. Air conditioner in room was leaking to the point floor was soaked with water and had to get it fixed 3 times until final stopped leaking, bathtub was stained with black spots. Were a lot of locals in the resort vacationing and found many of them to be rude and pushy and even though I was in line first, the bar staff would wait on them first. For the bar in the lobby, the line was huge to get a drink at night time and I don't ever remember having to wait in such a long line ever at other resorts. Lobby needs fans for circulation as it is very hot even at night time. There is only a breeze at certain times. Entertainment at night wasn't the greatest. Best nights were in the lobby and the water show. Cuban show was awful (not the greatest dancing) and disappointing as you are in Cuba. Again I have been to Cuba many times and had no complaints.

Hotel is old, buffet is horrible, no variety, poor quality of food, entertainment very badly done, allowing locals to come, they are rude, cutting in line, no respect for tourists, need more bartenders, had to wait for over 10 minutes to be served a drink, the hotel staff entered my room without permission and took away our bed, left my room door open and told the office that I moved to another room, no communication between hotel staff, asked to see hotel manager for over 5 days and gave my room number, no one contacted me, had to make an appointment to see her, never saw her , never saw hotel managers walking around, like at other hotels, would not give us a receipt at the end of our stay, never saw out hola sun rep, so I could talk to them. Went to a destination wedding , could not wait to go home.

This resort is in such a beautiful setting, the beach is magnificent with great snorkelling. The gardens are kept beautiful and the grounds are kept very clean. Rooms definitely need some updating as they are showing their age, the hotel has started to do updates so some of the sections were closed when we were there. The nightly entertainment was good we enjoyed the live bands and singers. Food was ok, there was a short supply of bread and some fruits, some days there was no bread at all. The hotel staff are very accommodating and helpful. Will return!

Great resort. We requested a room on the Luna side, which is quiet. Our room was in building 6. Down the stairs and around the pool was the 24 hour snack bar where I picked up a cappuccino every morning. The snack bar also served breakfast. The menu included eggs, bacon toast and pastries. The service was excellent. The beach was beautiful. Only 2 resorts on this beach.Great snorkeling...if you walk up to the other resort you can drift down the beach along the reef to the Luna. Lots of fish to see. The rooms were old but clean. My only complaint was the pillows. Very flat and uncomfortable. When I return I'll take one with me. Activities are listed in the Mares lobby. Everyday Roberto has some type of a excursion. My daughter and I went riding at the stables across the road and on another we went on a short hike through the community. Roberto is excellent at his job!

The resort bedrooms are a little dated. But everything is very clean and well cared for. I loved the layout of the two resorts merged into one. The staff was always friendly and helpful. The mini club was great! But the number one part of this resort is the beach, it is spectacular. Would go again for sure.

Beautiful resort,amazing beach 🌊 Friendly staff.Amazing coffee. Food ...no bread,no fries,no fresh juice,one kind of cheese 🧀 cut in different shapes,no shrimp,no calamari.No night shows in theatre.They having problems with supplies of any food .Its really difficult to rate or recommend this resort to anyone because I'm regular guest at this resort and I'm sad 😭 what happened.

Love this resort. The rooms are getting dated, but they were clean, and everything (shower, AC, safe) worked. Food is decent. Every staff member from checkin, housekeeping, bartender and waiters is a pleasure to deal with. The beach is the shining star, one of the nicest I've been to.

This hotel is a combination of 2 resorts - luna and mares. I was happy to a choice between a quiet side and a lively side. The nightly entertainment was enjoyable. Food fairly standard, and o.k.. Most people enjoyed the grill and select your own pasta. Pools and lobby areas are immaculately clean. One disappointment I had was the air conditioner was too cold and there was no way to adjust it so either on or off. Basic beds on the first floor mares side. Overall, good place to stay with easy access to a gorgeous beach.

This is our 5th time at this resort and once again, we had a terrific time. The resort has a lovely sandy beach, the food, drink and entertainment are very good and the staff is excellent, very friendly.

Clean resort with very conscientious and friendly staff. Food was decent for Cuba. Beach was beautiful. Drinks were very average. Airport to resort was 1.5 hours. Our room overlooked the pool and could see the ocean as well. Our maid service was very good.

The nature is fantastic, but the service is down. It is obvious that the management and the capital spending on some activities are not adequate. Activities (billiard, tennis, water sports …) are not well supported, bars are cheap, lifeguards by the pools were not adequate and it almost caused a tragedy. My personal vacation was great; nevertheless, I know this place for more than a decade and can say that this place had much better times.

The hotel and surroundings were beautiful but the rooms were quite dated. Upon arrival we were directed to our room but we promptly turned around and refused to stay in it as it was very dark and smelt like mold. We were given another room which initially seemed much better but after a day or two we realized that it was also very damp and our bed sheets needed changed everyday as they felt wet. We both got sick. The beach is absolutely gorgeous and the sand is like flour. The food is better than other resorts that we have been to and it has a good selection. The staff are very lovely and accommodating. This resort is quiet and we were in bed most nights by 10pm. There’s nowhere close by to go to apart from Guardalavarca which is a waste of time as it’s basically a bunch of vendor stalls in the middle of nowhere selling the same stuff they sell at the hotel. I would recommend that it’s best to request an upper floor room as they may not be so damp.

This was our second time to the Sol. We have never gone to the same resort more than once but the friendly staff and the gorgeous beach brought us back. The rooms are dated but spotless. Initially the room we had was not what we prefer and that was sorted out by a lovely young woman who was in training. We spent our days on the beach and enjoyed lunch every day at the beach restaurant. Yanet and Marley were there with smiles always and the fish of the day never disappointed. The only change that I didn't like was the Spanish coffee. Not sure why it changed but it could always be a supply thing as this is Cuba! We went out with Robert for an excursion to a farm and caves. He is so knowledgeable about the flora and fauna. I feel like we will be back again because going there felt like going home.

Stayed at the Sol Rio de Luna y Mares in early Feb 2019. The resort was fantastic all the way around, the resort had a little something for everyone. The resort had 2 sections one being a little more quite then the other with a jazz bar and a laid back vibe, the other side was more upbeat and had most of the entertainment. Beach was fantastic, rooms where excellent and the staff where incredibly friendly and helpful, literally all of them. I’d consider becoming a repeat guest for the first time and do it here!

Amazing beach. Very nice and worm personnel. Some rooms are renovated, some are old, but everything is very clean. Meals are ok, nothing fancy, but everyone will find something on his taste. Activities every day.

This is the second time we stayed at this resort. Very good location, excellent beach, well-kept grounds, friendly service. Good size rooms. Good food (by Cuban standards). Nightly entertainment - a couple of shows were really good. Downside - really hard to rent a car or even a scooter, unless pre-arranged during the booking. Would likely come again.

The grounds are immaculate and the resort itself was peaceful and quiet. It was our second stay at Luna y mares, and we had a beautiful ocean view from our 3rd floor balcony. The staff and service at this resort are excellent! Many recognized us from our previous visit. Front desk was friendly and attentive and was never crowded. In the summertime the resort is overrun by locals, but in the winter months not so much. The best part of this resort is the beach - it's beautiful white sand and stretches forever. The snorkeling is good, and if you go further along to the Rio de Oro and swim along the rock cliff, there are beautiful corals and fish of all varieties to see. Food is very good, always hot and lots to choose from, and always delicious. We had the most succulent lobster dinner at an a-la-carte - I have eaten many lobsters before, but the two we had here were outstanding - definitely worth it. We can't wait for holidays again, we're planning to be back ASAP.

Third time back and Sol Rio is as wonderful as ever. We've been at resorts all across Cuba and in the Dominican and the Sol Rio is the ony hotel we've returned to. Why? The resort has beautiful grounds, spectacular views from the hotel lobby and rooms, and a perfect beach. The food is delicious, staff friendly and helpful, and the two lobbies nicely refurbished. But more important is the atmosphere and setting of this resort itself--boutique hotel quality but at a more affordable price. It is very small and private and shares it beautiful beach with just one other hotel so it is not crowded. The beach itself is beautiful, lovely sand, sheltered, neither too shallow or too deep, with coral reefs further out. The hotel is perfectly situated on a low hill overlooking the water that allows beautiful views from the grounds, bedrooms and buffet hall without a long hike to the water or a super steep climb. The buildings are oriented in the bay to optimize the views of the water and trees, so everywhere you sit you have a beautiful view of the water and the palm trees. There are lots of nice green spaces around the hotel and the small Las Guanas park, for people who like walking or bird-watching. The food is very well done--loads of fresh fruit and vegetables, a number of grilling stations, gelato-quality ice cream at lunch and dinner, and a good blend of Cuban and North American food on offer. Yes, some of it is repetitive but there is so much to start with that it is not hard to choose a different selection every lunch and dinner or repeat your favourites. Sidebar--mini rant--why do people complain about food in Cuba? 1. It is extremely ungracious, considering hefty North American tourists inhale in one sitting a quantity and variety of food that regular Cubans don't get to eat in a month, or at all . 2. To eat fresh, organic fruits, vegetables, meats, fish, as well as artisanal, home-baked breads and cheese of this quality in a Montreal or Ottawa restaurant, along with wine, bottomless Spanish coffees, and a selection of pastries, fruit, and home-made ice cream would be a $100-$200/person/ meal even in the summer, impossible in the winter. Two weaknesses of this hotel--the cocktails were not as well done as at some other places and the exterior of the buildings is somewhat shabby. But substitute some of the amazing Spanish coffees and spend your time on the beach or in the lobby admiring the ocean views on one side and palm trees and low hills on the other and you will soon be in your happy place.. Highly recommended, especially for people looking for a boutique hotel experience on a lower budget!

The old addage "you can't judge a book by it's cover" is true to it's word with this gem of a resort. It's what is on the inside that counts and that is truly the people. It is dated, yes, but they are really working hard at upgrades. We just returned from a 7 day stay and I would definitely go back. The room was always spotless. The view was of the pool and the ocean and it was beyond beautiful. Check in was seamless, although they front desk folks could speak better English BUT we managed just fine. The bartenders, Ivan and Ron, were awesome and so obligging. The entertainment crew especially Jennifer, Jessie, Alonia, Robert and the two new guys (sorry, can't remember their names) were so much fun and worked so hard to get everyone participating. Irina in the Mini Club was truly a beautiful person. My 8 year old grandaughter totally fell in love with this woman. She was kind and genuine and I trusted her to no end to make sure my grandaughter was happy and safe each time they spent together. The food was Cuban...but cooked well and everyone went above and beyond to make sure you were happy with your meal. The grounds were impecably clean and manicured. No wonder there are alot of repeat guests to this resort. Oh and did I mention the beach? It was, by far, the best and most beautiful beach in the Carribbean. Yes, I will be one of those return visitors.

I absolutely loved everything about it. I would return anytime. Beautiful resort and the staff are simply wonderful. All so friendly and helpful. The food was great. I loved all the different restaurants available. Pool bar also super. All in all I simply loved it.

Yes the Resort could use some attention, but don't let this stop you from visiting! We are regular travelers to Cuba and try to use different Resorts each time we travel. One of the best beaches we have seen in the Country, the snorkeling was AWESOME! The workers on the Resort were perfect, we had a few issues with our room the first couple days we arrived but a quick phone call to Maintenance and everything was taken care of. The food was great even for our 8 year old. The weather was OUT STANDING (Nov.05 to 12, 2018). We always go big with tipping and girts for the workers and locals on our trips, but this time we wanted to experiment and see if it would effect our stay... IT DID NOT! We gave out half of what we would normally do compared to other trips and it did not stop the staff from treating us with respect and kindness! Thumbs Up Sol Rio de Luna y Mares we will be back.

Resort side Luna was out of the water for 2 full days and 3 nights (Oct 24-26). Mares side was OK. Resort management did not apology, did not offer to change the room not even bother to clean rooms on the Luna side. People used toilets in the morning and then find out that was no water to flash. Whole day we spend on the beach as room had no a/c or water. Reception said “no rooms available” and advise to wait as they are “working on the issue”. We stay on the beach from 7am till 7pm. Took shower near the pool and patiently waited in the lobby for the updates. After 7pm we decided to go to the room. BAD IDEA! Maids did not bring extra water to flash thus toilet stay unflushed from 6am till 10pm first day. My husband had to bring water from the ocean to flash as it was not possible to enter the room to get clothing to change. We flash then open door and windows for 20 min. Maid pass by without even asking if we need anything. Second day we moved to Mares side. Our room was dirty as this was the spare room reception offered to shower the day before; had 2 double beds for 3 of us; lock did not work at all; room was above lobby bar and facing theater. Originally we stay on the 3rd floor ocean view and very quiet room with rollover bed for 8 y.o. kid. We did not hear any apology from resort but I see how Customer Service staff sit inside to air conditioner room and smile to the frustrated tourists. After some time they simply locked the doors and went home. This kind of “service” is totally unacceptable!

Grounds are beautiful Beach fantastic, staff amazing Entertainment Great ROOM "Mares" side which we had very poor Tubs paint peeling shower head could not attach to wall toilet about to tip from floor and bed side table lamp you get electric shock from! Book Luna side..much newer and well kept

We love this resort. This is our third time there. The Cuban people working at the hotel are very nice. However this is the first time where we have not been very happy. Since now the local people come to the hotel over the Summer. We were being pushed at the buffet (just to give an example). Also there were drunk, noisy people at the entertainment, in fact disturbing the show. And the security guards do not interfere??? So, in short. we'll go there again but not necessarily over the Summer.

This is a big resort and it has a bit of everything. Mostly good, but a few things like the beach bars are only fair, and the beach is definitely the best thing going at this resort. I have to say beach is excellent. We go to Cuba to swim and snorkel and were very satisfied with this resort. The rooms on Luna side are dated. Air conditioner wasn't up to the job. For the price and the ocean view we didnt move but if we had paid top dollar it would have been unacceptable. All in all we got more than we paid for (ocean view rm, 2 weeks, about $1200pp). Stayed Jul/Aug 2018 and will be back if possible. Tripcentral included bonus excursion to the Arawak reconstructed settlement including dinner and show..and a night out at the movies awaits us on our return. Tripcentral gets 2 thumbs..excellent service.

The grounds and beach were beautiful. Staff was so kind and attentive. it was our first trip and it set the mark very high for our following trips but we will be back at this resort for sure in the near future !