Rating:
"My boyfriend and I stayed at that hotel for 2 weeks, from January 3 to January 17, 2010. Since we wanted to stay for 2 weeks, we opted for a cheaper hotel. You get what you pay for. You do not have the luxury of a 5 star hotel but the convenience of a 3 star hotel.

The rooms were clean, staff very friendly, food surprisingly satisfying, beautiful beach...Since it's quite affordable and there is a 24 hour bar, you get the people (mostly teenagers) who are there to party and make noise all night. The weather wasn't the greatest during our 2 weeks, therefore the shower water wasn't always hot (since the hot water is generated by a solar system I guess) and the room was cold since there is no sense to have heat in Cuba!

Overall, we enjoyed ourselves. It is close to Varadero, about 10 minutes by bus or moped and Havana is easily accessible.

"
Reviewer: reviewer1156
Date: Jan. 19, 2010

Rating:
"Got back from Cuba in early APRIL.

I had the worst vacation of my life. Here's why:

1) Exchange rate: Lost 30 - 35% from Canadian to Convertible Pesos. Had I known this fact I would not have booked the trip in the first place.

2) The food was absolutely dispicable and the worst I've ever tasted in my life. Buffet available on a daily basis. The only thing I ate was toast and fresh squezzed orange juice. If you wanted to go to other restaurants with hotel, you would have to book the day before. Had I known this fact I would not have booked the trip.

3) Had Diareha and Gastrol pains and gases for 2 solid days. I did not expect to get sick from eating the hotel food. Had I known this fact I would not have booked the trip.

4) Definately not a 3 Star Resort. I would not give it more than a 0 Star. The pictures on the internet are very deceiving. Had I known this fact I would not have booked the trip.

5) No non smoking rooms available at all. My room wreaked of cigarette smoke. They came and sprayed it with little effect. People smoked anywhere and everywhere they felt like. Had I known this fact I would not have booked the trip.

6) Bed Linen was not changed the entire week. There was even holes in the bed linen. Had I known this fact I would not have booked the trip.

7) Towels were thread bare and some days no towels available to exchange.

8) There was mould in the ceiling above the shower. Not a pleasant site. Bad for one's health.

9) Booked Havana trip and asked Signature Rep ( Yemy ) specifically if I could take pictures of cigar factory. Her reply was Yes. I would not have booked this part of the trip otherwise.

When I questioned her the next day she simply stated that yes, I told you that pictures could be taken. I asked her for a refund which she did not give, after telling me that could take pictures of the cigar factory and the process of making cigars.

10) The first thing both my wife and daughter said was that I looked anarexic and that I had lost weight. In fact I did lose about 5 lbs.

THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO POST THESE COMMENTS.
SIGNATURE VACATIONS IS WHO I TRAVELED WITH AND WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THEM OR USE THEM AGAIN FOR THAT MATTER.



I would never, ever visit Cuba again. I was very, very, upset about this trip. I wasn't the only one to complain about the food. There were many others I talked to on my way back to Vancouver. It was also not the only hotel where the food was absolutely despicable.



Sal Vetro



"
Reviewer: Joe Dombani
Date: Jun. 12, 2009

Rating:
"We liked this place a lot! It has a huge and clean beach, the rooms are always well arranged and clean. Every night there is piano playing or some other live music. The food- well, as everywhere in Cuba- not that Wow, but Italian restaurant is very cute and tiramisu is unforgetable. All in all, I would recomend this place if you want an inexpensive and pleasant vacations."
Reviewer: Anonymous [via Escapes.ca]
Date: Sep. 15, 2008

Rating:
"Food was just awful - you are on survival mode by the 3rd day. Rooms in the Hotel are not very good however in the Hacienda they are really nice & clean. Beach is just the greatest. Beautiful, lots of space, chairs and umbrellas. Staff not so friendly and not helpful at all. Overall the Hacienda, pool, beach & grounds I say are very nice the rest is really bad. I would not go back."
Reviewer: Anonymous [via Escapes.ca]
Date: Jul. 29, 2008

Rating:
"The hotel was old and could of used some work and minor updates however it was always kept clean. it was a large hotel and one of the oldest in varadero witch explains a lot. the rooms were basic but very big, often times you would see small ants on the floor coming in from under the door but no other bugs which is a good thing. the bungalows are nicer then the main resort however i woudlnt pay the extra money to stay in them as you are never in your room. the hair dryer is horrible and the food is reasonable for Cuba however bring some other snacks with you."
Reviewer: Anonymous [via Escapes.ca]
Date: Apr. 14, 2008

Rating:
"My advice for the best stay at this 3 star...is be persuasive and persistant to stay in a bungalow, otherwise your stay will be horrible. Lots of ants, bites at night, sparse if not any TP and in the standard hotel room's are dark with hardly any lighting. Food is so so and if one of your main reason's is food for vacation this is not the place for top superb fine dining foods-otherwise it's OK. Lovely designed resort grounds with lots of shrubs, trees, flowers, very beautiful resort. Good entertainment and beautiful a beach-go for walks. BEWARE-at the money exchange, count your money before leaving the ticket window and demand a reciept as many tourists we seen were riped off- $30Cnd-it was unbelieveable. Allways ask the price first prior to purchase, shop around as the local town's market is a rip off, walk down the street to other single venders as t-shirts are half the price compared to the market. Count your change following a purchase as it's LIKELY you will not recieve the correct change....it's horrible, they love riping you off-not all but quite a few of the local store workers. Some will repetetively ask you for your clothing/hats/shoes/water toys etc. and they are wearing nicer more expensive name brand clothing than you are.... Lobby furniture especially the loungers at the 24hr bar is filthy/old and sparse. Many times no seating available. Staff there are nice and accommodation-typical bar server's. Public washrooms allways out of TP-carry your own supply at all times."
Reviewer: Anonymous [via Escapes.ca]
Date: Mar. 28, 2008

Rating:
"It was very nice - a lot of ants though."
Reviewer: Anonymous [via Escapes.ca]
Date: Mar. 25, 2008

Rating:
"If you don't like food this place is great."
Reviewer: Anonymous [via Escapes.ca]
Date: Mar. 12, 2008