Meliá Cayo Guillermo *****

Anónimo, CA, 2007-06-20  
We stayed at the Melia Cayo Guillermo and had a wonderful time. Like many others, we were little bemused by the conflicting reviews, but upon attending the resort realized that the negative comments were unfounded or just unfortunate experiences for those concerned. All in all a lovely place to stay. Not 5 star by Canadian standards but definitely worth the trip! We will definitely return.

Anónimo, GB, 2005-04-25
Stayed at the melia for the last two weeks in March and was a little disappointed with the place. I have heard a lot of people comment on the standard of the hotel not being 5 star and i have to agree its more like a mediterranean 3 star hotel.

My biggest concern was security and the ability for anyone to get a key to your room. All keys are credit card type which has the access to the door and your safe encoded onto it, the maids key just gives access only. We had problems with our door a couple of times and couldnt believe how easy it was to get a duplicate key, no security questions, no proof of id etc, we even sent the kids up to ask for spare keys and no one asked anything. By the end of the holiday we had a collection of 5 keys to hand back so be careful if you leave valuables in the safe as they may not be as safe as you think.

Service was very good at the hotel although i am a little cynical in thinking that this is because of the tipping culture that occurs, naturally the nicer the staff are the more likely they will get a tip. There seems to be so much emphasis on tipping it is a bit tedious, maybes its be just being tight

I found finding decent food difficult, although there is an italien and other restaurants, these have to be booked in advance and you are only allowed a certain number of visits.,..pizzas are pizzas so i dont know what the fuss is. Cakes and desserts were terrible, they looked okay but tasted of nothing but a sort of bland cake. Getting a seat in the buffet restaurant was a bit of a joke, most of the time the waiters tell you to wait until they find you a table even though loads are free.

I have a big problem with the supposed 'all inclusive' which really is not as it should be as its more like fully board. Meal times are restrictive to set hours and if your hungry in between you can only get a toasty from the one toasty maker on site although there were some pastries on offer too. Drinks are all fakes, foul tasting chemical soft drinks and 'cuban style' alternatives which didnt live up to my expectation. the only bar on an evening was either inside in the lobby which was always packed, to hot and smokey, or a separate music bar next to the entertainment area which was impossible to get served. I actually ate and drank less on holiday that I did at home.

Majority of trips were fab although do not do the 'colourful cuba tour' which drops you of in a 'lebanon' style town called Moron which if full of beggars who wont leave you along. Swimming with dolphins was great although becareful as ive just learnt my son has contracted brucellos maris, which is a disease transferred by sea mamals i.e. dolphins, its flu like which has an incubabtion period of 3 weeks before it appears

Avril the rep was great, made me realise what a rep is supposed to do.

Wont be going back...suprisingly although i did enjoy my time as it was an experience not to forget, just pleased ive got another 3 holidays this year to look forward too.....give me ibiza anyday!!!

Anónimo, GB, 2005-04-24
Arrived at hotel on the Wednesday after a long and cramped flight. we were pleased to find such a beautiful looking hotel.
We had no problems checking in as staff were very pleseant, polite and efficient.
On finding our room(which was a junior suite) we were impressed by the size, cleanleness and location as the veiw outside was second to none.
The food, staff and service was the best i have ever encounted (anywhere in the world).
As we were travelling with children it has always been important to us about safety round resorts but in this case we had no cause for concern, as this hotel felt safe, secure and friendly.
As for the food. The buffet was one of the best we have come across. If something had run out all you had to do was ask a member of staff and more would be put out. The italian was good , as was the international but the food in the Rancho was excellent and the lobster was to die for.
The pool was spotless and great for kids as it was not too deep but deep enough to swim safley. plenty of sun beds and plenty of shaded areas if needed.
The bars were well stocked and served a wide selection of excellent cocktails (not suitable for those who dont like strong drinks) all jokes aside they were great. The staff in the bars were the same as in the rest of the hotel , very friendly and helpful.
THE BEACH
was one of if not the most beautiful we had ever seen and the water was some the clearest in the world. Various fish can be seen around the wooden pier even out much further out it was just as clear.
THE TRIPS
The jungle tour was well worth the money and great enjoyment for both kids and adults alike.
As for the dolphin experience it has memories for us that will last for ever. If you have ever wanted to swim with dolphins this is the place to do it.
All in all a great time was had. this hotel comes highly recomended by 99% of the people we met but you cant please everyone.

Anónimo, GB, 2005-04-23
We have just returned from MCG on April 21st and have had an excellent time. This hotel is rated as A 4+ in English brouchers and Is a very nice hotel. We never noticed any rubbish or dirt anywhere in fact they seemed to be cleaning where ever you went.

The pool is not heated and is cold when you first get in, but comes as a welcome relife rom the heat . There was sometimea a wait at the pool bar and this was mainly due to the waiters having to serve two bars at once. So sevweral times we had to to sit and wait with our feet dangling in the cool water and the sun on our backs (HOW TERRIBLE!!). If you dont like waiting much take a leaf out of the Canadians book they all took large thermus flasks with them and got these filled rather than the small plastic cups so drinks last longer.

The staff are some of the nicest people I have ever come across, they were allways polite and friendly to us wether we tipped or not, but then we showed them respect and were polite and friendly . On our last day they all came to reception to wave us goodbye. In the short time we were there they all new our names and we felt like we were leaving friends.

The buffet resturant was fine most of the food was cooked as you like it in front of you. This resturant is casual so there is no need to dress for dinner.
Once or twice we did have to wait for a table this was mainly the nights when there were arrivals , so lots of people all wanting to eat at the same time. . Again no problem to us we just went and had a drink at the bar and came back when the queue had gone down.

The Italain restirant was not bad and neither was the International. Although it was a bit smelly from the lagoon. But this is due to the fact that they have had no significant rainfall for months . I should imagine when its full its quite nice. My favorite resturant was the beach resturant which had a totally different menu at night as opposed to lunchtime. This has now closed for evening meals as is only open at night during there high season DEC-MID APRIL. shame because the lobster they did there was delicious.

There are lots of weddings at this resort, and if this is not for you then go elsewhere as this hotel is advertised in all brouchers as a wedding resort. It's nice to see people happy and in love and not one wedding party interferred with our stay there.

The beach nis nice it is narrow in the mornings but is lovely when the tide goes out in the afternoon. . The seaweed is cleared away daily and the waiters come down on the beach to get you drinks.

The entertainment is ok we never had any problems getting a seat and did not turn up most nights till it was underway.

Most of the people that go there are canadian and are a very friendly nation of people allways willing to have a chat and a laugh with you.

Learn a little spanish before you go a simple please and thankyou can go a long way. They do all speak English (French, German and Italian!) but its nice to try while your abroad.

Lastly I would like to say go with an open mind don't expect this to be the same as anywhere else you go. They do not have the strict trade embargos emposed on them that Cuba does.. Visit ther town of Moron and make up you own mind about ther standard of living.

AND FINALLY RELAX YOU'RE ON HOLIDAY

If you want any further information please feel free to email me and I will be happy to answer you.

Troy & Family, GB, 2005-04-21
My family and I have just returned today from our stay at The Melia Cayo Guillermo.........What a disappointment!!!!!

When we booked this hotel we was told and was advertised as a 4*+ / 5* hotel.This hotel definitely rates no more than a 3* (This is probably why only some but not all Dressed for dinner unless of course wearing a bandana and a T-Shirt with "mounties do it in the rockies" constitutes dressing for dinner now days)In fact we went to a 3* hotel in Dom Rep and it knocked spots off this hotel in every aspect..
To a certain degree I blame the brochure, it would not of been so bad if we was told it was a 3*, but to be told this is a 5* hotel when we arrived and if we didn't think so we should go to moron and see how they live and then tell us when you come back that this is not a 5*.....sorry but emotional blackmail dont wash with me!

The pool was very clean but is not heated and was empty a lot of the time because it was so cold.If you ventured in and visited the pool bar you usually had to wait a good 15-20 minutes to be served.
The toasted sandwiches at the bar were adequate if you were really hungry.....The Italian was quite nice but the choice was limited and you could have a very poor salad, but the pizza was very good. Apart from the salad and the lack of variety on the menu this in my opinion was a 4*+ Restaurant...

The Ranchos beach restaurant again was adequate....no more, but THE BUFFET has to rate as one of the worst we have been to!
I know it is CUBA but there are not enough staff and there is no excuse for empty trays, no butter, dirty plates,food that has been cremated..., queuing 20 minutes to get in one night and a further 20 inside, etc etc etc......We are not fussy people and when we read on this site before we went, the choice of food which was written about it sounded perfect.....you wait until you get there!

The entertainment was dire, If you didn't get yourself a table and chair ready for the show before 9pm forget going as there is standing room only. and as the shows do not start until 10pm we were so bored waiting we ended up going to our room to watch a film every night. I know a lot of people we spoke to did this.

The lobby bar sometimes was more reminiscent of a Butlins holiday camp!
When ordering a drink...be very careful what you order as this hotels version of all inclusive is a little different to any other we have been too....Fine Whiskey e.g Glenfinnich will cost you as will Johnny Walker Black label and many many others, check out the back of the drinks menu for the prices before ordering so you can save yourself the embarrasment.

The daytime entertainment is a joke!
Couldn't do the archery because someone had stolen the 1 and only Target?
The Shooting my son attended was good and he really enjoyed this, he went about 4 times then I was told on his 4th visit he was not big enough to play??....then while watching the following day he was allowed to shoot??

We were told the beach rates as one of the best in the Caribbean.....It is a very narrow beach of soft sand mixed with shells and seaweed, you have to swim out quite a way to actually be chest deep then you hit the grass and coral on the bottom(Have been and seen better)....I did not like that one bit. When the tide went out it left large pools of water around which was great for the small children and babies, they could splash around untill there hearts content without any danger atall...It was very windy most of the time so you could not use the watersports equipment but then you can't help the weather!
We wanted to go snorkeling off the end of the pier we could not get any snorkeling gear, we was told if we wanted to go snorkeling we would have to pay so many pesos and go out in the boat...we didnt want that we just wanted the equipment but no can do?

The staff ranged from being extremely helpful and friendly to being downright rude. I have never tipped so much in my entire life, and we have been on a few holidays, but it was expected......People were being encouraged to jump the queue everywhere obviously because they tipped well.......call me old fashioned but I like to tip for a good service not because it is expected......and don't be fooled, these must be some of the richest cubans around judging by the rattling of their pockets....These people do not go short....We was told in this resort they take the creme de le creme of workers....They all speak VERY good English, it turns out alot of these workers are medical & law students and even a pilot but can earn more money here with the tips than they could ever earn doing the job there trained/training to do... The only people we saw who to us really put them selves out in a genuine way was the gardeners who liked to show us what they were doing and were more than willing to drop a coconut or two for you to drink, they were very grateful when tipped but not once did you feel like you had to with them.

For anyone who has been on a catamaran trip elsewhere in the Caribbean this was not only an expensive joke but also dangerous...we were taken out when it was very windy indeed and there were not adequate life jackets....You was told you did not have to have a life jacket if you didn't want one....The mind boggles?? my son and wife spent approx 20 seconds in the water.....it was not good!!....Waves way to high for any real snorkeling....Pillar Beach-Forget it not that great, we went there with this trip it is no better than the beach you left at guillermo

The Jungle Tour was absolutely fantastic!!!! 5* Trip....Must do!

I was sick to death of all the wedding parties....loads of them!
We paid two visits to the International restaurant which is very nice and intimate and people actually dressed up to go there which was nice, although extremely smelly because it is set on a stagnant lagoon.....The wedding parties totally took over the restaurant, intimate it wasn't.

Lastly, I think that The Canadians that visit seem to use the resort as a type of Benidorm or Salou.....if you know what I mean!!
And smoke....I have never seen so many people smoking in one place for years and years and it was absolutely discusting....!!!!
They do have some no-smoking tables but if you are not a smoker you can get a whiff a mile away.
Shame they were not Americans because they would not put up with the standards that this hotel offers and we made have had a better holiday!

Troy & Family
England.