Cuba recs

Penguin 77 went to Cuba in November...I'll get her to give you her thoughts

Cuba doesn't really 'do' 5 star in terms of European / Asian standard, no. Particularly in the resorts, everything tends towards a more simple style.

However, Hotel Paradisus in Varadero (about an hour from Havana) is alleged to be the best hotel in the island, on one of the best beaches. I stayed there on a corporate jolly a couple of years ago, and it was lovely. You'd need to stipulate a room right on the beach like we had though, with a sea view, as not all of them have this.

In Havana, we stayed at the Parque Central, which is graded as a 5 star and was certainly pretty nice - great location and views, rooftop dinner terraces, large well equipped rooms, and so on.

Paradisus Rio De Oro in Guardalavaca was one of the best on the island but was badly damaged in Hurricane Ike in September. I know they were repairing it so that could be a good one to look at.

Iberostar Varadero is also meant to be very good.

Superclubs Breezes Jibacoa

Occidental Royal Hideaway Ensenachos

We stayed at Melia Cayo Coco for our honeymoon and loved it but I really don't think it will be your thing Nick. If you do it, go for one of the water suites.

Cayo Santa Maria is also meant to be gorgeous and there are 2 "good hotels" there.

Bear in mind most beach hotels in Cuba will be on an all inclusive package - I don't think you like that do you?

In Havana - it's not 5 star but the Hotel Nacional is the real blast from the past venue - steeped in history.

NH Parque Central is also meant to be good but doesn't have the history.

We did 7 nights in Guardalavaca, near Guantanemo bay, for 7 days the had an internal flight to Havanna for 3 nights.

We flew Cubana airways 1st class (paid to upgrade at check in) Not quite what some airlines would call 1st class but very nice.

I'm trying to think if we landed to drop passengers in Varedero or not? My brain is mush. I think we did and then flew to the south east of the island.

The hotel was very very quiet. Staff were excellent as were facilities, however, the food was mediocre to say the least. I fear you would hate it.

As the Cubans have very little themselves, I really didn't feel we could complain. Some of the steak we ate was delicious and very simply cooked. The buffets, bit dodgy but no one was ill.

Beaches obviously fantastic and the history of the country amazed me.

Can you see I'm stalling for the name of the hotels here.......... I'll have a think. The hotel in Havanna was a 5* I believe and of a high standard. It was a chain.

I'll have a look for the names now if you are interested. Can't believe I'm being so dense ?

Thanks fw. the HP looks a bit...basic really. if thats the nicest one on the island i might have to have a rethink.

Really? all inclusive? a massive no for me

It's more about location, the hotel facilities and the service, really, rather than luxurious bedrooms - as it's beach bungalows, that's why they're more simple in style. The city hotels are more traditionally star graded, I'd say.

Hotel Saratoga (in Havanna)

It's like going back in time.

We never did the beach part in Cuba as we went off to the AVI's

? Hello.

Yeah I would say that a Cuban five star hotel would be a low four star here with one exception in Havana - the NH Parque Central. I didn't stay here in Havana but the folks we spoke to who did said it was really good. The bar/lobby certainly had a good quality hotel feel to it - to me it felt like it could have been a chain hotel anywhere in the world though.

We stayed at the Ambos Mundos in the heart of the old town. Its where Hemingway lived for a few years. The lobby is beautiful - fab bar and rooftop bar but the rooms are basic. 3 star at most. But to me I didn't care I didn't spend any time in the room over the 3 days we were there. Too busy soaking up the city! Amazing. Loved Havana. After 3 days I was ready to chill though.

We then went to Breezes Jibacoa which is about 90 mins from Havana for 8 nights Nice resort - not luxurious but good staff and nice place. There are more luxurious places I think but apparently they're still not 5 star UK if you see what I mean. People we met said Sandals in Varadero would have been better but the thought of going somewhere that advertises they're for "two people in love" makes me wanna puke. ? and thats us on our honeymoon. Just not our style. If you want a chilled out holiday with short transfers then I would recommend Breezes.....

Does that help?

Havana is fab. We loved it. A fantastic vibe, lots to see and do, great people, great food. Stayed at the Ambos Mundas which was 'interesting' but right in the centre of things. Definitely not 5 star! The hotel recommended some family run back-street restaurants for dinner which were amazing. An odd experience, as one of them was like someones living room, infact even now we are not totally convinced that it wasn't, but the food was amazing.

The rest of the time was spent in Varadero. I wouldn't go back there but to the South of the island. Friends who have been to Cuba since rave about the South where as I don't rave about Varadero. The hotel was billed as a 4 star deluxe (can't remember the name of it to save my life, but it might come to me) but I'd loosely class it as a 4 star. Clean, great rooms, good food, but lacked the pizazz service wise. However, it was exactly what we wanted at the time, peace, quiet, lots of rum and nothing to do, so worked for us for those 10 days.

Great holiday, highly recommend Cuba.

Is that re: the HP? You've got to be all inclusive - there's really nothing else around there in terms of independent restaurants. You'll find that with most of the beach resort hotels, I think.

Having said that I'm not a fan of all inclusive (some pretty bad experiences in horrible tourist traps) but the restaurants in the HP (6 I think) were fantastic.

I think you just need to bear in mind that you're in Cuba ?

NH Parque Central was the Havanna, amazing roof top terrace, gets you out of the humid city smog

If you do go this restaurant in Havanna is a must, you have to book though. The food was amazing!

La Guarida, can't find the direct link.

I hated the thought of all inclusive as well but it wasn't as bad as I thought. I couldn't have done it for longer than 8 nights though. I don't think many resorts are not all inclusive. Apparently you can go out and about in Varadero to other restaurants in the town. We were sort of stuck at Jibacoa because there wasn't anything else around us. But thats why we chose it

Yeah - the hotels in Havana will be B&B type basis but just about all of the beach hotels (as far as I'm aware and I've done a fair bit of research) are AI because of the lack of restaurants.

You get restaurants (some in people's homes) in Havana but not much to choose from out in the beach areas.

Trinidad might be an option - south of the island, 1 or 2 nice hotels and beaches. And a fascinating history - it's the old colonial part of the island - sugar plantation and slaves.

The Hotel Nacionale is thought to be the most near 5* in Havana, and it is nice. It's where they all were carving up the territories in the Godfather when the revolution struck. I think the barmen there are amongst the best paid people in Cuba (and think themselves a cut above..). The views from outside are great, they look over the Malecon.

We stayed at the Sevilla - it's nice, old style colonial, Hemingway wrote 'Our man in Havana' there. It's very near everything. Has a pool, food was fine, airconditioning worked ferociously in the rooms, nice cocktail bar.

We spent 7 days in Havana - and regretted the week on the beach after (Coralia club in varadero), it was very nice but could have been anywhere, Havana was endlessly exciting and fascinating. Very jealous that you're going.

The Santa Isabel in Havana is lovely and the location is fab, but it's probably not anywhere near 5* (not that I would know, having never set foot in a 5* hotel ?). The Saratoga is nice too and has a pool which is v welcome if you're in Havana for more than a couple of days.

Re: beach places personally I wouldn't go to Varadero as it seemed a bit souless to me and could have been anywhere really, plus the hotels are all big all-inc type affairs. We went to Cayo Levisa which was utterly beautiful but fairly basic. I am sure with some research you could find somewhere approaching your exacting standards. ?

I so wouldn't miss out on going to Cuba just because you can't find a perfect hotel, it's one of the best places I've ever been, especially Havana.

One thing I forgot to add - Hotel Paradisus - the bar is all inclusive too. As many pina coladas as you can get down your neck ?

I'll second Hotel Saratoga in Havana - v convenient for Habana Vieja, and although not really 5* by European standards, but man, they try hard with what they've got.

Have you checked out the reviews on Tripadvisor?

Hotel Nacional in Havana is a must. We have 2 small children and like to have 2 rooms adjoining when we holiday, we were actually put in the best suite on the 6th (executive) floor which was fab. Carpet was a bit synthetic which makes me cringe to touch, but that was our worst gripe ?

The IL's went a few years before us in standard rooms at the Nacional, think they had plumbing issues... But the hotel itself is fab. Steeped in history overlooking the Malecon. Nice mojitos too. Yum.

Havana and Cuba itself is just fabulous. Please don't let the lack of top notch accommodation put you off visiting.

In Varedero we stayed at the Tryp Peninsula as there's a kids club. You'd probably best avoid that one.

We flew Air Jamaica btw and couldn't fault them. We did fly business class, but I spotted the people in pig class all drinking champagne, which I assumed was part of their seat as it were. The food was way better than anything I've had with any other airline.

Nick - to be honest, having taken recommendations from you for hotels in Thailand and other places, and having an idea of what you like and your standards, I don't think Cuba is the place for you.

I absolutely loved Cuba and it's fantastic value for money, but it's not a patch on the hotels we've tried in Thailand and they were lower rated.

You won't enjoy the food (AI only and in restaurants the standard is not that great) and although the cocktails are not watered down and are generous, I suspect it's not your scene at all.

But, Cuba is a fantastic place to visit and if you went knowing it's not going to be what you normally expect in terms of food and service then you wouldn't be disappointed. But I'd hate for you to go in the expectation of fabulousness as you would be disappointed.

Ok thanks all. very helpful.

We went to Cuba in May last year and visited Havana for three days and stayed at the Melia Cohiba, which was quite swish, i'm not sure how many stars it was supposed to be. We had a suite with a separate living room and a bed which was the size of two big doubles. The hotel wasn't very traditional though, we could have been anywhere. We visited the Nacional and it was very traditional and has loads of history. I had just read a book on the mafia and the time they spent in Havana and I found being there really interesting. Havana was an experience and is well worth seeing before things change too much.

Like Alison we stayed at the Melia Cayo Coco which is AI and I would agree with her that its probably not really your thing. We stayed in one of the lodges on the water and although it was clean etc it was shabby and could've done with a spruce up. Most of the beach holidays in Cuba are AI, but I think there is one place which is more of a resort and has restaurants etc but I can't remember what its called, which is helpful I know!

Alison, the problem is I want to go to take photographs and am dying to go, and tbh, i dont mind that much if it isnt super duper 5*. however, princess madam will spit the dummy if i m disappearing off with a bag of cameras and she s left by the pool without a little man taking her long island iced teas and lunches order ?

I see your problem. She'd be able to get the LIITs but whether she'd have sunbed service is another matter.

Mind you, tipping goes a long way. On our first day of honeymoon we had a guy on the beach find us an empty shade and 2 sunbeds. We slipped him about £5 (huge amount for them) and we had the same spot reserved for us every day without question, even if we came down to the beach late. He also produced drinks for us on a couple of occasions.

So you never know!

That's why we stayed where we did - MrJMP & BIL went off playing Tony Montana & Sister & I sat by the pool.

For 3 days it's a fab place to visit.

Have screaming child so this is brief but I know Cuba pretty well - including places which are very good but less well known. For as close to 5 star as you can get in Cuba try Hotel Mansión Xanadu in Varadero. Varadero itself is pretty Cancun (i.e. mostly all inclusives etc which I hate) but this place really is good.

Can write more soon on how to find some excellent places there.

Maybe you could go to Havana for a few days and then Jamaica for a beach holiday? I think Jamaica Inn would be posh enough?

We had an evening at the Xanadu Mansion - it was an arranged corporate thingy with dinner, dancing, entertainment and so on. I didn't realise it was also a hotel.

The saratoga in havana loks pretty nice.

tg, the one you mention looks a bit tired really. reviews of it are awful ?

ok, thats all good stuff. thanks again.

if we go, thered be 4 of us anyway, so i shall definitely get a shot of us on the rooftop, in godfather style ?

Only six bedrooms - it's the former home of the Dupont family I think. It's a nice little place and a change from the other huge all-the-same kind of places in Varadero.

Ah yes, that rings a bell now, particularly about the Dupont family. I don't have many recollections of that evening as I was in a foul mood, though ?. Champagne on the terrace was nice, although rather windy. My hair was not pleased.