Melia Jardines Del Rey

Had a wonderful week here, food was good, had lots of hot showers etc. There was a Gardener who was always smiling and friendly, his name is Yobany I believe, We looked forward to seeing him each day. [Details]

First time here and I don't think we will return. The beach wasn't as depicted in the pictures and it was disappointing. There was a ton of algae along the beach and so many rocks that we could barely walk further than the shore. The resort was nice, I liked that there were a lot of different pools that accommodate different needs. There's a shallow pool perfect for children and babies to relax in and play. However, the pools were often dirty and the tiles/grout were old and broken which cut my children's feet and knees as well as many other children on the resort. As for the food, it was good, there isn't much variety but the buffet was always full of food. The hours for the buffet were ridiculous. The lobby buffet opened from 7:00-10:00, 1:00-3:00 and 6:30-9:00. The beach buffet opened at 12:30 which was our go-to with our children. When people check-out and leave in the evening, they don't have access to a decent meal/snacks before having to leave. There was always alcohol, however not the “mixes” of drinks we would like. That was convenient for us as it made us taste different drinks and flavors which was actually nice. The coffee is not good at all in the buffet, however the coffee bar and lobby bar make great coffees! The maids won't leave toilet paper unless your old roll is finished. There was often missing toilet paper in the common area bathrooms. The staff was great! Sometimes a little “rude”, but I just think it's fatigue from working so many hours. Overall, we had a great time, but I won't be going back. [Details]

My wife and I arrived on April 4 the check-in was fast and smooth before we knew it we were in our third floor, Ocean view room the view was out of this world perfect for sunset watching. It didn't take long and we headed to the beach I was so happy to see Joel , Omelio and the crew at the beach bar they are always so much fun. See you in five minutes. Keep it coming keep it coming haha .
There is always a lot of tasty mixed drinks and beer. One of my favourites was the rum punch.
The entertainment team really keeps everything going from Zumba class to volleyball. There's always something going on.
I absolutely love this beach how calm the water is and its beautiful turquoise color is stunning perfect for long romantic walks on the beach.
The hotel also has two very large pools, a quiet pool, and an activity pool for those that don't want to be on the beach .there were some shortages, but it did not bother us, as we were always able to find something to eat lots of options
It's always nice to have a 24 hour snack bar Which we used a few times We also loved the ice cream parlor. The wife an I loved the cappuccinos at the coffee shop and lobby bar.It is very obvious how hard the gardeners work to keep this resort, looking as beautiful and lush as they do .
The resort is also in the middle of putting Wi-Fi throughout the hotel that is going to be awesome. Looking forward to that.

All in all this resort is my home away from Home. A big thank you to Melia Jardine's for a amazing vacation
A special thank you too Lisbet machado , Juan, Carlos, Joel,Omelio, Fabio ,Adalberto and everyone else that helped to make my vacation so memorable counting the days until we can return see you soon . [Details]

We have stayed at this hotel many times, it never disappoints. It is approximately 15 minutes away from the airport.
Driving up to that amazing, beautiful large
Lobby never gets old.
Check-in was easy and fast.
Before we knew it, we were in our room. The ocean view was amazing.
The room was clean and beautiful. We had great water pressure and always plenty of hot water.
They always made sure we had lots of drinking water along with 2 beers in the mini fridge.
Also, we always had clean towels in our room. I asked for an extra blanket and 2 extra pillows. That was no problem. I had it the same day.
I found the bed extremely comfortable.

The grounds looked amazing as always. The gardeners work very hard and always have a smile on their face.
This place keeps getting prettier each year. From the beautiful landscaping to the beautiful lush Palm trees.
The beach on this hotel is absolutely breathtaking.
The white sands and the turquoise water never get's old.
They do an extremely good job taking care of the beach as well, making sure that it is always clean. They're on top of getting you chairs.
and I can't forget to mention the waiter service on the beach that is always a very nice option.
The pools at this hotel are very large they have a quiet pool and also an activity pool, which can be a lot of fun whether you want to participate or just sit back and enjoy the entertainment.
The animation team at this hotel are amazing they really know how to interact with the clients.
They are all full of energy and always happy.
I love how there is always something going on at the hotel and so many activities. You definitely can not get bored here. At night after the show, the night usually finishes off with a dance party.
The hotel has a 24-hour snack bar, which consists of french fries, hot dogs , ham and cheese sandwiches , tuna sandwiches, and sometimes chicken sandwiches. The one time we got there, unfortunately, they did not have any bread, but they made up for it with extra french fries.
The ice cream parlor is open from 10 AM till 3 PM. The ice cream was delicious. They had vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate.
For lunch, we had plenty of options. The pizza restaurant was one of my favorites.
The buffet on the beach.
I found good options there as well, but one of my favorites was their plantains. Along with their soups, there was not one soup that I disliked.
and always service with a smile. Then, they also have their main buffet, which has a variety of options. All in all, there is lots of food to choose from.
For dinner, they have A la cart restaurants, which you normally have to make reservations for but are well worth it. They have the main buffet with again lots of options. My favorite was the pasta station along with the fried rice station. they do have shortages but not the end of the world. There was always something good to eat.
The hotel also has a Coffee shop That I really enjoyed.
They are always trying to improve this hotel. While I was there they were in the middle of putting Wi-Fi throughout the hotel.
I absolutely love this resort.There is no doubt that I will always come back here. There is something special and magical about this place.
A special, thank you too Lisbet Guevara Machado , Juan Carlos Lopez, Adalberto Machado and so many others way too many to mention for always making our vacation so special.
This hotel has amazing staff and management. [Details]

Our 7th visit to this beautiful, friendly and professionally staffed hotel.
Our room was meticulous, buffets were plentiful, we enjoyed the beach Buffett as well as the lobby Buffett. Both offered healthy delicious choices, being a diabetic, this was wonderful. My husband enjoyed a lilttle bread at each meal, and the bananas he loves. We enjoyed omelettes and many grilled choices of meats. The bbq was a little less than we expected but the Italian and creole à la cartes-Amazing! Please see Dainerys at the creole, she will make you cry with laughter and charm, while maintaing excellent service and professionalism
Melva Pol, at the lobby Buffett is a professional with a beautiful inviting smile who forgets nothing! we miss our days with you, and the care you take. The beach, accessible from more than one entrance, never crowded when we were there, many happy workers to help you with your chairs, just perfect and stunning, take a walk to the point, feel like you are at one with paradise.
Thirsty? Omelio, so professional, get lost in his eyes while he serves a beverage with pride and perfection, the same with Joel, and all the playa bar guys. Service to your beach lounger is available. Grab a coconut on your way to the beach from Maciel and Mandy, truly so kind, modest, hard working, we love you guys :-) The lobby bartenders, also so much attention to detail, well dressed and well mannered and also experts at dehydration prevention lol
The lobby waitresses were kept busy with our endless cappuccino requests, all served with a smile, so lovely each and every one. The staff keep us coming back here each year, the hotel itself has never disappointed us either. The evening entertainment of the singers and grand piano, was my personal favourite, opera spoke to my soul, so elegant. The talent seems endless. We didn't take in the aerobics or action from the animation team, we might be crazy but also lazy lol. We had more fun to watch lol. We always have what we need, including a good nights sleep, and hot showers. Keep in mind people seem to shower at the same time, late afternoon, but we had no issues. Our spectacular room had a view of the beach, each trip keeps getting better, despite the challenges to this beautiful country full of amazing people right now.
Take special note of Lisbet Guevara, one of the most intelligent women I have ever met, with a talent for people, languages, and fairness to all. Amazing Human Resources skills, she will help you with your needs and take adequate time with you.
Juan Carlos, special Thanks, you have been there since our very first stay in 2015, you maintain grace and professionalism, with profound warmth, also with a talent for languages. Yourself, Lisbet, Yohander and Melissa, are the faces to greet and meet, and you do the best job to welcome us all.
Aldoalberto, you can work a room of patrons so well, to answer questions and give such interesting details, to keep an eye to everywhere at once is another of your talents.
Papa, you are the original bartender, and we were not surprised to see you move up in your position. Well deserved, Ivan, another amazing professional, sailed , Arlet, Geidy, Yuris, your work does not go unnoticed, you all make us feel so special.
Take a hop on the double decker bus for 5$ and go to Playa Pilar, or check out the national
Park. The crocodile farm is across the causeway, stop on your way for the best pina coladas ! Ask Juan or Lisbet, Ivan or Aldoalberto about hiring an antique Taxi for the day with another couple for sightseeing, so worth it, grab a few souvenirs at the market behind the lobby, check out the spa for a total relaxation experience. These are separate from the hotel amenities, but beside the melias jardines property.
It's so good to see our second home thrive, with familiar faces, which says a lot about a place, consistency.
Last but not least make a friend in a Gardener, we did, and still celebrate our friendships and families 9 years later. Alexis we love you.
Cons: I laughed till I cried and my face hurt, my heart nearly burst with happiness, and I know these beautiful Cubans and this hotel have kept part of it with them. I'm more than ok with that! Thank You! [Details]

This was our 8th trip to Melia Jardines Del Rey, the 2nd in 3 months, and it was even more enjoyable this time. From our initial arrival, with Juan Carlos at the front desk coming over to greet us, it felt like we had arrived at our second home. Lisbet is amazing and ensured we were happy with our accommodations and was so helpful as always. The new BBQ restaurant was great with delicious choices of food, the pizza restaurant was our go to every afternoon around 1:30 to beat the lunch rush. We were able to sit and enjoy custom pizzas along with a cold beer and or rum and cola. The serving staff were so pleasant and remembered us every day with a smile and quick service. We enjoyed the beautiful beach as always, and spent several days sitting near the quiet pool this trip for a change. The lobby bar was fun every evening, The beach bar staff, Joel, Omelio and the rest greeted us like old friends (which we are!). We enjoyed seeing all the friends we have made over the years from the chef Julio to our housekeeping staff. The 24 hour bar was perfect for a late afternoon snack and the waiters there are very friendly. The a la cartes were really good. Dyonaeris made our evening so special in her restaurant. We are heading back again on April 11th for trip #9. The proximity to the airport is great, and the helpful and friendly people make this our favourite trip every time. [Details]

We are enjoying our last day of vacation at MJDR, our favourite hotel in Cayo Coco. We have stayed here MANY times, and always appreciate the Cuban people, weather, beach and hospitality. We will definitely come back. Two large pools with many chairs and beach towels you can change as needed. The beach here is beyond paradise…crystal clear, calm and walkable forever. The huge lobby and open air Mojito Bar is popular with drinks, activities, entertainment and wifi. No mosquitoes. Our suite and maid (Aradely) in building 18 was excellent. Highly recommend the coffee bar, a la carte restaurants, ice cream parlour, snack bar, pizza and barbecue. Thank you to our pool (Yeisy, Yexnier, Osiel) and beach (Joel and friend) bartenders. The animation team (Jordan and friends) are around all day and night for music, games, and the fun Thursday night beach party. Much gratitude to Lisbet and Adalberto in customer service and Yohander at reception and Papa/Jorge in food and beverage who have made our vacations outstanding since the hotel opened in 2014. Tonight we look forward to the special reception and dinner for repeat guests. Thank you to all staff for making our vacation so relaxing and special. [Details]

Great resort and a lot of food options. I was suprised how many pools there were however spent time at the beach. Staff is very friendly and always willing to help. I had a small issue with my room but Adalberto at custom service was on it right away and helped.
Trip typeVacation · Friends
Rooms4.0Service5.0Location5.0
Hotel highlightsGreat view · Quiet · Kid-friendly [Details]

This resort is a large resort with many pools and a beautiful beach ! The food and beverages were tasty , we were satisfied with both over all. The rooms are large and spacious plenty of room for a couple or families alike. The staff were helpful and courteous. Especially one lobby server Khalia who was always smiling and happy to help ! All in all we really enjoyed our vacation to Melia Jardines Del Rey, and we would consider another visit in the future! [Details]

The Melia Jardines was a very nice resort! A large resort with several bars and pools , very well maintained ! The beach is absolutely beautiful ! Staff was helpful and respectful , food and drinks were very good ! I would definitely consider another trip to Melia Jardines in the future ! [Details]

this review is from a Travel Agent that has travelled all over the Caribbean. First off, the Cuban experience is like nothing other in the Caribbean. When going to Cuba, you need to immerse yourself in the culture, lean into the Cuban cuisine and get to know the people.

Having been to Cuba, many many times, this hotel has been a gem. I brought approximately 200 people to this resort this week and we are having a blast.

Lobby area. - The employees at the front desk were simply amazing. A special thank you to Yohander. He was my go to guy. He delivered for my group everyday. he checked in every day and I made sure we had everything we needed. The greatest thing is to get to know the employees, and and the fact that they are so kind and social mirrors. Fall in love with this resort. We also worked closely with Yosvany and Juan Carlos, they were also amazing. We need to make minor changes this week and they delivered.
These guys alone make me want to come back.

The beach - The beach is stunning. the water is turquoise and the sand is soft and white powder. there has been some erosion on the right hand side of the beach, so there is exposed coral at either side of that is perfection. We spent many hours in the water, socializing and enjoying the great drinks they provided. The left side by the boats is the best place to swim. There is also an opportunity to walk either side along the beach for a good half hour as it is a very big Cove.
The beach bar was great The drinks varied and most of the weekend was piña colada, strawberry daiquiris, rum, punch, sex on the beach, soda, and lots of beer.
Two of the bartenders were simply amazing. Joel was so kind. Spoke French English and Spanish, he had a way to make everyone feel welcome, and to enjoy their experience on the beach. It's not often that I feel that I need to return to the resort and bring gifts to those people that were so welcoming, it was the case at this resort. Along side of Joel was Omelio. He also so fun serving the drinks. They remembered peoples name and got to know the patrons. I really appreciated those two.

The à la carte - the restaurants were solid. lots of restaurants to pick from, Oriental was my favorite. They serve sushi, and and some teriyaki noodles and pork and other things. The Italian restaurant had some really decent pasta. The barbeque restaurant was most peoples favourite as they had a huge grill with chicken pork.
The big Buffay in the morning had to three Ahmed stations. It took a little while to get your omelette, but worth the wait. There were always lots of vegetables, surprisingly squash, pumpkin cabbage every day, bananas, and plantains. Lots of beans and rice. Which I enjoyed. At lunch there is always someone making fried rice and throwing things on the grill. The snack bars had cheese sandwiches, fries, and a 24 hour service for liquor and snacks. There is also a cute ice cream stand that everybody stopped at on the way to the beach. There is also a pizzeria close to the quiet pool that people would line up and wait for the pizza and everyone raved about it.
If you are looking to have American food every day and not immerse yourself into the local culture, people would give the food in cuba a bad rap. Most people don't taste what they don't know.
Lots to eat at the Melia.

theatre - the shows in the evenings were we're fine. Some of them were just OK but half the nights were really fun and solid.
the rooms were actually pretty nice. They take pride in the place. I really recommend getting an ocean view room as you are steps away from the beach. Especially building 18 at 19.
We had hot water all week good pressure and leaving a tip at the fridge. Will get you water and beer every day.

I was in all, I was pleasantly surprised, and will be a repeat client. I recommend anyone looking at Cayo Coco to give the maria a shot. I've also been over to check out some of the other resorts in the area. In my opinion this is the best one. [Details]

Very clean super friendly staff lots of pools good food and great service gift store is very accessible. Shows very good. if you're into old building, architecture is very well. very safe place to walk around. No worries with anything. beaches are very clean. [Details]

We had an amazing one week vacation, full of beautiful memories! Our room was always clean, any small issues were immediately resolved by customer service. Food was great, some small shortages haven't affected us, as (1) in the buffet we had always enough options to choose from and (2) the a-la-carte dinners were delicious! The best one was certainly the Barbecue restaurant! But we enjoyed other a-la-carte dinners as well. The beach is beautiful, sunsets on the beach are breathtaking, and some areas with rocks and shells are not as bad as some people describe. We just walked to the area with sand that was soft almost like on Pilar beach. Catamaran rides are amazing, and we went snorkelling at the closest reef with thousands of colourful fish and other sea creatures, unforgettable experience! Only one issue on the beach - many tourists still throw their garbage, leave plastic cups in sand etc. Maybe it could be helpful to post a few signs reminding people to clean up after themselves and also to place additional garbage bins in the beach area. People working in the resort are amazing - receiption, customer service, cleaning, lobby bar, pool and beach bars, whatever area you take - these people are always helpful, friendly, they understand their customers' needs and do their best to make tourists happy. Entertainment is excellent, wonderful shows and programs and games during the day (beach and pool) and night dancing after the shows - always a joy to be there and be a part of it! I only wish the Salsa & Bachata music could supersede Reggaeton [Details]

I travelled solo last week (Feb 20-27) and had a great time. Met so many nice people from Toronto, Montreal, Argentina, and more. The weather was great (24-28 degrees C) and the beach was heavenly AMAZING as usual. Food was meh, drinks were terrible except for the Spanish wine. White wine was surprisingly tasty. Unfortunately, they ran out of wine every day and you had to go from one place to another to beg for it (from lobby bar to snack bar to buffet, pretty pathetic to say the least). Coffee was horrible. Those amazing nicely crafted cappuccinos didn't exist at this place. Years back, cuban coffee-making was one of the highlights of our trip to cuba. Music and dance was great. Wifi is only available in the lobby but worked fine. Rooms old but clean. Last day of my stay we had no water to shower or to flush the toilet. Same thing was at the cayo coco airport. It was pretty bad. I knew of all this prior to leaving so I wasn't very disappointed. I only went for the beach and weather. Some staff are super nice but overall there is no real service. But whatever, it was fine, I didn't care. I've been to Cuba 7 times total so my trip this time was mainly to escape the cold and go sit on the beach for a week in a safe environment and cuba is as safe as it gets. I would recommend this resort if you are not too demanding, you will enjoy your stay. I didn't try the a la carte restos but did wait one hour in line for pizza. Wasn't worth the hour wait but was good. Overall, I returned home super tanned and relaxed. [Details]

Staff are friendly and helpful! Pools and beaches are clean and beautiful! Relaxing and fun week dancing at the beach pool and lobby ☺️ [Details]

My wife and I have travelled extensively throughout the Caribbean, I must say this is the worst vacation we've ever had. Never have we experience such revolting, disgusting food. The buffet was literally nauseating. we hardly ate all week surviving on bread and cabbage. a tropical island with no fruits or fruit juices, hardly any bottled water, watered down disgusting coffee..all in all a nightmare regarding food. As for cleanliness , our towels and bed sheets hadn't been changed all week, open corridors to our rooms were very filthy.
our rooms were kept reasonably clean. At the airport the customs, security were horribly arrogant, rude and entitled we were treated like criminals.
Sorry to say but we are never going back to Cuba. I feel so sorry for the Cuban people who have to endure such a corrupted dysfunctional regime. [Details]

Initially excited. Soon found out the place seems understaffed. Service wasn't overly friendly either. Lines were insanely long and the service very slow. The buffet was a joke. Super long lines and pure chaos once inside. If you didn't stand in line up to a half hour before opening, you weren't eating. I believe the resort was too big and the Buffett too small. The rooms were clean-ish, water burning hot and struggled with cold water and water to be able to enjoy a decent shower. I won't complain about shortages, because I believe that was not the resorts fault. Hospitality and lack of food was a HUGE issue. Also, we never got towels. The waiters on the beach did one walk thru every morning and that was it. Hire a friendly staff and that will go a long way way. I won't be returning. [Details]

I just spent the week here with my boyfriend. We had a great time! Adalberto, Lisbet, and our room cleaner Denise were amazing. They made our experience here the best. Denise always made sure everything was okay with our room and Adalberto and Lisbeth gave us amazing service. Everyone here was so kind and to my surprise, the food was pretty good and quite flavourful. The beach was crystal clear and clean. We had an overall amazing experience :) I would recommend coming here! [Details]

We are satisfied with the service, we like the resort, plenty space to walk around, foid was good, service was excellent, transportation was comfortable, night entertaining, we like specially the lobby performers,
It was fun!!! [Details]

We have a great time during our stay. The hotel is very well kept, clean and spacious. The beach is amazing with beautiful colours. Food was really good. We will definitely co.e back. [Details]

Preface

My wife and I are veteran travellers, having visited this part of the world more than 20 times between us. We went into this trip knowing Cuba's current state of the union, exasperated by Russian sanctions. We were under no illusions and our expectations were very low even before we left. However we give every resort the benefit of the doubt. This is our experience....

Bad

Flight
• Our flights were delayed more than 2hrs on the outbound flight and slightly more on the return flight.
• Baggage claim from the return flight took almost 40mins to see the first bag.

Cayo Coco Airport
• Entry & Exit process is very disorganized.
• Security Agents are extremely rude and ignorant. Few speak basic English. (In that role, they should) Ripped me off of $90 because they said I was importing a second Nintendo Switch. (We only had one Carry-on bag for my wife and I) Ripped through my entire luggage while everyone else went free. One security woman was particularly entitled. It was essentially a cash grab. It held up our transfer and all the good folks aboard for more than an hour. Sorry!!!

Hotel / Amenities
• I've stayed at 4 & 5 Star Hotels all over the world. This place is more like 3 at best. Although this comes as no surprise and common throughout the Caribbean. Hotel ratings south of the American boarder exercise their own interpretive system.
• Many parts of the paths are unlit at night and have recessed manhole covers. Someone could easy break an ankle.
• No Wifi in rooms but is available in Lobby Area
• Most staff have an unacceptable comprehension of English (Especially considering how many Canadians come to Cuba)
• They have Hobie Cats available but no one is ever at the beach to reserve one. Front desk had no clue when asked.
• Front Desk / Lobby staff can check you in and out but struggle to answer even the most basic questions.
• Bowling Alley was broken the whole time we were there.
• Beach Parties are way too loud and go on to 1130pm on a Wednesday! DJ on the mic overtalking the music never shuts up.
• If you have medical needs on the resort....FYI bring lots of money.
• Stagnant water throughout the resort and under buildings. Insect breading ground. My wife and I had bites all over our body.

Hotel Rooms
• Rooms appear clean but on closer inspection (eg. Under the beds and around furniture) are careworn and maintened in a sloppy fashion despite maintenance workers all over the resort.
• Broken tiles
• Tons of over spray and paint marks
• Tons of scuffs
• Much of the furniture is broken or marked in some fashion
• Our "Jetted" Tub had no plug and jets did not function.
• Shower has no door.
• Beds do not have enough covers and pillows are very thin and uncomfortable.
• Phones in our room do not work despite having three.
• TP & towels are not always changed/replenishment daily.
• Room should / needs a Do Not Distrub sign. Housekeeping would come right in while we were present and or asleep.
• Our bedroom TV did not work. RCA TV with a Samsung Remote without batteries.
• Coffee maker without Coffee.
• No hot water on our last two days.
• The couple we we're vacationing with had one set of Samsung Buds that went missing from their room.

Food / Drink
• The vast majority of "hot" food options at the buffet is awful. By far the worst in the Caribbean. Selection is limited and repeated most nights.
• Serving stations for made to order items take an eternity.
• Many items are unlabeled and difficult to determine what the item is.
• Most food is luke warm or cold even when coming directly from the kitchen. They need heat lamps or at least a microwave.
• What meats that are available are dry, overcooked, fatty, boney and or tasteless.
• "Pasta" sauces have a very strange smell and taste. It is NOT the tomato sauce you know.
• Salad without dressing or dressing without salad. When dressing is present, it's difficult to identify / locate and is tasteless.
• Lots of flies are present on the food stations and at tables.
• No frys, burgers, or burger/hotdogs buns.
• No condiments. None.
• Limited selection of mix for drinks if you prefer something beyond beer, vodka and rum. Drink prep is inconsistent. Order the same drink 3 times, each time it will taste and look different.
• Pizza Snack Bar: Takes 45mins to 1hr to get your pizza after ordering. Get comfy.
• à la Carte restaurants are marginally better then the buffet but still aren't great.

Good

• Mini Fridges are actually cold and large enough to hold multiple drinks/bottles
• Beach is beautiful. Lots of shade and seating. Water is the perfect shade of turquoise. Bar is very close and accessible.
• Water pressure is good and there is hot water. (Most days)
• Staff is friendly
• Cute kitty's all over the resort
• If you're a smoker, you can smoke all over the resort and in rooms.
• Large pools with lots of seating shade and is clean.
• Bus from airport was fast.
• Many pretty plants and flowers throughout the resort.
• Pizza is the best thing to eat on the resort but it's no Domino's.
• Ice Cream was surprisingly excellent.
• Lobby Internet is decent enough to browse / stream.
• Deli Meats at the buffet were tasty.
• Huge selection of dessert options.
• Our room [Suite] was spacious, two bathrooms, and lots of seating. Dressing room with large mirror and shelving. Many plugs are available to charge your electronics.
• Many bars throughout the resort.

Summary
We will never return to Cuba. Mexico is more expensive but definitely worth the extra. Go to Dominican or Jamaica. If you can afford it the try one of the West Indies. Just don't go to Cuba. [Details]

Very pleasant resort. Quite large, room location can result in a lot of walking as this property is big. Stunning beach. No water shoes needed. Good a/c in rooms and a la carte restaurants. Main buffet stifling hot, we skipped a few meals due to the discomfort of pouring sweat while trying to eat. Staff do their best to accommodate guests however several times bars ran out of both mixes & alcohol (bring some of your own is a good plan) and food options were limited as well. VERY BAD mosquitoes/noseeums/biting bugs ~~ our group of 10 were all badly bitten despite using repellents. Also tons of flies everywhere. On prior visits to the MJDR these issues were nowhere near as noticeable, it seems that pest control measures are no longer in use? I would return to this resort but only if/when the insect issues are under control and the air conditioning in the buffet is restored. These may seem small issues but definitely affected our enjoyment of our holiday. [Details]

We are on our last day and absolutely had to best time. I just wish we could stay longer. Adalberto in the customer service area is fantastic and has really made our stay so comfortable. When you make it to the beach you have to say hi to all the staff especially Joel. He goes above and beyond for his guests. The beach stunning, the food great, the rooms and vibe excellent. If your thinking about travelling to Cuba you have to come and stay here!!! 5/5 star.
Trip typeVacation · Couple
Rooms5.0Service5.0Location5.0
Hotel highlightsGreat view · Romantic · Quiet · Kid-friendly [Details]

Home away from home! We were thrilled to be back. Adalberto went above and beyond for us he arranged a ride from the airport to a early check in to an upgraded room for returning guests with an ocean view. Adalberto is the definition of good management. Now JOELLE at the beach bar, is a shinning star and ensures everything is perfect and that we are constantly happy. His upbeat energy and positive attitude made our whole day. All the restaurant reservations were already set up for us and arrangements for a late checkout since our flight isn't until 8pm. 4 day trip short and sweet but filled with great experiences and quality people ensuring we have nothing short of a good time. Thank you to Adalberto, the beach team Joelle, Andy and Omelio. Big thank you to Adrianna in the lobby. [Details]

A good hotel in an excellent location with amazing staff. We had a great 1 week vacation. Healthy food choices. Buffet and a la carts.
Our room was spacious and great air conditioning. Maid service everyday. Entertainment was good especially night time. Huge pools and a paradise of a beach. Beach is large not crowded and you can snorkel and see many fish and such. Management is very attentive and respond to requests promptly and try their best. We will return and recommend. [Details]

I was there for 2/wks .. first time staying there..
First day no working safe , phone or wking toilet..
Send repair people up .. but phone line were down the whole hotel.. next day no working toilet they repair & I asked to be moved , said no room available.. plumbers the next day .. then they ask me not to flush .. so for the next 11 days no use of a toilet.. staff is very nice & trying to help with no Answers .. no eggs 3/days , white wine or gin
The beach is beautiful too bad the hotel doesn't do any upgrades .. same as the spa. No hot water
So you can't shower or use the hot tub ..
Christmas & new year dinner were very nice lots of food & drink .. [Details]

My son and I had a wonderful time at the Melia Jardines Del Rey. This was our first time visiting Cayo Coco. Before we came we read many reviews, some good and some not so good. I was primarily concerned about the food because my son and I have celiac disease and cannot eat gluten - this means no bread, pasta, pizza, cereal. It can be challenging for us when we travel internationally. I wrote to the resort prior to our arrival to explain our diet. Adalberto in customer service replied to me and assured me that they can accommodate a gluten-free diet. Upon our arrival he put me in touch with Francisco Rodriguez who is a supervisor in the food and beverage department. Francisco took great care of us. He went above and beyond to make sure we had delicious gluten-free meals. He communicated with the chefs in all the restaurants to arrange specially prepared meals. We enjoyed chicken, lobster, pork chops, risotto, omelettes and more. The food was so good and we did not get sick at all during our stay. We are so grateful for all his help. He always made us feel welcome and genuinely cared about our experience. I read some reviews of people complaining about shortages of food, but that was not our experience. During breakfast there was plenty of eggs, bacon, cheese, fruit, vegetables and pastries. At lunch they had grilled meats, pasta stations and many options. We didn't eat from the buffet because of our allergies but we saw that food was plentiful. I think it's important for people to understand that when you visit a different country the food may be different than you are accustomed to and it's good to try new foods. The a la carte restaurants also offered many great options. I would like to acknowledge as well the chefs: Oscar and Manny at the buffet and Michael and his wife at the Italian restaurant. They prepared many delicious meals for us. I would also like to express my appreciation to Yohander, Juan Carlos, Melissa Yosvanis at the front desk, and Lisbet, Adalberto and Michael in Customer service for all their help during our stay. Special thanks to our server, Yosiemi at the Italian restaurant and to the staff at the lobby bar, cafe and beach bar. All these people work so hard to please the guests. [Details]

The same food was offered everyday. There was nearly no service at the buffet restaurant. They had us use the same bath towel throughout our stay. Not recommended to go to this hotel, maybe don't go to Coyococo. [Details]

Review of Meliá Jardines del Rey,

We were debating about going to this resort, and we were seeing many mixed reviews online. Keep in mind, some of the reviews were outlandish and not possible to be a problem, while some seemed genuine. We were there from March 2 -9, and we're already planning our next visit!

Food: We went in with an open mind, knowing the current supply issues for Cuba and the lack of condiments and spices. We never went hungry! The buffet for breakfast always had fresh omelets being made and always had potatoes, bacon, and some kind of pastries. Always trays of deli meat, cheese and fruit every time as well. Lunch was fine at the buffet, but we tried the snack bar and the pizza bar. The snack bar always had cold beer and French fries, and always had ketchup available. We were only able to go to the pizza bar once, as they ran out the one day. The pizza was good and the staff was amazing. We visited three a la carte's during our visit that were included. Our favourite was definitely the Cuban-Creole, where our waiter DARIAN was amazing! He always had our wine glasses topped and our food came out quick and was amazing. The other two a la carte's were good as well. We also recommend hitting up the ice cream bar! The ladies that work there are very nice!

LINET at the buffet was one of the most amazing employees ever. She always greeted us with a big smile and a high five and took us to her section and immediately brought us drinks. What a gem! Love her!

Room: Was great for what we needed. Always had fresh towels and linens. We were told that our fridge was restocked daily with beer, water and pop. When we asked the front desk, it was one giant water bottle upon consumption and one beer a day. However, it was tough to get anything else. We did ask for beer to be brought up and they did bring it upon request. We were not far from any of the bars, so it wasn't a problem. We did have a issue with our shower on the third day, it was backed up. We called down to the front desk and within 20 minutes a man arrived and was fixed right away!

Grounds: The grounds are amazing. Yes, it is a large resort and some buildings were farther than others, but nothing too overwhelming. There were always people working on the grounds, watering plants, cutting grass and landscaping. We were always greeted with a smile and an Hola! My wife received a beautiful flower from one of them made out of palm leaves. We also gifted two of them small gifts from home and they were beyond grateful. The pools were always clean and had lots of space to sit in either lounge chairs or one of the cabanas. The beach was beautiful, and we regret not spending more time there.

Entertainment: The staff was awesome. There were always shows at night, and a few times after the show they had a dance party adjacent to the lobby where they had a great DJ and emcee. Every day at the pool there was entertainment: singing, dancing, Zumba, etc. EL TIGRE & LORENA were awesome!

General: The Wi-Fi was only really worked in the lobby and at the pool, despite being advertised as free throughout. This wasn't a problem for us, a we weren't there for work. Everyone got a login 70-hours of internet. Yes, the signal would drop and it could be difficult to get on, but you're coming to Cuba for a vacation! The Lobby Bar was always great, did not wait long in lines or for anyone to bring you a drink. YAINIER at the bar was amazing, his wife works there as well and they were so sweet. Also YAIRILIS from the pool bar was very friendly and awesome!

We are already looking at booking to go back next year around the same time. Don't listen to all the negative reviews. Cuba is still having supply and trade issues, and still recovering from the pandemic, but the staff at Meliá Jardines del Rey go out of their way to make sure you are as comfortable as possible. If you are looking for a place to unwind and relax, this is your place! We can't wait to return and see all our new friends. [Details]

I have officially found my Cuban home! The staff here make you feel like family and so appreciative and crack jokes with you! This is my third time visiting this resort within the last 12 months and potentially the only one I will go to in Cuba because of the staff. Also it seems to me that they really appreciate polite constructive criticism so they know how to get better each year.

Last year I recommended some food upgrades and I am happy to say the changes were very apparent to me this trip! They have a new BBQ el le carte which was incredible! The buffet added a rice bar, pasta bar and even had a sushi bar the one day we went!! If they would like to continue to improve in the food department I might add an hour to the pizza bar hours and potentially get a second oven as the food was delicious but the wait time can get high, same with the meat grill in the buffet. But overall the food was really good and they have a variety of places/food to eat!

We had ocean view this time and it was incredible!! Waking up to the ocean right outside of your window is something special!! The room and housekeeping were both great but we didn't have hot water (was still warm) to shower with the last 2 days before we left.

The beach is unfortunately where they lose some points in my opinion as it's really rocky but if you have water shoes or take it slow when walking in you'll be fine. I would LOVE to see them build some docks out to a sand bar! Even bringing in some sand would probably go along way!

Having the restaurant right on the beach as well as a bar with waiters walking around taking orders with the entrainment team playing music, dancing, and volleyball makes the beach an incredible place to hangout regardless of the slow entry needed into the water. Not to mention the incredible, calm ocean and great weather with beautiful views!

I highly recommend anyone and everyone goes, it's great for families couples or singles alike! A special shout out to a few members of the staff who are exceptional in my opinion and positively influence my stay are; Lisbet, Alberto, Juan-Carlos, Yonatan, Abril, Reny, Joel, and Yuni! [Details]