March 2004

My husband and I spent a week at Sol Club Coral Varadero Feb. 20 - 28 , 2004. This was our first time in Cuba but have travelled extensively both in Europe and North America. We had read your reviews and were somewhat concerned about some of the things we read. We were pleasantly surprised. Yes, the first room we got was not good. Great view but no door on the safe and the balcony door didn't lock. In additon the bathroom although clean was very tired and very very small. The next morning we went down to reception and pleasantly asked for another room We were told to way until after 12:00 which is check-out time when more rooms would be available. In the meantime our Air Transat rep met with us as prearranged and we mentioned this to him. When we went back to the desk we were offered three rooms to choose from and found a great room, view of the ocean, huge bathroom etc. We were delighted. The staff from the minute we arrived was very pleasant and friendly- on the grounds, in the buffet restaurant, at the bar, the maids everyone - with one exception and that was in the boutique gift shop where they were very distant and aloof. The food in the buffet restaurant was plentiful but a little bland. Choise of eggs any way you wanted them at breakfast including omelettes. Bacon, sausages etc. Lots of fruit and fruit juices. Bread, rolls etc. Toast. Cheese and strangely to us vegetables including brussel sprouts. I gave them a miss. At lunch lots of salads, breads fresh grilled fish or chicken or pork etc. and things like pasta, paella, potatoes, other vegetables. Great ice cream. Lots of choice of other desserts etc. Not exciting, a little bland (consider bringing your own black pepper). At both lunch and dinner there is a very decent house Spanish red and white wine as well as others you can get by paying extra. The al a carte restaurant we enjoyed the most was the Italian one - real garlic in the food. The coffee at the Tea Room in the lobby was excellent. We tipped one American dollar regularly to staff. A dollar a day to our maid, often at the bar and we also tipped a reception. This is a poor country, they need the money. We also arrived with bottles of shampoo, soap, bandades, other medical things etc. We left some of these for the maid every day. We gave some to other staff as well. Cubans have a hard time buying shampoo, soap etc. because it is extremely expensive. They cannot buy bandades there at all. Hospitals and clinics have some but not nearly enough. Other medical supplies are also really appreciated. Dollar stores here have lots of inexpensive soap, shampoo etc. The entertainment at night is fun but not terribly sophistocated. There was jazz in the lobby bar area some nights that was just excellent. One performer Victor Fernandez was really good. He played an alto sax. The beach was of course fabulous. Soft white sand etc. We took a paddle boat out on the ocean and that was fun. (free too) The pools are very attactive and of course there is the pool bar. (There's also a bar at the beach.) Varadero is an interesting town. The flea market has lots of things to bring back as gifts for yourself of others. We walked into town one day and it took about 25 minutes and took taxi's for $4.00 American or less. Check before you get in. Don't miss Havana. We went on an all day tour for $75.00 American each and really enjoyed it. We were given a tour of a cigar factory that was facinating. The architecture in Havana is very interesting. All in all we'd definately go again.

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February 2004

We just got back from Sol Coral this week. My wife and I with our grown up children and their spouses.

First ... The beach was amazing. The grill near the beach was fantastic as were the Mediterranean and Italian Restaurants. Make your reservations for these two places as soon as you arrive since they are not large places and the food is better than the buffet fare. Unlike an earlier review on this site, the Beach Grill was my favorite place and the best location. To sit with friends or family, have a cool drink, a grilled fish and look out over the ocean was worth the trip alone.

Almost all the restaurants and buffets flavor their food with salt only and it gets to be boring but there are many salty choices. I enjoyed the buffet at Sol Sirenas as well. I found the others mundane or boring with teh exceptions made above. If I drank I would have liked teh German resaurant more since teh beer came in small steins and their sandwiches were made fresh. The Club Sandwich is a treat after the buffet fare.

We made friends with our Maid and a few of the waiters and waitresses. It is important to talk to your maid and make sure that she is the one who will be doing your room for most of your time. Then tip your maid quite well the first day with money (not so important since it goes back into a share system and redistributed) and with treats (gum, pens, notebooks), which are really appreciated. I found the same with the waiters. I bought a few boxes of gum from Costco and always included a pack with the $1.00, $2.00 or even $3.00 tip. It works wonders and Abel my favorite waiter, introduced me to the other waiters working the outside section of the grill since he liked the "Chiclets" and my family. Many of the other staff at the other restaurants did not seem very happy. Most of teh evening staff warm up a bit. Check out Debbie's Spanish list since it helps you and the people love that you know at least a little of the language. It helps in the markets as well.

http://www.debbiescaribbeanresortreviews.com/spanish.html

When we arrived, the beds had been made with the previous sheets and pillowcases and they had to be changed. After that the room service was great. A major problem was that we were there during storm season and it was cloudy. Since the hot water is solar heated, your bath is lukewarm at best unless it is quite sunny. One of the other rooms our family were in had to ask for toilet paper, towels and shampoo almost every day.

I didn't like paying a buck to use the off resort washrooms. Even at the airport. I didn't like that the water glasses were 4 ounces and it was troublesome keeping them filled or even getting bottled water in our room. I ended up buying several bottles in town. My one son didn't mind since he favored Crystal, the Cuban beer and you could get it everywhere, easier than pop or water.

We were restricted from going in the ocean for 4 days during stormy seas. We walked up the beach a half-mile and were able to get in some "wave play" every day. I made the mistake of spending much of the second day in a salty, sandy bathing suit which left me raw for a while but that was my fault and I found talcum powder in town.

I loved going through Varedaro and the markets. I enjoyed the scooters, the Cuban people and the great food in town. I prefer the taxi over the horse drawn cart and it was cheaper as well. Definitely rent a scooter and do the whole Varedaro strip to see it. The trip was well worth it for the limited sun, white beaches, great waves and a beach that was not overly busy. Pay the difference and get an ocean view room. I will go again but likely not this resort. The resort beside us kept the fridge filled with water, pop and rum. Also it was cleaner. I would have preferred this and paid the difference had I known.

When I return I would bring more gum and treats to give out partially to befriend teh staff and partially for better service. I would also bring more $US ones and fives since it is a chore getting change especially in town. I would bring my older clothes and shoes as well and drop them of at the Varedaro Day Care or with hotel staff as a tip item. Shoes are very expensive and even if the wrong size they will be "bartered". My wife brought a load for the teachers. I would brush up on Spanish a little more as well.

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February 2004

Just back from one week vacation Sol Coral. Found the resort large & not senior freindly, a lot of stairs. Seems like it was three or four hotels many years ago that are all combined now. It is a little dated now & some maintainence is going on now for a new buffet at Sol Sirenas, the sister hotel. Food was good at all restauants, service good a lot of staff about 225 for both hotels, I would guess. We had a few minor problems took three days to fix the T V , our safe had no door, a little more care in cleaning would the rooms wold be nice. ( No tissue in the wash rooms at times & no soap or paper towel at bar was rooms so bring some) 4 of five of our party got sick. Good value for what we paid for our week.

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Last updated: March 20, 2004