Simplicity at it finest, I loved it. The people are friendly and helpful. The scenery, breathtaking lots of coconut trees, short walk to the ocean. Nice walk to the craft market, I walked to Santa Marta, there's an ice-cream shop there, the air is clean It was quiet, peaceful & relaxing. I loved the food, oh there are lot of cats on the resort so if you plan on staying here don't forget to bring them some kitty treats? Cuba, I hope to see you again soon❤️

The Cuban people are working very hard to keep their repeaters. The gardeners have no equipment to work with but do the best they can. Grounds look amazing. The hotel is kept very clean. And the food is what is provided for them which is good compared to what they have in their own homes. The beach and ocean is amazing. The best I have seen in all our travels. I would go again in a heartbeat ?

This is a nice little resort in a quiet part of Varadero yet close to the village to take a walk to the restaurants. The beach is beautiful, rooms are nice, water in a shower is always hot, food.. well, food is decent for Cuba. My only beef with this resort is a lobby bar. This must be the worst lobby bar on the island. When you ask for a coffee or a drink they get upset you disturb their conversation. It usually takes a few minutes before they even notice you. The coffee is terrible, when you ask for an espresso they push a button and walk away. You end up with an americano but if you complain they talk back to you. The only nice person at the bar is Yousett, she is amazing with a constant smile on her face, the rest are old grumpy guys.

This wasn’t our first time in Cuba but our first time at Roc Barlovento. We pick the Roc because of the great location as you can walk to the markets and bus stops. The staff was truly amazing. Levi and Onix did an amazing job with the entertainment and Junior in the Roc Plus breakfast is such a beautiful soul that he makes you smile. Margarita and the rest of the bar staff really make you feel welcome and aren’t long remembering your order. Our room was always clean and close to everything. The food like all of Cuba could be improved upon as there were a few days that they had no bread. But the spaghetti was tasty. We will be going back

The food was good. Friendly polite staff. Been 4times to Barlovento and hope to get back again. Love the beach and being right in town is a nice bonus . We also like the on off bus trip and in our younger days we enjoyed snorkeling and scuba diving. The old cars kept our interest as did the horse drawn buggies

I really enjoy the older style resorts. They offer great value. They do have some small issues like the main pool was not operating properly, and the food plan is some what poor, expresso machines not expressing hot water so the coffee expresso was poor, and no coffee at breakfast. I am not sure why there is no coffee at breakfast. I would settle for cowboy coffee in the morning if they had it. Still great value for me as a budget traveler. Overall resort has a very nice feeling to it. Room was excellent. The beach pool was operating well and was a great place to relax on windy days.

Well maintained property grounds are always clean Food was great People working there are pleasant, polite and always smiling. Maintenance if need are done immediately with perfection Pool cleaned every morning. Beach was cleaned every night

Well people very friendly,, nice pool,, no hot water in my rm so only cold showers,, lack of eggs, bacon for the breakfast people,not a good place for meat lovers , Not much variety,, same food over & over ,, even the fish was usually the same & sea food was not sea food like shrimp never seen,,,service was good,, it was like what most people would describe Cuba everything taste the same,, there was no lack of rice & bean dishes,, even the fruit was only 2 types & always the same 2,,you won t go hungry though ,, it was ny first trip to Cuba $ my first ever all inclusive so don’t have anything to compare too!! I would probably go back for that price!! Get what you pay food

Hotel room was good didn't always have good water pressure but bed was so comfy and maids were amazing would have liked some patio furniture on the balconie All staff very friendly and helpful food plentiful but not a lot of salads omelettes in the morning excellent and pasta very good as well all on all enjoyable would return for sure!

A little run down. Always an issue with the pool. Fountain broke down. Then the main pump broke. The other pool the jets in the sitting pool never worked. Service was hit and miss. Rooms ok, cleaned half the time. Beach was good, but no control on the Roc plus area. No advantages to the Roc plus. And beach a bit messy in general. Cups and cigarette butts. Food was decent, I liked it. Location is really good. A couple good Bartenders but a few grumpy ones. Beer was good but the mixed drinks were not great. Cheap booze. All the staff was hit and miss. But a couple really amazing ones that we enjoyed. We made the best of it and had a very good time.

I love the location and it not a big resort. You feel the intimacy of the resort. Resort on the beach, not far from Big Market. Not far for me to go see my Cuban friends who live behind the big market.

We have been going to this resort for 15 years. And sometimes 2 to 3 times a year it’s like home away from home. Many shortages now but we don’t care the beach and the ocean is still the best. The employees are going through hard times as well and get most of the brunt of things they first hand get all the complaining. They still smile and try to make the best of everything and are very creative with what they do have to work with. If you are going on vacation for the food find somewhere else to go. I have always managed well with what is provided. Guess I’m a good camper LOL

While the beach was absolutely amazing, the rest of the resort fell short. For the first few days they were out of coffee and eggs, the food was okay though we realize you don't go to Cuba for the food! The rooms fell short as well; from hard beds/pillows to a serious lack of water pressure - at times barely a trickle out of the tap and more often than not it was cold! There was a stench of sewer coming into our room via the bathroom vent that we covered with a plastic bag. There were bugs (mosquitos?) that were drawn to the smell as well. There were also bed bugs!!!! Only the buffet and the Mexican restaurant were open along with the snack bar. They are very militant about towels, so keep your eyes on yours at all times and don't lose one, heaven forbid! To top it all off, there is a refinery nearby that caused it to smell heavily of crude oil mostly throughout the night, even with the air conditioning turned off; it was so strong we woke up coughing! Rampant cats running wild with their excrement all over the place. Liquor was lower shelf, not great. Couple good things: the beach, as mentioned earlier, was amazing and the best part of the place. The Mexican restaurant was good as well.

The Roc Barlovento was fantastic from the great service we received when we arrived throughout our whole stay. The bartenders, waiters, employees on the beaches were all fantastic. The resort was clean, we always had bottles of water and clean towels every day and the food was great. We will definately be going back to this resort - it is conveniently located close enough to the City to walk or take a horse and buggie whatever you want. The pools were sparkling and the snack bar had awesome Ham and Cheese sandwiches.

I've stayed at plenty of wonderful resorts over the years in cuba, and for the price point of this hotel people should very happy. Go to cuba for the beaches, the people. Bread is pretty fantastic as well!

I've been to this resort about 6 times before but not in about 5/6 years. I was so disappointed it dropped in quality so much. Meat just seemed to be just fat and bones. Bars had only rum or beer, restaurants only wine mostly red. The staff was great resort was kept clean, you must love cats as there are many many cats , I love cats. Don't change your money to pesos they want Canadian, American or Euro's. I will not be going back!!

Not sure if I would return beaches are absolutely beautiful The people are very friendly but too much pressure to give either tips, clothing, money from staff at hotel. Lots of food unfortunately it was not very appealing or edible

I took a chance a this resort because I thought it was close to town. You do have to take a cab or the on off bus. I have been to Cuba over 10 times. I have now decided to not go back. I always went for the people & beach. The beach could be good if they cleaned it . I got tired of picking up garbage every time I took a walk. And so crowded everyone sitting on top of each other. The staff very few ever smiled . I was actually yelled at by one bartender. I dont know how many $1.us I put down at the bar. Never had that happened before. It was a fiasco getting a room with a shower only& on the first floor. I have trouble walking. Had to settle with a room far from everything on the second floor and no balcony. I won't even talk about the food for the first time I ate out a restaurants. I also paid for an upgrade got nothing because all the specials that you got any one could get. I could go on . But needless to say I would not recommend this hotel. The only person I will give thanks to is Larry at customer service. If only the rest of the staff and front desk were as nice & helpful as he was. Great smile LARRY please teach the front desk to great there customers the same as you do.

I liked everything about the resort buildings and looks. Staff was very nice. The resort lacked in wine, alcohol mixes, butter, bananas, Varieties of meat and beach towels. This is just naming a few items. The requirement of American dollars is also a real letdown.

We have been to this resort for over 12 years. Unfortunately Cuba is suffering because of CoVid then the Russian war which they were getting a lot of their supplies. They do not get their supply of beach towels so one may go 4 or more days without. We brought our own in case. Towels in the suites do not get changed everyday. And the all inclusive you pay for is lacking sometimes no wine for 4 to 5 days. No butter in the buffet, no fish, no fruit except papaya and pineapple. I purchase bananas from Matanzas. The beaches and the ocean is still worth it, most beautiful beaches of anywhere else that I’ve been to.

We just returned from first 2 weeks of December. This is not a new resort but it is well kept. The location is perfect for walking around town. The double decker bus is right across the street our check-in was fast and friendly. No issues with the room. The food was served hot and refreshed often. The staff at this hotel are very helpful and friendly. The pools are great and the entrainment crew do their best to keep everyone happy. The beach is beautiful. I would recommend this one. Special Thanks to Manuela Romeiro at trip central for making our booking easy and worry free..

This hotel used to be good. It was good to stay there in previous years. But now it decreased in quality tremendously. First of all, to many mosquitos in the room. Secondly, The food wasn`t good, and worse than that there was cockroaches in the kitchen and all over the restaurant. On the day of the return our bus did not show up. After waiting for almost 4 hours we had to pay US$50 to a taxi to take us to the airport so we wouldn`t miss the bus. Terrible experience

They do their best to make you feel comfortable and there is always good food at the Buffet. Times are hard for Cuba but they do what they can for you. Trip Central Why is it that this review will not submit unless there are over 200 characters in this section?

All in all the experience was pleasant. Food is okay. Never seemed to run out of vodka or gin which was nice. Entertainment at resort was okay. I don’t recall seeing any pool entertainment and no water sports down by the ocean. A la carts were the same as what was being served on the buffet. Great selection of nearby restaurants that had great food and spirits. Pina coladas were tasty. Staff were very friendly. Security is a bit nazi but understandable. Good location. Closest to the airport. 4 blocks from big market. Rooms were clean. Water was not warm most days (2nd floor) and if it was it had no pressure but everything else was good. Always had bottled water in room and didn’t need to lock phones or speakers up. Nothing was missing from the room. Overall good experience.

This resort was tired, like most hotels I have been told in Cuba. Room was clean, beds comfortable but we had a gross, moldy shower curtain. The toilet wouldn't always flush so we had to open the back to pull the chain. The balcony (romeo and juliet style) so no sitting out there. Public washrooms most days no soap to wash hands except in lobby. The restaurant staff were very nice but can't say all bartenders were. Bellhop workers very nice and helpful. Food is okay, mostly same selection everyday at lunch/dinner.

We have been staying here for the last 15 years or so. We enjoy everything about this resort, the location is great. Many upgrades and maintenance is happening at the resort since CoVid. It is an older property but still enjoy going there.

Thoroughly enjoyed our two weeks at this resort. Short journey from the airport. Got off to a rocky start as we had to change rooms 3 times but was soon settled into a nice room, thanks to the Sunwing rep and helpful front desk staff at the resort. Beach excellent, entertainment lively and staff friendly and helpful. Food adequate due to the shortages in Cuba but never went hungry or thirsty. No milk for 5 days except in the coffee bar and no white wine for about 7 days. Liked the location near to the town and enjoyed evening walks along the main drag. Overall, really enjoyed our much needed vacation at Roc Barlovento. The resorts grows on you, the longer you’re stay. Went to the returnees special dinner and the manager told us they were making many improvements to the resort, so looking forward to seeing that when we return. Book this all adults resort- you won’t regret it.

We have been to Roc Barvolento a few times. The grounds are kept relatively clean, as are both pools. It is the right size hotel for us, we don’t love large resorts. Our room was clean with hot water! The walk to the beach is a short one and the beach is incredible. If food and fancy drinks are a part of your enjoyment thenCuba is not the place for you. The hotel had limited choices for alcohol, and food is hit or miss most days. The country has limited supplies and they do what they can. The location is in the Main Street so you can walk around downtown, rent a scooter or head over too a near by town called Santa Marta .

This is a smaller resort that is clean with a great location and beautiful big beach. The food is good, we never went hungry. The staff is awesome and make your vacation a wonderful time. The pools are clean and the entertainment crew keep you busy and happy

After seeing this resort for some time now, I finally had the opportunity to stay here. It was not a disappointment!! They had very clean rooms, good food, friendly staff, grounds were very well kept, beautiful beach. It was a great location, walking distance to the downtown area. Can’t wait to go back there next year.

We had no problems with the food being served. Supplies are short and they make the best with what is available. Our room was comfortable- towels were limited and rather small for showers. They were not changed everyday. We found that staff were working 24 hours at a time which I thought was unhealthy for them. The buffet could use a couple toasters, use of a grill was fine for making toast but should be cleaned more often. Dishes and glasses were not always clean. And lobby bar had dirty glasses. I’m positive they only received a quick rinse. The beach under palapa could use a good clean up and the board walk to the beach needed to be cleaned and swept. The sand was accumulating up the boardwalk which would make it very difficult for wheelchair users. The pools were kept very clean ( Daniel ) did a good job. The gardeners did their work with whatever equipment they had ( very primitive) but gardens are well maintained. Overall the staff are very friendly and very helpful. We would go again as it’s our favourite location.

Resort need to be updated, like the rooms. everything worked ok with no problems, workers are amazing what ever you need they will help you with.. pools are excellent beach is amazing. Food is not the best but I'm not a picky eater, what I payed it's a cheap vacation.

We have been to this property for many years. We love the size, location, and most of all the beaches. The staff is always very friendly and welcoming. Like every other country they have suffered very much because of CoVid. Supplies are limited and sometimes non-existing, they work hard with what they have. CoVid has set them back 10 to 15 years. But still great to visit. With the change of money their government has made it extremely hard for them to buy groceries and supplies for their household. People are rationed. We will go back as we enjoy the ocean and beaches, and the kindest people in the world.

There's always something going around, like shows ,games by the beach, aquatic in the pool ,sailing, snorkeling, you dont need to miss yoga its all in this resort. If you want to go for an intimate dinner you can go to the Mexican restaurant that's just located inside the resort. How fancy is that!

I was very happy to go back to the ROC to find a new manager! The last manager was a bad man with staff and guests ttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt

Been to this resort 10 times. It may not me the top of the line but it is clean and the friendliest staff ever. As soon as we walk in to start our vacation we are greater by so many happy staff . They are so happy to see us.

Our particular hotel room was clean. The service people were nice, however the manager was not good with helping. I guess he felt self entitlement. Wasn’t overly impressed. A lot of Cuban visitors were staying on the resort and hoarding food to give to their relatives outside the resort. Taking all the food, not leaving any for people in the line. ((Ie: who needs 25 pieces of chicken piled on their individual plate?). And then the next person told they have to wait 20 mins for food. This was common. Cubans were cutting into the lines, not adhering to COVID rules. Leaving cigarettes and garbage all over the resort. I know it’s been difficult with COVID, just wasn’t expecting the mess and rudeness. Wasn’t impressed. The weather was great though. Wifi only given out 2 hours at a time, inconvenient but could work with it.

Recently 14 days all inclusive, room 134. Toilet leaking, faucet loose, bed linen not changed in 13 days, (only because requested). Food of poor quality - variety compared to previous years and recycled over and over again. Upstairs room leaking " water " to this room through the ceiling. Gone to Cuba for 11 years. ALL BLAMED for the U.S. " blockade " and the COVID. Photos available.

The beach was incomparable. The staff very good on the whole. The rooms were adequate. Food was good. Entertainment very good. They did run out of wine and rose was the only wine available , so that was disappointing as we don’t drink rum!

We have been repeaters to this resort for approximately 8 years and generally go twice a year. We love the location. The beach is great and is walking distance to the market and downtown. Rooms are moderate and clean.

Resort is not well maintained. A lot of things needs to be replaced. Example: The electricity outlet in the bathroom was broken. The door lock was loose. There as no phone in the bedroom: safety issue....No paper towels or soaps in the bathrooms in the resorts. The Courtesy room is disgusting and has no lights...etc... We bought the Roc Plus option. Not worth it:You have your Beach towel in the room (instead of taking it at the pool...really!!), a bottle of water in the bedroom each day and a bottle of rhum when you leave...they put a mini fridge in the bedroom but there is nothing in it...there is a section at the beach but not enough chairs...we were not able to go in that section for the whole week... The inclusive and Roc Plus DOES NOT included the safety box and the internet. You have to pay for this. There are basically NO activities/entertaining during the day. Only the show at the theater at night. The positive : The beach is beautiful with a lot of shade. It is easy to have a tour of catamaran.

We had no (very cold in fact!) hot water for 5 days!! Food was absolutely terrible- and cold and we did not have high expectations- having been to Cuba many times. The grounds could be nice with a little TLC- we came back sick wondering if some of that is not because of improper sanitation of dishes due to lAck of hot water. Talked to a few ppl who had been to that resort many times but said they would never return as it had gone badly down hill- soooo disappointed overall

The staff is very friendly and helpful...the food selection is excellent...personally I love fresh vegetables and there are always plenty...the grounds are well tended and the beach is a dream....rooms are clean and comfy...the only drawback is,Overconsumption off alcohol ....since alcohol is free at any time off the day and night,people are abusing the generosity of the Cubans....personally I feel alcohol should not be included in the all inclusive....

Grounds are very well kept & food was decent for a 3.5 star in Cuba lots of variety.pool & beach we;re excellent. Wait Staff was also very good with excellent service & always friendly greetings.Cons:Staff in general on the Front Desk we;re not very helpful on getting 2 smaller problems with room resolved . Went to front desk 3 times for these items but no luck.This is an area that could use some improvement. Overall very happy with the resort & definitely will return.Kudos to the management.

Enjoyed our stay at Barlovento, great location, very good service at the bars and dining room. We did not like the Mexican & Fusion restaurants, service was poor and food was cold. Great beach makes up for the small flaws.

We thought overall it was very good, the beach and ocean was excellent although the swimming pools were on the cold side. The beds were comfortable but the room itself had an oily smell sometimes, they said it was from the oil refinery and it all depended on which way the wind was blowing. The staff were very friendly and the entertainment was excellent. As for the food, my wife and I did have a problem, but the couple we travelled with did not.

Unlike other Varadero hotels we've stayed at, Roc Barlovento has remained comfortable and consistent over the past four years that we have stayed there. The rooms are always clean, and things usually work (ie toilet, shower, tv, ac). Food choices were a little lackluster this past trip, but there is always something worth eating. I appreciate the quietness, and beauty of the grounds and beach. The staff is usually in a good mood and eager to help. Great value for the money!

Hotel is small and older, rooms very dated but clean, 2 pools ( not enough shade at pools) but great beach, always enough shade and chairs, 5 min walk to everything....lots of room for improvement but good enough! Lots of older guests, not many young partying....Loved that it was small and intimate, old style Cuba!

New ownership leading to good improvements.Rooms are slowly being upgraded, new pool chairs, more ashtrays at the beach, staff are as wonderful as ever. Still need more garbage receptacles around pool areas and lobby. Lobby seating could use new cushions or at least wash the ones already in place. Food could use more variety if products available - take your own condiments. Beach area clean and beautiful. Location is perfect, markets and restaurants within walking distance. Special thanks to Clarisbel (housekeeping), Niury (dining room), Yaima (kitchen), Joseph (bar), Raphael (Fusions), Manuel (bar), Jose (bar). Third stay at the Barlovento and will definitely be back and will recommend to family and friends.

The staff was very friendly, smiling and helpful. Our chambermaid, Alina made a different towel sculpture everyday and she was very happy to have a conversation, as were all the staff. All staff was bilingual, even trilingual and professional. The grounds were beautiful, well maintained and clean. There is a lot of foliage at this resort, which is one of the reasons we chose it. The beach was perfect and there was even an employee there to make sure we had a lounge chair and he brushed the sand off before we lied down. The resort cats added that home away from away feeling. An extra charm we weren't expecting. Every night at 9:30 there was an enjoyable & professional dance/music show at the outdoor stage, which is covered by a roof. The room was clean and beds comfortable. The first night we were placed on the same side of the main road, 1 Ave., which was noisy in the night, even with the patio doors closed and the toilet didn't work well. We had no trouble moving to a different room the next day, on the 3rd floor, facing the back (towards the ocean). It was prefect! Some of the public washrooms could have been cleaner. They didn't always smell very good. The buffet was good at first. There was a good selection & we tried everything. But it was always the same thing. There were 2 suppers 'a la carte' included at the 2 different restaurants on the resort. Both offered an appetizer, a choice from 4 main courses and dessert. The Mexican restaurant also had a salad bar. The restaurant 'La Fusion', lacked atmosphere and my meal of shrimp & fish was far too salty. Desserts seemed to have been pre-packaged frozen cakes, puddings and ice cream. Nothing special or original. The location of the resort, within walking distance to the Artists market and downtown made it very practical. We took the little yellow taxi for just $10 pesos to the night hotspots and the Hop-on-Hop off bus finishes it's run just in front. After seeing how some of the other resorts are so far away from the action, I was very happy about this location. All in all it was the perfect resort for us. We were looking for charm and Cuban authenticity and we found it.

This hotel is not new but very well kept. The location is great ,right in the heart of varadero. The bus is right outside. The buffet is always fresh and hot. The staff are excellent and will help with any of your needs. Its adult's only. Nightly shows. The pools are well kept and the beach is wonderful. We enjoyed the Mexican restaurant. You won't be disappointed.

Small friendly clean resort...beautiful beach...staff very friendly...great location...rooms were ok but who goes to stay in there room..air condition worked well and shower great..overall..I love the roc and will be returning

The hotel was great, a bit dated but not bad overall. The staff was always polite and friendly. 2 great swimming pools, one a bit more noisy with the DJ speakers close by and the other one is quieter if you want to relax, read etc; just no swim up bars. The beach won my wife and I over with the white sand and turquoise water. You can see your feet as it is so clear. The food was good but some of the same things almost everyday. The town is close by as well as a flea market within walking distance to pick up Cuban souvenirs. The one thing I did not like about the room was it had 2 single beds rather than a queen or king size bed for a couple. I believe only limited rooms are available with king size beds.

Hotel and pool could use a facelift, grounds are ok. On the positive sides, beach is amazing, staff is very curtious and helpful, can always find something to eat......................................

I’ve been at this hotel many times because the food was always consistently fantastic BUT it has changed drastically ! The buffet was awful . Every meal was overcooked and tasteless . The staff looked unhappy and inconvenienced by the guests .

Staff at the Lobby Bar are wonderful! - Jamal and Hilda in the morning, Micheal and Joshep (sometimes Jose M) in the afternoon/evening, and Sergio on the overnight - are what make this hotel worth going to. Very friendly, excellent service, remember your order, I don't have enough nice things to say about these specific staff. Front desk staff are fairly friendly, a few not so pleasant but a smile can go a long way. Two of the ladies on the buffet staff were wonderful, we stuck to the same section so we always had the same two ladies and they both remember what each of us drank but would still ask in case we changed our minds. Food was good, okay selection, just seems slightly repetitive but was not as bad as everyone says it is in Cuba. Maid service needs much improvement. We had a 10 day stay and our bed sheets did not get changed once. Floors were rarely swept so you are always walking on sand if you go to the beach often. If your 'Do Not Disturb' sign doesnt get stolen, they ignore it and come in anyways. Our room was okay, bed was a little springy. Would wake up at least once a night with a spring poking me in the side. Air Conditioner had a drip for most of the stay, although it was tolerable. Balcony door was not level therefore leaving a 1 inch wide by 3 inch tall gap at the bottom of the door causing my boyfriend to get severely attacked by mosquitos on our last 2 nights. Bathroom needs improvement. Door was half glass with no curtain on it, toilet seat was 2-3 inches too small, toilet did not have a handle it was a bottle cap attached to high test fishing line, and our faucet and shower head in the tub had a spot that would spray in the opposite direction when it was on. They do not provide you with regular sized towels, they are slightly oversized hand towels. They do not replenish your bottled water. You can take your empty bottle to the bar and they will refill it for you, or if you go for a walk into town it is cheap to purchase a couple bottles. - If you spend the extra for Roc Plus a couple of the perks are supposed to be water in your room daily, beach towels awaiting upon arrival and larger shower towels, but we heard complaints from a few people that they did not follow through with these things and that it was not worth the extra money. The maintenance throughout the grounds could use some improvement as well. The hotel is in a great location, with a short walk you can go into town and visit the Varadero Street Markets, and with a little bit of a farther walk you can be even farther into town with more shops, restraunts and tourist attractions such as the house of chocolate, house of rum, and house of cigars. If you are not up for the walk, there is a bus stop right outside the hotel where for 5 pesos each you can board and depart the bus as many times in one day as you would like, just keep your ticket. The bus goes from one end of varadero to the other. The beach was gorgeous, sometimes hard to find chairs under the shaded palm leaf huts but we seemed to luck out and find one each time. Maintenance could improve at the beach area. More cigerette butts and plastic cups than I would like to see but not enough to say it was disgusting. Overall, it was not a terrible stay and for our first time in Cuba we enjoyed ourselves very much, but I do not think we would return to this hotel in the future.

The resort overall was ok. The bartenders and buffet staff were great. Maids never changed bed sheets, swept floor and disregarded do not disturb sign. Sliding door for balcony wouldnt close so bugs in the room at night were horrible. Rain leaked inside the room as well as the ac. Food was good but very repetitive. Reception staff were quite rude.

5th trip to Cuba, 2nd stay at the Barlovento. Food was good and plenty for all. Room clean, mattress comfy. Pool area clean except late Friday to Monday as well as when people came in with day passes. Staff amazing - Osmany, Madelin, Deisy, Joel, Joseph, Migel, Reinier, Livan and everyone else. Need to improve monitoring people smoking and drinking in the pool. Put ashtrays of some kind at beach - people putting their cigarette butts in sand for others to step on. More ashtrays and garbage containers in and around lobby and pool areas. Staff could be educated to tell guests nicely to pick up their garbage. I don't mind telling people to clean up their mess as this affects everyone. Lovely hotel, will return. Thank you to everyone for a relaxing week (June 10-18). Would rate 3.5 - 4.0 stars.

I loved everything about my stay the food was good, the staff was helpful and the beer was cold Can’t wait for next time Cuban people are so nice and know how to party I have no complaints at all See you next time

Everything was Great. Rooms could use an extra dresser Entertainment could be updated a few notches Dancers were very good Games were fun Staff very friendly Food ok passable I had no complaints Maid service great Bar Staff Great No complaints

From check in to check out we had no problems . This adults only resort is walking distance to everything, the bus is right outside the front door. Our room was nice , comfortable bed, clean, everything worked. The food was very tasteful, hot and a great selection . The staff are all very helpful, they work hard to make your stay everything you hope for. The beach is perfect and made for swimming and walking. The grounds and pools are well kept and they are growing vegetables in some of the gardens, great idea. I would recommend this hotel .

Spent a lovely relaxing week at the Barlovento. This well run, small Adult-only Resort is within the town of Varadero itself, so it is easy to walk around, visit local cafes or the Artisan Market. This is not one of the "Party Resorts" so you can rest undisturbed or take a short taxi ride to Calle 62, Beatles Bar area if you do want to dance & Party. Improvements have been made since last year - a new gym, Yoga classes, extra seating in the Courtyard including the option to eat outside. My visit was especially enjoyable due to the efforts & friendliness of Iris & Efrain in the Buffet Restaurant, Magalyn who ensured my room was clean & everything worked, & Yusett, the best Bartender ever at the Beach Bar. Yusett ensures everyone feels happier, special, & loved, as well as well served! Thanks for a great week!

We stay in this resort from March 30- April 6/ 2019. Resort is small but very cosy. We brought our bikes with us, cost us $30 per bike. My husband did bike to Havana with Cuban cyclist. Food: I am vegan so I had limited choices at breakfast. I don’t eat dairy, meat or eggs. My breakfast was dry oat meal with hot water and fruits, lunch and dinner had lots of varieties for me. It was lots too choose from . In my opinion food in this hotel was very good and lots of varsities to choose from. At lunch time you can have chicken, fish, pork and some veggies on a gril, they also carry hamburgers with fries. Location: This hotel is located at calle 12, bank is at calle 32, best exchange rate can $1=0.72 CUC. Beach: We are beach people so we stay there , lots of chairs , beach and water gorgeous. The only think I didn’t like is that lots of Smokers. Room: simple clean, in our hot water pressure was low, I would recommend to stay on main floor. Our flight was at midnight and we have to leave our room at noon. We put our language in language room and spend all day at the beach, reception will give you a room on main floor to shower and change so you do not have to pay extra 25 CUC to keep your room. Location of this hotel is perfect if you like to walk and explore Varadero. In this hotel average age group is 50 years old. Lots of Canadians and Europeans - no Russians and no disco. Over all nice cosy 3.5 star hotel

The room we had was exactly as requested, ground floor with 2 beds. I must say it was adequate for our needs except for the bathroom. The bathtub was difficult to access as it was so high, the bottom of the tub was very slippery and there was no grab bar or anything to hold on to if you slipped. Also the spray shower head should be updated and the towels were very small. There was a lot of storage which was certainly appreciated. That being said, I have to comment on the wonderful staff there from the lobby bar, to the buffet (especially Iris), the wonderful girl responsible for the games and bingo, the bar and barbeque staff, the cleaning staff and the doctor I had to visit. I felt safe and very welcome here and Roc Barlovento should be very proud of their hotel and staff.

This is our 2nd stay at Roc Barlavento and already planning to go back next year. This resort is the first one as you come onto the peninsula and is great for walking down town and to the markets. It is a small resort but has 3 pools, main dining area, lunch area with outdoor BBQ everyday and 2 a la carte restaurants. Food was great, service was excellent, our room was on the 3rd floor (top) and was clean and comfy. There is a beach bar and the resort is very close to the beach.

The grounds look good and were well organized. The staff were alright. The rooms and decks were disappointing, small. No hot water or even no water at peek showering times. First rooms they set us up with were disgusting and we had to fight to change it. We paid for Roc Plus and really got nothing for it except a water bottle in room every day. Room save was an extra charge. Nothing supplied in room fridge. 3.5 star with a 5 star price

Food was mediocre, beef was tough, pork under cooked. No 24 hour snack bar to help with hunger between lunch and dinner. Dinner staff was amazing Pool activities are non existent and not advertised throughout the resort. All activities are designed for adults over 60. Excursions were advertised and described exactly the way they were delivered. Bar was not equipped to handle volume of cocktails, always running out of key ingredients. Grounds were not kept clean for the next morning

The rooms were very comfortable the staff are very friendly and accommodating...lots of choose of food good entertainment and amazing beaches............ Thank you cuba it was an amazing resort....

The resort is very nice , lovely people, it seems it has changed hands to a new manager. Clean , but we had no hot water for showers, at all. We complained every day and nothing was done about it . Our stay was awesome , if not for poor water conditions . I do not think we will go there next year . We have been going to the same resort for 5 yrs Thank you , Kim King

the hotel is dated but is clean and tidy. the beach is amazing and the resort had a couple of lifeguards on duty at all times. security personnel could be clearly seen all over resort property. the food was okay. nothing to write home about...but nothing to complain about either. Be prepared to be surrounded by cigarette smoke wherever you go (prohibited in dining room and buses only)

Down to earth atmosphere at this resort. Friendly accommodating staff. Simple but well maintained grounds. Pools nice but jacuzzi was out of order in one of the pools. Room nice but lack of hot water for shower.

This is not a new hotel but very well kept. The location is perfect, the beach is perfect. The pools are clean. The staff and entertainment crew are great. The food and selection are excellent. Highly recommend

The location, you can walk anyplace. Bus and taxi right out front. The beach is perfect for walking or swimming. Excellent food. Very clean, well kept pools and gardens.No kids. Highly recommended this hotel. Many return guests.

The entertainers!!!!!!! What a fantastic team. These girls and guys are a A+++ act. Enjoyed everything they did. The BEACH. Pristine. You can walk for miles and swim for hours. No other words The food. Very good 4 out of 5. The rooms. Okay. You don’t get a beach view. But so what. We weren’t there to look at the beach, we wanted to be on the beach. The resort is a smaller one, so you can walk around easily and quickly. No line ups just to get to your room, or the bar. The STAFF>>> without a doubt one of the best I’ve ever seen. They treat you wonderfully. Work hard. 10-12 hours a day, so, tip. Thank you Pedro also..(special pina colada double with Aldabo) This resort will see us again. Went on a recommendation from friends who have been 8 times. And we met many Canadians similar, it’s easy to see why. Thanks to all !

We like the Resort, we have been before that is why we returned. It was better before, the service is good but the Mexican restaurant is not as good, the food and the old waiter was much better. The entertainment during the day not very good, it used to be much better.

We enjoyed the smaller property does not seem to be so crowded and found it quiet and a great place for total relaxation. Within walking distance to markets. Food was good and good variety very fresh.

Most and foremost,all the staff are truly great..very friendly and helpful. The resort is kept clean,the rooms are comfortable and the food for us was amazing. So much to choose from. The long sandy beach is beautiful. Is easy from the resort to walk to Town. This is our second visit and most likely we will come again. Thank you...

The resort is very well maintained and being upgraded inside and out. The pools were very clean and refreshing. The food was way better than I expected. Lots of entertainment and things to do throughout the day. Walking distance to many restaurants, shops and markets off the hotel grounds. Will definitely go back

Just got back from 2 weeks at the ROC. This is our 4th time to Cuba, but our first time at Barlovento and this resort was our favorite. The location was great, we enjoy walking a lot, so we were able to walk the town of Varadero as well as the small town of Santa Marta. The food was better than expected, bbq for lunch every day and good variety of food at the buffet. Really enjoyed the a la cartes, especially the Mexican. Obviously, the beach was excellent and the pools were the cleanest we have encountered in the Caribbean. Our rooms were clean, maids did a great job. The staff makes the resort all the more enjoyable, the smiles, the greetings show that they care. Had lots of fun at aquasize by the main pool, lots of laughs. Appreciated that the manager was hands on, as it made a difference in the quality of our stay. We are looking forward to going back next year.

We had a great time at Roc Barlovento— everything was wonderful. A nice property, the food was great for Cuba. I regret having to say that last bit about Cuban food. Enough continental and local items on the menu. Like I said, the hotel was nice and not too big. Convenient, being within walking distance to all that Varadero has to offer. Want to go to back. Thanks for your recommendation, and professionalism. Garnet.

It was our 14th trip to Cuba in 10 years and our first to Varadero (November 4-18, 2018). We picked the Roc Barlovento mainly because of numerous glowing reviews posted on TripAdvisor—and certainly we were not disappointed. The hotel is located very close to the bridge over the Kawama navigation channel, at the very beginning of the Hicacos Peninsula. This turned out to be an EXCELLENT location, enabling us to make a number of strolls directly from the hotel. We often walked on Varadero’s main street (Avenida 1ra) for several kilometers and explored various restaurants, shops, parks, hotels, private homes and other landmarks—there was even a Canadian Consulate a stone’s throw from our hotel! We also walked along the channel in the evening, where plenty of Cubans were fishing, and saw Al Capone’s mansion, the Casa de Al. Yet the best walking excursions were to the town of Santa Marta, located just past the bridge. On the other hand, the hotels located more-less east of Calle 64, in the east part of Varadero, might be much more luxurious, bigger and offer a much higher standard, yet they are ‘in the middle of nowhere’ and unless you take a taxi or a bus, there is not much else to see or explore. GENERAL • The hotel is well designed in a Spanish style and quite cozy, no much walking is required to get around. Plenty of nice palm trees & gardens. And it is for adults only—no disruptive and screaming kids! • Approximately 60% of tourists were Canadians (English & French speaking), 30% Germans and some from Spain, Italy and other countries. • There were 3 pools; the very shallow one had no water. There was a Jacuzzi in the center of the pool closer to the beach, but it was not hot. • There is a tienda (shop), with various beverages, rums, vodkas, souvenirs, shampoos, shirts, hats, toiletries, etc. Another stand near the lobby sells books, postcards and stamps—the mail box is at the lobby. On a couple of occasions I saw an artist painting and selling his works. • The exchange rate at the hotel was very poor—just 68 CUC for $100 CAN, whereas the bank offered about 73.50 CUC. Not fair! • A number of very friendly (and chubby) cats roamed the property, especially the outdoor dining area during meal service—and they even had their own ‘cat café’. Unsurprisingly, they were picky eaters! • At 10 am there was half hour yoga/stretching on the stage of the entertainment area, conducted by Zahilys, a very friendly & outgoing woman, who worked at animation and conducted other activities as well. Bring our own towel! Yet there were not too many guests interested in doing the exercises, and quite often we were the only participants. • There was a gym, but we never used it, preferring our morning workouts and swimming in the ocean. • Towels can be obtained from ‘the clubhouse’ near the main square. The club house also has a small library of books in English, French and German. We donated 4 of our books. • Every evening there is entertainment, but the only one we attended was the aquatic show (Thursdays) and it was impressive! The Elvis Show sounded great from our room on Saturdays. • Scuba diving excursions/lessons are available, there is an information stand set up every day in the main square. • Various tours are offered in the lobby area. At the end of our stay there was information about a very cheap bus to Havana—I think it was 40 CUC both ways, or 25 CUC one way per person. OUR ROOM # 333 We had sent an email to the hotel two weeks before arrival, asking for a quiet room on the top floor and indeed, our request was granted—we got room number 333. From our window we could see part of the tennis court—otherwise there was plenty of foliage that made the view quite pleasant. We could hear the traffic from the main street and occasionally caught a whiff of oil/petrol—about 1 km from our hotel, in Santa Marta, we saw two oil derricks. The balcony was very small, but it was possible to sit there and enjoy the sun. There was a small bathtub—later the maid brought a plug. The room was quite contemporary, with 2 double beds, HD TV with about 25 channels. There was the CNN channel (devoting 95%+ of its air time to Trump—boring!) and CTV in English, albeit from Montreal. We had to pay for the safe (2 CUC per day, 28 CUC for 2 weeks). We always had hot and cold water, the air conditioner worked perfectly and it was easy to remotely change the air flow or temperature. The small fridge was really cold and the hair dryer worked. We had some minor problems on 3 occasions (with the safe and falling curtains rod)—within 10 minutes of reporting them a technician came and fixed them. On a few occasions our magnetic cards stopped working and we had to go to the lobby to have them re-programmed. The maid, Norian, was great, always keeping our room spotlessly clean and creative. THE BEACH Large, with white sand. Lots of palapas and chairs, so there was no need to ‘reserve’ them in the morning, some were always available. We could also observe nice sunsets. It was quite shallow for about 30 meters. At the end of our stay it became windy, the waves got quite big and there was a yellow-and then red flag (no swimming). Once an unexpectedly big wave swept the first row of palapas, catching many relaxing vacationers (and their belongings) by surprise. I saw some people snorkel, but there was nothing to see—just some small fish. Kayaks, pedal watercraft and sail boats were available for hotel guests. Beach assistants was great, he quickly brought us loungers. FOOD Another reason that we picked the hotel was the outdoor dining, which surprisingly was hardly used. Not even once did we dine inside! The food was slightly repetitive, but varied and good—often even delicious. For breakfast I always had eggs & bacon—the egg station cooks were very efficient and quick—as well as plenty of fruits, juice and yogurt. Usually we skipped lunch, but when we had it (twice), it was excellent—in addition to the regular fare inside the restaurant, there was a big grill outside, serving delicious steaks, hamburgers, hot dogs and other grilled food. At dinner I always went to the cooking station offering sumptuous grilled pork and beef as well as several kinds of fish, shrimps, calamari, squids and mussels. Another cooking station served spaghetti and pizza. There were also scrumptious stews, chicken, prosciutto, cheese and salads. I did not see any tomatoes, however, which I like very much. I never had to line up for more than a few minutes at the cooking stations and the food was plentiful. Our servers were Leonardo & Janet (breakfast) and Raul (dinner). They always brought us plenty of coffee, juice, wine or beer to our outdoors dining table. There was a snack bar near the beach, serving basic food—hamburgers (very good), hot dogs, ham & cheese sandwiches, fruits and lettuce. Next to it was a bar serving cold beer and drinks and most of the time it was manned by the always smiling Pedro. There were also bathrooms in the back of the bar. The small Bar El Traguis near the wooden ramp to the beach was nice, but the seating area was limited and the beer cost 1 CUC. Mixed drinks were free. The lobby bar was OK, but there were frequently buses or taxis pulling up, so it was noisy and smelled of exhaust fumes. It was almost always crowded. In the evening there was often live music—I loved the violin & guitar players, they were fantastic (they played only on Mondays and Tuesdays, from 7 to 9 pm). The bar in the square (adjacent to the Mexican Restaurant) was great, lots of tables & chairs and never any lineups—we often spent some time there on our way from the beach. We never had an a ’la carte dinner. Once we wanted to go to the sushi bar, yet we were told that it did not server any sushi anyway and it opened at 11:00 pm. The gardeners often bring coconuts to a stand between the beach and lunch area and can cut them for you. THE WEATHER/BUGS Out of the 15 days, 12 or 13 were quite sunny and it was hot (over +30 C). It rained a few times, but it was still very warm & humid and it was not a big deal. Since we often kept the room’s balcony door open, we did see several mosquitos in our room, but otherwise I did not encounter any insects anywhere else. OTHER INFORMATION • On 3 occasions we walked to Santa Marta from our hotel—it is a very nice town, with plenty of restaurants, cafes and casas particulares. Most restaurant offer very varied menu at reasonable prices. Some parts of this town have impressive homes. Following a very valuable recommendation of TripAdvisor’s poster, SWNova, on Sunday morning we went to the Farmers’ Market—what a fascinating experience! • We went to a bank in Varadero (on Avenida 1ra) to exchange money, there were over 10 tourists inside and we had to wait for almost one hour. Passport is required. • We took a taxi to Matanzas (30 CUC one way) and spent one day there, exploring it by foot. Very scenic city, highly recommended! It is also possible to purchase a trip to Matanzas at the hotel, 29 CUC per person, including a stop at the Crystal Caves. • The hop-on-hop-off bus has its last stop just a minute away from the hotel (near the La Sangria Restaurant), it runs every 20 minutes (less frequently in the evening), costs 5 CUC per person and takes you to the very end of the Hicacos Peninsula. If you are planning to return late, last bus finishes at 8:00 pm. Confirm the schedule with the driver to make sure you can still catch it—apparently some tourist had to take a cab back to their hotel. • There are plenty of taxis, coco taxis and horse-drawn carriages in Varadero, offering rides. Beware: once a horse-drawn carriage driver quoted us the price of 5 CUC—but later said it was… per person! CONCLUSION For many years I had been very reluctant to go to Varadero, thinking that I would be surrounded by only other resorts and hotels. I was wrong—the location of the Roc Barlovento allowed us to explore many nearby areas and we never felt we were in a tourist enclave. We absolutely loved the hotel & its pleasant staff and had a wonderful time there. On the last day of our vacation, while on the bus to the airport, we spoke to many tourists about their vacation. Remarkably, we got an impression that we had a much better time at the Roc Barlovento than most of them in their often more superior hotels. The hotel deserves very strong 4 stars and we would certainly consider returning!

Roc Barlovento is located at the start of the Varadero strip within walking distance to the charming town of Santa Marta.It is Spanish style 3 level with contemporary decorated rooms. Some Balconies can be rather narrow or non existent Beach is excellent with many plapas Staff are very helpful Buffet is well varied and I only ate in outside area I did not try specialty restaurants Two pools seemed nice but I did not use Entertainment seemed good and I did daily yoga .Bars were well located and efficient Guests were German and French and EnglishCanadian and quiet

Old but very clean Staff exceptional , I've stayed at this very hotel before and was very pleased with the service would recommend this hotel to my friends andfamily. The beach was close and the weather perfect

It is well maintained and nicely laid out . All of the various staff members are very pleasant and courteous . The property is close to a bus service and an easy walk to a big flea market . The Buffet was nicely organized and well kept . The foods were plentiful but almost the same things day after day . The hot foods were not always hot and the cold not always cold . On 5 of the 7 days we were there the ice cream was not as hard as it should be . We found the bath tubs to be high and hard to get in and out of . The beds were nice and comfortable but not the pillows .

Located in walking distance from public market, restaurants, cafés. Grounds and pools always clean, no children, great staff, beautiful beach with lots of sun chairs. Food is average for Cuba but good and fresh. Pool activities in afternoon and daily night show. Been at this resort 3 times and will go back next winter.

Although this is an older hotel, the grounds are very large, well kept and well laid out. There are 2 pools, one is for quiet relaxation, the other has loud Caribbean music. The beach is well catered to with lots of available water sports and a bar just steps away. there is nightly entertainment at 9:30 and a 24 hour lobby bar, for those, must have, 4 AM drinks. The food is well laid out although somewhat bland, but that is typical of the island. The servers are very attentive. There are 2, reservation only, restaurants on the premises that serve very tasty food. All in all, it was a worthwhile stay and very good value for the money.

We liked it very much. It was better than expected. Room was nice, clean, had hot water and pressure every time. The grounds were beautiful and clean, staff working constantly to maintain the cleanliness. Staff were polite and friendly. Food at the buffet restaurant was ok (It's Cuba!), found plenty of things to eat. Two restaurants were nicely decorated and food was good. The beach is glorious but there was some garbage here and there i.e. beer bottles, cans, syringes, plastic, on the beach and in the water. We were there for 2 weeks and the nautical center was open only Sunday until maybe noon so we couldn't partake of the free water activities. The Lobby customer service rep, Henry was terrific - friendly, smiling and very helpful. Although the following is nothing to do with Roc Barlovento, we'd like to point out that the Air Transat (CaribeSol) rep was never there when she was scheduled to be which was annoying because we'd waste precious holiday time waiting for her (Leidys) to show up. She had colleagues but they never showed up either. We could have called but who wants to waste time trying to get through and spend money to contact her/him. We really enjoyed Roc and would go back.

This is the best kept secret in Varadero The buffet is delicious ....... really good food , I’ve been there 4 times and never disappointed The beach is absolutely stunning and well maintained I wouldn’t stay anywhere else

food was very good rooms very good would recomend the beach was great they played lots of games staff was warm and welcomen entertainment was great swimming pool was very clean specalty resterants were great

We had a wonderful stay at ROC Barlovento. The entire resort is clean and well maintained, the staff are extremely kind and hard working, the beach is gorgeous. The location is great, walking distance to markets and short taxi ride to downtown clubs. The food is decent, standard for Cuba, but the bbq was extremely good. A small and quiet resort with mostly older guests. Not really suitable for party people, but perfect for a relaxing vacation.

We had to live out of our suitcases as there were only two small drawers , 6 hangers in a smallish closet and two open shelves . The beds were comfortable but not the pillows . The food was average and not much change from day to day . All the staff were very friendly and helpful !

great beach and pools...new pool beautiful wonderful staff...upgraded rooms not so upgraded....pillow cases were dirty and stained..bathtub had no plug...shower broken...outside room too much construction...maids very loud from 9am throughout the day...towel carts sounded like trains all day...so no chance of napping...bars were all good..but pool bar should be open much earlier than 4pm....Lobby has too many smokers...non smoking area which is separate is not smoke free as smoke travels within an enclosed structure...smoking needs to be contained to outside areas only... Food was ok.... we paid for ROC plus and it seems to be in name only...2 bottles of water for two weeks..maybe we missed the perks?? although repetitive, the entertainment was excellent...especially enjoyed the water show..Lobby entertainment verygood...commnication by staff is not so good trying to figure out when snackbars are open...if you miss breakfast you cant eat til 12:30....since the beach and pools were so nice it makes up for the other short comings at this resort...however not sure we would return as the smoking situation is a deal breaker

We spent April 17th till May 1st, 2018. This is a cosy little hotel, 297 rooms. Adults only, Great staff, fast check in, Good food. Good entertainment , Great location in the heart of varadero. Very clean. Beautiful beach.Great pools. Special thanks to Mario entertainment. Noilia our maid. Yailia and Pedero waiters. This is a great hotel. Thank you to Manuela Romeiro at Tripcentral .ca for making the booking so easy.

The location and the beach were excellent. The hotel room not so good. This is the most I have paid to stay in Cuba and the hotel room needed work. There was hardly any water pressure for the shower. Even though it had a bath tub, it would have taken all day to fill it. The Toilet seeped as well. The other thing that bothered me was this was the first hotel I've stayed where we had to refill our own water instead of getting replacement bottles from the hotel. No free gifts was weird too. The Mexican a la carte was good. The Fusion restaurant not so good. The drinks were not so good either unless you were drinking the drink of the day. That's a lot of complaining but we would actually go back since we spent most of the time at the gorgeous beach. And of course the people and staff were great. Pedro made the best drinks at the second pool nearest the beach. Jose was a great guy too.

Stayed at this Hotel from April 7th-14th. Had a fantastic time. Food was better than expected with the negative reviews I read. The beach, location and plenty of things to do nearby are all great. Rooms was adequate enough considering it was only used for sleep and showers anyway. Clean and well kept up by our maid. Everyone I met here were friendly and accommodating. I would definitely stay at this location again anytime.

The ROC Barlevento is a small adult resort. The resort itself is in need of some updating but the staff is extremely friendly and helpful. The pools are smaller but we never had a problem finding a lounge chair around either pool and the beach was the same. There were multiple Palm tree umbrellas on the beach to keep you out of the sun and lifeguards on duty all day and again no issues finding a beach lounge chair. Our resort was in the beginning of the peninsula so we were extremely close to the city and the restaurants. One place in particular that really impressed us was KIKI'S pizza. A small restaurant just off the resort that offers fresh pizza( as well as other great food) and great atmosphere. We had a lot of people tell us about how bland the food is on the resorts in Cuba but we had no issues with the food. We actually talked to many couples who now frequent this resort because the food at ROC Barlevento is so much better than other resorts on the island. We also tipped our waiter 5 CUC on our second day at the buffet and everyday after that we entered the buffet to find our table set for six with our drinks of choice waiting. Cuba in itself was amazing! It was like getting dropped back into the 50's to see all the old cars. Definately one of the highlights of our trip was 6 of us riding a horse and buggy jamming to Eminem on the stereo in the buggy heading to the BEATLES bar to listen to the live bands on the outside stage. Definately will be making another trip to this resort.

old dirty room mo hot water bugs food drinks no shade at pool and beach lobby staff young man not nice the only thing good was the beach and people service excellent.......................................

This was my second year at the ROC Barlovento, and it is still the well run, well maintained Resort it was last year. It has added a third pool, closer to the Beach, which is a much quieter area for those who prefer that to the large and small pools in the center Courtyard area, which have music and activities. The staff are very friendly and helpful. I liked the food, even tho I am a vegetarian, which greatly limited my options. Meat eaters had choices between various casseroles, stews and the grills where they could get their meat or fish cooked fresh to order. This is not a Party Resort (in case that is what you are looking for) but it is in town and not that far from restaurants, bars, and dancing at Casa de la Musica, Beatles Bar, or Calle 62. Don't forget to visit the Beach bar too, and meet Yusett, bartender extraordinaire :)

Roc Barlovento is a lovely resort, extremely well situated at the entrance of Varadero which makes it easy to discover the village whether it be to shop, browse or simply get acquainted with the Cuban people. The resort itself is simple and quaint but well organized, clean and well maintained. The beach is well kept with sufficient chairs, the towel service is efficient The food is good to excellent with numerous choices, good variety and quality. With its two restaurants, you can have something different every day of the week. The highlight however is the staff. They are great! Attentive and polite, they always welcome you with a smile and will go out of their way to get you what you need or want. The only downside are the rooms. They really need to be refreshed. Worn out and stained towels and sheets, leaking toilets, broken doors and poor deco. The cleaning staff is good, they do their best, but it is impossible to give luster to run down material. Luckily, our mattress and air conditioning were good so we slept well. Overall, we enjoyed our stay. We give it a 4, except for the rooms which are a 2.

Really happy with our experience at the hotel Roc Barlovento. Everyone there was great to deal with, so friendly and eager to please. The location was perfect for us as we love walking and being in the busier end of Varadero there was always something to do and see. The nightly entertainment was enjoyable, very talented young people! We enjoyed all our meals at the buffet and tried the Mexican a la carte restaurant which we REALLY enjoyed.