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~ Reader's Vacation Photos ~ 1
| Costa Morena | Tim ~ Pickering, ON |
Other Comments
| Costa Morena | Judy |
Sunwing flight from Toronto left on time. Arrival at Santiago de Cuba was $%^&. Our usual procedure is one gets the luggage, the other changes money. Unfortunately, cambio was in departures not arrivals; the security guard at the door would not let us through without all luggage! Finally got that sorted out and got our CUCs. The Sunwing rep was no where to be found; no one knew what bus to get on; so can you imagine 200 people talking to every bus driver asking, "What resort are you going to?". Finally found the right bus.
The bus ride to Costa Morena is about 30-35 minutes and because it was daylight we saw some of the most amazing scenery. Nice way to get your bearings. When we got to the hotel, check-in was so simple. Even before we got to the front desk, a porter was putting our bracelets on and calling for a bellman. The desk clerk asked everyone if an ocean view room was OK! This is something we usually have to pay a little extra for. We were given the room key (but no one could get a second key - no problem because the resort is laid out nicely and is small enough to find your partner if you needed the key) and a safe-deposit key. (The interesting thing here - no one was charged for the safe! We were expecting a charge when we checked out - never happened).
Got to our room (Building 5 - second last) second floor, corner unit. Pleasantly surprized at the size - 2 single beds; vanity table with chair and mirror; sitting area with 2 chairs and coffee table. Best surprise was the mini-fridge. We weren't expecting it and it was included. We stocked it from the hotel's convenience store as we could. The store has very unusual hours. The bathroom was really dated. Shower only; toilet; sink and 2 bath towels (no hand towels). Water pressure and temperature the first few days for us was great; then slowly tapered off. Last day there was no water in the shower area; but the sink worked fine. Our balcony was large with 2 muskoka chairs and a small wooden table. One note here - the air conditioners are all brand new and work really well. The only drawback - the water condensation - obviously had to go somewhere. Out to the balcony floor! We noticed that our balcony always had a pool of water - finally got the maid to put a pail under the nozzle but it only took a couple of hours to overflow. It only meant that we had to wear shoes on the balcony to avoid slipping on the wet tiles.
Attended the orientation session the next day at 2 PM. Sunwing rep showed up with no ID so I am assuming he was the rep. His name was Pablo and he had an apprentice, a young man named *****. Pablo did a great threatrical performance, falling on his knees, raising his arms to the sky and telling us about the greatest part of Cuba - Santiago de Cuba. Mentioned a tour to the city which would happen (never did) on Tuesday. Lots of people tried to sign up but most ended up booking private cars because the bus never came. You are able to get a bus twice a day to a private beach about 15 minutes away - but the bus always broke down! Eventually the manager would pack his car with as many guests as he could carry and away they'd go. A bus would show up an hour or so later - but by that time everyone had wandered off to do something else (only in Cuba, eh?). We never did see Pablo again until at the airport on departure - he didn't recognize anyone! As a matter of fact, he was so rare, we began to think his name might be Pedro - we never did find out.
However, in Pedro/Pablo's absence, ***** was at the hotel for 5 mornings out of the seven. We had asked for info on orphanges, schools, etc where we could drop off alot of things. He said he would check and on the day before we left he appeared to tell us we had to go to Havana! Asked if he could find us a beauty salon type of establishment as one of us had brought 1 large suitcase filled with professional supplies and appliances. He would check into it - never could find anyone, but he would gladly take the stuff and make sure it found a good home. He spent most mornings telling us of his schedule - work as a rep in the morning, go to school in the afternoon, drive a cab at night, and try to see his 6 month old daughter. By the way - he's looking for 100 CUCs to buy a cell phone so he can keep in touch with her - just in case she gets sick! I asked if he could reserve 5 VIP seats at the airport for our departure. He would check into it - never heard back.
Food was surprisingly good. Good assortment of fruits, cheeses, cold cuts for breakfast with a chef doing an egg/omelet station at breafast; cooking fresh meats at lunch and dinner (no a la cartes). Breads were amazingly fresh and tasty. Deserts were just so-so. Some nights there would be a small bowl of pudding or flan, but usually small cookies that resemble shortbread. As an afterthought - strange to have cabbage and brocolli for breakfast - glad I like them!! The buffet could use a little reorganization; it sometimes got very crowded standing in line waiting for those in the lead to have the meat cooked, but this is something that I'm sure will be fixed very quickly as the management received many comments on it.
Not to put a damper on this, but every couple of days, a new group would come in. The new groups were apparently being rewarded for work well done. Unfortunately, they were rude, pushy and greedy. It became a race to see who could get first in line when the doors opened - if you were 10th in line, by the time you got to the vegetable/meat section you had to wait for the staff to replenish. However, the meat/fish of the day was gone - the chef would resort to pork or lamb. Still good, but sometimes disappointing. Breakfast was the same story - every one of the new group would take a whole baquette of bread, all the packets of jam, 15-20 tea bags, 50 packets of sugar, all of the little sugar cookies, all of the cold cuts - really left very little in the buffet line. Once again, comments to buffet manager so hopefully that too will be rectified.
The beach had been severely damaged in the recent hurricanes. As a matter of fact, half of the resort was closed off because of damage done to the rooms. We were still able to enjoy the water - but water shoes are a must! Whether you are a beach walker or a swimmer - beware of the massive rocks and stones - you could easily break an ankle or leg. Lots were walking around with minor scrapes from run ins with rogue rocks (!) but it wasn't long before we all got more careful. Swimmers should be aware that the flags are out for a reason - usually it was because of strong undertows and high waves. There were no incidents while we were there but there is always the possibility that some one who has imbibed too much, might disregard the flag, please be careful. There is a lifeguard on duty and he does watch very closely.
The pool is a good size and kept very clean. Room for everyone, volley ball net and water polo nets easily available. The animacion staff organize some fun activities (try throwing a coconut, backwards over your head at three tins of beer - it was a hoot watching). Nightly shows at 9:15 precede the opening of the disco. Certainly not Las Vegas, but really entertaining. The one thing that is needed, is more chairs. The sitting area is large and there is plenty of room considering there might be 50 guests who go to the shows - but only chairs for perhaps 20 or so.
Bars: there are 3. Pergola (10 AM to 10 PM) right beside the buffet restaurant; Merino (10 AM to 6 PM) is the pool bar where most tend to congregate, and finally the Lobby Bar (24 hours). 24 hours is a misnomer - it's usually unstaffed but the desk clerk will come over and open it up for you. The lobby bar is a cash only bar. All drinks are 1 CUC and they have a good selection of really cold Cuban beers (Crystal, Mayabe, Bucaneero) and of course rum. The lobby bar is NOT part of the all inclusive package.
I have contacted Sunwing to comment on the rep's involvement (or lack of) with the Costa Morena's guests. I really hope to hear back from them, but I have a feeling I am going to have to hound them.
Check out was at 6 AM, bus was picking us up at 7:00 AM. No rep, no breakfast. We're sitting in the lobby waiting for something. The bus pulls up at 7:45 and the bus driver said he's here to take us to the airport; goes into the buffet kitchen, brings back a batch of really good ham and cheese subs. No rep. We drive to the airport (saw a really great park with pre-historic animals (wooly mammoths, etc.) that we didn't know was there - would have been a great park to visit. Got off the bus, no rep but a lady with a VIP sign asking passengers if they wanted to use it. We signed up, she took us into the terminal, got everything situated and who shows up - ***** to say he had been up until 3 in the morning getting this arranged for us! A true trooper! By the way Pedro/Pablo showed up too, but he didn't recognize any one from Costa Morena! What a surprise. Sure hope that Sunwing gets back to me.
This has turned out to be longer than I thought, and I hope I haven't put too negative a tone to it; we really had a great week. No one was sick (although a couple of Canadians had colds). This place is truly a hidden gem. Go with the right attitude and you will have a wonderful time; get involved with staff and talk to them, appreciate them - I know we wouldn't hesitate to go back if the price was right. Certainly not a 4*-5* but who wants to get dressed up in evening wear to walk through the lobby - we're there for sun, fun, relaxation and that great Cuban charisma. What more can we ask for?
 Brisas Los Galeones - Santiago de Cuba —  Location: Short walk to beach - 1 hour & 45 minutes from the airport All-inclusive - Adults Only - 32 rooms Description: Buffet restaurant - All rooms are air conditioned and have satellite TV and safe deposit box. Also available are medical services, massage room, beauty parlour, souvenir shops, laundry, 24 hour international phone service, currency exchange and a shuttle bus to/from the nearby Brisas Sierra Mar hotel.  ~ Reviews posted on this page — 2 ~ Reader's Vacation Photos ~ 1 ~ Cuba Resorts Review Index ~ Cuba Travel Forum 
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| Brisas Los Galeones | Neil ~ Mid Western Ontario |
Arrival: Dec 11 - 18, 2008
Flew Sunwing. Left 30 minutes late. Stopover in Manzanillo de Cuba for about 30 minutes. Arrived at SCU airport. Lots of immigration booths open. Luggage was already out by the time I got through immigration. Someone had written a couple of number on my luggage with a laundry marker, so I though I was going to be targeted for an inspection, but not the case.
Bus to resort left 1 hour after plane touched down. Warning, if you have a queasy stomach, take a gravol or two and don;t sit at the back of the bus. Bus ride was 2 hours, some of which was on newly black-topped asphalt, but most of which was on the same bumpy road.
Staff greeted us warmly with a cold punch drink.
Check in was quick. New for me was the bracelet. Last time down 4 yrs ago we didn't have to wear a bracelet. Also, we were charged 2 CUC/day for the room safe, which I think is new. Luggage was quickly ported to room.
Rooms:
King size bed. Standard sized room. There is a suite avialable at a cost of 20CUC/ day additional. Bathroom had shower only. Bath gel, shampoo and moisturizer provided and restocked throughout the week. Very clean. Maids left the ususal towel art daily.
Breathtaking view from balcony overlooking the Caribbean Sea and Sierra Maestre mountains. Two comfortable recliner chairs and table on the balcony.
32 rooms in total at Los Galeones.
Restaurants and Bars:
Main restaurant is a la carte for all meals and opens at 7AM. At breakfast there is a selection of juices (not fresh to my disappointment) and sliced fruits, cereals and bread. Waitress will take your order for eggs any style. Great crispy bacon by the way. The adjacent bar is only a few steps from the restaurant and espresso, cafe con leche or cappuccino etc always good and available. There are tables outside the restaurant and it is nice to sit there early in the morning right beside the pool and enjoy a quiet java or two.
Main restaurant serves lunch at 12:30 - 2:30 and supper from 6 - 8:30. Each meal as I said earlier is a la carte. Always several choices of entrees from the kitchen. Chichen, beef, and pork as well as potatos, rice, fresh cooked veggies, and garden or Greek salads. Deserts usually included a variety of cakes and always included ice cream...mango my favorite.
I'd have to rate the food the best tasting and presented of any resort I have been to in Cuba. I must qualify that by saying that I have never been to a 5* resort.
Repeaters seafood dinner served. Entertainment every night. Truthfully, I've heard better singers. Instrumentally they were superb however.
The beach bar/restaurant is at the bottom of the dreaded steps. Most beverages avaialble including mojitos (all the time, never ran out of mint). There was always a BBQ lunch which included salad, grilled potatoes usually with garlic butter, chicken legs, melt in your mouth pork ribs and often fresh fish. The lifeguard would go out in the morning and spear a few fish and presto...fresh fish for the BBQ. There is a small seating area in front of the bar.
Washrooms were clean, but take a roll of TP down to the beach with you. Might want to take hand sanitizer too as no soap in the washrooms.
Beach/Pools/Grounds:
When you go to the beach, because of the 296 stairs down and up, you only want to do it once per day, so I'd advise taking a back pack or similar luggage with you. Take everything you will need for the day..books, TB, medicines, sunscreen, etc.
Beach is smallish, but appropriate in size for the number of guests. Lots of sun beds, of the hard plastic variety. Lots of natural shade under the trees lining the beach. View of Caribbean and mountains very surreal.
Absolutely no Cubans on the beach except for staff. They often visit with their familes on their days off.
One pool, small but deep, circular in shape, located just steps from the main restaurant. Pool is surrounded on three other sides by guest rooms (which are townhouse style buildings). Hot tub overlooks mountains and Town of Chivirico and a small port. Never busy.
Grounds well kept.
Activities on and off the Resort/Hotel:
Sunwing rep arrived in afternoon on second day. Many trips available but I wasn't up to doing anything but lie on the beach. You could go to Santiago for 1/2 day or full day or for baseball game.
Shuttle avaialble to Sierra Mar in morning, after lunch and in evening (if you wanted to see the show there).
Other Comments:
Virtually everyone who visits Los Galeones is a repeat visiter. Average age is definitely 50+.
Staff will remeber you. For example, I hadn't been there in 4 years, yet the head chef remembered that I had given his daughters a gift of green T-shirts a while back. He didn't remember how long it was, but he approached me to ask if I was the one who had done so.
On departure day, we had to leave the resort at 7AM. This wonderful resort opens their kitchen at 6AM so you can have a full breakfast before you leave.
A desireable feature of Los Galeones is the proximity to the town of Chivirico which is located at the bottom of the hill. Not much to do there for tourists, but there is a party on Saturday evenings.
I ventured into Chivirico to look for peso cigars and did locate an outlet. Beware though, once word gets out that a tourist is looking for cigars, everyone becomes your fren and knows someone etc. etc.
Unusual thing though is the absolute absence of matches or lighters. I couldn't find them anywhere in Chivirico. Other tourists at LG said the same. Even the store that sold cigarettes did not have any matches or lighters to sell.
Overall, I would rate Los Galeones the ultimate for those who want to do nothing and not be bothered by anyone. Good food, good booze (International brands like Disaronno, Martini & Rossi, Kahlua, imported Scotch, and others), good conversation with new friends. Small resort, beautiful. I love it!....I know I have broken the code of silence but I couldn't help myself....but BEWARE OF THE STAIRS.
| Brisas Los Galeones | eeeefarm ~ Ontario |
Who: eeeefarm Ontario 60's female travelling alone.
Where: Brisas Los Galeones, Santiago de Cuba November 8 - 15 2007.
Arrival: Getting there was not "half the fun".....or maybe it was! Flight with Sunwing was fine, no problems and the extra leg room on this airline is appreciated, also the decent food. We arrived at Santiago de Cuba around noon, and once I found the Sunwing rep at the airport, I discovered that I was to go on the bus to Brisas Sierra Mar, and onward from there by taxi. The bus ride was slow since the road is in quite poor condition after the recent floods. It took about two hours and upon arrival at Sierra Mar I was invited to have lunch at the buffet while waiting for my transport. Eventually a taxi arrived to take me to Los Galeones. I knew there had been a recent closure of the hotel due to flooding and bad roads, and my taxi trip confirmed what I had heard......there were several washouts to be negotiated, and the driver was less than pleased with his assignment.....however, we got there in one piece. By 4 p.m. I was on my way down the stairs to check out the beach.
Room: I had a comfortable room in the 200 section with a great view south over the Caribbean. The room has a safe, a mini fridge, and of course a TV. The bathroom has a stall shower, no tub. There is also a hair dryer and a medicine cabinet. My room had twin beds, but some have a king. There is an air conditioner which is a bit noisy, and a ceiling fan. This resort is tiny, only 32 rooms and 2 suites. Most rooms have a water view, except for the 400 and 500 blocks that look towards the town and the mountains. Everything on the resort except for the beach is about a 2 minute walk away.
Other services: There is no Internet available, and there are no phones in the room, but you can buy phone cards at the office to use in the pay phone. I received calls from home which were routed to the bar in the evening. There is 220 and 110 power available in the rooms, but the outlets are incompatible with Canadian plugs. I ended up charging my digital camera at the bar, since they had the right type of outlet there. It would be good to bring an adapter. You can change money at the office. Another guest who did this said he got the same rate as at the airport, no surcharge. You can have a massage at no charge....ask the nurse at the small resort clinic.
Beach: The beach is a small cove with white sand and trees for shade. It is located 299 steps down from the resort........easy to go down, good exercise returning! I took my time coming back up, with several stops to admire the view and catch my breath, and found it easy to do in ten minutes or less. There are goats browsing on the hillside, chickens on the beach, and lots of small lizards to watch, making the climb interesting. There are trees shading much of the stairs, so it isn't as hot a climb as you might expect. The beach itself is great for snorkelling, maybe not so great for swimming. To the left as you face the water, there are sandy patches that make for easy entry. In the centre and to the right it is rocky (water shoes would be necessary) and more shallow. Once you are in the water at the sandy areas, there is some sea grass and there are drop offs, so swim with caution. If you swim to your right, you will encounter coral. Snorkelling, you will find coral and fish very close to shore. The water is reasonably deep, but the coral heads rise almost to the surface and could be tricky to be around on a day with much surf. I would think they pose a hazard to swimmers who aren't paying attention. There is also some current, particularly on an outgoing tide. This beach could be dangerous in rough water. I enjoyed the snorkelling and saw quite a few varieties of fish, and also coral fans and many types of coral. After swimming, it is pleasant to relax on a chair under the trees. There is a beach bar which serves lunch and snacks, washrooms, and a shower available. While I was there, however, the bar was not open since there weren't enough guests to require it.
Pool: There is a lovely small pool, 1.8 meters at the deep end. It was kept very clean, and after climbing the stairs from the beach it was very refreshing to dive into the pool and cool off. There are loungers all around the pool, and shade from the trees. There was also a hot tub in a wonderful setting overlooking the town.
Food: The buffet restaurant was a de facto a la carte while I was there. With so few guests, it made no sense to provide a buffet. Several choices were given, and the food cooked hot and to order. I am primarily vegetarian, and they catered to my needs with beautifully presented vegetarian dishes. When I admitted to occasionally consuming fish, the chef caught a delicious fish and prepared it just for me.
Entertainment/activities: There was not a lot to do during the day if you didn't like to swim, snorkel, or sit by the pool and read. There is a games room with a pool table, and a tiny gym. I laughed out loud when I saw a "stairmaster" in the gym. After 299 steps up from the beach.....well, it seemed a bit redundant. You can walk down the hill to the town of Chivirico and wander around. There is a shuttle to Sierra Mar every morning leaving around 9 a.m. and returning at 5 p.m. This was not available when I first arrived, due to the poor road conditions, but they had it up and running again by the time I left. The facilities at Sierra Mar are free for Galeones guests. One evening a local trio of musicians came to play for us at dinner. They were excellent!!
Staff: Wonderful, very attentive, pleasant to talk to. Of course, when I was there the staff outnumbered the guests, but I had the sense that they are always helpful and efficient. They were also concerned for my safety and sent someone to the beach to keep an eye on me when I went snorkelling.
Bars: The pool bar is very convenient and the drinks are good. I usually only consume beer and red wine, but the couple of mixed drinks I requested were excellent.
Summary: This resort is not for everyone. It is small, quiet, and you make your own entertainment. But if you are looking for an intimate setting where both staff and guests will soon be your friends, this is a wonderful alternative to larger resorts.
Pictures: http://www.mylifeinpics.com/coppermine/thumbnails/album=103.html
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Brisas Sierra Mar - Santiago de Cuba — Location: Beachfront - 60 minutes from the Santiago airport All-inclusive - 200 rooms three and four storey buildings Description:buffet restaurant - 2 à la carte restaurants - snack bar 3 bars including piano bar - pool with children’s area - Jacuzzi - 2 night-lit tennis courts ~ Reviews posted on this page — 31  ~ Map of Resort ~ Cuba Resorts Review Index ~ Cuba Travel Forum
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| Brisas Sierra Mar | Kathy ~ Toronto, Canada |
Arrival: March 19 to 26
It was a small group, check in was effortless.
Rooms
OK nothing fancy. Ask for an ocean view. They might upgrade you for free.
Beach/Pools/Grounds
Beach is ok...a little steep and rocky. Dependent on the weather that has gone through. There is one pool, nice, not very deep. It has a swim up pool bar.
Activities on and off the Resort/Hotel
Went horse back riding. Enjoyed it. Went to dive, wasn't disappointed.
Other Comments
Brisas Sierra Mar, Santiago de Cuba area. March 19 to the 26. I was looking for a cheap/cheerful dive vacation. I paid $745, all in. Booked approx. 4 weeks in advance through the Flight Centre. The attraction for me was that this hotel has a fully operational dive shop. The hotel was operating at approx. 25% occupancy, approx. 100 people were there during my stay, the hotel accommodates 400+. The smaller number suited me. I heard stories of people having to line up to get into the dining room in times past. Crowd tended to be a little older but generally interesting and friendly people. Note to man who worked at nuclear power plant...you really shouldn't get drunk and talk in a loud voice about the security measures in place at a nuclear power plant...sort of defeats the purpose.
I loved the music at this hotel. Various artists performed nightly in the lobby bar and the show was generally well done. A syncro swimming group performed one night too, what a treat. Tip the artists, they deserve it. Go horseback riding to the falls. It is a good way to spend 2 hours. Take used tack if you have it, one guest did and made a friend for life. I got an ocean view room upgrade, nice. Ask, all they can do is say no. Book a dinner at the Ecological al la carte restaurant. Nice setting. We took the Catamaran tour over to an island and did a dive followed by a nice lobster/seafood lunch. Another nice way to spend a day. My friend got a massage and enjoyed it. I would have but massages get booked up quickly and only seem to happen Mon. Wed. and Fri.
What I didn't like. The main dining room is indoors. I found it a bit stuffy. We asked, they accommodated us and set up a table outside. I love to eat outdoors when I go south. I found the restaurants a tad claustaphobic. I also didn't like that I could hear the people in the adjoining room have loud clear discussions at 7 a.m. Or that the cleaning staff started work very early. I complained about the 7 a.m. start. The hotel needs some tarting up...it's a Cuba 3*. The water was always warm and the lights stayed on so that's impressive for Cuba. It's only 60 km from the airport but because of the poor condition of the road it is 1.5 hr drive. [Fortunately I did a city tour when I stayed at the Club Bucanaro a few years ago. This hotel is less than 45 minute drive from the city.] I was not prepared to spend 3 hrs on the bus to do the city tour again. Note to self, most of the staff do this trip every day...on a crowded bus likely with few of any shocks so I will stop complaining now. Food was Cuba 3*, it's generally good, not great. I don't like to cook and I don't like to complain when someone else does so for me.
I wanted a vodka...no go. I wanted a margarita...no go. Beer is good, mojitos are excellent. Wine...I drank the white but can't say I'm proud of that. My friend wanted pina coladas. They were mostly not available. Loved the 4:30 french fries at the pool bar! Ask for cappuccino or espresso rather than drink the coffee in the dining room.
I liked that they went diving every day. There were some certified divers ready and willing to go on a daily basis. The schedule, such as it was, be there at 9:30 hit the water...anytime up to about 10:30 or 11. Gather again at 1 hit the water around 2 or 2:30. I prefer more of a schedule. I like to dive, then relax which includes a beer or two. I can't drink or eat much before or between dives so by 3 I was famished and thirsty. I think if a group went down you could likely try and organize a schedule...if the bus that delivers the staff arrives on time which sometimes doesn't happen. I wouldn't go with a large group, they might be stretched to accommodate everyone. There were some long stay guys who dove frequently. The shop offered pool courses and solicited resort course divers. The two boats were ok, comfortable for 10 plus gear. Staff brought them into shore and willing loaded tanks and gear. There was a ladder for entry into the boat. They staff were very considerate. On a few occasions when there was more surf around the reef they stopped in calmer water, people got suited up and then hit the water close to the reef without delay. I like this as I am somewhat prone to getting sick on the surface. They do not offer a price discount if you bring your own equipment. The equipment looked to be in fairly good shape. I didn't hear too many complaints. They have short wetsuits. I appreciated having my long 3mm, temperatures were around 78 in the water. They use steel tanks so be prepared to adjust your weights. Fills were generally good. Most of the sites are within a 15 min. max. boat ride. They take VISA but pay in cash and you get a better deal. I offered alternatives but they wanted Cuban convertible pesos. I expect they lose on the exchange if you tip or pay in Canadian dollars. Dives work out to about $40 per dive. The staff were excellent. Nice guys and they can't do enough for you. Make sure that you get them a lunch and a drink from the beach bar between and after diving. If you are so inclined people ask for items for their children and shoes, every one wants and needs good shoes. Make a trip to Value Village before you go and you will be much loved. Medicine is also vey much appreciated. Ask your GP for samples. If you want to leave behind any dive equipment know that it will be well used and much appreciated. Some clever soul at the hotel took a printer and paper. Cubans really appreciated having photos of their children and families. Nice touch that.
The dive master to diver ratio could have been better. I didn't like that one dive master took down a family of 4 for their first open water dive. I think a 2/1 ratio was called for. The seasoned divers could largely do their own thing.
I did a shore dive to a wreck, the Cristobal Colan from the Spanish American civil war with a another diver staying at the hotel. We paid 40 Cuban pesos for the taxi and extra for the dive. It's about 80 min. by taxi up the coast. Take fruit, juice etc. from the restaurant, you'll appreciate having it after the dive. The view was spectacular, the road was horrific. The wreck is an easy swim from shore though the surf can be a challenge. Thank you to Edgar the dive master for good advice, strong arms and for knowing exactly where the wreck was. It was almost freaky!!!
I saw several black lion fish, a large caribbean blue lobster, a large green moray eel, a large grouper and assorted schools of fish. I could identify them with some effort but I'm lazy. Generally I'd say it's easy, relaxed diving. The reefs have been beat up by recent hurricanes, Mitch hit this area very hard and the people fish close to shore. I'd return happily but not necessarily as a first choice. There are so many other places to visit in this world. Got questions try me at waterwoman2002@hotmail.com I'll try my best to answer them.
| Brisas Sierra Mar | Lisa ~ Ontario |
Arrival: Feb 19/09 - Feb 26/09
We were pleased to receive our wrist bands, room key and information about the resort once we boarded the bus to the hotel. It meant one less line up that we would have to stand in. And once we actually arrived at the hotel (about 1 hour and 10 minutes) there were bell boys every where ready to take you and you luggage to your room. Has to have been the most painless arrival and check in that I have ever gone though!
Rooms
Yes the rooms are a bit dated. And yes, our ceiling was pretty gross to look at. However, they were kept clean and the view was amazing. The air conditioner worked fine. The shower only had luke warm water all week, but we got used to it. We had two double beds shoved together that the maid made up as one bed.
Restaurants and Bars
The food at the buffet was a bit repetative. It did seem to be the same things day after day. There was a pasta bar that was great and they did have a turkey one night, roast beef another and pig from the pig roast on another. There was lots of fresh bread, however we did not have butter until the 5th day. The salad bar was not too bad and there was a small selection of deserts.
The snack bar was OK, hot dogs, hamburgs and french fries.
Beach/Pools/Grounds
The beach was black sand and very hot to walk on. It was kept clean by the workers. We did some snorkelling and as long as you went out to the reef, there were fish to see. We actually saw a moray eel and a lion fish among other things. We did not use the pool but it looked clean. Always lots of chairs available at both the beach and the pool. The grounds were amazing for walking around. The view is just amazing from where ever you are.
Activities on and off the Resort/Hotel
We did the horseback riding tour to the water fall with Noel. It was 2 hours long and an enjoyable trip. If you have things that you want to hand out, it would be good to take them with you as you pass quite a few homes that are off the "beaten track".
We also did the scooter tour which was fun.
Other Comments
If you have any questions do not hesitate to contact me through the forum - I am LisaW.
| Brisas Sierra Mar | Marg ~ Toronto, Canada |
Arrival: Jan 4 - 11 2009
We were at this Hotel Jan 4-11, travel with Canjet uneventful. Plane was 1/3 empty so had lots of room. Food was fine, we were originally booked at Los Corales but were shipped here due to a broken water pump, we found out only apon boarding our bus. The mountain scenery at the resort is gorgeous, worth the 1hour 10 min bumpy bus ride to this hotel.
Rooms:
The check in was bit of a long wait as four buses arrived at the same time. Two were for this resort and two that should have gone to Corales. Our room was in the building just off the reception, room 515, we had a nice view of the ocean. We had two single beds that we pushed together, the next day the maid made them up as one, they are a little soft but we slept well as we were tired each day. Clean towels were provided everyday, room cleaned well, didn't spend much time in it. There was no fridge but we didn't need it. Others asked to be moved and they were accommodated.
Restaurants and Bars:
Food was good, as always we found something to eat and never went hungry. We didnt get sick however we really missed the Ice cream. Never made it to al la carts so can't comment. Beach restaurant has usualy fast food, pizza, burgers, hot dog, fish, french fries. You can pretty much get something to eat and drink at all times, 24 hour bar in lobby made great cappuccinos. We don't drink blender drinks but they seemed popular, bars well stocked and we found service to be good at all bars.
There was always nice entertainment in the evening at the lobby bar. We never saw any shows as we were up early and never could manage to stay up that late or were meeting friends for drinks elsewhere.
Beach/Pools/Grounds:
Beach was nice, the dark sand does get hot and you should bring water shoes. We went into the water just past the old pier posts where there was no grass and rocks, we didn't need water shoes here and the water was warm. Yes, there are sand fleas, they are not as bad between 10am and 3pm, just make sure you take Deet. They seem to like some people more than others, I had no bites but my hubby had a lot. If you go for walks on the beach the locals asking for or trying to sell you stuff will leave you alone if you tell them you are not interested. We never made it to the pool as we are beach people but it seemed busy with a lot of stuff going on to keep people amused.
Activities on and off the Resort/Hotel:
We did not go on any tours and did not do any activites at the resort. They do have a organized beach walk that people say is very good.
Other Comments:
We found the service to be excellent and the staff really tried to help us as much as they could, we opted to stay at this hotel for the remainder of the week once the problem was fixed at Corales. The only rude people we met were fellow travelers that left their manners at home, many complained beyond belief about everything and anything like (not enough potatoes served, mashed potatoes have too much garlic, elevator did not work one day, had no water one day, not enough fresh fruit, sand fleas bit them, had to wipe room down with Clorox wipes, had to buy water, staff unfriendly, power went off....) we didn't let these things or these complaining people bother us and made the best of our stay. We enjoyed our stay, 1st time at this resort and have been going to Cuba (all areas) two to three times a year over the past 10 years, don't let the small things get to you and you will have a great time/
| Brisas Sierra Mar | Isabel ~ Oshawa |
Arrival: Dec 28 to Jan 4, 2009
Upon arrival, we got on this bus that had no air condtioning because it was broken, the roads were terrible and the bus driver was swerving to miss the pot holes
Rooms:
we were promised ocean view rooms and we ended up having room 218 we had no air conditioning and no hot water for the first 2 days and they said it would be fixed within 2 hours, 2 days later we NO water at all, the room had mold, the room was a disaster. No big towels had 2 small towels, could flush toliet because no water.
Restaurants and Bars:
food was good, had no coffee for 2 days because we had no water
Beach/Pools/Grounds:
beach was great, the pool was green because people were releaving themselves in the pool because no water, the washrooms were disgusting because we could flush.
Activities on and off the Resort/Hotel:
activities were cancelled if there was 1 person, the tennis courts were there but no rackets,
Other Comments:
This was a 4 star but it should have been a 2 1/2 star hotel real bad experience with this hotel, our rep was nowhere to be seen when you asked for him. This would have been a great hotel because the view was breathe taking, but the hotel it's self was a disaster.
| Brisas Sierra Mar | Chris & Eva ~ Montreal |
Arrival and Flight : Feb 17th to 2nd March via Cubana Air : good leg room, service ok, but don't expect a smile or pampering ; its basic but fine. Out of the airport It was a bit confusing finding our bus but no real problems . Brisas Sierra Mar is 2hrs not 60 mins from Santiago de Cuba and its 4hrs from Holguin which we had the displeasure of riding : NO bathrooms ! , food or drinks for 4 hrs. The roads are horrible ! most people don't want to take excursions because of the bad roads.
Rooms : Medium-small rooms with ocean view and a free safe for the duration.
We tipped 1 CUC a day and had a nice clean room.1CUC every 2nd day is fine also.Not much in terms of soap shampoo so bring your own. No fridge. The whole complex is getting old quick. Everything is a bit broken ; in need of paint or both but its still acceptable for now.
Restaurants: The Buffet building itself is quite nice with a great mountain view in the back.The buffet food is Ok.Sometimes its good , and occaisonally very good.Its slightly above average for Cuba and under standard compared to other Carribean countries. Some Fresh juices ; the rest of the time its sugary juice in a box . The A la Carte Restos are OK to Good depending on what you take. the Fresh fruit table was great.
Bars : Half the staff knows how to make good drinks the other half are struggling, so spot a good bartender and stick to him or her and tip every second or third round and you will get a better service. The Bar in the Lobby is the best and the Brasillian coffees are excellent ! No fresh juices in the drinks ever :-( and they were always out of lime juice ...
Pool : The Pool is fine and has a swim up bar .You can play volleyball in the water. There is a hot tub beside the pool which is surronded by a beautiful flowering vine . *** beware they put in way too much chlorine in the hot tub.Its good to kill bacteria but its bad for the skin .Even after soaping / showering I could still smell the chlorine on my skin the next morning ...
Beach : Unfortunately the low point of this resort.The beach is small. The sand is darker like lakes in Quebec/Ontario, the water is not clear ; its cloudy. there are some rocks and seaweed (always wear sandals or water shoes so as not to cut your feet) .On the positive side the water is warm and comfortable ... the warmest in Cuba.There are real no waves to speak of here. The weather is great :it rarely rains,there is lots of sun and hot weather 30-35°C :-). at the end of the beach are young people (from the city not the local village) that ask for your shoes ,shirts, food or give you a free shell hoping to get something back in return ... its a bit annoying cause even though you gave yesterday a new one comes today and they don't give up easily so many people don't go pass the hotel limit but the young cubans are nice and not dangerous.
SNORKELING : Below average ! the visibility is not very good .the farther out you go the visibility gets better but a 20 feet visibilty is the maximum and closer to shore sometimes only 8 feet visibility.There are not many fish here. The scuba dive master says its because the water is too warm ??? but there are some nice corals and sea fans. The Pay Snorkelling tour might be better but I did not try it.The dive master Carlos is freindly and helpful but i did not have a chance to scuba dive.
Staff: Half are nice and friendly the other half are stern or shy or not freindly.
Guests : This is not a party place ,there are few people in thier 20s its an isolated place and the nearest big city is 2hrs away.There are few families and children. This is a quiet , relaxing place. Most people here , about 70%, are retired people in their late fifities and older. The other 25% are from 30 yrs old to 50 yrs old
Grounds : The high point of this resort .Its very lovely ! You are in a small Bay surronded by chains of mountains.The gardeners take care of the numerous trees, srubs, cactus, and flowering vegetation that is present everywhere. its like a small flowering manicured jungle that surronds you.
***Some people mistakingly mention fleas or bed bugs. The bugs are called Noseeums they are smaller than a pin head and black with tiny transparent wings you hardly see them or feel them but after the initial bite many people are allergic to the bug's saliva and develop welts and sores for a couple of days and they can get very itchy. Deet does not seem to have much effect on them to stop them from biting.What will stop the itching is Antihistamines (allergie medication like claritin, benadryl etc...)
they also have some mosquitos that make itchier bites than at home but they are usually only out when the sun goes down and they don't like wind :-) deet works well against mosquitos.
Activities and Entertainment : We went to the shows a few times during our 2 week stay.They try hard for the entertainement and its not bad. The performances of the dancers are pleasant to watch and there is also a magician.
Tours : We took the Santiago Tour .We got a semi knowlegable guide. It was a bit expensive for what it was really... but you do visit the Moroe castle which is nice. Our guide took us to an official place to buy cigars at $250 /box turns out they were fake so don't even trust stores or guides. Get the fake ones at about 25$ / box Romeo and Julietta at least you'll get what you pay for :-(
The Catamaran ride was cancelled (it was broken) but those who took the tour before said alot of people were seasick because of the waves. We did an unofficial tour to the waterfall about an hour from the resort the gardner took our group we gave him about 10CUC and he was happy with that.
Departure and Check Out : Caribe Sol (Tour Operator) wanted us to leave the resort 16hrs before our flight so as to free up the room for other guests ! We told Pedro this was ridiculous we emailed our Travel agent and got transfered out of there for the last 5 days and went to Hotel Club Covarrubias Great beach but not so great Hotel and food check my review.
Conclusion : I Give this place a 7.5 / 10 Great scenery, nice vegetation .Nice hotel a bit in need of a make over, Food Ok , Beach ordinary, warm water & weather a great place to relax. I maybe would go back.
| Brisas Sierra Mar | John |
Having traveled in the Caribbean to Trinidad, Jamaica, Venezuela and the
Dominican Republic here are some reasons why you might want to go to Sierra
Mar (the Ss) and reasons why you might not (the Fs):
1. SUN – spectacular blue skies with light breezes. Two short sprinkles
in the evening but a guy who winters there said that in 3 months there was
only one day of rain!
2. SCENERY – stellar views no matter which way you look. Every room
faces so you can see the sea and the mountains. The mountains, the gardens
and the sea surround you and are awe inspiring.
3. SECLUSION – this is a small resort in the middle of nowhere. Some
may consider this a detriment (see FUN below) but if you want to feel you
are getting away from it all – this is the place.
4. SHADE – the sun is so hot that having natural shade as well as
cabanas on the beach was a real plus. Also the darker colour of the sand
will burn your feet if you are not in the shade or have shoes.
5. SNORKELING – you can see fish, eels and crabs close to shore but get
out to the reef that runs from the outer buoy to the left (200yd swim) and
you are in for a real treat. Amazing variety of coral and fish. The fish are
not much bigger than the palm of your hand as the locals seemed to be there
every day to spear fish (the five stringers I saw had 15-25 fish on them as
well as octopus). Just missed seeing a sea turtle as the flesh was hanging
from the spear fisherman’s stringer. I did find the two sides of the shell
and the head. Also saw lobster (both intact and the remains). I guess the
sea life is more important as a source of protein that as a tourist
attraction!
6. SCUBA – warm and clear waters, cheap and easy. $30 a dive, $5 to
rent equipment. Dive from 10 to 30 meters. Lots to see but they also
spearfish here so nothing too big or dramatic. Highlight was a 6 foot green
moray eel. You can take the pool course and then dive at will if you aren’t
certified.
7. STAFF - a warm, welcoming crew from the gardeners to the dancers.
8. SAFE AND SECURE – never worried about leaving possessions unattended
or walking anywhere at anytime. Very different from other locations such as
Venezuela where we were robbed three times in one week!
9. SOUNDS – incredible music every day at lunch and in the evenings. A
variety of performers and bands and they were all very accomplished. This
was my biggest surprise and a welcome one at that.
10. SHOWS – top quality shows – some great dancers
11. SECOND WEEK – about ¾ of the people we talked to were there for two
weeks. Quite inexpensive and one week is really too short as you are just
getting into your Caribbean groove and then get plucked back to harsh
reality.
12. SECOND TIME – a lot of people have been there multiple times (up to
nine) and they celebrate with special repeaters meals.
The other side of the coin:
1. FANCY – It is not! The resort is older and showing it in places. The
door to the room jammed on the floor, the lighting in the room was minimal
to nonexistent (I read with a head lamp), the shower in one of our rooms
didn’t work, the other shower you just turned on the hot tap and went with
whichever degree of warm came through (good water pressure though), the
shower curtain didn’t reach the floor so there was a flood after every
shower. The king size bed was actually two twins jammed together so the
sheets didn’t really fit and there was that division in the middle (made my
wife happy!). The pillows were very small and hard and lumpy (take your own
if you can fit it).
| Brisas Sierra Mar | Char |
Departed from Toronto with Cabaña Air, Feb 26/08 for 2 weeks one hour late but that was because of fog. Good flight,great service and the leg room was super. Arrived at Santiago airport with no problems in and out the only thing was that you had to go back into departures to get money changed and beer. Didn't know this when we arrived so no beer for one and a half hour trip to resort. The guys at the airport were really pushy and just grabbed our bags even tho we said no and then expected tip. Weren't to pleased with canadian coin and asked if we had canadian bills. Were told take it or leave it. Of course they took it and you could see them gather up coin between them and then get back on bus and asking to exchange into bills. Ride to the resort was as expected bumpy was dark by then so got to see none of the scenery.
HOTEL: Fabulous.... Rooms were small but only used them to sleep at night. Power outages several times for a couple of day so elevators were not working. So not to many trips down to beach or the room during that time. The pool was the main area that we spent most of our time. Was down to beach but got bites so left. But got bit even at the pool. Had bug spray but didn't help.
FOOD: Was plentiful and there was always something to eat at the buffet. Ate at the beach grill a couple of times not fond of burnt hamburgers and cold fries but that was just us other people enjoyed it. The pig roast there at lunch on Wed was good. Tried all the ala cartes they were good but most of the time was still hungry after. Having the 24 hour coffee bar was the highlight of the trip we are early risers.
STAFF: Every one was super friendly. The walks every morning at 8am were good exercise and very informative.
EXCURSIONS: We didn't do any but other people did and enjoyed the trip to a volcano. The half day trip into Santiago seemed a bit rushed. and the swimming with the Dolphins was a long day but was enjoyed.
Would we go back maybe if the price was right and the only reason why we wouldn't go back is the bugs. But was very relaxing
| Brisas Sierra Mar | Jane |
We stayed at the Brisas Sierra Mar February 12 - 26. We travelled with friends who were enjoying their fifth year at the Brisas, having visited all over Cuba for 14 years. The Sierra Mar is their favourite, although they warned us this was not a 5 star resort. We are retirees in our early sixties.
Our flight was excellent, although we were apprehensive due to others' reviews. Cubanair had more leg room, more luggage allowance and very friendly staff. Santiago's airport was under renovation and small but I had been to Cuba before and expected this. It was my husband's first trip here so it was an experience for him.
We had been warned about the ride from the airport but we were still shocked when navigating the road at night. However, we all at least kept our sense of humour. Reception at the hotel was OK (their front desk staff are the only people not super friendly here ) and we were shown to our room which was ocean front. Not like our hotel rooms but large, clean and a view not available anywhere, I am sure. The balconies are large and comfortable. The furniture is old and the bed quite thin, but after a day in the sun, we had no trouble sleeping. (There was no shampoo or body lotion as noted by another reviewer but a good fridge and hairdryer). There is a new computer in the lobby which is tricky at first - you buy an hour's time for 6 pesos. Ask other tourists for assistance- the front desk isn't much help.
The food (always an important issue with me) was very good. We could not complain. Always fresh bread, lean meat and plenty of veggies at every meal (even breakfast). Very little fried food, not many potatoes meant I didn't gain any weight. The beach bar restaurant is great when you want your hamburg and fry fix. (Fries are frozen, but who cares when you have a craving?) Fish is also available most days. The Mariposa restaurant is very good (make reservations the first day) as is the Ecological Restaurant. Great service. Elizabeth at breakfast is the best, as is Magdolena in the evening. Vladimir at the Beach restaurant is as efficient as any waiters at home. We were allowed to attend the 'Repeaters' dinner as we came with our friends and probably will return next year. We received a free bottle of rum, lobster, steak and shrimp dinner. Very special with flowers on the tables and entertainment. The repeat visitors received certificates for a massage and manicure also. There are a very large number of people who have been there before, many for a number of years, along with several who stay for a few months at a time. Feel free to ask them questions as you can save a ton of time in regards to banking, etc. and they are very approachable. The lobby bar is good also. We sat there when the piano bar was active - about 6 p.m. Edita is very friendly and efficient. Drinks are delicious and plentiful. Try the Sierra Mar cocktail - it is layered and wonderful. Spanish coffee is a real treat and heavier on the booze than ours, so take it easy! Their regular coffee is served with steaming milk.
The weather was perfect. Only rain one night and that was during the night. Santiago de Cuba is hotter than the north of the island. Apparently, Varadero and the north coast received a lot of rain while we were there. The only down side was that I got infection from bites even though we sat around the pool mainly. No one else in our party did but I am used to this. The nurse had very little to help - iodine of all things. I did spray my chair, towel, etc. but will use an antihistamine next time. The stairs were also a challenge but the elevator works most of the time. Not a resort for individuals in wheelchairs but we did see some.
The hotel is on a hillside and quite isolated, which we enjoyed. I had just recently had surgery so we didn't take any side trips. The people working at the resort are what makes this location stand out. I took a whole suitcase (an old one which I left there) full of items and wished I had more. I took duct tape and batteries for the gardiner, blank CD's, guitar strings for my favourite bank, new summer clothes I had purchased for next to nothing and toys. Actually, anything is appreciated as Cubans share with family and friends if they can't use items, so don't worry about sizes. Even medical gauze is needed at the Medical Office. Our friends visit a family close by and we took them clothing, etc. They were thrilled and insisted on serving us a wonderful drink in special glasses. I had an electronic Spanish translator with me which helped, but I plan on learning a little Spanish before I return. They appreciate our effort even if we are amateurs. There is next to nothing to buy in Cuba, so we spent all our spending money for tips. I tipped the girls who cleaned the room 1 peso every day along with other items. We tipped for about every second round of drinks and gave the chefs at the omelette bar and beach bar restaurant a peso every time. We also left 1-2 pesos for every meal, more in the special restaurants. They share the tips. One girl told us she makes about 15 pesos a month and her rent is 19 so they rely on our tips.
Finally - this resort is not a five star Cayo Coco resort with white beaches and staff with gold jewellery, but there is a magic here which is hard to describe. It certainly explains why so many people return year after year. Besides, the price is unbelievable. We met visitors of all ages. I wouldn't say this is a resort for young people, such as my sons, but families with children, retirees, and couples who want rest and relaxation would all enjoy. People with complaints (and we met a few) should stay in North America where they would pay a fortune for such a holiday. I am sure Cuba is in for some changes in the future. It will be a shame if the Sierra Mar changes along with it.
| Brisas Sierra Mar |
We enjoyed another week at the Sierra Mar Jan 31 to Feb 7.
Arriving at the ariport ther are signs over the luggage carrosel that state : climb your luggage here, and another states climb your luggage and weigh here. LOL I did not see anyone weighing their luggage or even requested to weigh their luggage on arrival.
The road to the resort is an adventure as the November rains did a lot of damage that has not been repaired as of yet. For the discomfort of the trip from the airport I cannot imagine the employees who make this trip twice a day, arriving fresh and happy to attend to your needs.
Your room and safety deposit box keys are provided on the bus so when you arrive the busboys are ready and waiting to take your luggage to your room. Some rooms have been renovated and other rooms are in need of some paint, but all are clean and well provided with clean towels and bedding. Soap, shampoo and body lotion are also provided!
This is a relatively small hotel with 200 rooms, terraced on the Sierra Maesto mountains with the Carribbean Sea as frontage. An incredible setting. All rooms face outwards whether towards the gardens or the sea. The hotel layout allows for you to be able to find a place of solace to read or soak up the sun or join the others for fun at the pool bar or lobby.
There are a number of excursions available via bus or boat. Your tour rep will be able to arrange if possibe a trip to a baseball game, swimming with dolphins etc in the city, and the dive shop offer many wonderful boat trips for snorkling, diving or deep sea fishing. All are great fun and not over priced. There are bicycles available for free and scooters at small charge for you to head out on your own. There is a fishing village Chivirico not far away by scooter or taxi that is well worth visiting, and if you have any medical or school supplies you can drop them off on the way. There is also a baseball coach in the village who would more than welcome any donations of baseball equipment. Even as a rural area if you have difficulties someone will offer assistance and know that you are from Sierra Mar as it and Los Galeones as they are the only two tourist hotels in the area. LOL
The buffet restaurant is well laid out and food is fresh and well prepared. You are in Cuba so of course there is no waste, so the vegetable from dinner may be presented in a salad for lunch. I do it at home, so take no offence. lol The omelet chef in the morning is incredible, lovely light omeletes loaded with your choice of filliings such as onions, mushrooms, ham, peppers, cheese . The bread and cheese is incredible. Oh and the fresh fruit table! We enjoyed roasted turkey, chicken and pork as well as mystery fish well prepared. Hot foods are hot and cold foods are cold. Dessert pastries are lovely. The Wednesday roasted pig is lovely, tender and well cooked. Cabbage is served as salad more often than lettuce, but it is tender and flavourful. There are two a la carte restaurants where the chef really takes pride in his preparation as well as presentation. Also during the day, the beach restaurant prepares fish and fries that are wonderful. The fish is maranated in a light spice and garlic and than fried to perfection. The pool bar restaurant makes burgers, hot dogs and grilled cheese
The produce is grown on resort and it is a lovely walk through the gardens, raised irrigated beds of vegetables and flowers. The ecological restauarant offers a wonderful menu to suit whether you prefer fish, meat or vegetarian. Just make sure you wear deet.
There is an evening show each night music, dancing and some cuban comedy. The resort magician is great and quite a character. The dancers are worked hard and the choreographer atempts to provide on gala night a show such as you might see at tropicana. Make sure to dress for dinner early and enjoy the musicians in the lobby before dinner and after dinner before the show. Some incredibily talented musicians are on hand to entertain. There is disco that runs till 2 am but you may want to organize a group to party as unless it is spring break or post univeristy/college crowd it is not a huge event. .
As a scuba diver, I love this resort. The dive shop is on site, and I leave my gear there all week, a clean wash tank, drying racks and a secure lock up for the evening awaiting the next day's excursion. Their rental equipment is Mares and the air tanks are newer models. The airfill is housed in its own building. There are so many wonderful dive sites within minutes boat trip. The dive masters and instructors are well trained and professional and at a cost of $30 CUC for a dive, with multiple dive packages at reduced rates a good deal. They do offer a free intro to scuba in the pool so you can try out and also a monitored shallow dive in the ocean!
The beach is dark sand, with some coral reefs well within swimming distance for snorkling. There are flags for notification when the lifeguard is on duty, or if there is undercurrents, but as this is a small protected bay, currents are not an often hazard but it is always a good idea to check at the dive shop before heading out. For shallow water play I would recommend beach shoes.
The pool is clean but shallow, not meant for swimming laps but great for a refreshing dip or safe cruise to the swim up bar.
This is not a five star resort, but the employees ensure you are treated as five star. There are a great number of repeat guests at this resort who enjoy a special repeaters dinner during their stay. Don't feel intimidated by the repeaters, they are the best to ask for the how to's or where ares.
| Brisas Sierra Mar | Gary and Brigitte ~ Orleans, Ontario |
My better-half and I returned on April 19 from a two-week stay at the Cubanacan Brisas Sierra Mar resort, situated about 60 km west of Santiago de Cuba. I’ll put this review together in point form, and try not to be too long-winded.
Flights, customs and airports – We flew Sunwing from Montreal through Varadero to Santiago (southbound) and direct from Santiago to Montreal (northbound). Other than a very short weather-related delay in Montreal (de-icing) both flights operated on time and were very comfortable. On-board food is great (hot meals with wine) and we even had a glass of champagne on the way south. We had previously reserved extra leg room seats towards the front of the aircraft, and they were worth every penny. We passed through Customs at both ends with no problems (we took two NJT suitcases with us), and the airport experience was good. The only problem we had is that along with our NJT suitcases, we were 21 kilos overweight on the way south. This cost us $210.00, and there was no allowance for humanitarian aid. What bothers me is there were several people in line in front of us who checked in as many as three bicycles along with their luggage, but because it was sporting equipment, they paid no extra. This policy is entirely unfair and I’ll be addressing my concerns with Sunwing and their CEO.
Transfer to hotel – This is an adventure, not only for the drive through the city of Santiago de Cuba, but also for the breathtaking scenery along the coast and poor condition of the road between the city and the hotel. The road has suffered through several hurricanes and associated washouts in recent years, and for the most part is absolutely horrid. We were told the plan is to have it entirely resurfaced from Santiago to Pilon in two years – knowing the pace of construction in Cuba I’ll be very surprised if it’s done by then. Road crews are working on the section closest to Santiago, however progress seems slow.
Check-in and rooms – Check-in was trouble free and we were assigned a room on the sixth floor on the south end of the upper building (room 621 for those of you obsessed with details). We had a superb view of the bay and the Sierra Maestra mountains (this hotel, by the way, is in arguably the most beautiful and spectacular part of Cuba – there’s a potential photo everywhere you look). Our room was smaller than what we’ve been used to in Cuba, and somewhat dated, however it was clean and had everything we needed. The a/c worked, we always had at least warm water and lots of it, the bed was very comfortable and in all honesty, most of our time was spent outside of the room anyway. Our maid, Marlenys, did a wonderful job in keeping things clean and neat for us and entertained us with sheet and towel sculptures daily. While some people have complained about the elevator service to the upper floors, we never even tried it so cannot comment. All the stair climbing was good for us anyway!
Staff – The staff is absolutely wonderful. Sure, there were a couple from whom you couldn’t coax a smile out of if your life depended on it, but overall they were great folks and we miss them already. The staff is one reason this resort has so many return visitors – how could you not go back to a place where you are treated well and everyone seems like family? Special mention goes to Marlenys, Marvelys (you look absolutely marvellous!), Enoel, Eldis, May, Sandra, Elita, Jolie, Elizabeth, Osmay, Remigio, José, Omar, Anthony and Ernesto – heck, special mention to everyone!
Entertainment – On the whole, very good. Music was everywhere (bands or pianists in the lobby, at the Ranchon beachside restaurant and La Mariposa international a la carte) and the nightly shows were very well done with excellent dancers. Obviously if you’re staying for more than one week the shows will repeat, but it’s no big deal. We enjoyed them just as much the second time around. Some of the pianists and bands indulge in playing North American classics or film music; a bit of a pain when all we wanted to hear was Cuban music. But, they all take requests and we made sure they slipped some musica Cubana in there as well. There seemed to be lots of activities for young and old during the day if you hung out at the pool; beachside activities were non-existent (probably due to the sand temperature) which suited us just fine. Nothing worse than a sand-covered volleyball knocking over your Mojito...
Other guests – We travelled late in the season so the hotel was lightly loaded. The majority of the guests were Cuban (most of whom are rewarded by the government for hard work with a subsidized stay of two or four days at the hotel) with some Canadians and Germans thrown in for good measure. We made some great friends during our stay (Hi Jayne and Hillary [our new family members]; Ben and Mary; Max and Tiffy!) and spent an interesting few hours one evening with a great Cuban couple (Marcos and Marisa) from Santiago who were staying there. Many of the Canadian and several of the European guests are multiple-repeat visitors – we will be joining that select group as well…
Food – Always a subjective area and major point of contention at any resort due to personal tastes and likes/dislikes. We found the food good and nourishing at the buffet, plentiful (unless you came late after the hungry/greedy hoards had their way) and fresh. The salads were great (although we had no lettuce the first few days) and there was lots of fresh bread and desserts. Made-to-order omelettes in the morning as well as freshly squeezed orange juice started off the day. All a la carte restaurants were very good (our favourite was probably the Mariposa, although I found them all great) and the snack bar operated flat out, again normally because of the Cuban guests. Regardless, we never went hungry.
I can’t say if you will like the food or not. We are not picky eaters so the food was very much to our liking. Someone else who was there the same time as us may not be so gracious, so you’ll have to make up your own mind if you go there.
Drinks – What’s not to like? Cuban rum in vast quantities, Cristal or Bucanero beer (seemingly heavy on the Bucanero) and some of the best coffee I’ve had since our last trip to Cuba! We were without carbonated mineral water for the first few days (a resupply issue) but the bartenders made do with lemon-lime. If you like your Cuba Libres with Diet Coke, it was sometimes scarce as well, which caused me to switch to mojitos or Ron Collins. Such a hardship . House wine is the domestic Soroa label, which, while not German Riesling or French Bordeaux, is quite satisfying.
Excursions – These can be difficult to arrange at this time of year, due to the lack of guests in the hotel, the minimum number necessary to arrange a trip, and (we think) the bad roads between the resort and Santiago de Cuba. Many excursions required a minimum booking of 6 or 10 people, and I think many people just don’t want to bounce over that road again for the sake of a few hours in downtown Santiago (in 34 degree heat). However, we did manage to arrange a tour to La Gran Piedra and the La Isabelica coffee plantation museum for four of us (thanks to Gabriel from Sunwing and Elbert from Hola Sun for their efforts to make it happen for us) and we travelled west of the hotel to a health “camp” for a therapeutic mud bath and massage. Both were great tours and the Gran Piedra tour is something everyone should do. Phenomenal views from the summit of the rock in all directions; an added bonus is that it’s 10 degrees cooler at the top than on the coast!
Setting and grounds – The BSM enjoys an absolutely spectacular setting between the Sierra Maestra mountains and the Caribbean Sea (hence the name). There is a photo everywhere you look. We spent a lot of time just looking at the scenery around the resort from whatever vantage point we could find. The grounds are covered in lush flowers and vegetation – someone is always watering, pruning and trimming and they take a lot of pride in the look of their resort. The most beautiful placed we’ve been to in Cuba, bar none.
Infrastructure – Some of the facilities are starting to show their age and a lack of maintenance, caused no doubt by availability of resources and a supply route full of potholes. Having said this, the maintenance staff does their best to ensure everything works the way it should and the place is clean and presentable. The lobby and central areas are still in excellent shape; the rooms are dated and could use a remodelling but they are clean and comfortable.
Beach and pool – We’re beach people and I think out of the two weeks we spent one afternoon at the pool. The pool is maybe a bit small for some, but suited us fine – less of a paddle to the swim-up bar! The beach was great! No, it’s not white sand like Cayo Coco or Varadero, but it’s a great beach with shallow water for a good distance and lots of shade if you need it. The sand gets quite hot in the afternoon, so a pair of flip-flops or water shoes is a must unless you want to burn your feet. There’s also a reef about 300 metres out from shore with beautiful coral and aquarium-like tropical fish. Bring a snorkel, mask, fins and an underwater disposable camera!
Overall and conclusion – Yeah I know – it’s about time…OK, so we haven’t been to Varadero or Santa Maria or Cayo Largo or Cienfuegos or Trinidad or Maria la Gorda or Marea de Portillo or a host of other spots. But regardless, this is our hotel. It just has that feel about it, and I know why people keep coming back. The staff, the other guests, the scenery, the Caribbean, the entertainment and music, the local villages –all these things combine to make this our favourite spot in Cuba. We’ll be going back sooner rather than later. Not only are we addicted to Cuba, but also to the Sierra Mar
| Brisas Sierra Mar | Shawn ~ Ontario |
Just got back from Cuba, where we stayed for the first time at the Brisas Sierra Mar. I must say first of all that we are seasoned travellers and usually stay at nothing under a 4 star resort. We also travel in a large group so we are always the loudest and probably most rambunctious and sometimes demanding group anywhere we go. Not demanding in a bad way, its just that we like to do things and sometimes it doesn't occur to us that it can't be done or that it might be hard to get things done. Like renting Jeeps in a remote location!
First impressions
Upon arriving at the resort after a long day of travelling we were met at the lobby by a welcoming committee offering drinks, smiles and hospitality which was exactly what we needed. The road was long and the potholes were plenty. I hope the road gets fixed before we go back.
The Rooms
Yes, they were small and in need of some repair but after the initial shock we settled in just fine. There were no fridges in the rooms we stayed in and no bottled water either which we thought would be a problem but we were provided with thermal jugs that we filled at the bar each night and all was well again. Also don't look for a remote control for the TV, there aren't any. Minor inconvenience really! Oh, the best thing I almost didn't mention. Every night we fell asleep listening to the softly falling rain and the sound of the ocean from our balcony. Each morning we got up to a glorious sunrise and a beautiful ocean view. Where else on earth can you get that kind of experience!
The Grounds and View
Nothing could compare to the view from this resort. Breathtaking is the only word I could use. You only had to point your camera to get a beautiful picture. Snorkeling was fantastic, we went out everyday that we were on the resort.
Excursions
We rented Jeeps or "Heeps" as the Cubans call them a went out adventuring as we love to in Cuba. Had a wonderful Lobster Lunch on a small island about 15 minutes down the road going towards the town. Full lobster for $20 CUC or a Mix of 1/2 lobster, shrimp and white fish for $15 CUC. There were other dishes that were very reasonable as well pork, chicken, etc. We were taken out to the island on a paddle boat where we enjoyed lunch, drinks and snorkeled then we were dropped off by the road where we had parked. We went to Santiago on the catamaran and stopped on the way to snorkel a ship wreck. It was wonderful. We also went to the Big Rock which is a mountain on the other side of Santiago. There is a restaurant and hotel with separate cabins up there. The restaurant is not quite to the top of the mountain so you have to climb another 297 or so stairs to get to the lookout. Beautiful view! There is also a coffee plantation up there which we visited and bought a bag of Homegrown Cuban coffee from that plantation.
The Food
Well we were in Cuba after all so the food was good for where we were. Let put it this way we never starved and none of us came back any skinnier!
Everyone enjoyed the meals.
The People on the resort
Everyone was great and so helpful. Carlos in the Dive shop who set us up with our Jeep rentals, arranged for a Scuba dive and lent us equipment when we wanted to go off on our own. Oscar in the restaurant who served us our coffee "outside at the tables" each morning even though it was against the restaurant rules. At first he seemed a little taken back by my request but the next day he was right there when we arrived and took it in stride as we drank coffee and ate our breakfast in the warm morning sun. Osmar at the Beach bar put up with our "crap" everyday with a smile on his face. Oscar the crazy entertainment guy who invited us to the Cuban party night with the Cubans on the resort.
The Shows
The entertainment is a little different, but they do try their best with what they have. Don't go there and criticize but go with an open mind and remember the circumstances that these people deal with on a daily basis.
Last thing I want to add is, please when you go down to this area take some things with you. I took First aid kits, shampoo, barrettes and hair ties for kids, balls and toys, batteries, toothpaste and toothbrushes, baby clothes and kids clothes, disposable razors, feminine hygiene products.
My husband also arranged through his DR to take down a suitcase full of medical supplies which we dropped off at a medical clinic just 1 KM away from the resort at Dr. Ricardo's ( his first name) thats what the locals call him and his wife Odalys is a dentist. The group is called "Not Just Tourists" it is a worthwhile organization (mostly DRs I believe) and they have a website. So if you are going you can "Google" them to find out what you can do to help support their humanitarian efforts to the Cuban people. These people treated us like we were celebrities and Thanked us over and over again. We were all choked up because it really was "No Big Deal" for us to take an extra suitcase along with us but it meant so much to them.
Would I go back...in a heartbeat!
Was the resort worth the money we paid....absolutely!
I hope I don't have to fight to get a room once this secret gets out!!!
| Brisas Sierra Mar | Sven |
I went to this resort over ten years ago when it was part of the Delta chain , returned five years later and have now returned with my young family. I realize by me writing this review I am probably making it more difficult for myself to find a room next time. Regardless, if it helps the staff who live off tips, its well worth it.
The first thing apparent is the over all beauty of the resort. Surrounded by fantastic mountains, the resort is set high up on a hill. Quiet. Yes the bus ride from the airport was long a bumpy one but we heard this road was top of the list of ones to be repaired.. No evidance of hurricane damage, in fact the amount of gardens and greenary is impressive. Sometimes this area can be pit dry but all the hills were green.
When you start meeting the other guests it was a real surprise to my wife that many have been coming back for over ten visits. If you ask them why they return the usual answer is that it’s the hotel employees who make it special. Sure they are tipped as in other resorts but they seem genuinely friendly. My daughter couldn’t go for more than ten minutes without someone asking how old she was, what’s her name or patting her on the head. It was a bit much for my shy little three year old but by the end even she was returning the polite “HOLA”.We were told everyone was talking about her and they referred to her as “Miss Sierra Mar” Kids club was closed but I’m told is fantastic. I read their activity list and it seemed well planned.
There was a children’s show preformed by,Yes,Children. My daughter loved it .
Music was everywhere, In the Lobby (Grand Piano) by the pool and at the beach. It was there if you wanted it but if you wanted peace and quiet that could be found as well. Being a musician with a decent ear, the quality of the entertainers was high in my books.
I read the death by Salsa pop review….Um that was for half an hour and for exercises.
The shows, Dancers were also of high caliber, but the alternative was a “loco show” which to my embarrassment my daughter yelled 'not funny', the Cubans visiting the resort loved it.
Yes Cubans on the resort, I’m told it was a reward for good job performance. Let me state here that from what I saw, they all behaved themselves and just had good fun. Sure the food disappeared faster at the restaurants but it was quite understandable. They seemed to keep mostly to themselves at the beach. Note before they arrived all TV’s were removed from their rooms.
Food, Ok, small variations on the usual Cuban staples, fish chicken rice. It was prepared well. Lots there. Ah ,my wife after a few days said kinda loud how odd that there’s no bananas, (there’s some growing by the beach,) Next day…Bananas!!!
Interesting story. I mentioned to a guest that I never get sick here from the water. He said that the resort was originally built by the Russians for the Russian VIP’s( communism gotta love it) so they built the water treatment plant , it supplies water from a stream to the hotel and the local town. Best water in Cuba.
Room …Basic , everything worked, fantastic Ocean view that you pay for extra anywhere else.
Along that line, Catamarans inclusive, since I was a repeat guest I could get free massage, pedicure and a private repeat guest meal.
My family always felt safe as there was security everywhere, just in case.
Beach, by the beach bar was nice, my daughter wouldn’t come out the ocean. My wife did get bit but wouldn’t put on repellant.
I’m told we just missed the rain the week before. Nov. was a better bet.
The snorkeling was good and Im not easy to please in this area. Great for kids. There’s a patch reef close to shore and the inner reef is accessible for good swimmers.
What to bring , the usual soap, toothpaste , toothbrush, shoes, Guitar strings( metal medium),perfume, cologne, batteries, Baseball stuff, clothes of all types. ( I brought four AA Batteries for the Maid,next day I had a fridge in the room)
I guess I should mention that this is the only resort I’ve ever returned to. It’s not for everyone. For myself and my family it was a very enjoyable, relaxing vacation. The people were friendly (staff and guests), good atmosphere. The majority of the reviews are right on the money. The really bad ones seem to be by people who expected way too much or would complain anywhere :0)
| Brisas Sierra Mar | P. Smith ~ Keswick, Ontario, Canada |
Olah..
We booked at Sierra Mar from Feb. 20-27.
We flew Cuban Airlines, and found the staff on the plane were very cold and rude.. Not helpfull at all.
We booked with Sol y Son and when we arrived at the airport, there was NO Rep there...We has also booked for Los Galeones Resort, but the Agent made a Big mistake and booked us at The Sierra Mar.. We could not go on the bus with the other tours, so they called a taxi for us..
Arrival at Sierra Mar was so welcoming... They said they would call Los Galeones the next day to see if we could be fit in, but after getting some dinner and looking around, we met people and they said we would be sorry if we switched over to Los Galeones... So, we ended up staying at Sierra Mar and had a FANTASTIC trip...... We did take a taxi to Los Galeones one day, and found the people very rude to us.... When we got there, the guy at the front desk said, NO LUNCH AND ONE DRINK......... We went down all of the 298 steps to the beach, and the beach bar people were so nice...... They made me a special drink,,,,,,, and NOT just one either....
We started the long haul up the stairs to leave, and what a haul...... I did not think I was going to make it. Brisas Sierra Mar, was so nice... The people Great.. Be sure to book the snorkeling day cruise on the Catamaran.....and you go to an island for lunch..Say HI to Ernesto.... .... I have never had such a large lobster before. Entertainment Great..... Food Great...... Elizabeth at the Pool Bar is so nice... She has a 2 yr. old daughter..
Be sure to take some things from home for the locals...... You can walk down the main road from the resort and then along a dirt road, where you end up in a small village... The locals were very thankful for the clothing I took for them.. All in all...... the resort was Wonderfull..
The rooms are a bit tired, but clean.....
| Brisas Sierra Mar | M & JP ~ Parry Sound |
We visited Brisas Sierra Mar for the first time this year and had a nice time. The Hotel was completely adequate for us and the food was good. We were never sick and we did drink the water. The weather was hot every day and sunny all but 2 days of the 2 weeks. Many of the guests were repeat visitors which says lots. The hotel was far from full which was a good thing because some days the staff bus just didn't arrive.
The highway to reach the hotel is in a terrible mess - potholes in the potholes in some places. This deters you from going anywhere. Riding the bicycles over it was so hard on the tires, few didn't have flats. And it was painful. Better to take the horses for a ride up into the mountains if you can manage it. We went on the catamaran tour and the snorkelling at the shipwreck was fabulous but the city tour part didn't leave much time to see anything. So we got a hotel staff to take us on his day off and had a real tour. It was difficult to rent the car and when it arrived it was small but it happened as planned.
The hotel was short on fresh fruit but it is available if you ask people and especially if you can tip. Be kind to them and they are wonderful to you. We had a lobster lunch one day in the village in exchange for things we brought - lots of baby clothes and shoes.
Bugs were the big problem while we were there. They sprayed and sprayed but some people were reacting to the bug bites. Bring Benedryl in case you are one of those and don't be afraid to take it. Also, anti-biotic cream helps. some folks were bit right in their rooms.
The rooms were comfortable and clean. ours had a fridge. We got new chairs and gym equipment while we were there but the elevator was an on-off continuing problem.
The staff were fabulous. The musicians were 80% great. They planned some really nice moments if you wanted to take part - eg. champgne and music on the deck at sunset.
The dancers were a must-see for at least a few nights. We ate and the beach restaurant most lunches and often the entertainment there was wonderful and very Cuban.
In conclusion, we would recommend this resort. It was a cheap and adequate holiday.
| Brisas Sierra Mar | Bob ~ Canada |
We visited this resort in January, 2007 for our fifth time. The trip from the airport is long but very interesting -- there is always something to see along the way -- people, scenery, animals . . . I don't mind the ride because I know at the end I will be at my favourite resort in Cuba.
Check in is done easily on the bus before you get to the hotel so when you get there you can go directly to your room -- there are lots of bell boys to help you with your luggage and to find your room. The rooms are clean and functional. The maids are very friendly and nice. The view is breathtaking from your room. Most of the rooms are oceanview. If you are not happy with the location of your room, the front desk will try to accommodate any change you might request.
All meals are available in the buffet restaurant. There is also a restaurant at the beach level which is a grill that serves lunch. This grill serves wonderful fish, pizzas, hot dogs, hamburgers, and has a homemade soup every day. There is also a snack bar near the pool which is open late afternoon until very late at night -- this snack bar serves fries, ham sandwiches, hotdogs, hamburgers, etc. Also at beach level is an ecological restaurant which is a la carte and you need reservations. The atmosphere is very natural and the food is all freshly cooked in plain view. There is another a la carte restaurant on the main level of the hotel which you also need reservations for. We have never gone there but have heard it is very good.
The beach is very private to the hotel but you can also wander a bit further down if you want to mingle with the locals. There is a dive shop on site and you have use of paddleboats and catamarans (with captain). Fishing trips can be arranged and they also have a sunset cruise a couple of times a week.
There are various trips you can take from the hotel. We have not taken any so I can't comment on them. I have heard good reviews and bad -- I guess it just depends on what you are expecting, who is with you that day, and your personal experience.
The thing that brings us back to this resort over and over are the people who work here. Many of the staff from the maids to the waitstaff to the gardeners to the chefs have been working at the resort for a long time. We have found that most of the staff are warm and friendly and real people. Just ask them how their family is and you will see a smile come across their face.
As with any vacation in Cuba you need to be flexible because sometimes things are not available or things don't work because of a lack of parts -- you have to remember that this is Cuba. If you can't do without things you have back home, then you probably should choose a different vacation destination than Cuba. If you want to come here, enjoy the weather and the scenery and the company of some great people as well as other vacationers this is the place for you.
We can't wait to go back again. The only thing I don't like about this area of Cuba is that they only offer flights here from November to April.
| Brisas Sierra Mar | R & J ~ Toronto, Ontario |
My husband and I just returned from our second trip to BSM this year. In April we went on our own and found the resort to be very satisfactory to us. Good food (very important when you are away from home), great staff (made us feel welcome and seemed willing to help) and acceptable rooms (cleaned every day, comfortable beds, nothing lacking).
We did just get back from BSM last week when we went with a group of 10. Again, the resort and staff were very satisfactory to us with the same comments from April.
This resort may not appeal to all but we were very pleased. It is not a "party spot" and there isn't a lot of night life - good quiet fun and a place for rest and relaxation. I'm sure that action can be found if you want to look for it - volleyball on the beach and in the pool, aerobics and aquasize, dance lessons, Spanish lessons, horseback riding can be arranged, scooter rentals and bicycles are available, snorkelling, scuba, hobie cats, excursions to Santiago and other locations, disco, staff entertainment nightly, piano bar with live music in the main lobby. It's all available if you want it.
All in all, BSM is a safe family oriented spot to visit with enough to keep everyone occupied and no pressure to join in. If you want to sit and read at the pool or on the beach there is no problem.
We did encounter some very nasty insects while there this month (apparently December is the month for no see ums - that can be felt shortly after they have their way with you) and there was a bit of a stomach bug going around the resort as well. However, if you are prepared by bringing precautions and remedies from home, it shouldn't present a problem. As well, there is a do