Cuba recs

We stayed at the Princesa del Mar - was a Sandals at the time (had only just opened, and we got a brilliant deal) and I think it's now Paradisus - was supposedly the best hotel in Varadero and the rooms were fantastic, but there were problems with service and food, and I don't think it was just down to recent-opening teething problems. There just wasn't that sense of urgency with the service that you expect from a 5*, and food was very hit and miss, some days it would be great, other days quite limited. We were in the Royal Suite which was more like a 5* experience but in the main part of the hotel, I'd say it's 4 star at best.

WSS above. I actually thought the post was a joke until I opened it!

I absolutely hated Cuba and would never set foot there again. This may have something to do with finding 3 Canadian teenagers enjoying a threesome in the Hotel reception toilets and also finding the resort littered with used condoms. These were well behaved students on their Spring break though...

Bit harsh to blame the whole of Cuba for that though. ? Sounds like you were just unlucky with your choice of hotel.

What Foo said. I could take or leave Varadero, but Havana is a wonderful, vibrant and historic city not to be missed before it changes too much. Even having a 1 and a 3 year old in tow didn't spoil that for me, so imagine how I could have enjoyed it without them. They were a fab sideshow for the workers in the Partegas cigar factory though. Though Nick, I have to point out my Husband was most upset that a lot of the cigar rollers are actually men. Not all Cuban cigars are rolled on a young lady's thigh.

I hated most parts we visited. Havana for a 2 day trip, the Airport, another smaller town that I can't remember the name of and some other beaches. The 4 star we stayed in was more like a 2 star and that was being generous. I have travelled all over the Caribbean and know that their hotal gradings are nothing like the ones compared to Europe or other fantastic hotels I have stayed in say, Bali and Thailand. But our hotel was terrible. Talking to a colleague that has also stayed in Cayo Coco but in a different resort, she also hated it.

I know that a few Hitchers have been to Cuba and loved it though. reiterating what you said, I may have just been unlucky.

The weather was lovely though ?

Hmm, I agree with Alison76 really. Cuba is not a 5 star destination. But it is a fabulous place to go. We organised a bespoke itinerary with Gane and Marshall who were fab. Went to Havana Hotel Sevilla, La Moka eco lodge, Trinidad and Vinales for 3 weeks.

The food is really hit and miss - we love fine dining but found ourselves almost wishing we had packed a pot noodle! We ate lots of cheese sandwiches....

It is ana amazing place to go, brilliant for photos, but if your wife likes the 5 star treatment at all times, good food, good wine, super service, it probably isn't a great choice for you.

You hated Havana? Seriously? Why?

my gold bracelet was stolen from my wrist [:'(] - very thin chain and not worth peanuts but had sentimental value.

We *think* we got food poisoning from a restaurant there (it could have been our main hotel)

I tore my nail (from the bed) off when I got my finger trapped in a car door.

To be fair, we did love the 'old' feel to Havana. We saw some of the most beautiful cars and buildings. The Museo de la revolucion a former presidential Palace and the capitoleo were my favourite.

So i take it back, it wasn't all bad lol