Hotel Las Morlas

From the lobby, the elevator 3rd floor button does not work so I went to the 4th floor and walked down one floor. I arrived at midnight and found my safe was not working. They came and fixed it. The next day, the toilet backed up and spewed raw sewage into the bathtub, They switched my room two doors away from my original room. The safe did not work in this room, so they replaced the batteries in the keypad and began working. The next day, the safe did not work agaiin. The food is repetitive, rice, pork and leather like beef, Breakfast was the best meal of the day with omlettes, and fresh fruit juices. The staff were friendly. I never had issues finding lounge chairs on the beach or by the pool. It's definietly not a 4 star but maybe 2.5. The resort cat was friendly and enjoyed attention and patts. The main lobby bar ran out of tap beer for 3 days however were serving beer from bottles. Rum and beer is pretty much all that is available for drinks, I did notice a big concern in the buffet. Food spillage on the counters was simply picked up by a worker's bare hands and placed in the dish serving the food for the hotel guests. This was a huge dissapointment. [Details]

'Tranquil' is the Word at Las Morlas Resort - Tranquiliza la palabra en Las Morlas Resort (3 1/2 stars)

Las Morlas reminds me of a classy resort at in Cayo Enchenachos, Cuba. Its large swimming pool had a bar at one end and comfortable loungers topped with umbrellas everywhere but best of all, it sported lower volume background music (coming from speakers built into fake rocks) - traditional Cuban music at that - to set a calm, peaceful tropical Cuban island setting.

Likewise, at Las Morlas you can sit by the uncrowded meandering pool, enjoy the sights of the gardens and landscaping, and listen to the songbirds as low level music down by the entertainment stage off the pool bar, plays in the background. Ahh, "tranquil" as they say in Cuba and Spanish. This, unlike some places where music is so loud you can't have a conversation or read a book.

So this smaller sized, peaceful, adults oriented resort succeeds in creating a calm mood beginning at the spacious lobby bar with its indoor and outdoor seating (smoking and non-smoking sections), while the rest is up to you to choose either chilling by the pool or enjoy music by the beach bar area where bands (not solo artists) like CACHE, visit once or twice a week to evoke heartwarming moments with their great Cuban music while charming staff often get up for a quick dance or jiggy, jiggy!

Other highlights include a good location, nice beach, good bartending service, a 24 hr lobby bar, nightly entertainment, a reliable elevator, rooms with nice pool and oceanview views, snack bar, and a la carte restaurant with decent food, cheerful service and a pleasant ambience.

Improvements lay with the quality of buffet food, the variety, cooking (everything is too salty), and shortages come later dinner settings. Spaghetti in a non watered down tomato meat sauce, more pre-cooked chicken and pre-cooked ravioli or tortellini in a light meat sauce would make mealtime a whole lot better. Less curry on the curried chicken would also be good as would PIZZA and more chicken on the chicken sandwiches at the snack bar.

More beach huts for shade are also needed, and those that exist are far too low to the ground to slip in and out of easy enough unless you're a short person. Improvised portable beach umbrellas plucked down near the water's edge, are in place and nice but only as a supplemental measure.

The absence of Havana Club rum and vodka at the bars is a major faux pas but this could change with new shared management - the BLAU hotel chain (of Germany) - that's rumoured to replace the Be Live chain (Spain) that left in February. Hand towels and much needed bath mats may also be in order.

All in all, if you love hearing songbirds in a tranquil setting with the best of both worlds (quiet and lively), odds are this may be your choice for a relaxing, enjoyable vacation. And, if the price right, it's a great choice!

Thanks go to Liset and Yenedy for their professionalism, caring, and for giving me a great room. Likewise, thanks to Ricardo, all the lobby bar staff for their unwavering service ethic, the a la carte staff for their responsiveness and staff for recovering my missing tablet! God willing and me able, I look forward to doing it all again.

Steve Anthony, Toronto, Ontario, Canada [Details]

The was great as usual clean room friendly staff food better than expected. The only problem was the 10$ per hour late check out fee and then they wouldn't give me a room to shower at 4:00 before the flight. I have stayed here multiple times and never had this happen before [Details]

The resort was not as we had expected. We spent 1 week at Be live experience Las Morlas at the end of November 2019. We did the research before hand and the reviews for this hotel were amazing for Cuba.

The resort is small and quaint and not overcrowded.

The food was fair not and great like the reviews had said. We found the hot food was not very hot and the cold food not always cold, including the coffee at the buffet. The pasta bar was good. Lino the chef knows how to serve pasta. We met other people who had stayed there 2 years prior they loved it then but they said it was not as good as before.
We did not realize when we booked that the resort caters to Italians. It wasn't a problem. The staff spoke Spanish and Italian and a little English, no French which sometimes made it hard to communicate but we made the best of it. We were never approached by the animators for activities which looked like fun. The animators were very friendly with the Italian guests.
The shows were not bad. They did them in 3 languages and we could still understand when they were only in Italian.

I think the resort was having septic problems. We had a sewer smell in our room that worsened as the week went on. It seemed to only be in the night. We kept the door closed and it was manageable for the time we were there.

The ladies washrooms in the common areas were out of order the whole time we were there. You either used the men's washroom, went to the beach bathroom or your room.

The resort and rooms could be updated but were clean. Our maid Penelope was fantastic. The coffee bar was great depending on who made your coffee. The drinks were so so.
The beach was beautiful with plenty of chairs and shade.

Town of Varadero was about a 15 minute walk from the resort. Bring cash, credit cards are not widely accepted or there is a fee to use them.

Overall if you are looking for a quiet, inexpensive vacation we recommend Las Morlas. [Details]

On a choisi l'hôtel, car situé près du centre-ville et selon les commentaires des derniers voyageurs. 80% des clients sont des italiens, ça ne dérange pas énormément, mais aucune ou presque d'animation, appart les petits spectacles le soir....en Italien,mais on préférais aller en ville anyway . Manger des sautés de pâtes al denté à cuba, faut le faire, donc merci aux Italiens en réalité, car bcp des cooks le sont. Très bien entretenu, chambre propre, on ne manque pas de chaise à la plage ni à la piscine. Nous étions un groupe de 8, on a eu du plaisir ensemble, sinon assez tranquille comme ambiance, donc si tu veux fêter, peut-être choisir un autre hôtel. [Details]

We are very satisfied with our vacation.We felt relaxed after our vacation .It was our third visit to cuba by far it was the best we cant wait to go again. [Details]

Nice smaller resort that is easy to get around in. Wonderful staff made the experience very good. Staff works hard at trying to keep things clean on the grounds and rooms. Building is in need of repairs. ie: no toilet seat in the outdoor bathroom. Geared towards Italians and Euro/German tourists not Canadians who speak primarily English especially for the nightly entertainment...most of the time you will not know what is going on. Beach was beautiful except plastic cups and cigarette butts that the tourists leave behind. Perhaps hanging cans for ashtrays off the pallaps may assist. Garbage cans are available, not sure why people think they should be left for someone else to clean up after them. [Details]

Overall it is decent hotel, but all hotels in Varadero shall at lease minus two stars from their claims. There are not many activities in the hotel, the main restaurant not available most of the time, or need extra date to reserve, food at buffet is good, meat products are organic and flavorful. Service is good, but front desk speak very strong accent English that I can't understand. LOL, but compare the same amount of money I spent on cruise ship, it is incomparable, cruise always has the best deal. [Details]

the food was not great; the fruits were ok, but we spent the 4 days eating omlets only. The room had ants and the entire hotel looked run down [Details]

As always a great stay, it's like being home with family.....if your looking for a peaceful rest with warm smiles, and great location this is it.... [Details]

Very nice smaller resort, everything just a step away, beautiful beach, great chairs by the pool, lots of sun and shade, staff very welcoming. Small tips are much appreciated. The room was small but clean, the beds were firm, towels were changed regularly. [Details]

Staff was wonderful. Beach/pool was great. Rooms were so so - below average beds, older hotel, empty bar fridge, no english TV (remote didn't work anyway). Food was bland, boring and sometimes disgusting; limited eating hours also. Only one a la carte and it was poor. Coffee was fantastic. The alcoholic drink options were few, less than any resort I have ever stayed at. Internet a rip off: expensive and so slow that your time gets wasted. No wifi. Some cockroaches found. Sometimes a disgusting, rotting smell pervaded the pool bar area. Overall OK but I wouldn't return [Details]

A very nice small resort close to downtown with a wonderful beach [Details]

A smaller hotel,with a nice pool and great beach.It seems more suited to middle aged people than the younger crowd. [Details]

This hotel has a lot going for it & I would go back. You can walk to Varadero in 15-20 minutes or take a short shuttle into town. A bank & post office are right beside hotel but the area is quiet and beach is beautiful. Food was somewhat better than I expected. [Details]

Loved the resort. It is small with everything within reach - pool, bars, restaurant and oceanfront beach. Our room was a family duplex and was a great fit for our group (2 adults, 2 kids). It was nice to have 2 bathrooms and a ground floor, walk-in with terrace. Only drawback - the spiral staircase up to the shower and second bedroom proved to be a bit tight and steep. Food was ok, actually pretty good for Cuba. My kids always found something to eat. [Details]

Night life lacking, food really bad. Excellent staff [Details]

We were there 1st in feb. this year and we expected the same thing now, but we got a little bit less. We also paid a bit less.

The beach, the water, the staff were great, it is a quiet resort, small, with everything close. There was lot of space by the pool or at the beach and it was always clean.

The food was not that good this time even for Cuba, with few options, and the animation needs improvement. But we were there off season, so this could explain it to some extent. However, they do recycle the food, we had more or less the same soup for the first 3 days and we saw them saving the wine from the glasses back in the bottle but not sure they would serve it again or do something else with it.

The room was clean and spacious enough, the beds were not so comfortable but we expected that. [Details]

My husband and I have travelled to Cuba half a dozen times and never have we had such problems. We expect the food won't be the greatest and the rooms will be dated. This place had consistantly the worst food we've ever had in Cuba and that says a lot. I read a review that mentioned a world class Italian chef and I'm thinking they meant 3rd world class.
Aside from a handful of good staff members, most of the staff acted like we were inconviencing them by being there.
During meals in the buffet we weren't offered anything to drink and often our empty plates weren't cleared away.
We tried to exchange money and were told that they didn't do that at the front desk, even though we'd already had money exchanged there twice. Fortunately the one girl at the desk who actually liked her job showed up and took care of it for us. (Thank-you blondie. Sorry we didn't catch your name.)
When we arrived we were told check in time was at four and even though the hotel was well under capacity the staff wouldn't budge on this.
For the first two days there were no beach towels available and then after that we kept being told we couldn't exchange towels for clean ones until tomorrow.
We saw a coachroach in the room, which can't be helped I guess, but we've never seen coachroaches before in Cuba.
The pool bar was closed for 3 days for renos.
The entertainers do a really great aqua show. However, what this means for the guests is that most afternoons the staff takes over the deep end of the pool and the music to practice. They're polite, but you can't really use the pool and you're subjected to the same songs over and over.
This place really isn't a destination for Canadians. Being the only english speaking people at a resort filled with German and Italian people meant we didn't have an opportunity to socialize. [Details]

Better than expected for my first trip to Cuba, would stay there again. Nice and small, easy to get around, beautiful pool and beach! Food was always cooked, especially the meat. Sometimes the wait staff were inattentive but no bother really. Rooms very clean, we were on top floor. I was impressed with the cleanliness. They're not shy with the liquor either! Go and have fun, and take probiotics just in case! [Details]

Hotel Bien situé. Petit, facile de se deplacer et de se rendre a la plage-piscine-Buffet.
Bouffe Ok, un peu de varieté, toujours du poisson frais, pain frais et plats vegetariens bien preparé.
Piscine OK.
Plage Incroyable.
Chambre OK, mais sans plus.
Tres bien situé, banque et depanneur sur les rues a coté.
Shows, mediocre mais amusant.

Pour le prix (300$ de moins que les 5 etoiles) je trouve la qualité correct mais sans plus. Pour la difference de prix entre Las Morlas et un 5etoile ou un 4 en republique ou mexique, je trouve correct comme choix.
Pour un 4 etoiles a Cuba, je le trouve tres bien.
N.B. Pour du café, cigars et rum, a l`aeroport les prix sont tres differents d`un magasin a un autre (duty Free) alors arriver d`avance et fait les tous vite pour comparer les prix. [Details]

We would recommend the Be Live Las Morlas for a very relaxing holiday in a very friendly and clean hotel. A wonderful vacation. [Details]

There was many good points and only a few bad points. Very clean and small enough that the beach was not that far.The beach was clean compared to other resorts. Close to town for shopping. The entertainment was average. We stayed at another resort the year before and the entertainment was awesome. We had one show that had some wow factor to it. I have used Sunwing three times now and enjoy travelling with them. Good Family resort. [Details]

Upon arrival near 10 pm, hotel reception had no record of our reservation. We were given a room that I believe was a room that is kept for this type of situation. Room was clean, but lamps were missing lampshades, closet door had been damaged by what looks like a fist and bathtub was worn out. I had a feeling that this was lower quality room, but reception guaranteed that this was a typical room. I was suprised however when the towel person asked twice and looked at me funny when I gave her our room number. The price paid for the trip, I feel, was a little high for what we received. Since we arrived late, there was no food to be found anywhere and since we left early on our departure date, we did not have breakfast because the hotel restaurant was not open. So although we had a 3 day package we did only spend 2 full days there. The current price for a roundtrip ticket is approximatley $360.00, so it cost me 390.00 for two days in a mediocre hotel, with miserable staff and although you will not starve, the buffet was less than appetizing since most of the hot items were cold. This is not the first time visiting Cuba, but believe it will be my last. The emphasis on tipping made me feel like I was in Jamaica. [Details]

Enjoyed my stay, but the rooms definitely need updating as they are very old. Beach and poolside was the best thing about the holiday - nice and quiet because it is a smaller hotel, so a great holiday to just relax. Food not so great, but apparently that is the case all over resorts in Cuba. [Details]

Small, close to village, not crowded. [Details]

Rooms were nice. Bed was a bit uncomfortable but tolerable. Good food. It's an old people's paradise. We had an item go missing from the room and As helpful front desk was the item was never recovered. [Details]

We have been to Varadero 7 times and this is the first time at this resort. It was the best one we have been at. The food was great, people were outstanding. It's a smaller resort so there was no line ups at the bars or restaurants, very relaxing and clean. [Details]

The hotel was nice and clean with a friendly staff. The food was well prepared, though somewhat repetitive. Good entertainment and an exceptional beach. [Details]

This was my 2nd stay at Las Morlas this year. I paid dramatically more than some sell-offs were offering, in order to have the comfort and familiarity and convenience of staying here. On arrival, greeted by a friendly bus driver, comfortable 25 minute drive from the airport. Check-in is fast & efficient. $$ exchange is available at the front desk, but one of the many benefits of staying at Las Morlas, is that the bank is at the end of the entrance driveway. The exchange rate is much better at the bank. For $100 CAN, I got $97 at the bank. For $80 CAN, I got $69 at the hotel. Dramatically different! Accommodations: Clean and simple. I've stayed in both styles - DUPLEX - 2 story room, with a crazy skinny spiral staircase to 2nd floor. 1st floor has 2 single beds, washroom with sink and toilet, tv with cable (3 English speaking stations, CNN, CTV, HBO), very simple older bed linen, mattresses are not luxurious by a long shot, rather hard, but I slept great! 2nd floor has a double bed, dresser and washroom with shower, bathtub, sink and toilet. Window unit air conditioning. The duplexes are located with direct access to the main pool area. A table and chairs is located on the path just outside your door. The duplex is rather dark, as there is no window other than that in the front door...so no flowing breeze or balcony. I didn't love the duplex when I first walked in, but it was really convenient to all of the facilities, & comfortably housed 4 of us. Great for a family or group of friends. For the amount of time you spend in your room, it was ideal....loved being able to grab a cappucino from the bar (lobby or pool), and sit outside my room in the morning or late evening and listen to the music. The HOTEL ROOM that I had this time, was on the 4th floor (top). It was bright, had a balcony, 2 single beds, simple bedding, same mattress style, dresser, tv, shower, bathtub, sink and toilet. Simple & CLEAN accommodations. The buffet-style restaurant offers a wide range of selections. I am not a fish eater, so I didn't indulge is alot of the selections, but there was plenty of choice. I recommend trying the personalized egg dish of your choice, made by the amazingly friendly chef behind the grill. French toast, croissants, meat choices such as bacon and sausage are also available...heavier fat content. Fruit too. Coffee and other beverages are plentiful. Lunch is served at the outdoor buffet and typically offers a hot choice (palella rice, pork chops, burgers/hot dogs)...ice cream, fruit. The outdoor buffet is just steps from the beach. Easy to come up from your lounger on the beach in your swimsuit to grab a bite. There is also a bar conveniently located between the outdoor buffet and the beach. Casual dining permitted (bathing suit & flip flops). The pool is fabulous for ALL swimmers from babies to adults). There is a walk-in area for little ones to sit and play with comfy lounge chairs for guests, & a deeper large part of the pool for swimmers and dippers. Pool bar is open from 10am - midnight. Cappucino available there too! The staff is PHENOMENAL!!!! Pedro, Miriam, Johnny, Ivan & Jamil to name a few. Try the pina colada! The bar is also right beside the stage where shows are offered every night by the entertainment crew. Haili is the entertainment coordinator & will no doubt, introduce herself to you during your stay. If not, find her & have a chat, she's alot of fun! Navin is one of your DJs & also runs the dance club after the stage entertainment ends at 11pm. The club offers great music and a huge dance floor, but sadly not alot of traffic in there after 11pm, as the younger guests head downtown to go to a club, and the older guests don't go in. If you want a quick salsa lesson, ask Navin...I've watched several one-on-ones in the disco, and he is friendly and patient & I've seen impressive results. Don't forget to tip a peso or 2...I'll touch on that in a bit. I have heard and read a variety of opinions on this hotel. My opinion is that it is clean, friendly, the beach is the most beautiful I have ever gone to...crystal clear water, soft white sand, plenty of lounge chairs (in April I had to get to the beach at the crack of dawn to get loungers and a palapa, in December, loungers and palapas were plentiful all day). If there isn't a chair ready, a fellow who works for the hotel will set up your chair for you, I tip a peso. The beach is quiet. If approached to purchase something, it will be from someone respectful and pleasant. Not aggresive and rude. I felt extremely safe on the beach. Discreet hotel security keep an eye out for outsiders infiltrating the guest population. I took a tour to Havana from one of the beach salesmen, and it was the best tour I've ever had. The location of the hotel is great. A 15 minute walk to downtown, or $5 cab ride. There is a telephone booth at the end of the driveway where you can use a phone card, purchased at the bank (also at end of driveway). $20 phone card will get you about 10 minutes of talk time..maybe 8. You can use the phone in your room if you want, but I prefer to use a card. If you go to the bank, take your passport for money exchange. A security guard on the door will ask you to take seat when you go in...they keep it very structured in the bank and will not allow many in at one time. Careful of the guard who has a beautiful, friendly face, grey hair...he may follow you out and discreetly ask for one of your country's money bills, because he doesn't have one of those (ie: a $5 Canadian bill) My friend got caught up by this, thinking she was exchanging it for his money, but it was just a one way transaction. I made it clear that I didn't want him to follow me out. He is extremely friendly, but his charm was lost on me, as I'd seen the reasoning behind it. He is of absolutely no threat...he's just worked his charm into a money maker.

Tipping: The hotel worker's wages are low. Trust me, they live on tips!!! I've gotten to know a few quite well, & their way of life is incredibly interesting based on how they get by.....but remember, while your chamber maid is left all the shampoos, money tips, makeup etc., there are others around the hotel who make your stay enjoyable. I tip bartenders a peso every drink or 2. The entertainment crew, DJ, bellman, and security do not have a place to get tips, but work for equally low wages, they don't have a cup out on a bar to get a tip. Ladies, if you have something that you won't be wearing again, or that you can do without, give it to one of the female staff around the hotel, an entertainer or someone who you've chatted with throughout your stay. Your sandals, flip flops, pieces of clothing that you are done with are all treats for them. Guys, your shaving cream, razors, cologne, and other guy stuff would be appreciated by guys around the hotel...security at front door, DJ, entertainment crew. I happen to know that these items are all incredibly appreciated!!! Not to mention, it makes out suitcase lighter for coming home. The night before you leave, go through your stuff, make up a bag and give it to one of your fave staff. One of my favorite staff there so loves a pair of sandals one of the guests gave her. They are her best dress shoes. Staff have children...maybe a doll or toy that your child brought down...give it to a staff member to take home to theirs. I was there through Xmas this year and asked what their Xmas traditions were, and my sense was that gift giving was not a part of it for the service staff. I took a Cabbage Patch doll for one of the staff's daughter, his reaction is undescribable. I'm not saying not to tip chamber maid, please do, but staff around the hotel do get forgotten by us & they do so much to ensure our enjoyment. Clearly, I have great feelings for this hotel. It is because the facility is well maintained, the staff are happy to be there, get along wonderfully, and make my vacation there such a pleasure. Remember, your vacation is what you make of it. If you want to be snobby and rude, don't go to this hotel...it is a great hotel for families, couples and singles. I went with friends last time, and was completely comfortable traveling alone there this time. It is what you make it...I love it here and it is because of the staff. [Details]