Meliá Varadero

Elena and Arantxa Z., ES, 2009-11-03
I recommend you all to visit Cuba; go to La Habana, Pinar del Rio and Varadero. We have had a very good time in Melia Varadero, it is a great Hotel and we have had a lot of fun with the girls and boys that work as cheerleaders, they are very nice. We have loved the salsa lessons in the beach, don't lose the chance to feel the experience!

Anónimo, AF, 2008-06-18
Mis mas bellos recuerdos de Cuba estan en su gente y en el hotel Melia Varadero.
Uno de los mejores hoteles!!!!

Hubert & Wilma Aebischer, CH, 2008-05-09
Con mucho gusto pensamos a nuestros maravillosos vacaciones en su hotel en diciembre/enero 08. Fuimos muy satisfechos. En particular la animación nos gustamos mucho. Trabábamos muchos amistades y nos divertiamos mucho. Especialmente pensamos a Adolfo, Samuel y Yaniris. Sin embargo a Ernest, Dante, Joel, Alexei, Jasari, Irena y otros.
Para nosotros seriá un placer de reencontrar algunos de los animadores, quando regresaremos a su hotel al final de este año. Gracias para todos esfuerzos que haceis para que turistas como nosotros nos sentamos bien.
Wilma y Hubert Aebischer, Suiza, 06.05.2008

Patricia Castillo, CL, 2007-08-17
Hola , desde Chile, les escribo para compartir mi alegría de haber visitado 2 veces Cuba , especificamente Varadero y permanecer en el Melía Varadero. Fuí atendida muy bién , encontré gente alegre y trabajadora y muy simpática.
Estoy enamorada de Cuba y su gente...gente buena y encantadora...espero volver al Melía. Gracias por todo lo que me entregaron. Gracias desde Chile.

Anónimo, CA, 2007-06-20  
First of all, you have to realize /understand that Cuba is not to the same standard as let's say North America nor Europe. They still have a lot to learn about tourism. All in all though this was a great Hotel and I'm being very fair. The only criticism I would have is that the you are very likely to be ignored if you don't know any spanish and /or you don't tip. The staff did not speak enough english, you were actually much better off if you knew spanish. On the other hand if you were a good tipper, you got even better service. One peso will get you a long way though. We tipped on peso per meal, per day and they kept us on a pedestool throughout the whole trip. The bartenders and other staff, got to recognize and remember us.

The beach/hotel - What can I say: A breathtaking setting! The water is gorgeous although the sand is not white at all and it's not as clean as we thought. Some idiots smoke,drink and eat on the beach and then they leave their garbage around which ruins the whole setting. The color of the sand is actually cream to light taupe, but it is as fine as flour.

Our room was a standard double room. It was always clean however we never received any 'gifts' or fancy sheet/blanket work like I've read from other reviews.....
Our room had everything we needed and more - a hairdryer that worked better than my own, an iron and ironing board, 3 kinds of mirrors in the bathroom, a tub and shower had amazing water pressure. We also had a small basin to wash your feet.
We had sattelite TV which was pretty good. We would have wanted a better view of the ocean but you don't need it because the closer you are, the more you can hear the waves from your room and that can be distracting when you're trying to get some sleep. I found it relaxing, but my husband didn't.
Also the whole hotel is decorated with Cuban motifs and plays cuban music around the clock wich really makes you feel like you're in....Cuba! and not some commercialized/americanized resort.

The shows/nightly entertainment are o.k - just enough to not keep you bored. I don't recommend the Karaoke/Disco Tenerife - it's kinda dull. The Santiago bar was not happening at all when we were there, not sure what was going on there. The piano bar is o.k, Guantanamera cafe serves the lamest fast food although when you're hungry, anything goes.
Would highly recommend the buffet dining room - La Habana. We ate their everyday for breakfast,lunch and dinner.
We did not eat at the Steak House A la Carte because there was no room but the Trinidad A La carte is o.k - had a funny smell though and it let people in who weren't dressed appropriately which I didn't find fair. HIGHLY recommend Fuertaventura A La Carte.
We didn't try the Chinese food because that's the last thing we wanted to eat while in Cuba!
Other criticisms - I couldn't get a bloody mary for the whole time we were there because they didn't import Tomato Juice which is kinda ridiculous. I'm still craving one!
Also, did not like the fact that some bartenders/servers are really rude - they give off this vibe that you're being too much of a nuisance if you ask for something - It's as if they deliberatly want to make you uncomfortable and leave.
The hotel in itself is beautiful - stunning! and the resort is just as well.
The pools were kinda dirty - had bugs and other crap, also there is no jacuzzi /whirlpool or hot tub, I don't know why I thought there would have been one but for a five star, there should be one. I guess that's why our brochure gave it 4+.
Would not recommend the beach grill as it has awful food and no variety. Also, there are cats circling the tables waiting for food and birds will fly in and go from table to table picking up crumbs - kinda made me uneasy. The Rincon Paella serves great Paella but again, the waiter is an ass.

Would I go back to this hotel, probably yes but next time I'd like to go to the Cayo's where I hear the beach has baby powder-like white sand and the water is just as stunning.

I'll be adding pictures shortly.