Rating:
"Most people would probably rate this hotel less than 3, it's old and needs some work. My room was standard. I don't spend alot of time in the room so i just need a clean bed, clean room, no bugs and a decent bathroom with hot/warm water for a shower. This hotel supplied it all. The beach was beautiful, the best part of the beach is closer to town and this place is a 5 min walk into the center of town. Great resturants, shopping and a good walk. I've been to several hotels in Varadero, i know not to expect much for the price i pay. My vacation isn't about the hotel it's about the people, beach and pool, i got what i paid for and was very happy. The buffet isn't great at any time throughout the day, but the snack bar serves great burgers, hotdogs and fries. The El'Carte is excellent and you can book it everyday. I usually walk into town for my dinners as it's very cheap to go out to resturants so why not enjoy and support the locals in their resturant business. My friend and i had such a great time with the staff and other guests we'd go back and are planning the same trip next year. This is a quaint hotel so you get to know everyone who's there, we made alot of friends and did lots of people watching which made this a 5 star on the entertainment level. If you're not expecting much for your money this hotel will certainly fit the bill. Have an open mind and enjoy everything around you it will be worth the trip."
Reviewer: reviewer7512
Date: Dec. 02, 2011

Rating:
"Shame on Gran Caribe...a four star....NO WAY! Arrived at 4:00 am tired and blurry eyed when we walked into the dark lobby of the hotel. The Internacional used to be an opulent and grand hotel and is presently classified as a 4 star hotel! No way Jose! The chandeliers have all but been removed as have the toilet seats in most of the bathrooms. It was pretty bare bones! Our room was ocean view (kept us there) but was severely lacking in all ways! The mold was really bad...in the curtains, the bedspread, all over the bathroom and I would suppose in the air! We did try to turn on the air conditioning but it was so loud, and it was cool enough, that we left if off! The tub didn't drain, the toilet didn't flush, the towel bar fell off and the bathroom mirror rattled in the wind at night (we found out that there was only a mirror separating us from the room next door). With only a mirror separation, we could hear the people in the next room vomiting and suffering from other traveller's symptoms at all hours of the day and night. The room was kept reasonably clean (other than the mold) on a daily basis but the sheets were never changed. We asked to moved to another room and were told on a daily basis....maybe tomorrow! Finally decided to stick it out as we assumed there was really no better. And I think we assumed correctly based on what other people told us about their rooms...it sounded like was had less mold than some and at least we did have hot water...at least most of the time. The hallways were partially carpeted but were told that the whole hotel had but one vacuum. I would venture to guess that the hallway carpet hasn't been vacuumed in years! Someone did come to fix the towel bar (and it stayed on) and plunge the toilet and the tub. The tub did drain after that but the toilet still did not work. The hair dryer (which alot of rooms did not have) is the same as the hair dryer in our hometown museum. I am sure it blows all kinds of asbestos and other good qualities into your hair and face! The one public bathroom in the hotel usually had no toilet paper and the only soap to wash your hands was hotel bath gel (in the little bottles), if someone left them there (I am assuming that the maid left it). The public bathroom at the pool, however, had no toilet paper (not even a dispenser) and no soap, ever! As stated in other reviews the food did suck! Our first breakfast consisted of a bun and an 'omelet' with nothing in it....because there wasn't anything! There was literally no other food there to have! The rest of the time, there was food but the quality was more than lacking! Many people were sick, including my husband. Being seasoned travellers, we haven't been sick in years while on a holiday! We did eat in the al a carte restaurant and in the cabaret one night. Those meals were excellent! In the al a carte restaurant, on our last night, there was a piano and cello player that were both excellent. After each piece, he would sit and wait for a request. If you made eye contact or acknowledged him, the pianist would come over to your table. When he extended his hand, my husband assumed he was going to shake his hand, but soon realized he extended his hand for a tip and not a hand shake. He was very rude when you gave him a tip, throwing it in the glass on the piano, as if to say it wasn't enough! He would only play if he received a tip, beforehand. The drinks at the bar were good but came in very small, cheap plastic glasses as there was a shortage of glass glasses. The terrace Beach Club Bar had drinks but often no one was working there. It was open but no staff in view. The pool bar also had good drinks. Always take a go mug! The beach is absolutely beautiful! Unfortunately, it was a red flag every day when we were there so we couldn't swim in the ocean! There are few palapas (shade umbrellas) on the beach. One of them snapped in half while we were there so one less! Out of all the chaise lounges on the beach, there are probably less than a dozen that aren't broken. Many are split in half! No one picks them up at night so a few floated out into the ocean when we were there after patrons left them too close to the water! We noticed a few dead Portuguese Man of War on the beach, that floated in with the seaweed, so that season is coming up too! Water was an issue. You are supplied one bottle of drinking water in your room for the week. After that you have to buy your own water. They will not refill your bottles. We have never been to an all inclusive, even in Cuba, where you didn't have water supplied! We have been to Cuba 12 times, 10 to Varadero and this was by far the worst. A four star hotel The Internacional is not! It may have been in the past, but is most definitely not now. We stayed at the Tortuga once (it is a two star) and it was far better! Avoid this hotel if you want something free from mold and food that is a little more palatable! Many people who came here, left and went to other hotels. The week we were there, the beach was deserted as was not the case at other hotels! My recommendation is book something else! I get that this is Cuba and they are struggling, but this was ridiculous! The reason there are not too many reviews on this hotel is many people left and went somewhere else!"
Reviewer: reviewer4972
Date: Nov. 15, 2011

Rating:
"Before leaving Canada, I wasn't expecting much as the price was almost too reasonable to be true. It didn't take long to realize the value of this location. Everything is right on the beach and within a short distance of all the hotel's amenities. The staff was friendly and the food of typical Cuban fare - not too fancy but there is always something to eat or drink 24/7. The rooms are basic but clean. The site is safe and well supervised in a friendly manner. On site evening entertainment was great and free. If you want 5 star- then pay it and go somewhere else but the sun and weather will still be the same as here and I would look forward to going here again! It is very good value for the money."
Reviewer: reviewer3951
Date: Jan. 19, 2011

Rating:
"Hotel International's "BIG plus" includes the convenience (right on the beach) and beauty of the beach. The "BIG negative (1 of 5)" is the poor conditions of the room, especially the bathroom where the tub was rusted, little ants ran around on the floor, the toilet had to be held down for 10 seconds to flush, and the poor upkeep of the rooms. Furthermore the dining room, plants around the hotel, the hallways, and most of the facilities were poorly maintained eg paint peeling of the ceilings. The food was okay but not anything special. The food selection was similar in the a la carte restaurants as the buffet restaurant. The entertainment was also "average" and often times too loud."
Reviewer: reviewer8740
Date: Nov. 02, 2010