Hotel Caracol

This is a good 3 star hotel at a fair price. If your trying to save money and you are willing to stay at a 3 star hotel then this is a hotel worth possibly considering. The room is clean, updated and nice. The staff and facilities deliver a fair value for a 3 star hotel. I did see the police arresting allot of Cubans which made me and my friends uncomfortable and wonder why but other than that it was a fair value for what I paid. The surrounding area looks financially depressed and you can see that economically this area around the hotel is running out of money. The hotel itself they are trying to clean it up and paint it and make it a better place to attract tourists. I only saw a hand full of Canadians at this resort as it was mostly cubans. [Details]

That hotel unfortunately is getting worse very quickly. [Details]

The rooms are very nice. The beach is the nicest in the 4 hotel stretch. This year they allowed you to visit and eat at all 4 hotels and after doing so, Caracol has the worst run and stocked buffet of all 4 hotels. They have more staff members in their buffet than the other hotels yet can't manage to run an efficient eating area. There were numerous times where there were NO plates. Never enough cutlery, drinking glasses, coffee cups or soup bowls. The food was continually running out and the supervisory staff just walks around and apparently doesn't do anything.
There is a sign at the front door advising no food is to be removed, yet I witnessed a member of the supervisory staff take a Cuban woman's bag and fill it with food from the kitchen and then watched as that same woman put 2 full plates of food, including the plates into her bag and the staff member held the door for her.
The locals are taking over the resort and unfortunately, due to cultural differences, they have no respect for the hotel, environment or other guests. If I wanted to vacation with pigs, I would visit a farm.
Management was made aware of the above observations and only time will tell if they do anything. While eating dinner at the Mayanabo, the best run buffet of the 4, they did not allow anyone to bring in any bags or purses. They had attentive staff, plates, cutlery and hot food.
The food at Caracol is repetitive and boring and usually not hot. There are parts of a chicken offered that I didn't even know existed, yet only after complaining did any breast meat show up and only one time. It appears the employees are taking the good food home.
If management works on fixing the the buffet problems then Caracol would be the best of the 4 hotels, hands down. I have stayed at all 4. [Details]

Great time, Fifth time here in eight years.Large rooms, Sitting room as you enter. Upgraded bathrooms. Great place to go. I would recommend it to everyone. [Details]

My first time at this resort. Suites are spacious, modern and everything was working except safe deposit box. Personal is very friendly and they really try to please. Food...not much of a selection and rather repetitive. Overall I had a great time and enjoyed my week stay. In my opinion Caracol is the best resort in Playa Santa Lucia. [Details]

Overall pretty good vacation time. [Details]

It's a nice little resort , Friendly staff, Good selection of food, Nice rooms, Beach very calm waters but logs of seedweeds wash up on the beach, Bar selection are not the best, Night restaurant are never really open, Everyone expects you to tip them. [Details]

We loved this little resort and will definitely go back. Animation team was great (they do speak better English than French) but are friendly! Great service at bars, buffet. Our room in top shape. I couldn't ask for better and was pleasantly surprised for all services received. Thanks again to the Bravo Staff - well done! [Details]

My husband and I have been going to this hotel since 2004. We were very happy with all the new renovations. Rooms have been completely redone, new shower stalls with rain forest shower heads, new mattresses, new curtains that close, new fans in sitting room and new banisters on the balconies.
The staff was always what made this place so special. Under the new management style of Nivia and her girl power team of Elia Rosa, Lizbeth,Jen, Matilde and Dalmarys, the staff is thriving. She has made everyone accountable to keep the clients happy and they are having fun doing it. I saw more smiles from the staff than ever before.

The dining room is spotless, the food is hot and plentiful, so many choices every night on the grill, on the buffet, at the pasta bar, at the desert bar. It was fabulous! Irma did affect how many bananas and beets we saw, but they did their best to find some!

No more shortages at the bar, except for some red wine shortages a few times. Spanish coffees are always excellent, with Jorgito at the Lobby bar making the best ones I had!

The entertainment staff works tirelessly to keep everyone involved, but if you chose not to participate, they respect that. From 10am on the beach until 11 pm at night, they keep you involved, except for small breaks at lunch and diner time. Even then,you can find them socializing in the dining room, making sure everyone is looked after.

Rooms and all common areas are kept spotless by the housekeeping staff.

If you have been before, you know that David gives the best massages anywhere! If you've never been...book quickly! He is a busy man!

The beach is cleaned every day, sometimes twice a day. The seagrass that comes in with the wind is taken away, and I suggest water shoes to make your entry easier. It's a snorkeler's paradise!

The highlight for me, is the music. Caracol has always had good musicians, but this time...the best ever! Simply so talented!

And...if you are a repeat guest, please take the time to attend the repeat guest diner. Jen puts on a great night, and the cooks outdo themselves!

Can't wait to go back! [Details]

Premier voyage Avec notre 18 mois. Nous recherchons donc un Hotel plus familiale. Les reviews avait l'air bon pour un 4* mais nous avons été extrêmement déçu. Nous avions fait une demande pour avoir un parc : rien reçu. J'ai fait plusieurs demande aux femmes de chambre pour avoir une serviette d'extra pour notre enfant et elle ne voulais pas. Ne fournisse pas de débarbouillette non plus. Nous avons eu 1 bouteille d'eau à notre arrivée (rien d'autre dans le frigo: pas de Biere ou de jus) et personne n'a voulu nous en donner d'autre malgré nos demande à plusieurs personne du personnel. Il faut payer l'eau. Lorsqu'il pleut tout le plancher est innonder. Moisissure au mur, plafond et rideau. La nourriture au buffet est médiocre. Une chance que nos parent séjournais au Brisas Santa Lucia. C'est à 10min de marche et nous avons séjourner la toute la semaine. Nous revenions juste dormir à notre chambre. Si vous hésiter sur l'hôtel à choisir prenez le Brisas!!! Le buffet est 100 fois mieu: crêpe/pain dorée, omelette, oeuf, pizza, pâtes et beaucoup de choix de salades... il y a aussi beaucoup plus d'animation à cet Hotel. Très très venteux, presque jamais personne à la plage car il vente trop, il y a un kiosque de location de kite surf donc il doit toujours venter à santa lucia !! La plage est affreuse, il y a des montagne d'algue, et à cause du vent beaucoup de vague et l'eau est brouillé.. bref on y retournera jamais. Pour 750$ à cuba j'en aurais eu plus à cayo santa maria !! Personnel réception parle - anglais et français, t'es dur de se comprendre. Rien à visiter dans les alentours. [Details]

Congratulation to the renovation. The rooms are very niche, the bathrooms are fantastic. Also the buffet restaurant got are needed facelift and looks very nice. The food improoved a little, but the choices of items seems to be less. Now the beach is very clean. unfortunately the Italian visitors are staying under themself and are not opening to other guests or to the personal. [Details]

Booked Caracol for the fourth time on December 26. Three days before departure get a phone call stating bumped to Brisas as Caracol did not honor Canadian reservations. Talked to Caracol staff/friends in Cuba advised Caracol is strictly for Italians; although, they take Canadian reservations. Ended up in room at Brisas with no hot water, no control over AC and furthest room from ocean. Brisas is OK but they were full.
All Canadians who booked Caracol were bumped to other resorts at the last minute. Some not advised until arriving at Camaguey airport. [Details]

Generally pleasant and relaxing. [Details]

Great hotel. It is quiet, not many people. Food is Ok. Nothing fancy, not much variety but nice and tasty. Beach is good. White sand, loots of shallow water. There is reef at 2 kilometers away from the shore with good snorkeling spots. [Details]

The hotel needs to be modernized and needs better(outside) management to run things more efficiently. Rooms are a tad small; not enough room to store clothes and things. The suite is a waste of space. The variety and quality of food at lunch and supper is abysmal. Thankfully the snack bar had excellent fish and chips and burgers, so I was able to avoid the buffet restaurant. Rooms were fairly clean though roaches made it to my room and sand which got into my shoes was not cleaned. All the guests complained about the sea grass or weeds on the beach which made a bad impression. It was being cleaned with rakes by 4-6 workers. Beverages were excellent except for the juice at breakfast which was not juice but some flavoured Tang.
The staff was generally nice though a few entertainers and room maids made you feel a bit awkward as the asked for tips. Mosquito control was perfect and got no bites. Music and shows were very repetitive; playing the same songs day after day.
The free tour to King Ranch was interesting but walking through the local village to a local farm to try the local produce felt like a gauntlet where tourists all had to walk by Cubans waiting for hand outs. I know that this is Cuba and that the price paid is low but some work should be done to improve things. I have come to Santa Lucia over 12 times and things have worsened with time. Too few staff to have decent beach and daily activities. [Details]

We were at the Breezas next door in 2005 and did a walk around at the Grand but really liked Caracol the best,staff was great management left a bottle of champagne in out room for our anniversary. Rooms could use some attention but very clean and could use a better variety of cocktails,but over all had a wonderful vacation and would definitely return. Thanks to all the wonderful people. [Details]

Just back from Santa Lucia. We booked at Club amigo Mayanabo but were given an option of our money back or staying at Caracol. We stayed at Caracol. I can tell you: this was the first and last time. Food so so. Long distance walking. The staff is very unfriendly to the point of one bartender asking my wife what she brought for him (we never met him before) and when did he get it. They have coffee in de diningroom. Just one problem: They do not put the coffee cups out. They serve soup every day: one problem: they do not put the soup cups out.
Entertainment staff. public relations lady and the towel lady are the only positive part of this resort.
We had booked in our favourite hotel, Club Amigo Mayanabo. However the day after booking we got an e-mail that Mayanabo was closed due to renovations. We had 2 options: money back or go to Caracol. We really needed a vacation sow e took the last option
We will for sure not take this option again. Will be happy to be back in Mayanabo in January. they are working hard to make this resort nicer and better. [Details]

This is a clean and cozy hotel. The people are great. The only setback is that the food items are limited but that is because you're in Cuba, and we all know that you don't go to Cuba for the food but for the beaches and the people. [Details]

It is a 3 star but for the price we paid you really couldn't complain. The hotel was ok nothing special but you had everything you needed. AC in the room, food, drinks, and a beach. The staff were amazing. Go see George on the beach he will get you what you need for your vacation lobster dinner, horse back riding. He is really a great guy. Eldis at the lobby bar is great. He has been there for 23 years. My boyfriend and I showed up one night after dinner and as we were walking up he puts our drinks in front of us without us even ordering. He is that good. We brought tools and gifts for many of the staff. They are very appreciative. There are only 4 hotels on this island so the people on the beach are a little more pushier. However they are willing to trade you clothes for their items they are selling. I did not like walking to where the public beach was. Too many disrespectful Cubans. There was broken glass from beer bottles and garbage everywhere from them. Keep in mind that it is Cuba there food tastes different but it's one week and it's an experience. This place was great for the price we paid 500$pp. If I had to pay more I probably would have been up set. but just to get away and do nothing it's great. I don't recommend the pool. it smells of CL2 all the time because they are not adding enough for the amount of pp and the amount of sun they have their. I came out and my feet were slimy. There was a lot of working girls but they are mostly on the public beach and at the mini shopping center. [Details]

Complained 4 times about problems in the room such as patio sliding door can't be lock, safe , TV & phone not in working conditions, but nothing was done about all of these problems. We made a mistake in leaving our wallets in the room and both me and my wife lost a total of 60 pesos although they left the U.S. & CDN $ untouched. I have been in Cuba 8 times and this is the only first time I have encountered this problem. [Details]

I travelled with my mother, and we had a wonderful time. The hotel and grounds are beautiful. The rooms all have a sitting room, patio, and bedroom which are very clean and well maintained. The resort is compact so easy walking to everything. The bar and entertainment staff are all incredibly friendly and take time to get to know you. The buffet staff needs a bit more enthusiasm for their jobs. Buffet food was typical Cuban but the a-la-carte was lovely and the grilled fish at the beach was delicious. I was very pleasantly surprised by this resort. You have a chance to actually meet the Cuban people, and see the reality of their lives. Always felt very safe on and off resort. [Details]

My 3rd trip to the Caracol, I really like this resort. The size makes it easy to get about for me. The staff is great. And David the Massage therapist is excellent. The food is ok, there is not a large variety, but there is always something on the grill that is hot and fresh. The room is clean and the sitting room makes it an added bonus. I was able to open all windows and enjoy the beautiful breezes. The lobby is always busy and the social capital, however, if you have problems with cigerette smoke as I do, you may have a problem. It seemed to me that this year there were more smokers than previous years, and it may be the reason I will not return. Which bothers me as I do love this resort and the entire area. [Details]

I just got back from a week in Santa Lucia - staying at Caracol for the first time, after staying several times at Brisas. I was pleasantly surprised that the food at Caracol seemed to be better than Brisas, I also liked the rooms better. The little sitting room is a great asset.

However, I find the pool and the beach are better at Brisas. I ended up spending half my time at Brisas and the evenings/nights at Caracol.

Overall a good experience though. [Details]

Loved the hotel and the staff. The rooms were in very poor condition and need updating, but they were clean. Food was wonderful, beach was great, it was a nice small resort and you did not have to go far for anything. The PROSTITUTION was horrific, there were too many of them and it does ruin the rest of your experience. Hopefully something can be done about this especially since everything else was wonderful. [Details]

We stayed week of Dec 5. Weather great, but a bit windy. This hotel is very clean, well kept grounds, fresh paint everywhere.
Staff very friendly and food was quite tasty for Cuba - Bonus - had roast pig on a spit one night.
It was quite windy the first few days, so a lot of sea grass on beach, but clean for lounging & walking. The bottom is grassy and a bit rocky, so recommend water shoes.
Recommend going to Playa Cocoa (Beach) for an outing. Had a memorable lobster lunch at a local casa there.
Could easily be 4* if the place was in a bit better repair here & there. [Details]

Very loud music until the middle of the night from this and nearby hotels otherwise not too bad. [Details]

I have been to the Santa Lucia area 4 times and would say that Caracol has the nicest layout and location. The food however was not as good as Gran Club or Brisas. The activities and activity people did a great job and would recomend this resort to people with children. If you would like a lobster dinner, see Magel who drives a horse and buggy and for $15 each he will take you to Coco Beach and back and provide a great meal in his home. Thanks to my new Canadian friends and fellow travellers for a great week. [Details]

If you want to come and relax for a good price - this place is for you. I have been travelling to this Hotel since 2009 and do not have plans to change it. August this year was a little bit different from other months because Hotel was mostly occupied by Cubanos. You hear more Spanish than English which is not bad for me. I am back and dreaming about travelling again. [Details]

First time at this hotel, I liked it is very nice and clean, food and the service at the buffet is good, but the variety of food could be better, The beach I was disappointed at first , but at the end I started to accept it (the seed weed). The thing is that to get there from the airport is very long and exhausted, specially if you have to take an early flight from Montreal, we arrived there very tired and also we have to Waite for a Cuban lady that have problem with emigration(we lost an hour)I like that it was remote ( not too many people)the only thing is that there was a lot of soliciting be sexual or business like to buy or to take You to places or for things like clothing. I found that, annoying, the rest was fine. The activities are very good, but the entertainment could be improved. Overall I have a good vacation. I definitely will come back. [Details]

This hotel is older and modest but it's smaller, intimate, and staff greet you with smiles and hearts to serve.

Facilities: The pool is small and not edgeless; there is no mini bar service in the rooms; 24 hr internet salon (6 CUC for 1 hr); lots of hot water in the showers :); tiny ants here and there in the rooms but they don't bite; when I booked for myself and my 2 adult kids, we were told that we would get 1 room with 2 twin beds and a cot. When we arrived, they gave us a family suite with 2 bedrooms (king bed in one and 2 doubles in the other) and 2 full bathrooms.

Restaurants: 1 a la carte with 2 different menus; buffet meals are served at limited times (breakfast 7:30 - 9:30, lunch 12 - 2:30, dinner 6:00 - 9:30), beach snack bar 10am - 5pm. But the lobby bar is 24 hrs (and you can get sandwiches there from 9:30 pm - 7:30 am).

With only 150 rooms, it's intimate and vacationers are friendly and laid back. More a relaxing crowd rather than party atmosphere. Lots of "regulars". Lots of Cubans visiting for the weekends.

The food is typical. Stick to what they do best: papaya, fish, omelette station, chicken, pork. The beach snack bar has fabulous (fresh) fish & chips.

The beach has a lot of seaweed (like shredded coconut -- not the slimy stuff) and because of the proximity of the coral reef, bits of coral and shells in the sand which can hurt. The beachfront at the Brizas is nicer (combed?) so it's nice to set up there and you can use their beach bar, but it's more crowded there.

Snorkeling is great because of the coral reef. Lobster dinner is worth it, whether you do the dinner excursion (35 CUC) or at a local's home (10 - 12 CUC) [Details]