Blau Marina Varadero Resort
Autopista Del Sur Y Final, Varadero Cuba
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About
#25 of 29 all-inclusives in Varadero
Location
Rooms
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
The Blau Marina Varadero Resort, All Inclusive, is a luxurious hotel surrounded by beautiful gardens and unforgettable views that offers its clients superb service and comfortable environment. The 548 rooms and all the installations of 5 star All Inclusive hotel Blau Marina Varadero Resort offer the perfect Courts reservation and necessary
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Property amenities
Free parking
Paid internet
Fitness Centre with Gym / Workout Room
Pool
Free breakfast
Beach
Diving
Children Activities (Kid / Family Friendly)
Parking
Internet
Outdoor pool
Bar / lounge
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Breakfast buffet
Swimup bar
Poolside bar
Tennis court
Kids club
Airport transportation
Business Centre with Internet Access
Conference facilities
Banquet room
Meeting rooms
Spa
Concierge
Laundry service
Room features
Air conditioning
Housekeeping
Private balcony
Safe
Minibar
Refrigerator
Room types
Ocean view
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Family rooms
Smoking rooms available
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Quiet
Family Resort
Location
Autopista Del Sur Y Final, Varadero Cuba
Getting there
Somewhat walkable
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
Grade: 53 out of 100
53
Juan Gualberto Gomez Airport
36.5 km•
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Detailed Reviews
Just getting back after spending the week of Jan 25th to Feb 1st with friends and family spread out from all over Canada.
After reading all the negative reviews beforehand I contemplated changing resorts. I'm now extremely pleased I didn't.
I'm frustrated to always read "for Cuba" the food was just ok. It really makes me wonder what people eat in their own countries. I have been to many of the countries where I see people are writing negative reviews from and it puzzles me.
Also I read a lot of negativity about having to tip, I'm generous but in know way do I tip for bad service but rather I think personality,patience and compassion goes a long way over tipping.
Honest unbiased breakdown
Check in went beyond smoothly, Yudelkis, elibiti are absolutely amazing as well as emmy who has a brilliant memory. I had a room change not done by her and the next day she asked how my new room was. Yordin as well made she I was well taken care of. Great guy.
Rooms are dated but comfortable, because of the horror stories I brought my own sheets, pillows and towels. Sheets and pillows were not used because the hotels were perfectly clean and I only used the beach towels I brought because I didn't feel like walking to get New ones every day. Those that are worried I did see an abundance everywhere.
Beach is beautiful, actually its by far the best section of beach in varadaro. Beach chair guys only want to bring you the chairs because its their job, I never once felt they were tip hungry as stated in other reviews.
Beach bar was fine if you sat close enough. I thought it had all the drinks required if not all you 1 gallon bubba keg users can fill up with your drink of choice just after a 2 minute walk to the lobby bar.
Pool was spotless and perfect in every way because of the staff. Javier is in the pool cleaning it at 6:30 every morning. Take the time to speak with him, he has a 4 month old daughter and the few kids clothing we did give him brought tears to his eyes. Chairs were always available and if not in the section you wanted he would go out of his way to make it happen.
Lobby bar staff are extraordinary, mikel and roberto work from 10:30 am until 2:30 am. Maylene sounds like maylena works non stop restocking the bar all day and night while waiting on people as well. She is size small and has a 2 year old daughter, sometimes anything extra you may have goes a lot further than the one piso.
The maids are not thieves as I read on a previous review that is utterly ridiculous to state as well as taking pictures of all your clothing, that made me lol. I had to change rooms only because of location and forgot to take a few items, went back the next day and they stored everything for me. My room was always clean, I drip dry but I'm sure I always had clean towels if needed. Oh I asked for 2 bottles of water and received 4. No tip required, I prefer to tip towards the end of my trip. Julio the bell boy helped me move all my stuff. Great kid
Onto the food and service. I always found something I liked, all the eggs and meat come "hot" of the grill. You are in a different country of course you are going to experience different food.I personally didn't enjoy the Italian or the seafood restaurants but the Spanish was great. I have NO idea how you can complain about the service, cheylin is amazing, she went above and beyond to make sure we had everything as well as Sergio and Fernando. Because we were going to miss dinner when we were leaving she offered to make us a picnic basket to take with us so we wouldn't go hungry (from her house). Great person.
Animation staff are very social and friendly. Abdil is a great guy and the hotel should definitely keep him employed there for a long time. The shows were high end from previous my experiences. The Michael Jackson show was a thriller. If you are worried about the skimpy clothing stated in previous reviews definitely don't go. Also don't go to a ballet show, any Broadway shows and most definitely don't go to the beach or the pool.
Oh and the washrooms being filthy??? Hardest working people on the resort are those ladies that are cleaning up after drunks peeing on the floor all day. I guess you could say they are dated but definitely not any different than Mexico or Dominican.
Sorry if that's a little long winded but I was saddened to read so many negative reviews. The hotel does not have a weather button they can press to create beautiful weather or a mosquito button. Bring spray you will be fine.
I think I covered everything, I feel bad leaving people out but if you have an open mind this is a resort that offers a little bit of everything depending on your needs.
Please don't forget maylene in the lobby bar size small with a 2 year old daughter. She was the best.
I would definitely return.
After reading all the negative reviews beforehand I contemplated changing resorts. I'm now extremely pleased I didn't.
I'm frustrated to always read "for Cuba" the food was just ok. It really makes me wonder what people eat in their own countries. I have been to many of the countries where I see people are writing negative reviews from and it puzzles me.
Also I read a lot of negativity about having to tip, I'm generous but in know way do I tip for bad service but rather I think personality,patience and compassion goes a long way over tipping.
Honest unbiased breakdown
Check in went beyond smoothly, Yudelkis, elibiti are absolutely amazing as well as emmy who has a brilliant memory. I had a room change not done by her and the next day she asked how my new room was. Yordin as well made she I was well taken care of. Great guy.
Rooms are dated but comfortable, because of the horror stories I brought my own sheets, pillows and towels. Sheets and pillows were not used because the hotels were perfectly clean and I only used the beach towels I brought because I didn't feel like walking to get New ones every day. Those that are worried I did see an abundance everywhere.
Beach is beautiful, actually its by far the best section of beach in varadaro. Beach chair guys only want to bring you the chairs because its their job, I never once felt they were tip hungry as stated in other reviews.
Beach bar was fine if you sat close enough. I thought it had all the drinks required if not all you 1 gallon bubba keg users can fill up with your drink of choice just after a 2 minute walk to the lobby bar.
Pool was spotless and perfect in every way because of the staff. Javier is in the pool cleaning it at 6:30 every morning. Take the time to speak with him, he has a 4 month old daughter and the few kids clothing we did give him brought tears to his eyes. Chairs were always available and if not in the section you wanted he would go out of his way to make it happen.
Lobby bar staff are extraordinary, mikel and roberto work from 10:30 am until 2:30 am. Maylene sounds like maylena works non stop restocking the bar all day and night while waiting on people as well. She is size small and has a 2 year old daughter, sometimes anything extra you may have goes a lot further than the one piso.
The maids are not thieves as I read on a previous review that is utterly ridiculous to state as well as taking pictures of all your clothing, that made me lol. I had to change rooms only because of location and forgot to take a few items, went back the next day and they stored everything for me. My room was always clean, I drip dry but I'm sure I always had clean towels if needed. Oh I asked for 2 bottles of water and received 4. No tip required, I prefer to tip towards the end of my trip. Julio the bell boy helped me move all my stuff. Great kid
Onto the food and service. I always found something I liked, all the eggs and meat come "hot" of the grill. You are in a different country of course you are going to experience different food.I personally didn't enjoy the Italian or the seafood restaurants but the Spanish was great. I have NO idea how you can complain about the service, cheylin is amazing, she went above and beyond to make sure we had everything as well as Sergio and Fernando. Because we were going to miss dinner when we were leaving she offered to make us a picnic basket to take with us so we wouldn't go hungry (from her house). Great person.
Animation staff are very social and friendly. Abdil is a great guy and the hotel should definitely keep him employed there for a long time. The shows were high end from previous my experiences. The Michael Jackson show was a thriller. If you are worried about the skimpy clothing stated in previous reviews definitely don't go. Also don't go to a ballet show, any Broadway shows and most definitely don't go to the beach or the pool.
Oh and the washrooms being filthy??? Hardest working people on the resort are those ladies that are cleaning up after drunks peeing on the floor all day. I guess you could say they are dated but definitely not any different than Mexico or Dominican.
Sorry if that's a little long winded but I was saddened to read so many negative reviews. The hotel does not have a weather button they can press to create beautiful weather or a mosquito button. Bring spray you will be fine.
I think I covered everything, I feel bad leaving people out but if you have an open mind this is a resort that offers a little bit of everything depending on your needs.
Please don't forget maylene in the lobby bar size small with a 2 year old daughter. She was the best.
I would definitely return.
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Date of stay: January 2015Trip type: Travelled with family
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My husband and I just returned from a week at the Blau Marina Varadero. We flew with Air Transat (Nolitours) out of Toronto and were happy with the service and the flight. We arrived on time in Varadero and actually 20 minutes early on the way back to Toronto.
This is our first visit to Cuba and we ended up choosing the Blau Marina in Varadero as there was a good deal.
Varadero is about 30 - 45 minutes from the airport (depending on how many resorts you drop passengers off at) and is actually a long peninsula about 30 miles long and not too wide. The Blau Marina is one of the last resorts ( I believe there is one other after the Blau) on this peninsula. For those that like to golf while on vacation, there is a golf course in Varadero and its apparently the only one in Cuba.
The Blau Marina has just 'changed hands', it was a Barcelo resort 2 months ago and currently, there is refurbishing of the resort going on. We did get some emails from Nolitours advising us of some of this and during our stay the pool was open and the main buffet re-opened the 2nd day of our vacation. They are putting on a new roof so there is scaffolding outside the building all along the back...not a big deal as it doesn't interfere with being able to get in or out of the building. There's also some painting going on, primarily in the guest buildings which are currently empty.
During our week, it was very, very quiet at the resort. I believe there was only around 70 - 80 guests in the resort so all the areas looked empty - you'd go into the buffet and they'd be a handful of people there...same as the lobby, pool or on the beach. I walked across the entire grounds and it is quite a large resort but most of the place is shut down right now with painting and updating going on in the other areas of the resort. I think they had all the guests in one building, Building 12 which is near the pool and main building.
We had an ocean view junior suite which was quite beautiful...looks just like the pictures You are actually ocean view and can see and hear the ocean from your balcony. The balcony is not huge and it has the 'standard' white chairs and small table. They also have a towel bar on the balcony wall - very handy to hang your bathing suits to dry.
We found the beds comfortable enough...although the pillows aren't that good. My husband brought his own...smart thinking. The room had a king size bed with the usual desk / chair as well as a sitting area with a chair/ottoman and a love seat and coffee table...which I think is how most resorts classify a junior suite - they're a little larger and have the separate sitting area. I don't know if all the rooms are set up like this or not as the room was listed (when we booked) as junior suite, ocean view. The TV was the older type with a smaller screen (not flat screen) but hey...I'm on vacation and having a 32" flat screen is not a necessity. Two of the stations are English speaking so I did watch some of the programs that I see at home, nice bonus when you chill out in the room. Sometimes on these reviews, people complain or seem upset that the Spanish speaking countries in which they are a guest, provide them with only a few T.V. stations in English. This surprises me.
I think as a guest in another country, I'm fortunate that they give me a couple of English speaking stations that allow me to catch the occasional program when I'm chilling out in the room. In Ontario (Canada) where I live, all the TV stations are in English except for the odd (single) program that may be broadcast in another language so I count my blessings when abroad....at least I can watch something if I choose too.
There is a small fridge in the room and its stocked with a large bottle water, 2 coke, 2 sprite and 2 beer daily. Theres also a coffee maker and 1 packet coffee (daily). We don't use sugar/cream and come to think of it...I don't think there was any in the room but I'm sure its available if you ask. The bathroom was fairly standard...it had a closed area for the toilet and tub/shower. We had lots of hot water whenever we used it - no problems there. There is a hairdryer which worked although it doesn't have the same 'velocity' of drying power that we're accustomed to with Canadian hairdryers. BONUS...the hair dryer has a115 volt area built in plug identified for an electric shaver...I used it to charge my camera battery. We bought a 220-110 converter from CAA to use in Cuba for the purpose of recharging camera batteries and it didn't work!! :-( so I was happy to see this convenience available and save the day as it worked :-).
Our AC worked well until the evening of our 6th day. I reported it to the maid that morning and she was going to have it checked...when we came back to the room at the end of the day, still not working so we just turned on the ceiling fan and opened the balcony door as we only had the one evening left and part of the next day...this worked for us. Although I must say, guest services are very friendly and get things done for you if you need something...we just let if go because we found an alternative that worked for us. One of the things that I particularly liked was their 'beach towel' exchange set up. I've been to Mexico or Punta Cana yearly for the past 6 years and its always a hassle to exchange towels and a fear about losing your towel or towel cards as they charge you big bucks if you do...far more than any 10 towels are worth!! At the Blau Marina, our beach towels were in our room on arrival and we were told to exchange them at the front desk when we were done with them for the day, so much easier and never a problem. There was no mention of cost if you lost a towel and I didn't think to ask so not sure what happens in that case???
We felt that overall, this is a very nice resort. Its very clean and all areas of the resort (buffet, restaurants and lobby, grounds, pool, etc.) are attractive. The main pool area is nice and it has a water slide - great for the kids. There is also a really nice quiet pool on the far side of the lobby, past the beauty parlor. we liked this spot the best. The beach is wonderful, nice soft sand, warm turquoise water, lots of shade and loungers...the best feature is the Cuban people, they were all so polite and friendly and really interested if you were enjoying yourself, was everything OK, what can I do for you, etc.
These are the strengths of the resort ( our opinion of what we experienced last week) .
So what did we see as the weaknesses during our visit?
# 1 weakness for us was the food. I read reviews here all the time before going away and of course, the majority of Cuba resort reviews all say, "you don't go to Cuba for the food". And I use to think...its not just about the food, thats only a small part...you can always find something to eat.
We like to try new places and we've always wanted to try Cuba so it was, 'the heck with the food - lets check it out!" Well, I found out that food matters to me more than I previously thought!
Its not just that the food is bland - which it is but there is so little variety, salad is non-existent and fresh vegetables scarce. There were some tasty items throughout the week, soups were pretty good but only one soup choice daily that changed each day for about 3 days then rotated back again, the fresh breads / buns was excellent and I thought their desserts were pretty good but it was really the repetition of the meal choices, the same fruit and vegetable choices at every meal...a lot of your food choices were the same at breakfast, lunch and dinner (except of course the pancakes and eggs weren't at lunch / dinner) ..it all wore me down and by the 4th day I was beginning to dread going to eat. I think that the time of year certainly had an impact on the amount and variety of food in the buffet but I can only comment on what I had options for. My husband likes fish and there was lots of fresh fish, shrimps and other seafood choices so he enjoyed the meals more than I did but even he grew tired of it by the end. The coffee served in the buffet wasn't very good but the juices were good and they had teas available. The main lobby (which is a very short walk down the hall from the buffet) serve delicious cappaccinos, espresso's, lattes and Cafe Americano's...so we'd just go there after breakfast and enjoy one or two.
Even though we loved the resort and the people, we feel we would probably not go back to Cuba mainly because of the food and lack of variety - we found out food is more important to us than we initially thought. We don't know if we'd bother to try another Cuban resort because the majority of the reviews all mention the bland food and limited or lack of variety of foods and fresh vegetables. Who knows...maybe we'll change our mind down the road but for next year - back to Mexico for us.
We did one trip, to Havana, which was beautiful. I read in some reviews that the buildings in Old Havana are crumbling and in disrepair and they were but what I found fascinating about these old buildings was the amazing architecture...I could see beyond the current state and imagine the former beauty. Also, our guide informed us that the Cuban government is investing money in the repair of these old buildings and we did see some of the buildings in that process of refurbishment.
We also found out that local people in Havana will come up to up to take a picture with you then they want $$ for being in your picture!! - so be aware of this. Naive me...I thought they were just friendly. LOL We went to a restaurant in Havana and had a wonderfully delicious lunch for about $48.00, we had appetizers, main meal, dessert and capaccinos so we thought that at about $24.00 each it was very reasonably priced. very reasonable. The name of the restaurant is El Guajirito Restarante and our guide recommended it...great choice. I can't tell by the card what the address is but email; restaurante@elguajirito.com or phone 862 2760
TIPS:
We checked with staff at the hotel about brands to buy (and our tour guide also) for coffee and rum. They said that Havana Club rum (a little more expensive) is the more popular brand that gets purchased but the Cuban people prefer the taste of a rum called Santiago de Cuba (our guide said the taste is similar to Bacardi) which costs about $8.00 CUC (Cuban convertible peso) for a 26 oz,- you can get a 'micky' for about $3.00 - $5.00 CUC. The price of the rums also vary by age - the longer its aged the better the taste and the more expensive - although still a bargain compared to Canadian prices.
COFFEE, recommended brands were Serrano - medium roast and Cubita a dark roast - both are excellent and it costs $14.45 CUC for a 2 lb bag, they also come in 1 lb bags for about $7.50. My husband bought cigars in Havana.
P.S. we found out when we were looking in the duty free shop at the airport on departure, the same cigars were about $8.00 less at the airport!!! so buy them there.
The coffee and rum were the same price in the airport duty free as in Havana. The only advantage to buying rum / alcohol at duty free would be you can carry them on the plane and have less chance of breakage as you have can't take them in your carry-on, they have to be packed in the 'checked' luggage. (or weight in the case of the coffee if your suitcase is full)
You will notice where ever you go that the prices for things are pretty much the same - there doesn't seem to be any competition in prices between shops whether in town or at the gift shop...maybe they're set by the government? Also you can't really 'bargain ' like you can in Mexico, probably because Mexico starts out outrageously overpriced and then you barter down to - or closer to - what its really worth...Cuba just gives you the value at the 'get go'. LOL
I hope what I've shared is helpful to someone...I'd be happy to elaborate on the meals or anything else about the resort if you want to send me an email.
This is our first visit to Cuba and we ended up choosing the Blau Marina in Varadero as there was a good deal.
Varadero is about 30 - 45 minutes from the airport (depending on how many resorts you drop passengers off at) and is actually a long peninsula about 30 miles long and not too wide. The Blau Marina is one of the last resorts ( I believe there is one other after the Blau) on this peninsula. For those that like to golf while on vacation, there is a golf course in Varadero and its apparently the only one in Cuba.
The Blau Marina has just 'changed hands', it was a Barcelo resort 2 months ago and currently, there is refurbishing of the resort going on. We did get some emails from Nolitours advising us of some of this and during our stay the pool was open and the main buffet re-opened the 2nd day of our vacation. They are putting on a new roof so there is scaffolding outside the building all along the back...not a big deal as it doesn't interfere with being able to get in or out of the building. There's also some painting going on, primarily in the guest buildings which are currently empty.
During our week, it was very, very quiet at the resort. I believe there was only around 70 - 80 guests in the resort so all the areas looked empty - you'd go into the buffet and they'd be a handful of people there...same as the lobby, pool or on the beach. I walked across the entire grounds and it is quite a large resort but most of the place is shut down right now with painting and updating going on in the other areas of the resort. I think they had all the guests in one building, Building 12 which is near the pool and main building.
We had an ocean view junior suite which was quite beautiful...looks just like the pictures You are actually ocean view and can see and hear the ocean from your balcony. The balcony is not huge and it has the 'standard' white chairs and small table. They also have a towel bar on the balcony wall - very handy to hang your bathing suits to dry.
We found the beds comfortable enough...although the pillows aren't that good. My husband brought his own...smart thinking. The room had a king size bed with the usual desk / chair as well as a sitting area with a chair/ottoman and a love seat and coffee table...which I think is how most resorts classify a junior suite - they're a little larger and have the separate sitting area. I don't know if all the rooms are set up like this or not as the room was listed (when we booked) as junior suite, ocean view. The TV was the older type with a smaller screen (not flat screen) but hey...I'm on vacation and having a 32" flat screen is not a necessity. Two of the stations are English speaking so I did watch some of the programs that I see at home, nice bonus when you chill out in the room. Sometimes on these reviews, people complain or seem upset that the Spanish speaking countries in which they are a guest, provide them with only a few T.V. stations in English. This surprises me.
I think as a guest in another country, I'm fortunate that they give me a couple of English speaking stations that allow me to catch the occasional program when I'm chilling out in the room. In Ontario (Canada) where I live, all the TV stations are in English except for the odd (single) program that may be broadcast in another language so I count my blessings when abroad....at least I can watch something if I choose too.
There is a small fridge in the room and its stocked with a large bottle water, 2 coke, 2 sprite and 2 beer daily. Theres also a coffee maker and 1 packet coffee (daily). We don't use sugar/cream and come to think of it...I don't think there was any in the room but I'm sure its available if you ask. The bathroom was fairly standard...it had a closed area for the toilet and tub/shower. We had lots of hot water whenever we used it - no problems there. There is a hairdryer which worked although it doesn't have the same 'velocity' of drying power that we're accustomed to with Canadian hairdryers. BONUS...the hair dryer has a115 volt area built in plug identified for an electric shaver...I used it to charge my camera battery. We bought a 220-110 converter from CAA to use in Cuba for the purpose of recharging camera batteries and it didn't work!! :-( so I was happy to see this convenience available and save the day as it worked :-).
Our AC worked well until the evening of our 6th day. I reported it to the maid that morning and she was going to have it checked...when we came back to the room at the end of the day, still not working so we just turned on the ceiling fan and opened the balcony door as we only had the one evening left and part of the next day...this worked for us. Although I must say, guest services are very friendly and get things done for you if you need something...we just let if go because we found an alternative that worked for us. One of the things that I particularly liked was their 'beach towel' exchange set up. I've been to Mexico or Punta Cana yearly for the past 6 years and its always a hassle to exchange towels and a fear about losing your towel or towel cards as they charge you big bucks if you do...far more than any 10 towels are worth!! At the Blau Marina, our beach towels were in our room on arrival and we were told to exchange them at the front desk when we were done with them for the day, so much easier and never a problem. There was no mention of cost if you lost a towel and I didn't think to ask so not sure what happens in that case???
We felt that overall, this is a very nice resort. Its very clean and all areas of the resort (buffet, restaurants and lobby, grounds, pool, etc.) are attractive. The main pool area is nice and it has a water slide - great for the kids. There is also a really nice quiet pool on the far side of the lobby, past the beauty parlor. we liked this spot the best. The beach is wonderful, nice soft sand, warm turquoise water, lots of shade and loungers...the best feature is the Cuban people, they were all so polite and friendly and really interested if you were enjoying yourself, was everything OK, what can I do for you, etc.
These are the strengths of the resort ( our opinion of what we experienced last week) .
So what did we see as the weaknesses during our visit?
# 1 weakness for us was the food. I read reviews here all the time before going away and of course, the majority of Cuba resort reviews all say, "you don't go to Cuba for the food". And I use to think...its not just about the food, thats only a small part...you can always find something to eat.
We like to try new places and we've always wanted to try Cuba so it was, 'the heck with the food - lets check it out!" Well, I found out that food matters to me more than I previously thought!
Its not just that the food is bland - which it is but there is so little variety, salad is non-existent and fresh vegetables scarce. There were some tasty items throughout the week, soups were pretty good but only one soup choice daily that changed each day for about 3 days then rotated back again, the fresh breads / buns was excellent and I thought their desserts were pretty good but it was really the repetition of the meal choices, the same fruit and vegetable choices at every meal...a lot of your food choices were the same at breakfast, lunch and dinner (except of course the pancakes and eggs weren't at lunch / dinner) ..it all wore me down and by the 4th day I was beginning to dread going to eat. I think that the time of year certainly had an impact on the amount and variety of food in the buffet but I can only comment on what I had options for. My husband likes fish and there was lots of fresh fish, shrimps and other seafood choices so he enjoyed the meals more than I did but even he grew tired of it by the end. The coffee served in the buffet wasn't very good but the juices were good and they had teas available. The main lobby (which is a very short walk down the hall from the buffet) serve delicious cappaccinos, espresso's, lattes and Cafe Americano's...so we'd just go there after breakfast and enjoy one or two.
Even though we loved the resort and the people, we feel we would probably not go back to Cuba mainly because of the food and lack of variety - we found out food is more important to us than we initially thought. We don't know if we'd bother to try another Cuban resort because the majority of the reviews all mention the bland food and limited or lack of variety of foods and fresh vegetables. Who knows...maybe we'll change our mind down the road but for next year - back to Mexico for us.
We did one trip, to Havana, which was beautiful. I read in some reviews that the buildings in Old Havana are crumbling and in disrepair and they were but what I found fascinating about these old buildings was the amazing architecture...I could see beyond the current state and imagine the former beauty. Also, our guide informed us that the Cuban government is investing money in the repair of these old buildings and we did see some of the buildings in that process of refurbishment.
We also found out that local people in Havana will come up to up to take a picture with you then they want $$ for being in your picture!! - so be aware of this. Naive me...I thought they were just friendly. LOL We went to a restaurant in Havana and had a wonderfully delicious lunch for about $48.00, we had appetizers, main meal, dessert and capaccinos so we thought that at about $24.00 each it was very reasonably priced. very reasonable. The name of the restaurant is El Guajirito Restarante and our guide recommended it...great choice. I can't tell by the card what the address is but email; restaurante@elguajirito.com or phone 862 2760
TIPS:
We checked with staff at the hotel about brands to buy (and our tour guide also) for coffee and rum. They said that Havana Club rum (a little more expensive) is the more popular brand that gets purchased but the Cuban people prefer the taste of a rum called Santiago de Cuba (our guide said the taste is similar to Bacardi) which costs about $8.00 CUC (Cuban convertible peso) for a 26 oz,- you can get a 'micky' for about $3.00 - $5.00 CUC. The price of the rums also vary by age - the longer its aged the better the taste and the more expensive - although still a bargain compared to Canadian prices.
COFFEE, recommended brands were Serrano - medium roast and Cubita a dark roast - both are excellent and it costs $14.45 CUC for a 2 lb bag, they also come in 1 lb bags for about $7.50. My husband bought cigars in Havana.
P.S. we found out when we were looking in the duty free shop at the airport on departure, the same cigars were about $8.00 less at the airport!!! so buy them there.
The coffee and rum were the same price in the airport duty free as in Havana. The only advantage to buying rum / alcohol at duty free would be you can carry them on the plane and have less chance of breakage as you have can't take them in your carry-on, they have to be packed in the 'checked' luggage. (or weight in the case of the coffee if your suitcase is full)
You will notice where ever you go that the prices for things are pretty much the same - there doesn't seem to be any competition in prices between shops whether in town or at the gift shop...maybe they're set by the government? Also you can't really 'bargain ' like you can in Mexico, probably because Mexico starts out outrageously overpriced and then you barter down to - or closer to - what its really worth...Cuba just gives you the value at the 'get go'. LOL
I hope what I've shared is helpful to someone...I'd be happy to elaborate on the meals or anything else about the resort if you want to send me an email.
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Date of stay: October 2012Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Â We were in building 12 - good location for the main pool and grille restaurant (when open). Its...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This was our first visit to Cuba. There were 6 in our party with two kids, 9 and 8. We all had a great time. This resort was the last one on the peninsula but that was alright because the drive to the hotel was interesting.
The beds were really comfortable. The rooms were nice and clean. A really good size too. We had a room overlooking the ocean with a nice size balcony. I think it was called junior suite ocean view.
The hotel was only half full due to renovations so it was really quiet and we never waited for food or drinks. I loved that. I think even if it fills up it will be fine because there were a couple of restaurants not open but will be soon.
The food was fine. I loved the breakfast! They make omeletes, eggs, and crepes to order. I had the odd thing on the buffet that wasn't the best but I certainly did not ever go hungry or unsatisfied. At lunch and dinner you can get pasta and pizza to order. The icecream was good too! The only thing lacking for me was more fresh fruit. There was a lot of canned and unripe or over ripe fruits. Make sure you see Fundura the pasta cook and Jorge the crepe cook. They will give you high fives and fist bumps. I can't remember the omelete cooks name but he will sing for you. Our waitresses, Joana, Adrianet, Yaremis and Midiala were awesome. I am going to miss them all. The Christmas day spread was unbelievable!
The a la cartes were not great. The Italian was good and included a great selection of food. The Spanish one was not to my liking. There was a lot of seafood and you could not chose your meal. There is a Tex Mex as well that we did not try. You get to do two when there for a week.
The shows were good. The water ballet was especially something. If you get a chance, go see it. Not sure how to explain it, but it is something.
My daughter got braids at the salon and they were well done. The lady there was really sweet too.
We didn't do it because we only heard about it the last day. Take one of the catamarans that are on the beach with the guide and he will take you snorkelling not far out for $20 each, $10 for kids. I heard it was fun and it was not a full day thing like some of the other snorkel excursions are.
We took a trip Havana with a private tour guide named George. He was awesome and we didn't have to wait for a big tour bus of people and we could spend as much time as we wanted at each stop. He took us to the best backyard restaurant. It was really good food. There is a great stop on the way to Havana with an awesome view and live music. It looked like most tours stop there. Get the pina coloda! Amazing!
We took the double decker bus to Varadero a couple of times. It is $5 all day hop on hop off. It was a fun thing to check out the markets. The prices were better there than in Havana and the hotel. You can get better prices if you ask as well. Watch out when getting change. I was given back a paso rather than a convertible paso so they ripped me off. Bring small denominations.
If this is your first time to Cuba, here are the things I learned:
-have small denominations to tip and pay with
-bring little gifts for the staff, they love it
-don't forget to tip those that don't normally get tipped like The window cleaner or gardener
(I gave gloves to some of the gardeners and they were so happy, they put them on right away)
-don't give gifts or tip in Havana unless you want to be swarmed (if you do, do it discreetly)
-bring after bite lotion (don't see bugs, but they got my daughter really good at the beach early evening)
-bring a travel mug or bubba keg for hot and cold drinks. The cups are small and if you want a coffee to go it is in a plastic cup.
-Take a shower whenever there is hot water. We had a few afternoons that there was no hot water. Sometimes you have to let it run a long time
-Everyone said to bring toilet paper. We only had one place that did not have any so I was glad I brought my little charmin travel pack that I got from Shoppers. It wouldn't hurt to bring some just in case
-Do not eat at KiKi's in Varadero! Don't ask, just don't go there.
-they don't give you facecloths so you might want to bring your own.
-HAVE FUN and RELAX!
The beds were really comfortable. The rooms were nice and clean. A really good size too. We had a room overlooking the ocean with a nice size balcony. I think it was called junior suite ocean view.
The hotel was only half full due to renovations so it was really quiet and we never waited for food or drinks. I loved that. I think even if it fills up it will be fine because there were a couple of restaurants not open but will be soon.
The food was fine. I loved the breakfast! They make omeletes, eggs, and crepes to order. I had the odd thing on the buffet that wasn't the best but I certainly did not ever go hungry or unsatisfied. At lunch and dinner you can get pasta and pizza to order. The icecream was good too! The only thing lacking for me was more fresh fruit. There was a lot of canned and unripe or over ripe fruits. Make sure you see Fundura the pasta cook and Jorge the crepe cook. They will give you high fives and fist bumps. I can't remember the omelete cooks name but he will sing for you. Our waitresses, Joana, Adrianet, Yaremis and Midiala were awesome. I am going to miss them all. The Christmas day spread was unbelievable!
The a la cartes were not great. The Italian was good and included a great selection of food. The Spanish one was not to my liking. There was a lot of seafood and you could not chose your meal. There is a Tex Mex as well that we did not try. You get to do two when there for a week.
The shows were good. The water ballet was especially something. If you get a chance, go see it. Not sure how to explain it, but it is something.
My daughter got braids at the salon and they were well done. The lady there was really sweet too.
We didn't do it because we only heard about it the last day. Take one of the catamarans that are on the beach with the guide and he will take you snorkelling not far out for $20 each, $10 for kids. I heard it was fun and it was not a full day thing like some of the other snorkel excursions are.
We took a trip Havana with a private tour guide named George. He was awesome and we didn't have to wait for a big tour bus of people and we could spend as much time as we wanted at each stop. He took us to the best backyard restaurant. It was really good food. There is a great stop on the way to Havana with an awesome view and live music. It looked like most tours stop there. Get the pina coloda! Amazing!
We took the double decker bus to Varadero a couple of times. It is $5 all day hop on hop off. It was a fun thing to check out the markets. The prices were better there than in Havana and the hotel. You can get better prices if you ask as well. Watch out when getting change. I was given back a paso rather than a convertible paso so they ripped me off. Bring small denominations.
If this is your first time to Cuba, here are the things I learned:
-have small denominations to tip and pay with
-bring little gifts for the staff, they love it
-don't forget to tip those that don't normally get tipped like The window cleaner or gardener
(I gave gloves to some of the gardeners and they were so happy, they put them on right away)
-don't give gifts or tip in Havana unless you want to be swarmed (if you do, do it discreetly)
-bring after bite lotion (don't see bugs, but they got my daughter really good at the beach early evening)
-bring a travel mug or bubba keg for hot and cold drinks. The cups are small and if you want a coffee to go it is in a plastic cup.
-Take a shower whenever there is hot water. We had a few afternoons that there was no hot water. Sometimes you have to let it run a long time
-Everyone said to bring toilet paper. We only had one place that did not have any so I was glad I brought my little charmin travel pack that I got from Shoppers. It wouldn't hurt to bring some just in case
-Do not eat at KiKi's in Varadero! Don't ask, just don't go there.
-they don't give you facecloths so you might want to bring your own.
-HAVE FUN and RELAX!
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Date of stay: December 2012Trip type: Travelled with family
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Â Block 16 ocean view was great. Close enough to the main part of the hotel but not near the noise.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Juan Miguel M, Director General at Blau Marina Varadero Resort
Responded 31 Dec 2012
Dear Guest, Thank you very much for your nice comments. It is always a great pleasure to have the oppotunity to read that we manage to offer our guest a nice stay and we really hope we will have the honor to host you again soon. Kind Regards from your family team, Juan Miguel MarĂ General Manager BLAU MARINA VARADERO BLAU PRIVILEGE CAYO LIBERTAD
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I spent 2 beautiful weeks at Fiesta Americana. My first stop every morning was the coffee shop. Midiala, Yainy, & Yoslady always greeted me with a smile and the best” Cafe Con Leche”. Thank you girls for making my day!
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Date of stay: February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I have some mixed feelings about this resort- good and bad. Normally, I can handle most things while travelling to other counties as I understand that they have a different standard of service than we do here is Canada, that said, there are a few things that hopefully with my review will be taken merely as feedback for management and utilized to make this a great resort - they are well on their way!
ROOM:: The rooms were great, beds were rock hard and the pillows were thin but otherwise no issues with the rooms, our maid Daymis was super friendly and always kept our room cleaned. I wouldn't want to clean that many rooms day after day so I appreciate what they do.
BUFFET/A LA CARTES::: the buffet for the most part was good, I stuck with the more heathier choices as I am watching what I eat, but the rest of the ppl in our group of 14 loved the pasta!! I loved the seafood they had one night with the raw smoked salmon! SO good. Definitely get your eggs custom prepared from Jorge, I am not typically a breakfast eater at home but his friendly attitude and skills got me out of bed for his eggs! Don't take the eggs from the buffet table they taste like they have been soaked in vinegar! The grill is really good for lunch or a snack, I am not much of a burger person but on the day we left I had a burger from there and it was awesome!
When we travel I usually look forward to the A La Cartes, we booked the Tex Mex as we were told it was good - word of caution DON'T bother with this one, only 5 of our 14 stayed and finished out the meal at this one! We were split up into 2 tables the young people/'older kids' and the parents and a 2 yr old at the other. Two waitresses brought the food out to the young people's table and not to ours. We had sat there for almost a 1/2 hour before getting asked for drinks, etc., we waited more than a half hour between each course. The 'nachos' were PRINGLES! With ketchup and cheese whiz for dipping! The rest of the food was cold and just not good. We thought maybe the waitresses were doing double duty, as they would spend an awful lot of time in the kitchen, but when I walked by there were 2 or 3 chefs in the back. Most of our 2 tables left and went to get dinner at the buffet, and we weren't the only ones, we watched two other tables walk out as well. We went to the Spanish one the next night, the food was somewhat better, as was the service but it didn't excite us enough to keep our third reservation, so we cancelled it.
BATHROOMS:: the bathrooms on the resort, with the exception of the one by the lobby bar, are awful!! Most of them have no toilet seats, no toilet paper and no soap, in fact this is quite common it seems everywhere in Cuba! The worst bathroom ever though was the ones by the pool over by the 21st block! DON'T even go to that one! The bathrooms were closed except for the handicapped bathroom, so I used it anyways, locked the door and the lock got stuck!! And of course there was no paper towel for me to dry my hands so it contributed to the problem - trying to turn a stuck metal lock with wet hands = a lot of frustration!
STAFF:: Most of the staff there are amazing, encountered a few that could use some customer service training, but for the most part very friendly and accommodating. We are thankful for the rental guy, my son left his passport and drivers license at the rental place at another resort and this rental guy tracked it down, retrieved it and left it at the front desk for us! We were stressing about his passport, this guy made our day!
One of the hotel owners in Cuba should look into putting in an ATM machine, that takes debit cards for tourists (every other country we have travelled to accepts our debit card including the Dominican Republic 10 years ago!!)! There seems to be an expectation that everyone has a VISA or MasterCard, we have a MasterCard but realized when we arrived that we wouldn't be able to use it there because it is an American issued card. Thank goodness my husbands brother had extra cash.
That's my .02 cents! Great trip.
Thank you Blau!
ROOM:: The rooms were great, beds were rock hard and the pillows were thin but otherwise no issues with the rooms, our maid Daymis was super friendly and always kept our room cleaned. I wouldn't want to clean that many rooms day after day so I appreciate what they do.
BUFFET/A LA CARTES::: the buffet for the most part was good, I stuck with the more heathier choices as I am watching what I eat, but the rest of the ppl in our group of 14 loved the pasta!! I loved the seafood they had one night with the raw smoked salmon! SO good. Definitely get your eggs custom prepared from Jorge, I am not typically a breakfast eater at home but his friendly attitude and skills got me out of bed for his eggs! Don't take the eggs from the buffet table they taste like they have been soaked in vinegar! The grill is really good for lunch or a snack, I am not much of a burger person but on the day we left I had a burger from there and it was awesome!
When we travel I usually look forward to the A La Cartes, we booked the Tex Mex as we were told it was good - word of caution DON'T bother with this one, only 5 of our 14 stayed and finished out the meal at this one! We were split up into 2 tables the young people/'older kids' and the parents and a 2 yr old at the other. Two waitresses brought the food out to the young people's table and not to ours. We had sat there for almost a 1/2 hour before getting asked for drinks, etc., we waited more than a half hour between each course. The 'nachos' were PRINGLES! With ketchup and cheese whiz for dipping! The rest of the food was cold and just not good. We thought maybe the waitresses were doing double duty, as they would spend an awful lot of time in the kitchen, but when I walked by there were 2 or 3 chefs in the back. Most of our 2 tables left and went to get dinner at the buffet, and we weren't the only ones, we watched two other tables walk out as well. We went to the Spanish one the next night, the food was somewhat better, as was the service but it didn't excite us enough to keep our third reservation, so we cancelled it.
BATHROOMS:: the bathrooms on the resort, with the exception of the one by the lobby bar, are awful!! Most of them have no toilet seats, no toilet paper and no soap, in fact this is quite common it seems everywhere in Cuba! The worst bathroom ever though was the ones by the pool over by the 21st block! DON'T even go to that one! The bathrooms were closed except for the handicapped bathroom, so I used it anyways, locked the door and the lock got stuck!! And of course there was no paper towel for me to dry my hands so it contributed to the problem - trying to turn a stuck metal lock with wet hands = a lot of frustration!
STAFF:: Most of the staff there are amazing, encountered a few that could use some customer service training, but for the most part very friendly and accommodating. We are thankful for the rental guy, my son left his passport and drivers license at the rental place at another resort and this rental guy tracked it down, retrieved it and left it at the front desk for us! We were stressing about his passport, this guy made our day!
One of the hotel owners in Cuba should look into putting in an ATM machine, that takes debit cards for tourists (every other country we have travelled to accepts our debit card including the Dominican Republic 10 years ago!!)! There seems to be an expectation that everyone has a VISA or MasterCard, we have a MasterCard but realized when we arrived that we wouldn't be able to use it there because it is an American issued card. Thank goodness my husbands brother had extra cash.
That's my .02 cents! Great trip.
Thank you Blau!
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Date of stay: January 2013
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Juan Miguel M, General Manager at Blau Marina Varadero Resort
Responded 21 Jan 2013
Dear Guest, Thank you very much for writing a review of our resort on Trip Advisor. Your opinion is very valuable to us and each comment is taken into serious consideration to help us improve our services. I am glad that you do mention in your review that the holiday was a good value for the money and that you are willing to visit us again in the near future for another vacation with us. Kind regards, Juan Miguel MarĂ BLAU MARINA VARADERO BLAU PRIVILEGE CAYO LIBERTAD General Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We went to Blau Marina for Christmas - we've never been away for Christmas before but between us, we have had our fair share of travels. We are a family of 5 - our three boys are aged 11, 13 and 17. My husband and I were just discussing the best and worst things about our vacation and we couldn't think of one bad thing! We were very fortunate to get out of Toronto before the ice storm hit and we landed late at night in Varadero. The airport is 'unusual' but it was very unique and, at the end of the day, we didn't just want to lay on the beach for a week, we wanted an experience. One little tip - don't let anyone take your suitcase when you leave the airport because they will expect a tip and at this point, you probably won't have any change - it's not far to walk from the airport to your coach, so a polite 'no thank you' is recommended!
We arrived late at night at Blau Marina - the hotel is at the very end of the peninsula and so you must be prepared to drop off at various other hotels along the way. However, our rep was lovely, funny and informative and made the journey enjoyable and interesting, even though it was dark along the way. She pointed out good places to visit and various snippets of information. Her English was excellent, as were the majority of reps and staff that we encountered - at the end of the day, all of them spoke better English than we could manage Spanish!
The main open lobby is very nice - it doesn't matter what time of day you pass through, it always seems lively with plenty of seating and a bar serving coffee, soft and alcoholic drinks - the bar staff are always busy but never fail to give service with a smile.
We stayed in Block 16 facing the ocean - we couldn't see the ocean but we could hear it and it was very peaceful. We had two rooms and a bed for each of us. The rooms are certainly not North American luxury but this is Cuba and by Cuban standards, it was luxurious with ample room and everything you could possibly need. There was plenty of drawer space and places to hang your clothes. The bathroom was clean and perfectly adequate - the hotel do provide shampoo, conditioner and shower gel. A little heads up - the water is a little unpredictable and the best time of day for a hot shower is in the morning...remember - this is Cuba! Again, it was an experience and a lukewarm shower is to be expected by evening! There is a safe in the room and a hairdryer, as well as a TV with various channels - CTV, CNN, HBO and the others were Cuban and Chinese. We were provided with clean towels daily and found the rooms to be clean - we did get a few tiny ants but certainly nothing awful. Our maid, Lorenley, was very sweet and made little designs for us with the towels, blankets with friendly notes and also left gifts for my children.
On our first morning, we went for breakfast at the buffet restaurant and were immediately greeted by a delightful waitress, Joanna. She was always smiling and happy to see us and made sure we had a nice table and was extremely attentive with coffee, water, juice, etc and she would often give me little flowers made of paper napkins. The breakfasts were delicious with plenty of variety - the crepe man was fantastic and he became firm friends with my sons. There was plenty of food to suit all tastes and nationalities - I personally was a fan of the cereal, dried fruits and fresh fruit but there were plenty of breads, meats, eggs, crepes, etc, etc. We ate at the buffet every day and found there was plenty of variety - some of the foods were 'interesting' but again, it's all part experience. I am vegetarian and found there was plenty for me to eat - I certainly didn't starve and if you like dessert, well, they really do make some lovely treats. On Christmas Eve, there was a special night at the buffet - we were greeted with champagne, all the ladies were presented with a rose. The staff had surpassed themselves with a spectacular array of food - it was definitely the best food night - the dessert table was heaving with goodies and they had made wonderful designs with chocolate, etc, etc - there was even a member of staff posing as a chocolate statue.
We did eat at the a la carte one evening - we tried the Cuban menu. My children are quite fussy eaters but they were open to trying everything and even found a few things they liked. I must admit, I did struggle with the veggie selection in there but they really did make an effort to make a menu for me and I really appreciate that.
During the day, there were also a couple of snack bars - we really enjoyed the pizza in the lighthouse restaurant.
There were several pools at the resort and we found them all to be clean and functioning. We don't really enjoy noise, so we didn't spend too much time at the main pool, though my younger two did enjoy playing on the water slide. This is the pool most people seem to enjoy - it has the pool bar, safe for little ones and the animation team offer dance lessons and other activities, if you choose. Personally, we preferred the two pools nearer our room - sometimes, we were the only ones there. We thought the pools were beautiful. The gardens were also very well maintained - there was always an abundance of staff at the resort gardening, cleaning, painting - I cannot understand why other people have complained because all we ever encountered was friendly and hardworking staff - just remember, things tend to get done in 'Cuban time'. We were horrified on our last day to hear another guest yelling at the reception staff about beach towels - honestly, if you want luxury and snappy service, go somewhere else - this is the charm of Cuba. I have never felt so relaxed and unstressed - just a delightful pace of life.
The beach is amazing! Again, if you choose to go to the area closest to the bar, etc, then expect some noise and activity - here you can play volleyball or partake in various activities with the animation team. We spent our first day walking along the beach and having a look at the other hotels - I do think Blau Marina has the biggest stretch of beach that we came across. If you walk towards the end of the peninsula, the beach becomes incredibly quiet and almost like your own private beach (paradise!). The beach is clean and safe with plenty of sunbeds and shade (if you wish) and there is always a welcoming breeze. There are pedalos, catamarans and snorkeling available and further along the beach, there are other watersports available such as kiteboarding, etc.
There is entertainment every evening - if you have little ones, there is a mini disco and children's entertainment in the early evening. We only went to the Michael Jackson night but were incredibly impressed with the show - the dancers were amazing and MJ was very convincing! My youngest son really enjoyed the show and was taken up on the stage at the end by the dancers, which was lots of fun.
We took a couple of trips - we took a day trip to Havana. Our tour guide, Nelson, was funny and informative and was happy to answer any questions. The scenery was very interesting and quite breathtaking - never tired of seeing all the palm trees, banana trees and Cuban houses/factories/univeristies, etc. Havana is well worth a visit - a beautiful but crumbling city - we would love to go back there to explore on our own. Do be prepared to be hassled to buy things and also, to be approached for money. It can be a little frustrating but a little tip from me, I would suggest taking a bag of candies or something similar to hand out to the little children that approach you.
Our other trip was on Christmas Eve when we took a catamaran to Cayo Blanco. The weather was amazing and sitting on that catamaran was heavenly! We chose not to 'party' on the catamaran but there was the opportunity to drink and dance if you wished - we preferred to sit on the edge, taking in the scenery and sunshine. Cayo Blanco was absolutely beautiful - we had lunch here (lobster, chicken etc - I got rice and veggies) and there was a bar, if you wished to drink. We enjoyed swimming in the crystal clear waters - my husband even found a starfish. We also went snorkeling off of the catamaran out at sea. We opted to do the dolphin experience but to be honest, it isn't really 'as advertised'. We were under the impression the dolphins were 'free' to come and go but really, they are just in an enclosure out at sea. We did get to meet a dolphin but I would not repeat this experience. The trip is available without the dolphin experience.
We also went into Varadero on the double decker bus - sitting up top with the wind in your hair was lots of fun and you get to take a look at all the other hotels and Cuban houses, etc. There is a lot of construction around but I take that as a good sign - that business is booming in Cuba which can only benefit the Cuban people. We found a beautiful spot on the beach for lunch - the food was pretty awful but the view more than made up for it!
I would most definitely recommend Blau Marina, please just remember this is Cuba! Relax and enjoy - I would go back in a heartbeat!
We arrived late at night at Blau Marina - the hotel is at the very end of the peninsula and so you must be prepared to drop off at various other hotels along the way. However, our rep was lovely, funny and informative and made the journey enjoyable and interesting, even though it was dark along the way. She pointed out good places to visit and various snippets of information. Her English was excellent, as were the majority of reps and staff that we encountered - at the end of the day, all of them spoke better English than we could manage Spanish!
The main open lobby is very nice - it doesn't matter what time of day you pass through, it always seems lively with plenty of seating and a bar serving coffee, soft and alcoholic drinks - the bar staff are always busy but never fail to give service with a smile.
We stayed in Block 16 facing the ocean - we couldn't see the ocean but we could hear it and it was very peaceful. We had two rooms and a bed for each of us. The rooms are certainly not North American luxury but this is Cuba and by Cuban standards, it was luxurious with ample room and everything you could possibly need. There was plenty of drawer space and places to hang your clothes. The bathroom was clean and perfectly adequate - the hotel do provide shampoo, conditioner and shower gel. A little heads up - the water is a little unpredictable and the best time of day for a hot shower is in the morning...remember - this is Cuba! Again, it was an experience and a lukewarm shower is to be expected by evening! There is a safe in the room and a hairdryer, as well as a TV with various channels - CTV, CNN, HBO and the others were Cuban and Chinese. We were provided with clean towels daily and found the rooms to be clean - we did get a few tiny ants but certainly nothing awful. Our maid, Lorenley, was very sweet and made little designs for us with the towels, blankets with friendly notes and also left gifts for my children.
On our first morning, we went for breakfast at the buffet restaurant and were immediately greeted by a delightful waitress, Joanna. She was always smiling and happy to see us and made sure we had a nice table and was extremely attentive with coffee, water, juice, etc and she would often give me little flowers made of paper napkins. The breakfasts were delicious with plenty of variety - the crepe man was fantastic and he became firm friends with my sons. There was plenty of food to suit all tastes and nationalities - I personally was a fan of the cereal, dried fruits and fresh fruit but there were plenty of breads, meats, eggs, crepes, etc, etc. We ate at the buffet every day and found there was plenty of variety - some of the foods were 'interesting' but again, it's all part experience. I am vegetarian and found there was plenty for me to eat - I certainly didn't starve and if you like dessert, well, they really do make some lovely treats. On Christmas Eve, there was a special night at the buffet - we were greeted with champagne, all the ladies were presented with a rose. The staff had surpassed themselves with a spectacular array of food - it was definitely the best food night - the dessert table was heaving with goodies and they had made wonderful designs with chocolate, etc, etc - there was even a member of staff posing as a chocolate statue.
We did eat at the a la carte one evening - we tried the Cuban menu. My children are quite fussy eaters but they were open to trying everything and even found a few things they liked. I must admit, I did struggle with the veggie selection in there but they really did make an effort to make a menu for me and I really appreciate that.
During the day, there were also a couple of snack bars - we really enjoyed the pizza in the lighthouse restaurant.
There were several pools at the resort and we found them all to be clean and functioning. We don't really enjoy noise, so we didn't spend too much time at the main pool, though my younger two did enjoy playing on the water slide. This is the pool most people seem to enjoy - it has the pool bar, safe for little ones and the animation team offer dance lessons and other activities, if you choose. Personally, we preferred the two pools nearer our room - sometimes, we were the only ones there. We thought the pools were beautiful. The gardens were also very well maintained - there was always an abundance of staff at the resort gardening, cleaning, painting - I cannot understand why other people have complained because all we ever encountered was friendly and hardworking staff - just remember, things tend to get done in 'Cuban time'. We were horrified on our last day to hear another guest yelling at the reception staff about beach towels - honestly, if you want luxury and snappy service, go somewhere else - this is the charm of Cuba. I have never felt so relaxed and unstressed - just a delightful pace of life.
The beach is amazing! Again, if you choose to go to the area closest to the bar, etc, then expect some noise and activity - here you can play volleyball or partake in various activities with the animation team. We spent our first day walking along the beach and having a look at the other hotels - I do think Blau Marina has the biggest stretch of beach that we came across. If you walk towards the end of the peninsula, the beach becomes incredibly quiet and almost like your own private beach (paradise!). The beach is clean and safe with plenty of sunbeds and shade (if you wish) and there is always a welcoming breeze. There are pedalos, catamarans and snorkeling available and further along the beach, there are other watersports available such as kiteboarding, etc.
There is entertainment every evening - if you have little ones, there is a mini disco and children's entertainment in the early evening. We only went to the Michael Jackson night but were incredibly impressed with the show - the dancers were amazing and MJ was very convincing! My youngest son really enjoyed the show and was taken up on the stage at the end by the dancers, which was lots of fun.
We took a couple of trips - we took a day trip to Havana. Our tour guide, Nelson, was funny and informative and was happy to answer any questions. The scenery was very interesting and quite breathtaking - never tired of seeing all the palm trees, banana trees and Cuban houses/factories/univeristies, etc. Havana is well worth a visit - a beautiful but crumbling city - we would love to go back there to explore on our own. Do be prepared to be hassled to buy things and also, to be approached for money. It can be a little frustrating but a little tip from me, I would suggest taking a bag of candies or something similar to hand out to the little children that approach you.
Our other trip was on Christmas Eve when we took a catamaran to Cayo Blanco. The weather was amazing and sitting on that catamaran was heavenly! We chose not to 'party' on the catamaran but there was the opportunity to drink and dance if you wished - we preferred to sit on the edge, taking in the scenery and sunshine. Cayo Blanco was absolutely beautiful - we had lunch here (lobster, chicken etc - I got rice and veggies) and there was a bar, if you wished to drink. We enjoyed swimming in the crystal clear waters - my husband even found a starfish. We also went snorkeling off of the catamaran out at sea. We opted to do the dolphin experience but to be honest, it isn't really 'as advertised'. We were under the impression the dolphins were 'free' to come and go but really, they are just in an enclosure out at sea. We did get to meet a dolphin but I would not repeat this experience. The trip is available without the dolphin experience.
We also went into Varadero on the double decker bus - sitting up top with the wind in your hair was lots of fun and you get to take a look at all the other hotels and Cuban houses, etc. There is a lot of construction around but I take that as a good sign - that business is booming in Cuba which can only benefit the Cuban people. We found a beautiful spot on the beach for lunch - the food was pretty awful but the view more than made up for it!
I would most definitely recommend Blau Marina, please just remember this is Cuba! Relax and enjoy - I would go back in a heartbeat!
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Date of stay: December 2013Trip type: Travelled with family
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Â Block 16 was peaceful but still close to all the amenities. Block 12 seemed to be where all the...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I spent a week at the Blau Marina in April 2014. It was my first trip to Cuba and I was traveling solo. I enjoyed it so much, I am bringing my parents and siblings back in January 2015!! We just booked our rooms and everyone is very excited!
I am not an overly picky traveller. I have travelled to various locations around the world and know from experience that you cannot expect the same amenities as we are used to in North America! My main criteria are always friendly people, amazing beaches, safety, local culture and food that won't make me sick. All of these criteria were met and most exceeded my expectations based on some reviews I read here on Trip Advisor.
I'm not going to go over the obvious things (as everyone else has already mentioned how great the beach is and how food preferences are left up to the individual palate, etc.), as you will read everything and make your own decision about what resort to choose based on your tastes and preferences.
I'm going to focus on the stuff I researched and experienced that I found helpful about the resort and about Cuba in general.
-- the electrical outlets and voltage at the Blau is the same we have at home in Canada, so no need for converters and/or adapters.
-- I enjoyed having my room over by the main pool and kids club area. I had an Oceanview room in Block 12 (and have requested that again when I go in January). The location to the beach, pool, main building with lobby/buffet was excellent. Block 11 and 10 would be great too for Oceanview, as well as closer to the lighthouse.
-- if paying for an Oceanview room, make sure to request a second or third floor room, as there is a big sand dune that restricts the view from the ground floor. Not ideal.
-- the hallways can be a bit noisy at night due to the echoey concrete construction, so if a light sleeper, bring earplugs or download a white noise app on your phone and use that to drown it out (which is what I do).
-- you can book your a'la carte restaurants when you arrive, so if you want to try them out, book your first day and get the choices you want
-- definitely take the hop on hop off tourist bus to Varadero! It's a total rush sitting on the top of the double decker bus dodging palm fronds. I rode it all the way to the end, which was a great way to see the whole downtown area. The Blau Marina is the last resort on the end of the penninsula, so you get the whole round trip experience. You can use your bus pass all day, so don't return it to the driver if they ask, because you can take it back to town again that day if you choose to. It's only $5 convertable pesos. There is a great rum tasting shop in town you don't want to miss as well as some cute markets.
-- there are beach towels in your room when you arrive, and you can exchange them by the Ping pong table area if you want a new one. I always bring a sarong to use as a makeshift towel as well, which is lighter and easier to pack than a beach towel from home if for some reason you wanted to bring your own
-- I did the Havana Tropicana trip and it was a total must-see in my opinion! It's a long day but so awesome and a great overview of the city of Havana and Cuban history. I didn't buy my package for this trip until I went to my orientation for Sunwing on the first day. As luck would have it, they had this tour on special, so I got it at a discounted rate. My recommendation is to book the packages when you arrive as opposed to before when you are booking your holiday, as you may be able to save some $$
-- the earlier you get to the buffet, the busier it will be, but the warmer the food will be and you will have a greater selection. That's just the way it goes for buffets around the world. Deal with it! ;)
-- bring your own coffee and filters if you want some in your room. I remember there being a coffee maker, but none of the stuff to make your own, so if a java junkie, come prepared. The lobby bar makes amazing coffee though I was told (not a drinker myself), so take your insulated travel mug over and get the good stuff.
-- the lighthouse restaurant has a little snack buffet at lunch and also makes really yummy pizza if you want to switch up your options from the main buffet. I went for pizza almost every day.
-- if you want to bring stuff down for gifts for the Cuba people, I recommend school supplies for the children, chewing gum, nice toiletries, and maybe some good quality clothing as all those things are harder to come by. Don't give away junk... I watched a few people do that and I cringed a bit. The Cuban people aren't paupers, they just can't get their hands on certain things due to the embargo and don't have expendable cash for stuff that may be considered a bit more pricey.
-- There is internet at the resort, but it's very slow and costs a bit because the time you buy gets eaten up pretty quick. I had to waste some time sorting through the security for my hotmail account, which was a pain, but I got it all figured out.
That's all I can think of for now, but as I said, make your decision based on your comfort level, and consider that you are coming to a foreign country with a different culture and set of standards. It's all what you make it!
As for me I LOVED IT and am so exited to be back there in January! The Blau Marina left a lasting impression on me and I'm happy to be going back!
I am not an overly picky traveller. I have travelled to various locations around the world and know from experience that you cannot expect the same amenities as we are used to in North America! My main criteria are always friendly people, amazing beaches, safety, local culture and food that won't make me sick. All of these criteria were met and most exceeded my expectations based on some reviews I read here on Trip Advisor.
I'm not going to go over the obvious things (as everyone else has already mentioned how great the beach is and how food preferences are left up to the individual palate, etc.), as you will read everything and make your own decision about what resort to choose based on your tastes and preferences.
I'm going to focus on the stuff I researched and experienced that I found helpful about the resort and about Cuba in general.
-- the electrical outlets and voltage at the Blau is the same we have at home in Canada, so no need for converters and/or adapters.
-- I enjoyed having my room over by the main pool and kids club area. I had an Oceanview room in Block 12 (and have requested that again when I go in January). The location to the beach, pool, main building with lobby/buffet was excellent. Block 11 and 10 would be great too for Oceanview, as well as closer to the lighthouse.
-- if paying for an Oceanview room, make sure to request a second or third floor room, as there is a big sand dune that restricts the view from the ground floor. Not ideal.
-- the hallways can be a bit noisy at night due to the echoey concrete construction, so if a light sleeper, bring earplugs or download a white noise app on your phone and use that to drown it out (which is what I do).
-- you can book your a'la carte restaurants when you arrive, so if you want to try them out, book your first day and get the choices you want
-- definitely take the hop on hop off tourist bus to Varadero! It's a total rush sitting on the top of the double decker bus dodging palm fronds. I rode it all the way to the end, which was a great way to see the whole downtown area. The Blau Marina is the last resort on the end of the penninsula, so you get the whole round trip experience. You can use your bus pass all day, so don't return it to the driver if they ask, because you can take it back to town again that day if you choose to. It's only $5 convertable pesos. There is a great rum tasting shop in town you don't want to miss as well as some cute markets.
-- there are beach towels in your room when you arrive, and you can exchange them by the Ping pong table area if you want a new one. I always bring a sarong to use as a makeshift towel as well, which is lighter and easier to pack than a beach towel from home if for some reason you wanted to bring your own
-- I did the Havana Tropicana trip and it was a total must-see in my opinion! It's a long day but so awesome and a great overview of the city of Havana and Cuban history. I didn't buy my package for this trip until I went to my orientation for Sunwing on the first day. As luck would have it, they had this tour on special, so I got it at a discounted rate. My recommendation is to book the packages when you arrive as opposed to before when you are booking your holiday, as you may be able to save some $$
-- the earlier you get to the buffet, the busier it will be, but the warmer the food will be and you will have a greater selection. That's just the way it goes for buffets around the world. Deal with it! ;)
-- bring your own coffee and filters if you want some in your room. I remember there being a coffee maker, but none of the stuff to make your own, so if a java junkie, come prepared. The lobby bar makes amazing coffee though I was told (not a drinker myself), so take your insulated travel mug over and get the good stuff.
-- the lighthouse restaurant has a little snack buffet at lunch and also makes really yummy pizza if you want to switch up your options from the main buffet. I went for pizza almost every day.
-- if you want to bring stuff down for gifts for the Cuba people, I recommend school supplies for the children, chewing gum, nice toiletries, and maybe some good quality clothing as all those things are harder to come by. Don't give away junk... I watched a few people do that and I cringed a bit. The Cuban people aren't paupers, they just can't get their hands on certain things due to the embargo and don't have expendable cash for stuff that may be considered a bit more pricey.
-- There is internet at the resort, but it's very slow and costs a bit because the time you buy gets eaten up pretty quick. I had to waste some time sorting through the security for my hotmail account, which was a pain, but I got it all figured out.
That's all I can think of for now, but as I said, make your decision based on your comfort level, and consider that you are coming to a foreign country with a different culture and set of standards. It's all what you make it!
As for me I LOVED IT and am so exited to be back there in January! The Blau Marina left a lasting impression on me and I'm happy to be going back!
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Date of stay: April 2014Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Paula G, Jefa de Calidad at Blau Marina Varadero Resort
Responded 15 Dec 2014
Dear Hannah First of all very thank you for your excellent comments, we consider it is very especial for our staff to hear that you spent an excelent time whit us. We are looking forward to your arrival along with your family, we take note about your request that we will have into consideration for your location. Thank you very much again Best regard Linnet Socarrás Quality Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We just got back hours ago.... after sleepless nights before my trip ( because of thr neg reviews) I was soooo mad I wasted my time and energy reading them. It is a beautiful resort....the pools were clean and refreshing....the entertainment was fun... yeah sometimes the bar ran out of ice....the bathrooms didnt look as clean as mine and my sheets didnt smell like Downey Infusions....
The bottom line is if you are negative and try to seek out every negative thing you can think of out of this resort, then you will have a negative time!
The bottom line is if you are negative and try to seek out every negative thing you can think of out of this resort, then you will have a negative time!
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Date of stay: March 2015Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
As I wrote in last year's review, I was at first reluctant because of the size of this place (have unfortunately become a bit of a travel snob). But because it's such a well-run, lovely place stretched right along one of the most beautiful parts of the Varadero beach, it doesn't feel that big. We've been to Cuba 5 times, this place is the perfect value/luxury tipping point for us. They've even made improvements from last year (better bands, better evening shows, fancy cocktail menus).
Another great multigenerational family trip, with something for everyone (watching grandma play foozball with the kids = priceless).
First, a rant to fellow travellers (skip if you wish, tips follow): If you cannot live without eg. fluffy toilet paper, fine- go to a wealthier country like Mexico, pay twice as much, have a bland American experience. OR, pack whatever you need (I bring my own pillow), and soak up the crazy magic that the warm-hearted, hard working Cubans offer. Just stop your silly whining, it's embarassing.
Things that are great about the Blau Marina:
1. The experienced staff, like our favourite bartender Onay who instantly remembered us from last year.
2. Cuban medical services. Some of the best-trained doctors in the world. One of our party literally got into see a doctor in under ten minutes (try that at home). Good enough for Hugo Chavez = good enough for me!
3. The food. Okay, I may be one of the few who actually looks forward to Cuban food (fresh grilled seafood, amazing bacon, plates of fresh fruit, that good yogurt, come on!) and this hotel does a great job of it. The New Year's dinner was completely over the top impressive- grilled lobster, roast suckling pig, two tables piled high with desserts, champagne, live music.
A few tips:
1. Go see the Public Relations people immediately after check in to book the Ă la carte restaurants. The seafood one is really good, and a nice break from the buffet.
2. Try to sit in your favourite server's at the buffet section regularly, it's fun and you'll get great service. We liked the wise-cracking Damarys a lot.
3. Kid's Club. Even just once, stick the kids in the well-run Kid's Club and pretend you're a childless couple for an afternoon. Wander up the beach, have a drink. You'll thank me!
4. Varadero. Sitting on top of the hop-on, hop-off bus is fun (5 CUC round trip, free for kids under 5). Get off at Calle 62, wander through Parque Josone, check out the cigar shop. Definitely have lunch in the hidden ranchon in the Barracuda dive center (reserve a table through public relations at the hotel to get a spot).
5. Tipping. We've never been to a hotel where we felt less obliged to tip, but please keep in mind that it makes a big difference to people. Good karma to tip the staff who don't regularly get anything like the gardeners. Angel, the gardener near Block 11, 12 (who has great english) won't offer, but if you ask him he'll happily open you fresh coconuts or weave grass animals for the kids (please offer a few pesos).
Enjoy!!
Another great multigenerational family trip, with something for everyone (watching grandma play foozball with the kids = priceless).
First, a rant to fellow travellers (skip if you wish, tips follow): If you cannot live without eg. fluffy toilet paper, fine- go to a wealthier country like Mexico, pay twice as much, have a bland American experience. OR, pack whatever you need (I bring my own pillow), and soak up the crazy magic that the warm-hearted, hard working Cubans offer. Just stop your silly whining, it's embarassing.
Things that are great about the Blau Marina:
1. The experienced staff, like our favourite bartender Onay who instantly remembered us from last year.
2. Cuban medical services. Some of the best-trained doctors in the world. One of our party literally got into see a doctor in under ten minutes (try that at home). Good enough for Hugo Chavez = good enough for me!
3. The food. Okay, I may be one of the few who actually looks forward to Cuban food (fresh grilled seafood, amazing bacon, plates of fresh fruit, that good yogurt, come on!) and this hotel does a great job of it. The New Year's dinner was completely over the top impressive- grilled lobster, roast suckling pig, two tables piled high with desserts, champagne, live music.
A few tips:
1. Go see the Public Relations people immediately after check in to book the Ă la carte restaurants. The seafood one is really good, and a nice break from the buffet.
2. Try to sit in your favourite server's at the buffet section regularly, it's fun and you'll get great service. We liked the wise-cracking Damarys a lot.
3. Kid's Club. Even just once, stick the kids in the well-run Kid's Club and pretend you're a childless couple for an afternoon. Wander up the beach, have a drink. You'll thank me!
4. Varadero. Sitting on top of the hop-on, hop-off bus is fun (5 CUC round trip, free for kids under 5). Get off at Calle 62, wander through Parque Josone, check out the cigar shop. Definitely have lunch in the hidden ranchon in the Barracuda dive center (reserve a table through public relations at the hotel to get a spot).
5. Tipping. We've never been to a hotel where we felt less obliged to tip, but please keep in mind that it makes a big difference to people. Good karma to tip the staff who don't regularly get anything like the gardeners. Angel, the gardener near Block 11, 12 (who has great english) won't offer, but if you ask him he'll happily open you fresh coconuts or weave grass animals for the kids (please offer a few pesos).
Enjoy!!
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Date of stay: December 2013Trip type: Travelled with family
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We just got back from the Blau Marina and we had an amazing week and I would go back in a seconde. We got there the 31 at night. We booked the 30th at 11:00 at night. So very last minute. When we got there the receptionist was very nice and we got our room right away.
The room are a little bit old and not brand new but a really good size. I usually don't really care about the room since you pretty only go for sleeping and have a shower. We had a beautiful view from our balconie. The only thing I would suggest it to not leave any food out. we traveled with my son and he left a piece of cookie, when we got back a few ants were snacking ! We did'nt care much again, our balcony was always open...this stuff can happen. The pool, the beach the site were clean and amazing.
The food was actually pretty good. I'm very picky for food. Last time I was in Cuba in a different resort I did'nt eat at all. I ate everything from the grill. I probably have one of the best fish in my life over there. The pasta were very good. We did only two A la carte and they were Okay, but I prefer by far the buffet. My son (2 year old) had the milk and all kinna of food and was loving it and had no problem at all. The Irish coffee from the Lobby was one of the best I ever had. You must try !!!!
THE STAFF !!!! I can't not even explain you how they made our trip more wonderfull. Everyone are so nice ! Not one time they were rude with us. They were happy, always ready to help and great with my son. Cuban ppl just LOVE kid. The kid club was perfect. The poeple who work there are just amazing. I felt save to leave my son for an hour or two in the afternoon, so me and my husband can have a little break at the pool. The kid house is located juste beside the main pool, you can see it from the pool...i found this really convinience. Libertad, Xana and Dana (not sure about the sleeling)are the one took care of my son. The were so nice. It's an excellent place for family vacation. I would go back in the futur with my son.
Important to mention, we booked this trip really last minute, so we did'nt have many option. Mexico was way too expensif for us, so we were left with DR and Cuba. I was in Cuba two years ago and I told myself I would never go back cause the food was terrible. By husband convience to give one more try ! And I'm glad I did it cause we had a fabulous vacation. This resort made me change my mind...
The room are a little bit old and not brand new but a really good size. I usually don't really care about the room since you pretty only go for sleeping and have a shower. We had a beautiful view from our balconie. The only thing I would suggest it to not leave any food out. we traveled with my son and he left a piece of cookie, when we got back a few ants were snacking ! We did'nt care much again, our balcony was always open...this stuff can happen. The pool, the beach the site were clean and amazing.
The food was actually pretty good. I'm very picky for food. Last time I was in Cuba in a different resort I did'nt eat at all. I ate everything from the grill. I probably have one of the best fish in my life over there. The pasta were very good. We did only two A la carte and they were Okay, but I prefer by far the buffet. My son (2 year old) had the milk and all kinna of food and was loving it and had no problem at all. The Irish coffee from the Lobby was one of the best I ever had. You must try !!!!
THE STAFF !!!! I can't not even explain you how they made our trip more wonderfull. Everyone are so nice ! Not one time they were rude with us. They were happy, always ready to help and great with my son. Cuban ppl just LOVE kid. The kid club was perfect. The poeple who work there are just amazing. I felt save to leave my son for an hour or two in the afternoon, so me and my husband can have a little break at the pool. The kid house is located juste beside the main pool, you can see it from the pool...i found this really convinience. Libertad, Xana and Dana (not sure about the sleeling)are the one took care of my son. The were so nice. It's an excellent place for family vacation. I would go back in the futur with my son.
Important to mention, we booked this trip really last minute, so we did'nt have many option. Mexico was way too expensif for us, so we were left with DR and Cuba. I was in Cuba two years ago and I told myself I would never go back cause the food was terrible. By husband convience to give one more try ! And I'm glad I did it cause we had a fabulous vacation. This resort made me change my mind...
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Date of stay: January 2013Trip type: Travelled with family
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
they change last year to a Fiesta Americana Punta Varadero,same great staff and services after few renovations
Don’t go would be my advice. As a Blau I’m sure it was nice. But now it is horrible!!! Horrible service!! Horrible food!!
o, currently there is no section exclusively for children since the hotel is being remodeled. and it does not have paddle service, only kayaks and catamaran, and water bikes. the hotel has a different nightly show every night. and there are some discos nearby, you can go there, although you have to pay, do not enter the all-inclusive regime.
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"We had one of the renovated rooms on the 8th floor but people the elevators are terrible."Read full review
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LOCATION
CaribbeanCubaMatanzas ProvinceVaradero
NUMBER OF ROOMS
548
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Frequently Asked Questions about Blau Marina Varadero Resort
Which popular attractions are close to Blau Marina Varadero Resort?
Nearby attractions include Playa Varadero (5.5 km), Cueva de Ambrosio (3.8 km), and Delfinario (5.4 km).
What are some of the property amenities at Blau Marina Varadero Resort?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include a swimup bar, free breakfast, and a pool.
Which room amenities are available at Blau Marina Varadero Resort?
Top room amenities include a minibar, air conditioning, and a refrigerator.
What food & drink options are available at Blau Marina Varadero Resort?
Guests can enjoy a swimup bar, free breakfast, and an on-site restaurant during their stay.
Is parking available at Blau Marina Varadero Resort?
Yes, free parking is available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to Blau Marina Varadero Resort?
Conveniently located restaurants include Paradisus Varadero Resort & Spa - Royal Service, Kike-Kcho, and La Laguna.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Blau Marina Varadero Resort?
Yes, guests have access to a pool and a fitness centre during their stay.
Does Blau Marina Varadero Resort have airport transportation?
Yes, Blau Marina Varadero Resort offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Does Blau Marina Varadero Resort offer any business services?
Yes, it conveniently offers a business centre, meeting rooms, and a banquet room.
Are there any historical sites close to Blau Marina Varadero Resort?
Many travellers enjoy visiting Cueva de Ambrosio (3.8 km).
Does Blau Marina Varadero Resort have any great views?
Yes, guests often enjoy the ocean view available here.