We decided last minute that we needed a holiday. We took our two daughters ages 11 and 13. It was about a 35 to 40 minute bus ride direct from the airport to La Salina. The grounds leading up to the lobby were beautiful. Compared to other resorts we drove by, this one looked fantastic! Check in was super fast! Maybe 5 minutes. We grabbed a shuttle cart to take us and our luggage to our room. We were in building 38, quite close to the beach, but quite far from the lobby/buffet. We had a room on the main floor, which was great since we just opened the door, and were on our way.. no stairs. Room was clean and large, as well as the bathroom. We were expecting 2 double beds, but instead their doubles were pretty small.. we walked into our room to find 4 beds. One for each of us. Wasn’t a big deal to us. Heard others very upset about bedding arrangements. Mini bar was restocked daily, as long as you took everything out, it would be all replaced. This resort is huge. Largest in Varadero at the time. Walking wasn’t a big deal, about a 67 or 8 minute walk from the lobby to the beach. After a while it became a bit much. Take your own mugs; the glasses they give u for drinks hold maybe 3/4 of a cup of beer etc. Food was actually not bad. Was expecting bad food. Seafood was great. It took a day to realize what was great, and what wasn’t. Desserts were horrific. Ice cream good though! Service was a hit and miss. Some were amazing, others didn’t look like they wanted to be there. Quiet pool bar has amazing service! Souvinirs at hotel were same price as airport, some even cheaper at hotel! Bank.. there are two banks to exchange your money, one in lobby, and one next to gym. Exchange was 84 cuc for 100 cdn dollars. If you want to convert it back to canadian, they give it back to u at par. Big rip off! We made sure we exchanged a bit at a time so we left with $0. Drinks were, I would hate to say it, nasty. I didn’t drink beer, but did the whole time I was there! Beach was beautiful! Very clean! Beach buffet was great. Too many rude french people there. The people working there should be treated with respect, and u will get good service! Don’t buy souvinirs from the guy at the theatre at night, or on the beach. Take the bus to Varadero for 5 cuc, and the markets there are very cheap. Way less than half the price! Took tour to Cayo Blanco, worth the money. 75 cuc adults, 35 cuc kids. One week was just enough! If we would have went for 2 weeks, we would definitaly split the weeks up with 2 resorts. We met some great people that we met up with when we got home. Kids made lots of friends and had fun in loud pool on the waterslide! All in all, good resort, worth it!
Room Block:
38
Arrival:
Super quick. Got our free bottle of wine. Had some drinks there, and some cheeses and meats to snack on.
Rooms:
Very large and clean. Television had channels from the states, some canadian ones (even one from Edmonton, where we are from), french, spanish…. bathroom huge. Shower was a learing experience. First few days after our showers, we would have a few inches of water on bathroom floor. Water would run down side of tub and onto floor. Had to hold shower head piece and never had a problem. Always had clean towels.
Restaurants and Bars:
Main buffet was pretty good. Long lineups for bacon, omelettes, smoothies. Great seafood. Seafood doesn’t last long at buffet. Usually lasts maybe an hour,and then something else takes its place. Roast beef good. Burger at large pool snack bar yucky. Beach bbq burgers great! Pulled pork sandwich and bbq fish fantastic at beach buffet. Quiet pool bar great service and drinks. This bar and lobby bar make their pina colada with ice in blender. Everywhere else its just poured. Bring your own big mug. Cups they give a super small! Went to 2 Al la carte restaurants: Cuban… fantastic! Great food, service, entertainment! Mediterranian… mediocre. Food alright, service not great, no entertainment. Coffee bar makes good cappiccino. Lobby bar has slushes for the kids! Can get iced coffee there too!
Beach/Pools/Grounds:
Beach was beautiful. Not much for snorkelling. My husband had to go wayyyyy out. Not too many people bother u. Some trying to sell woven hats, but a no will do, and they leave u alone. Entertainment staff out there in the morning, with music blaring on blown speakers. Very clean. Pools are huge, and very clean. Quiet pool is very quiet. Everytime we went by there, there was maybe a dozen people around the whole pool. Loud pool, well u have music, entertainment staff, volleyball net, waterslide… Was great over there too though. Grounds were beautiful. Always people working on the grounds.
Activities on and off the Resort/Hotel:
We weren’t much into the activities on the resort in regards to the entertainment staff. There was a live band at the main square one night. But not till much later. Not much happening from 3pm to 10pm. By 10pm, we were done for the night. The heat was a killer! We booked a tour to Cayo Blanco thru the tour desk across from the lobby. Was well worth it. Was guarenteed, if the weather was bad or whatever, u get a refund. Was cheap compared to other catamaran tours we have taken thoughout the caribbean. They really load the people onto the catamaran though. Was not enough seats for all the people. The island was gorgeous. Not much for snorkelling there either, but great for tanning! Took the double decker bus to Varadero on a rainy day. Was a nice trip. Got to see other hotels, and check out the town.
Other Comments: We would go back to this hotel, but for no longer than a week. We would like to try the Iberostar next door next time. Met a wedding party there. Didn’t sound like a great place for a wedding. Lots of screw ups etc.
Just remember, this is a third world country! Don’t expect a 4 star there to be like a 4 star here! Also, compared to other islands in the Caribbean we have visited, we felt very safe here. No drugs anywhere. Was nice. Great for kids! We didn’t even use our safe. We put everything in a pocket in our suitcase, and locked it up with our luggage locks.