Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

cuba recommendations?

  • 14-03-2007 10:17am
    #1
    nj23
    Closed Accounts Posts: 83 ✭✭


    Planning a trip to Cuba this summer, hopefully three days in havana and then 11 at beach resort, probably varadero.
    I was wondering if anyone can recommend a good resort in varadero. Was looking at the paradiso princess del mar, formerly sandals resort, which is five star all inclusive. It is expensive and was wondering if its worth the money. Or else the tryp peinsula. but open to suggestions
    Has anyone any experience of all inclusive in cuba and what you get for your money.
    Also is there plenty happening in resorts? its seems you stick to your own resort rather than head out to other pubs/restaurants which would be a change for us.
    What is the beach like?
    Anyone any experience of going the end of august/beg of sept- what would the weather be like then.


Comments

  • #2
    mikedragon32
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,939 ✭✭✭mikedragon32


    I stayed in Sandals. It's amazing. Food & drink is great, portions are a little small, but don't be afraid to ask for two main courses if you need them. One of the advantages of there over most of the other all-inclusive places is that you can get a meal at any time of the day, up to about 3 am in the main (buffet) restaurant and also you're not restricted to local beer and spirits. They have some very fine scotch, good vodkas & gins, but my recommendation would be the Havana Club Anejo. I was never a rum drinker before going to Cuba, but this 7 year old rum changed my mind! Lovely stuff!

    If you go for an upgraded suite (called a Concierge suite when it was Sandals), you get a mini-bar in your room. It's a full size fridge filled with soft drinks, beers, bottles of wine and best of all large bottles of Stolichnaya, Bombay Sapphire, J&B and Havana Club. If you don't like any of those, they'll happily change them for brands you like! You can't get Coke, but Pepsi is available on request.

    It's well worth the money, but bring lots of small notes to tip. Service is great anyway, but they really appreciate it!

    Have a read of the reviews on www.tripadvisor.com too.

    The beach is astounding. Perfect soft white sand, you can walk for ages on it. The water is warm and crystal clear.

    Sandals has 5 restaurants and 4 bars. The bars usually have entertainment of varying quality, and there's a stage show every night too which is good. Guests can participate in some of the shows and they give dance classes daily to those who wish to take part.


  • #3
    keryl
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 289 ✭✭keryl


    Been to Cuba, flew to Varadero and straight to Havana, while there I went to Vinales, Bay of pigs, then I stayed in Trinidad for a while then to santa clara.and flew home from Varadero. Word of advice, Varadero doesnt really offer much, just a resort, you can do water activities and skydiving etc but imo, and I know everyones different, the experience of Vinales- caves, prehistoric history, environment is fantastic as is the Bay Of Pigs ( US term ). Trinidad is a lovely spanish era town

    contact me for more info


  • #4
    Brian Griffin
    Closed Accounts Posts: 51 ✭✭Brian Griffin


    the food is bad but other wise only other bad thing is the bit of hassle you get to buy stuff


  • #5
    phog
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 24,979 ✭✭✭✭phog


    We went to Cuba in March of 2002.

    I would recommend you stay in Varadero for the first part of the holiday and finsih off in Havana, the journey to the airport from the resort will destroy a good holiday.

    We stayed in Breezes and found it excellant, it was an over 18 resort so suited us a we were travelling without our kids, it is full of Canadians if that doesn't bother you. Food, accommodation, resturants, beaches were great, not much night life if you are the partying type. They do run a few theme nights but we missed the toga party as we were travelling that day and hadn't returned in time. The rooms are grouped in blocks and are only 2 storey high, try for the upper floor for a bit of privacy, we were on the ground floor and weren't bothered but would have preferred the top floor.

    We were very happy with the all inclusive but if the food wasn't great then you'd really be in bother. We never had to put our hand in our pockets once we entered the resort (except for tips). As well as the main resturant the resort opens various food stalls near the beach serving different dishes during the day and mid afternoon.

    The beach seems to be endless and spotlessly clean with lots of straw parasols for those that like shade. The resort had diving gear, canoes, pedalos and sailing boats available free.
    Not sure about the weather around August/September but I'd imagine it's very warm.

    Search for Varadero on http://www.tripadvisor.com.

    HTH and enjoy your holiday.


Advertisement