Rating:
"This hotel was great for my boyfriend and I, who are newer travellers. Booking with Escapes.ca could not have been easier. We booked last minute and got a pretty good deal for a 9 day trip flying from Montréal. Our trip started Monday February the 19th and we flew home on Wednesday February 28th. Upon arrival, as promised, we were greeted with a special welcome cocktail and lively spanish musicians. Our rooms were not available until 4pm as we were told so from 1:30 to 4 we explored the pool and restaurant areas and went to check out the beach. An orientation session was held by our Caribe Sol Rep and she gave a bit of info, missing in this was how we get our towels, you have to buy a ticket at the front desk and then bring it to the entertainment desk, beside the boccé ball. The beach was nice the first couple of days but then the red flags started going up and people were getting tired of the relentless waves. Most people preferred Playa Paraiso as it was much calmer and more quiet than the hotel's strip of public beach. The pool was always inviting, be aware though that after their nap the animacion people come out (around 2:30-3) and will coerce you into being active and doing things like volleyball and aerobics...eek! You will note their presence as the Sol Melia song comes on and they line up at the northern part of the pool and do their choreographed routine, some people tried to do it from time to time, quite entertaining. The pool was nice and close to the Zun Zun bar and they serve a great burger and great mojitos too... The rum and cokes generally should be avoided, as each time we partook of these we ended up unwell... The pizza place beside the lobby bar was also really good. The beach bar doubles as an a la carte at night and you need to make reservations for it, it is the cuban one and really really good, the steak was amazing. The other was La Yana which was ok, the seafood combo there involved some peeling of very scary looking prawns. The food at the buffet was perfect, some people got bored of it but they were probabaly just not that adventurous or creative, I have heard you don't go to Cuba for the food, but it was far better than I had expected. The cats present at the resort were a little sad, I think they should get them fixed. One seemed to be suffering from Rickett's, he could barely walk with his hind legs. Apart from that and the beach those were the only things we didn't like about this resort. It is not a 5 star, and it is in a poorer country. I think they did pretty well for what they had to work with. Also the beach bar has amazing lunches, they have semi buffet semi a la carte, but mostly all included. All I saw that you had to pay for was lobster. The grilled pork was heavenly.Most of the staff were very friendly and seemed to enjoy their work but for servers we ended up with our favourites, Brian especially in the buffet was amazing. After 9 days we were a little sad to go but at the same time a little restless. I think if were a little more well travelled we would go back as we just want to get away to enjoy the beach and relaxation, but we heard a few people who were more spoiled on previous vacations complain a bit about the food and the beach, nothing they weren't expecting though going to a 3.5 star. If you want to save some money and come back with a beautiful tan this is a great place to go, if you want to eat caviar and steak everyday then go to a 5 star. Anyone who gets such a fantastic deal as this should be aware that there are a few compromises, although if you are like my boyfriend and I and just want to spend some romantic times together at a quiet resort with no worries, this is the place."
Reviewer: Anonymous [via Escapes.ca]
Date: Mar. 04, 2007