- for some reason the tour operator sells the hotel as 4*, although everyone else (I mean Canadian and German tour operators) sell this hotel as 3* Considering that this is Cuba, we have 2* - 2.5* with 3* elements, such as pools, quantity restaurants, bars, grounds and the beach. But guys, this all needs cleaning, washing and repair for a long time. The hotel is practically on the beach, at the beginning of the Varadero spit. There is a free bus to the market 3 times a day to the city. To Havana 3 hours by retro car for 35 suc pers. or by sightseeing bus for 95 suc pers.
- the rooms are small, with a balcony, and if you have a sea view, then wow if in the Saleta building.
The mattresses and pillows are old and uncomfortable, they stink like all the furniture.
Hot water in the morning and after 6pm. Bed linen is changed once a week. The staff is lazy and spoiled for gifts and tips that Canadians leave them. Everyone brings clothes and shoes to Cuba, especially for children, cosmetics, bicycles, etc. Perhaps those who took it well on their chests did not feel it, but many soberly complained about a strange smell in the rooms at night. I confirm - this is the smell of gas emissions from the area opposite the hotel. And the guide confirmed it. And it was every night and often in the morning.
- food. This guys is a test of the strength of your stomach. Everything is cold in the buffet, for hot ones stand in line - for frying meat or rarely fish. Vegetables and fruits are second-rate, they do not know how to cook. I don't know where they get such fodder papaya and pineapples. In the evening, you can go from restaurants to Chinese (do not think that it is CHINESE) and international. Cuban - do not advise.
They don't know how to make cocktails, they serve them in soft plastic cups. No mojito (mint is in short supply). Coffee - if you are a fan, you do not need to go there. You have to come to the buffet at the opening. Food runs out quickly and if replenished, then not soon. The tables are cleared, but not laid, there are no clean cutlery.
- beach and ocean. Well, actually this is the main segment of the trip. The beach is good for swimming and walking. In February it was comfortable, without the exhausting heat. The sunbeds are old and torn, it is necessary to borrow early in the morning, there is not enough for everyone. The pool is free, the water is cold. The children's pool is not open. There is no bar on the beach.
-evening. Dance group show (not bad), a disco in the Puntarena building and 2 bars, for the hungry hamburger bar after 11pm. On the territory and in the lobby - semi-darkness, light bulbs save.
If you are not bored and have read up to this point, then I dare to give advice
- you have a modest budget and you have NOT been to this region, if you like to drink / smoke - fly in. The best time is the end of February, March, April. It's cold in December. In summer it is very hot, but cheap.
- you were in the Dominican Republic or Mexico, or maybe on a Caribbean cruise, you DO NOT need to Varadero, and especially to this hotel. If you are already in Cuba, then choose other resorts - Holguin, Cayo Coco, Cayo Santa Maria - The hotels there are newer, the service and food are better.
You may ask a question, why did we fly to this hotel? Logically. These guys were very cheap for 2 weeks, and the flight was 3 hours. Fly away from winter. But no more feet. Been many times in the Caribbean, on resorts and cruises, if you have any questions - you are Welcome!
Natalia.
Weather: extremely unstable, the North Atlantic cyclone brought strong waves, wind, cold to the region. Out of 10 days, only 3 days were swimming. In good weather, the ocean is great, despite the dirty beach and ragged, broken sunbeds.
Hotel: a seven-story barn, welded from steel beams, lined with blue panels. Of the 3 elevators, only 1 worked. At the hotel, we could only take beach towels with great difficulty and with the help of a hotel guide. For them, they take a deposit of 10 euros, and return the deposit in quasi-currency kukom (local currency for tourists), which then need to be exchanged only at a bank in the city of Varadero.
The menu in the restaurant is modest, and with the influx of local Cubans, you can generally be left without food, because. they collect restaurant food in containers for the future to feed their family.
Cuba has a card distribution system for basic foodstuffs, and there is nothing in stores except cigars, rum and liquor. Even fruits and vegetables are not freely available. The market is open for a couple of hours on Saturday only on 51st street in Varadero.
Our room on the 7th floor: great view of the ocean, but dim lighting, electrical outlets and table lamps not working, hair dryer and air conditioning did not work, mirror in the bathroom, moldy ceilings, only 1 NTV America channel worked with their annoying advertising about life in Chloride and endless series about Russian crime.
Wi-fi only by card (cost 1 euro per hour) and only at the reception, but it works for about 10-15 minutes, then it freezes.
Entertainment for tourists: poor animation in the evening, rum and alcoholic cocktails - without limitation. At the same time, it became a shame for our young compatriots drinking and screaming, accompanied by loud, annoying music.
At the airport, upon departure, prices in Dutyfree are set in euros, and you get the change in "cookies". You are offered here in the exchanger to change them for the euro!
That. the hotel is 2*. Cuba is a reserve of socialism, where poverty and wretchedness are manifested in everything. Pity this tropical country!