Sol Palmeras

Anónimo, CA, 2007-06-20  
Well, what can I say,?

If you've enver been to Cuba and wondered what it's like, let me tell you. It's unbelievable. I'll spare you the stories of swimming with dolphins 10 minutes away from the hotel, and going to havana after being picked up from the front door, as you've read this because you want to know what the hotel you're thinking of staying at is going to be like, not what a fantastic time I had taking in this amazing country.

Sol Palmeras is without doubt the best hotel I've ever visited. I've run one in the past as well, so you might say I know what to look for.

The language barrier is firstly, not a problem. ALL the staff understand you and although some of them aren't fluent in english, they will be happy to talk to you, and get you what you want. From a drink to a game of volleyball (all inclusive of course.)

The room itself although not bursting with character (you'd be mad to spend more time in there than you need to anyway) was very comfortable, sky TV (with a number of english channels, CNN, HBO and ESPN) are available as well as complimentary Shower gel and shampoo and such on arrival. (These are not topped up during your stay so make sure you take some with you!) Your maid will also replace your towels every day and sometimes arrange them into pretty sculptures (see enclosed pic) I left tipping my maid until the day I left but one convertible peso is equivalent to about 60p, which is very well received so I leave that decision up to you.

The pools, (2) are amazingly well kept; every morning at about 8 the guys are out there fishing the leaves and such out of the pool, and there's ALWAYs something going on around them to keep you entertained. From, yoga, dance classes and tai-chi or pool volleyball and basketball if you're feeeling a bit more lively. If you just wanna chill by the pool, there's always "El Mojito" the pool bar set in the middle of the left pool, where you can indeed sip your mojito or beer while those around you chat about how hot the weather is. I went at the end of April and EVERY day was a scorcher. The rainy season is supposed to be in May, but from talking to the staff they say it hardly ever rains and when it does it's never for very long.

From there we have the beach, and not a dissapointment of one at that. Another bar (and there's one on the way to the beach too) to serve you drinks WHEN you get hot and lots and lots of loungers and shades for you to make use ofl (It's a good idea to nip down there before breakfast and pop your towel on a sun lounger there, in true german V. Brit style as they do go quite early.)
There's plenty more to do on the beach, and the hotel has 24 hour security patrols on the beach so you always feel safe to leave you stuff on the lounger while you go for a dip in the beautiful blue calm sea (it's warm too!)

There's shops, stalls, a massage and beauty p[arlour, internet access (at a very small charge( pay as you go)) and a free land train to the nearby shopping plaza every 20 minutes. In short if you're feeling lazy, and don't want to go out of the hotel. You never need to. But really, if you've booked with a travel agent let them sort out organising your excursions for you,and GO! You must experience this wonderful country. In saying that, even the days when you're not off to Havana, or on a Jeep Safari, the days you spend recouperating are also to look forward to: "Oh good! We've got nothing to do today! Let's hit the beach/bar/pool shops/restaurants"

As for the restaurants, Not really much to gripe about. Just one thing: Unless you like having raw (yes really, RAW!) meat brought to your table, avoid the fondu restaurnat, it's not very good anyway, just an outdoor bar turned into a questionable fondu place when the sun goes down. The Chinese, Steakhouse, carribean, and italian restaurants though are all of good quality with very good service. And in some cases, live music (in varying degrees of subtleties- visit the steakhouse- you'll see!!)

Breakfast although a bit busy is served in "La Panchita" the Buffet restaurant where if you haven't booked one of the a la carte places is where you can also get a heart meal at lunch and evenings. There's always something there that you'll like and there's always plenty of staff around to help you. The place is massive and on average there are opver 200 different items on offer at both breakfast and meal times to satisfy even the most demanding of pallettes. It's always attractively presented, and I'm told if you've eaten at a holiday buffet before, is nothing like what you've experienced in the past. It's a good solution if you're hungry, but if you want a special evening you'll have to book the restaurants. This has to be done 3 days in advance, so my advice: book your first one as soon as you get there. The booking office is generally open until 9pm although they do tend to disappear from time to time so if you see someone in the office, pounce!

I've gone on far too long as it is, but I've read some of the bad reviews for this place and just don't understand it. Everyone I spoke to who was staying there loved it. I can only assume that those who found the staff unhelpful or unpleasant, were themselves, unhelpful, and unpleasant,. If you go to this place, smiling, and pleasant, this place (including its 100's of staff) will love you as much as you'll grow to love it. Cuban's are traditionally fun loving, and hospitable. Be nice to them, and they will bend over backwards for you. Go there with a face like a slapped a*se, and I wouldn't be surprised if your perception of the place was differnt to mine. (Besides you're on holiday, why wouldn't you be happy to be there???)

Oh, and make sure you go to their free beach party on Friday night 9.30! It's great fun!

feel free to contact me if you' d like to know any more, Gareth

Anónimo, CA, 2005-04-26
We were a party of 40 people some from England and some from Canada, we are English but live in Canada. This was a time for celebration we were getting married there.
We stayed from Feb 21st - 6th March and all I can say was that we all had a blast.
Yes the waiters are slow but what do you except you are in Cuba - chill out and ride with them.
Our Wedding co-ordinator was fantastic she organized everything, helped us with the flowers, the venue, the stag and hen nights, arranged for us to have a restaurant for ourselves for the reception - everything was amazing... We were quite a loud bunch and we didn't have any problems with the hotel, our bungalow was amazing - it is a bit from the hotel but that's nice you feel like you are really in paradise and it's nice to wake up in the morning and wander on down to breakfast.
The food was good - not gourmet but there was always something to eat - you wouldn't go hungry...
I would recommend this hotel to anyone - but you really have to go with the mind set that it is CUBA and yes they are more chilled - I think people that make a review on this website are sometimes to critical and expect the world when they go to these places.
p.s. if you go do not miss Havana - it's a must even if you go for an overnight stay - great place - safe and very cultural......
if anyone needs further info pls don't hesitate to contact us on ---

enjoy yourself - don't get hung up on little things you are only in this world once!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anónimo, CA, 2005-04-24
A great hotel. Definitely a 4-star plus! Stayed 2 weeks. Fantastic beach and poolside area. Maid service excellent. We would definitely stay there again.

Anónimo, GB, 2005-04-18
Me and my wife have just returned from 10 days at the Sol Palmeras. the hotel does have some good points, but for me they were outweighed by the badpoints.
There is a lot of mixed reviews about this hotel and I think its based entirely and how full the hotel is when you stay there. The resort consists of the main hotel with about 400+ rooms. and about 200 Bungalows situated in the gardens. It seems as though the hotel could cope fine with the 400 rooms, but when the bungalows are full as well it just can't cope with the sheer volume of people.
Unfortunately we were there when the hotel was full.

We recieved a free upgrade to one of the bungalows, It was a nice clean, spacious Bungalow, right on the Beach (apart from some trees) in the beautifal peaceful gardens. The only problem with being in these gardens was the abundance of wildlife which used to venture into our bungalow when it rained, normally small flys, ants and the odd cockroach. The main problem for me though, was the 10 minute walk to the hotel itself (the bungalow was actually nearer the Melia Valedero.)
The hotel Itself was quite nice The lobby and pool were nice and clean, and the beach was fantastic (Go snorkeling by the rocks lots of tropical fish and the odd Barricuda.) There were lots of activities during the day Volleyball, shooting, Football etc. We don't have kids, but if you do they seem qute well catered for with their own pool and kids club.
I wasn't keen on the layout of the hotel. If you want a drink before 10pm then the two main bars basically open out into the lobby, (except the pool bar.) theres never any seats, lots of smoke and the noise of several hundred people just echoes around it. The service is also terrible. theres normally about 6 staff to serve everyone, and collect glasses. a 15 minute wait for a drink is possible.
At 10pm the cabaret opens for an hour. we're not great lovers of cabaret, but theres normally a seat and the service is quicker at the bar.
At 11pm the 'Fun Pub' opens, if you've stayed in a Sol-Melia hotel before they're all the same, Loud music and a good atmosphere. service a little slow but I expect that in a nightclub-type place.
A lot of the reviews about the hotel slate the food. overall we found the food quite good. (except for the food in the outside snack bars which was terrible, I've had better food from burgar bars outside football grounds.)
The buffet had a good choice and most food was good quality and hot. But timing was everything. If you went too early the restaraunt was rammed and you queued about 10 minutes for everything. too late and they ran out of things, eg Joints of meat, Potatoes. The drink service was terrible though, Waiters were supposed to serve you drinks, but they just seemed to ignore you. In the end we used to go and collect our own.
We found the Restaraunts exceptional, food was fantastic and the service first class. (We never tryed the Italian though) The only drawback with the restaraunts is the booking system, basically there's about 150 seats, and about 1200 guests. You have to get up at 9a.m and either ring from your room (normally engaged) or queue for 45 minutes in the lobby.
Service in the reception is the worse in any hotel I've stayed in, Theres normally about 2 staff on the desk. A half hour wait is the norm, and the organisation is awful. If you dare make a complaint you get your head bitten off by the 'Customer Service Manager.'
To sum up, the main problem with this hotel is the service. Everywhere's understaffed and There dosn't seem any organisation. Staff will just stand around talking rather than Helping you, because there dosn't seem to be any management to tell them off. But its like I said at the start, if the hotel wasn't as full the facilities wouldn't be as stretched and the staff wouldn't be as stressed.
If you managed to catch this hotel half empty, Or managed to book a cheap last minute deal you'd probably enjoy your stay here more.

Thanks for taking the time to read this ... Steve
One last thing if you're planning a wedding here I'd advice caution. We saw one wedding during our stay. the main problem is the chapel where they marry you is right next to the pool, and the ceremony is broadcast on speakers. This attracts a lot of attention from bathers who tend to mingle with your wedding guests in bikini's and speedos (one bloke was carrying a lilo) whilst taking photo's. your photos are then taken on the beach squeezed in between the sunbeds. (I'm sure I must be in the wedding Video on my sunbed).

Anónimo, IE, 2005-04-03
My husband, fifteen year old son and I have just returned from our holiday and it has been our most enjoyable holiday ever. No problems at all coming through passport control etc at airport contrary to all the things we read on reviews! We started with 3 days in Havana at the Sevilla hotel which was superb, like stepping back in time! Havana- fantastic. Then we transferred to the Sol Palmeras where the check-in was 'pain free' and straightforward. Aramando the Bellboy who's an absolute gentleman took us to our room and gave us loads of info about the hotel regarding restaurants, bars etc. We settled in quickly because the hotel was so comfortable and the staff are very friendly and helpful. The food was excellent even for our son's limited diet! Yes you have to queue to book for the A La Carte restaurants but it's worth it because they're very good especially the Steakhouse and the Italian. The 24hr bar is excellent and you can also get a snack there. The pool area is beautiful, very clean and the gardens are constantly kept neat and in full bloom. There's a good pool bar, and a beach bar which serves very good food during the day. The beach is beautiful and the sea is warm and turquoise. All included is the Pedaloes, Canoes, Hobie Cats and you can learn Scuba diving at the pool. The Animacion team are fantastic and they really cover a wide range of activities for all ages. The Salsa lessons at 5pm are a must! We had a great time and met some very nice people. Take lots of toiletries, t-shirts etc for the staff, they'll appreciate them because they're so expensive in Cuba. Anyone who goes to the Sol Palmeras and has complaints about it is quite sad!