Holguin

This was my 14th trip to Cuba ; fist time at this resort. It's a nice place to stay. Employees are friendly and ALL of them work really hard to make your stay memorable. The contrast with the real-Cuba is enormous. People have 1 or 2 hours of electricity per day, food shortages, high prices for basic needs and an inflation level that's beyond belief. The workers on the resorts are the lucky ones ; most of them make more money than a doctor...... because of the tips. They work 48 hours per week ; some over 70 hours. We didn't see any oranges, limes, lemons and bananas ; fish was available two days at the buffet restaurant. Pork and chicken were available every day. Spiny lobster / langoust was always available at the Elite-restaurant. We all know that the country is in hard shape, so be happy with what's there and ENJOY ! You won't be hungry ! Get off the resort....and find out how lucky we are !! Tobacco products are hard to find. The cigar shop at the resort was closed. I was told that all cigars are going to China. For cigarettes you need to get off the resort into the ''çafeterias" uphill from the resort. If you can find them, be ready to pay CAD 5.00 for a pack of 20.( Rothmans ). The resort is fairly new and the gardens are gorgeous. Restaurants are "Cuba-standard" and all ok ; the Indian restaurant is a touch above the others ...try it ! The Snackbar ( open 24 hours ), close to the beach is nice, especially when you want a bite and/or a drink late at night. Rooms are great ( with fridge, but no coffee maker ). We always had (warm) water. When there's a power failure, the resort's generator kicks in after 3-4 minutes. TV service was not always available..... Internet ( free ) worked 90% of the time, though you have to sign in again regularly. What we really didn't like : the loud boom-boom music....sometimes until 10pm.

Mixed feelings abut this vacation. While the location and the beaches are splendid, the hotel was a mix of everything. Not exactly what we expected but OK overall. The food - like the Cuban food. A lot of everything but without any attempts to avoid contamination of different dishes, meats, cleanliness. Not sure if it is lack of knowledge or ignorance. The pool water was extremely clean but the pool area could use a lot of power washing as the mold has settle in the paving stones and decorative walls around the pools. Nothing that a good power wash cannot resolve. Also the beach chairs both at the pool and the beaches are in desperate needs to be replaced, as the filth has fused with the fabric of the chair and the mold is happily growing in all the nooks and crannies of the plastic chairs. At the swim bar by the main pool, of the left side of the countertop there was a band aid left by someone for 2 whole days, before it disappeared. Also what struck me this time was that except the employees working on the reception and front entrance, no one was even trying to smile, I mean they are only working in the hospitality industry, right? They were all too occupied asking the guest to change the coins or dollar bills into higher denominations. Big shout to the maids who made every effort to clean and decorate our rooms with towel art everyday. Not coming back to this resort for sure.

We have spent a week in Playa Pesquero resort. I have to mention that the resort is huge and the first two days I was able to get to the restaurant and the beach only using the maps (it was good that they have a lot of them). Our room was in the building 33, which I found to be a very good position (closer to the beach). The room was very clean and the A/C was functional (I heard rumors from previous guests that they were having issues). No power outage and the "lenternet" was available in our room and even on the beach (on the beach they were few glitches, but still..). The resort very well maintained. For Cuba, the food was unexpected good and the cookies, very often, incredible . No water sports available due to gas shortage for the emergency boats.

That should say it all!

We had 2 Oceanview Premium rooms in Building 3 on the 4th Floor. The rooms were very nice and cleaned daily. The fridge was not stocked on a daily basis but it didn't bother us. There was a lack of white wine which was a bit of a bummer but we made do with other drinks. Some days they did not have any bread but we almost had plenty of food to eat. I would highly recommend getting the Premium package as it gives you more options for food in your own building near the pools. The Staff as always in Cuba, were all amazing and hard working. Pools were also very good and clean. A lot of wind so we did not end up staying at the beach at all. Would definitely go back!!!

The resort's staffs are very friendly and greatly. The room is clean and AC and hot water are perfect. But there are a lots of tiny bugs and bite you and cause itchy. My arms and legs are bitten allover. It was nightmare. The beach is ok. But the sea is very shallow and not for swimming. The room electric voltage is low. My cellphone is difficult to charge unless sometimes in the morning and shutdown your room AC then can charge it. WIFI is very bad.

This was a lot less than any Cuba trip I've ever been on. The treatment was terrible- I understand the economic downfall but we go there to support and give to the staff and enjoy the beaches. We were ignored constantly, had to buy our own water as we weren't allowed to get water until after 8 am (We wake up at 7 am). We don't go to Cuba for the food but no seafood, no eggs, and locals served first. Claims there was 4 restaurants but there was only ONE- and they told it was booked the whole week except one day at lunch time. Only entertainment was karaoke in spanish at night and a kids club. No Bingo, no disco, no tastings- which were all listed on the booking. 2 pools not four. This was lower than a 2 star, and I've been to a two star which was better.

This was the most accommodating hotel/ resort. We had issues with our first room and spoke with hotel staff who then upgraded our room for free and switched our room without any hassle. Hotel staff was friendly and helped guide us to figuring out excursions. I have nothing bad to say about this resort. The food was good as well, lots to choose from at their buffet. I was told you get what you pay for, so I didn't have high expectations. But this resort really exceeded our expectations and we would not hesitate to return again. Wifi was slow (it did work) but you are on vacation after all. Beaches were within walking distance and very clean. They had nightly entertainment for everyone of all ages. It was overall an amazing experience.