Anyone who is considering booking this resort and are worried about the poor reviews, fear not! We also had reservations about booking this resort but we followed our travel agent’s advice. She had stayed at this resort and recommended it because it is "kid" friendly. Our family of 7, (4 adults, 3 children) had a fabulous time from sept. 3/11 to sept. 10/11. The weather was fantastic and the ocean was like bath water. We booked through nolitours and flew canjet. Because of the tailwinds our flight to cuba was less than 3 hours and our return flight to toronto was also under 3 hours. I wouldn’t have any hesitation in recommending this resort to family and friends. Be prepared to do some walking as it is a huge resort. Go and enjoy the people, the weather and the fantastic beach.
Room Block:
32000
Arrival:
OUR ARRIVAL WAS SPEEDY. WE WERE MET WITH NON ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND SANDWICHES. THE GIRL THAT CHECKED US IN WAS FRIENDLY AND SPOKE SURPRISINGLY GOOD ENGLISH. WE FOUND THE STAFF AT THE FRONT DESK TO BE VERY FRIENDLY AND ABLE TO SPEAK VERY GOOD ENGLISH AS WELL. HAVING BOOKED THROUGH NOLITOURS, WE RECEIVED A FREE BOTTLE OF RUM UPON CHECK IN. BONUS!!! OUR BAGS WERE LOADED ON A TRANSPORTATION CART AND WE WERE TAKEN TO OUR ROOMS WITHIN ONE HALF HOUR OF OUR ARRIVAL.
Rooms:
OUR ROOM WAS CLEAN AND WELL MAINTAINED. CONTRARY TO SOME REPORTS, THERE WAS NO MUSTY SMELL OR MOLD IN OUR ROOM. REMEMBER TO TAKE A ROOM DEODORIZER WITH YOU AND YOU WON’T HAVE ANY PROBLEM. THERE ALSO WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE LACK OF TOILET PAPER. THE BATHROOM WAS ALWAYS WELL STOCKED. YOU MIGHT WANT TO CONSIDER TAKING FACIAL TISSUE AS THEY DO NOT SUPPLY THAT IN THE WASHROOMS. ALSO, TAKE FACECLOTHS AS THEY DON’T SUPPLY THOSE EITHER. WE STAYED ON THE 3RD FLOOR OF THE 32000 BLOCK. THE ONE DOWNFALL IS THERE IS NO ELEVATOR SO YOU HAVE TO WALK UP 3 FLIGHTS OF STAIRS.
Restaurants and Bars: THE BUFFET WAS GOOD WITH A WIDE CHOICE OF FOOD. YOU DO NOT NEED TO GO HUNGRY. ONE NIGHT THEY HAD 2 PIGS FULLY COOKED AND ANOTHER NIGHT ROASTED TURKEYS. THEY WERE AWESOME! PASTA WAS AVAILABLE EVERY NIGHT AS WELL. YOU COULD HAVE EGGS, OMELETTES, BACON COOKED FOR YOU IN THE MORNING WHILE YOU WAITED. OUR GRANDAUGHTERS ARE PICKY EATERS AND THEY HAD NO PROBLEM AT ALL. I WAS REALLY SURPRISED. THERE ARE BIRDS IN THIS OPEN AREA BUT THEY HAVE A MAN WHO HAS A TRAINED HAWK THAT CHASES THE LARGER BLACK BIRDS AWAY. THERE ARE FLIES AS IT IS AN OPEN AREA. SIT BENEATH THE CEILING FANS AND YOU WON’T HAVE A PROBLEM. THE LOBBY BAR WAS GREAT. GOOD CAPPUCINO. MY ONLY COMPLAINT IS THE SMOKING BUT YOU HAVE TO ACCEPT THAT THERE ARE NO "NO SMOKING" LAWS IN CUBA. THE SWIM UP BARS IN BOTH THE ACTIVITY POOL AND THE QUIET POOL WERE REALLY GOOD. BORIS AT THE QUIET BAR WAS "THE MAN". GREAT PERSONALITY, FRIENDLY AND HE TOOK GOOD CARE OF US, EVEN OUR LITTLE GRANDAUGHTERS WITH THEIR JUICE DRINKS. OUR FAVOURITE ALA CARTE WAS THE JAPANESE. WE PAID EXTRA FOR A LOBSTER DINNER AT THE CUBAN RESTAURANT. IT WAS GREAT. THE ITALIAN AND THE STEAK HOUSE WERE JUST SO-SO. THE FOOD IS KIND OF BLAND SO A GOOD IDEA IS TO PACK A FEW SPICES AND TAKE THEM WITH YOU.
Beach/Pools/Grounds:
THE BEACH IS REALLY NICE. THE OCEAN AT THIS TIME OF YEAR IS LIKE BATH WATER AND MOST DAYS VERY CLEAR. THE GUESTS STAYING AT THE RESORT COULD DO A BETTER JOB OF PICKING UP AFTER THEMSELVES I.E. PLASTIC CUPS, CIGARETTE BUTTS, ETC. I DON’T BLAME THE RESORT OR THE STAFF FOR THIS, I BLAME THE INCONSIDERATE GUESTS. YOU WOULDN’T DO THIS IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD!!! THE POOLS ARE VERY NICE AND THEY WERE REALLY, REALLY WARM. MUCH DIFFERENT THAN IN FEBRUARY. THE GROUNDS ARE GORGEOUS AND VERY WELL MAINTAINED. THE RESORT IS HUGE SO YOU DO HAVE SOME TIME TO ADMIRE THE VEGETATION WHILE YOU ARE WALKING AROUND.
Activities on and off the Resort/Hotel:
YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY OF TAKING TOURS TO HAVANA, SWIM WITH THE DOLPHINS, JEEP TOURS, HORSEBACK RIDING, ETC. WE DID NOT TAKE PART IN THESE AS WE HAD 3 SMALL CHILDREN WITH US. WE DID GO OUT ON THE PADDLE BOATS AND MY GRANDAUGHTERS WERE VERY EXCITED WHEN THEIR FATHER DOVE AND GOT THEM 2 STAR FISH.
Other Comments:
REMEMBER THAT YOU ARE IN A TROPICAL CLIMATE. THERE ARE MOSQUITOES SO TAKE SPRAY (ALTHOUGH I THINK THEY LIKE IT). IF YOU CANNOT PUT UP WITH A FEW INCONVENIENCES STAY HOME! ALL IN ALL IT WAS A GREAT RESORT ENJOYED BY ALL MEMBERS OF OUR FAMILY.
GREAT RESORT, GREAT BEACH, GREAT TRIP