Melia Cayo Guillermo Hotel

Personally I would say this is a 4* hotel not 5* as described at time of booking, never the less what a fantastic hotel and setting. First appearance on leaving the airport going through Cayo Coco was what a lovely place, then the dirt track to Cayo Guillermo oh my god where are we, back of beyond springs to mind. But like I said the hotel more than made up for any misconceptions.
We chose this hotel as it was our honeymoon and wanted something special and out of this world ,and it was certainly that.
The beach oh what a beach Johnston’s Baby Powder would be jealous I have never been on such a smooth powdery beach in my life, honestly it was just like baby powder to walk on. The sea was so calm it looked like a photo. The wooden pier fantastic for sun bathing, swimming from, snorkeling (fantastic Barracuda at the end that swam alongside you), fishing or just watch the world go by. The swimming pool was large and kept very, very clean nice bar there serving snacks mid morning till mid afternoon, entertainment organised all day, even the friendly eagle came for his lunch what an amazing sight that was place a piece of sandwich on the side and watch pick it up.
Food was out of this world so much choice (where do I start ) I’m sure the plane must have been heavier on way back, only had cause to complain about the food on one occasion and that was soon rectified by the rep.
The staff was really helpful and fun EDGAR, what a barman I salute you sir , what a great job these guys do, so many cocktails what to choose 1st is the biggest question.
I would recommend the Jungle tour where you drive your own speed boat through the mangroves and snorkel I saw the biggest Angel fish you would not believe and you're just inches away from them in there natural environment. The other trip I recommend is the catamaran trip, the sea got a little rough but the snorkeling more than made up for it , on both of these trips pinch a couple of bananas from the restaurant the fish love them and feeding them from your hand is unbelievable.
All the other trips are a long coach ride we went to Trinidad on the Caribbean coast if you go, go now before it gets to commercialised seeing how the Cubans live is a real eye opener, the guide took us around the back streets where the locals live, I was amazed for how little these people have not 1 person came up to us and asked for anything they just wished us good morning.
All in all a fantastic hotel, fantastic food, fantastic people but most of all scenery and beaches out of this world.
Dave

We went to this hotel for our honeymoon and were seriously disappointed.
After spending 5 days in Havana, I came down with fairly severe food poisoning after a couple of days at the Melia Cayo Guillermo - it lasted for 7 days.
The first choice rep said that it was probably "due to the sun"; I asked if Cayo Guillermo was under a different sun to Havana as I'd had no problems there.
Also the 'swipe keys' occasionally reset themselves and stopped working - not helpful when you are rushing back to your room urgently due to food poisoning!
First Choice also managed to forget to pick us up from the airport at Havana, as only my husband and I were on a multi-site holiday.
The mosquitoes are deadly here, particularly in the Italian restaurant as it is next to the swamp - never forget your repellent!
Bring an alarm clock if you need a wake up call - staff will not remember to call you within an hour of your request! Some people missed their excursions because of this.

The hotel gardens are out of this world, the fish within the large ponds are well kept and the choice of beverages both alcoholic and non-alcoholic for the inclusive package - excellent. The beach is combed and well maintained if only the I, as a customer were kept as well as the fish.
My wife and I are at best - well traveled people and for a treat we chose this four star plus hotel. We paid a considerable amount of money for a two week holiday in paradise (as advertised). The scenery is all of this but from stepping into the hotel that was the end of the holiday. I have never been in such a frustrating, demoralising and incompetent hotel in all of my life.
This hotel does not live up to what is represented at the time of booking. We landed in four days of showers and high winds (we know the weather is not controllable), there was nowhere outside to sit and enjoy the gardens unless you wanted to get wet. If you wanted a drink from the only bar 'lobby' after six pm then you had to join the queue during these wet days, as this place does not cater for bad weather. Edgar the most calmest bar person you ever would wish to meet stood and served a queue of some 20-30 yes that many people one by one and never once lost his cool.
If you want a mini bar - you have to tip to get one as your mini bar is - one can of sprite, one can of cola, one can of beer and a bottle of water. Even on requesting for the mini bar to hold at least a drink each, no chance that is what you get. You get a coffee maker but no coffee, you get a mug to share between two, I could go one. In short if the weather is poor and you want a drink then be prepared to queue. If you want anything be prepared to tip.
If you want a breakfast - be prepared to queue into the restaurant and then queue whilst the one 'chef' cooks your eggs in your preferred manner. There is a buffet choice if you want to throw on the pounds. Seriously there is one chef cooking eggs bacon for the whole of the hotel.
Dinner/Lunch call it what you like - you guessed it! It's Q up time. There is an excellent choice of meats, fish and they will be cooked fresh - but you have to join the queue. There is a buffet selected which is at most the best selection of the day.
Evening meal? We queue twenty minutes to get into the restaurant on Valentines night as the place was not ready. So everyone queues outside in the wind, goes inside and there is a pasta chef, a meat chef, a pizza chef (Romberto - cooks a good pizza!) and then you guessed it - it's Q up time. There is a buffet and a carvery maybe meat o fish which if you are there when it is first presented that is fine. After - well first come first served.
You can probably tell I have not many good words to say about this place - but the fact is that the Rep' for First Choice Jeorge was excellent in every aspect. But he can only offer what the company of the hotel offers as a good will. We got a romantic breakfast offered for 08:00hrs one day as a good will - but it never arrived! We were offered a boat trip that we declined and instead a free bottle of local rum on an all-inclusive holiday that arrived three days later - like we needed it anyway it was all-inclusive.
After requesting to come home after the first week - we were asked to pay £considerable each (we refused). We asked for a hotel swap - we would have to pay (we refused) but other fortunate customers were double booked in the Melia so had to be diverted to another hotel, a pleasant 'good will gesture' was also handed to them and then the second week they were brought to the Melia. We could not even get a move.
I sought out the hand of the General Director Manager, a very well spoken gentleman and understanding to say the least - he even placed emphasise on upgrading should we ever wish to return? This hotel could offer nothing to resolve its problems, short staffing and bias against certain customers. I have to reserve my comment at that. If you do not mind paying good money for excellent views but enjoy running around to get things serviceable, get things presented as advertised and to get anything done tip staff that have already been paid then this is the place for you. To wrap up what we had to queue for in short this is the list, main restaurant, reservations for the al a carte restaurants, towel issue and surrender, drinks during wet weather, drinks after breakfast in the lobby bar, waiting time for the gymnasium to open, one hour ten passed its opening time, customer services, bureau de change, pool bar understandable, fresh eggs dishes, fresh pasta dishes, fresh meat of fish dishes.
It has a great potential and there are other aspects I will not mention as not to bring this place any further down - but the one flexible aspect of this holiday was the mere fact you could escape to the hotel next door during office hours.
It was most certainly not my idea of paradise - overall the Sol Cayo Coco offered better service and facilities - put things into perspective - read their reviews. Thanks and Good Luck.

Great flight with Thomas Cook airlines. Whilst hotel rated 5 star it is only 3 star by our standards but the holiday was best ever.
Cuban people very friendly and nothing too much trouble. The beach is absolutely fabulous and gardens and pool very well looked after. The food was very good, especially the Italian restaurant which made the best pizzas ever. Rooms were adequate and clean and maids very appreciative of small gifts, tips etc. They only earn on average 60p.per hour. It did rain some days but this was aftermath of hurricane otherwise hot and sunny.
Came home with best tan ever. Thomas Cook staff brilliant and trips very organised. Felt very safe in Cuba. Salsa as much as you like. Remember a smile goes along way with their people.

This was our first time in Cuba and we were not disappointed!
The Hotel had everything we could have wished for....the room was spacious, comfortable and clean, with a fridge which was re-stocked daily.
The restaurants had a huge choice of food - with something to satisfy even the most fussiest of eaters. Your choice of meat was cooked to your liking in front of you in the Buffet restaurant.
The staff were the friendliest hotel staff that we have ever come across on our travels. They could not do enough to help or guide you through your holiday.
The beaches were cleaned daily, with comfy sun loungers and the best views over the calmest seas I have ever seen!
The only downside was the phone cards - they cost 10 convertible pesos (about £7.50 ) and you only get to talk for a maximum of 3 minutes, plus there is a time delay when speaking to the UK!!
I would most certainly go back to this hotel again.

This was the second time we had been to this hotel, I thought it could not have been any better but this year it was. The hotel is clean and nicely decorated. The rooms are cleaned daily and the fridge filled when needed. The hotel is set in beautiful grounds and leads to a fantastic beach.
There are 5 places to eat buffet, snack bar, Italian, international and la rancheon, the food is of a high standard. I cannot say anything bad about the hotel but something that makes this place stand out from the rest is the people. I have never met such friendly people and by the time your holiday is finished you will feel as though you have got friends for life.
The entertainment staff will really make your holiday. I cannot wait for later this year when we are going back again.