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Save on All-Inclusive Caribbean Resorts Sunbeach Varadero  Location: Downtown Varadero - beach is located across the street - 20 minutes from airport. All-inclusive - 272 rooms Description: 1 buffet and 1 pizzeria - 4 bars including 1 at pool and 1 at beach.  ~ Reviews posted on this page — 2  Don't forget to send Debbie a review ~ Cuba Resorts Review Index
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| Sunbeach Varadero | Lisa ~ Winnipeg, MB. |
The Sunbeach Hotel in Varadero - I would definitely stay there again! The hotel is rated 3 star; so it was kinda scary because we didn't know really what to expect. I joined this forum in late January and got alot of very useful information regarding Cuba and our trip. There were also those that gave the Sunbeach a thumbs up; while there were those who said they would never stay there. We went with no expectations and were pleasantly surprised.
Check in - 2 am in the morning: This unfortunately didn't go too well. First off, someone can't be happy to be checking in 15 people just arrived from Winnipeg at 2 am. I had taken all the papers that Trip Central had either emailed or snailmailed me. The front desk reception fella was just in a 'bad' mood I think and wasn't taking anything I had as our hotel voucher; even though it said right on it "Hotel Accommodation Voucher'. He kept saying it must say "Sunwing". Finally after some tense moments, I think he realized this was what he required and checked us in. There were 12 somewhat disgruntled people behind us waiting to check in, so he did what he had to to move it along. Perhaps Trip Central has a different way of presenting their hotel voucher, but it was clear to anyone this paper I had was confirmation enough. Plus he had our name on a list. I had also previously emailed Sunbeach and they confirmed our reservation. I had asked for a room on the 3rd floor.
"Mr. Happy" gave us what we believe to be the worst room in the hotel. When entering the room at 2:30 am, after being at the airport since 2pm the previous day, we were quite tired and this room 'stunk'! The only good thing about it was the bathroom; an important feature to me, and it was very, clean and recently remodelled. We set our luggage aside and went to sleep and would deal with it in the morning. The next day we requested another room. They put our name on a list and needless to say we ended up with a very nice room, bathroom again very clean and recently redone and this time a balcony. Every second room in the smaller tower at Sunbeach has a balcony, so we were quire relived to get one. The hotel was full to capacity, with perhaps a few spare rooms. The rest of our stay was quite fine. Our maid "Marielo' was a fantastic lady who left me little notes everyday. We would leave her candy, gum, pens, keychains etc., with the Canadian Maple Leaf and she seemed to quite like them. She would leave extra towels and when I asked for an extra chair for the balcony, she was very accommodating. The restaurant was buffet style and you would never go hungry. An omelette cook stood front and center every morning, making our eggs to our liking everytime. The coffee was addictive to say the least, even though it wasn't fresh brewed, there's something about that Cubita Coffee. Sunbeach offered a really nice touch; a coffee bar in the lobby, where you could also get a rum drink if you so desired. Here you could get fresh ground coffee, cappuccinos, and espressos from 10am til 10pm. This was one of the best 'amenities Sunbeach could have offered me! The people working the coffee bar were always very friendly and prompt to serve you. Getting back to the buffet, There was a main dish every day for lunch and dinner, along with numerous other side dishes and always a large selection of fresh vegetable, and fresh fruit and many different salads. A huge bun/bread area and the desserts were GREAT! Lots to choose from and the ice cream in Cuba is fantastic. The hotel offered a pizzeria which opened from noon til 10pm. There you could go, sit down and the waitress would bring you a menu. You could ordered different pasta dishes as well as many different types of pizza. Then you would go up to the salad bar, not quite as large as the main buffet, but still choices. You could order whatever to drink and they would bring your pizza or pasta to you when it was ready. We only ate there once, cause we agreed we like the many, many choices of the buffet better, plus you could eat as much as you wanted!!! Which, apparently upon returning home was such a good idea!
The front lobby was a bit tired, but very colourful and always full of people milling about, especially cause the coffee bar was right there. The rest of the front desk staff were ok, and we treated everyone with kindness and respect, which is what we were generally treated back with! The shows the hotel put on every night were FANTASTIC. A different show every night; from dancing to singing, to a magic show which still blows my mind to a water ballet, which was great. The 'anamacion' team members were great people, and 'Alex' would also do volleyball, baci ball, and other games on the beach. Every morning he would recruit people to do 'gymnastics' which was very fun and I participated numerous times. The beach was unbelievable, with many lifeguards and security people making there presence subtly known, so you always felt safe to leave your beach bags around and no one would steal or bother you. There was a fella everyday to wipe of your lounge chair if you wished, and the beach bar staff were also great guys, The pool was alright, although I was only in it once! The beach was what we went to Cuba for. The pool bar was good, you could get anything you wanted there, including 'slurpee' like drinks (alcohol free). If I've missed anything, it was probably good to! Overall, Sunbeach was definitely worth the money, it was an extremely inexpensive trip for my family and I and we would definitely stay there again. If you go with an open mind, not expecting a 5 star hotel, it exceeded my expectations. It was a very clean hotel, the staff for the most part (95%) were great people, everyone has a bad day now and again right! We would recommend this hotel to families, people looking for a cheaper, clean hotel right directly across from the best beach EVER!
Thanks you, and sorry for the longwinded review, but I really can't say enough, Cuba was great and we would return in a flash.
| Sunbeach Varadero | Margaret ~ Canada |
it is not a bad placeoverall,the first room,on the old side is not nice but,once we complained they got us a room in the newer section,which was quite good,clean,smoke free with a balcony,2 beds and a cot,the elevator worked fine,the waterwas warm,no complaints,animation was ok,the food was plenty but not as good as could be,the staff,very kind and attentive,beach wonderful,could use a bathroom closer to the beach with a nice lunch bar-would return
Club Amigo Tropical - Varadero  Location: Beachfront - 20 minutes from the airport All-inclusive - 143 rooms Description: 2 Restaurants - 1 Pool - 2 Bars ~ Reviews posted on this page — 2 Don't forget to send Debbie a review ~ Cuba Resorts Review Index
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| Club Amigo Tropical | Canada |
Hubby and I just returned from our 9th trip to Cuba. (April 19-26). We picked this resort because of it's location right downtown. Club Tropical is a older resort, not fancy. However we had a wonderful time. There are 4 building built around the pool. From pool to beach in about 100 feet.
Everything is so close at hand. Unlike some of the larger resorts where if you forgot something in your room you had a 1/2 hour walk each way.
The rooms are small, no tub, 2 single beds. But there is plenty of closet space, and everything is clean and in working order. There is a safe and telephone. The resort has all been freshly painted and the pool was redone in November.
Lot's of chairs and shade on the beach, and by the pool.
Food was not the best, but they try. Pasta to order, omelets and smoothies to order, fresh juice. Plus on Friday they set up a wonderful BBQ by the pool for lunch. There are also snacks at the pool/lobby bar most of the day. There is also a al a carte restaurant in a separate building, just book in the morning of the day you want to eat there with the hostess at the buffet restaurant.
We found the staff to be very kind and very helpful. Entertainment was good as well.
But the selling factor here is the location. You are on Calle 22, the main market it just out the door to the right, but there is a wonderful outdoor place called FM17, they have live shows every night and are very good.
While this resort was not full when we went there, and I think that added to our enjoyment, it is still under 200 rooms, and would keep it's charm even with double the people we had at the time.
Don't let the number of stars fool you. We will both be going back.
| Club Amigo Tropical | Canada |
We stayed at club Amigor TROPICAL in Febuary 2007
it is important that you do not confuse thie resort with Club Amigo
Club Amigo Tropical as advertised in the brochures is the same as Club Tropical
While we met many nice people and ended up having a good time I would not reccomend this resort. I dont think you can realy call it a resort. it is more of a hotel with pool, restaurant and bar.
It is very very noisy. We were facing the pool and the music blares all day and night. There is nowhere in the resort that you can go and sit quietly and read a book. They even have big sound systems facing the beach area. The pool is closed after 6.00 p.m. - cant figure that out. The room was very run down, old beds and a smell of mold. Even the sheets smelt moldy. coackroaches were seen in the bathroom. This would be a $20 a night room in any other country. other guests we talked to had plugged toilets and sinks. If we were staying for two weeks I would definitely have moved resorts.
The food in the restaurant was ok for cuba and we always managed to find something to eat. The restaurant only serves breakfast until 9.30 and if you dont get there by 9.00 you will miss the omeletes. The coffee in was the worse I had tasted anywhere. The coffee in the bar was much better but often a long wait as they usually only had one person on. Order everything in twos.
The entertainment was not bad for a small resort. I think the staff worked hard and did their best. could take Salsa lessons, beach aerobics , and other things. Like any resort there were staff that were realy nice and staff that were not friendly.
Tips for Cuba - Trip to havana definitely worth it. Take the official tour or you can take a bus from the bus terminal for $10 each way and do a tour around havana when you get there. As there were four of us we opted to hire a taxi. If you dont speak spanish it is better to take the official bus as we ended up getting ripped off.
We did take the local bus to Matanzas. the terminal is in the centre of Varadero just ask anyone where it is . it says omnibus on the varadero map.
That was well worth it If you realy want to see how the people live go off the beaten track. The people are very helpful.
In Varadero the people only want your money so be very careful as you can easily have more added on to your bill. Even though we were tipping well we still ended up having bars/restauants charge us extra. We caught on fast and started paying for everything as we went and asking the price first.
Last updated: May 1, 2008
