Blau Costa Verde Resort

This is a good value holiday, hotel is kept clean and tidy, staff are very friendly always stop and say 'ola'. Although the hotel could do with a lick of paint, this does not detract from the facilities.
The food is typical Caribbean, they tend to mix their veg in allsorts of concoctions, not to everyone’s liking, but you have to be very fussy if you can't fill your plate. We went on an all inclusive package for 2 weeks, we ventured out two days locally. Make sure that you take tropical mozzy spray, as people were getting bitten alive and high factor sun cream at least 30, as people were getting burnt as well.
But had a great holiday and the flight with first choice was pleasant as well, all except that on the way back if you didn't pre book your seat through the rep and you hadn't pre booked for the return journey the airport staff seem to split big parties up, so if you are in a big party and can't afford to pre book, check in, in 2's or 3's and make sure that the check in person is told that you want to sit together, if you have a few pesos left you might want to had them over, as this seems to get a lot done. It's a very poor country.
Oh and don't forget the departure tax of 25 pesos, which I think is a bit steep.

On arrival at the hotel the reception area was very dark. The room was ok not anything to write home about. The electric wasn’t working in the room so had to speak to reception about it. It took about half hour to get electric on so the room was really warm. There was no water in the fridge. The bathroom was lovely.
Food was not great at all. There was hardly anything to eat. Most of it was raw and definitely not cooked properly.
There was no nightlife that would want to keep you there. Service was awful from the staff. The bar was the worst, you couldn’t get a drink for quite a while.
The hotel stunk of sewers and the overall cleanliness was appalling. The beach was really dirty and you certainly wouldn’t want to stay on it all day.
Most definitely not a four star hotel. I was very disappointed and I actually moved hotel after the 3rd day. Its not as if this is even my first time to Cuba.
I certainly will not be recommending this hotel to anyone.

2 readers found this review helpful

I have just come back from the Blau Coste Verde Beach Resort in Cuba, all I can say is that it was the best holiday ever. If you want a nice quiet relaxing holiday then this is the place for you.
Rooms
We were on the third floor with no one above us. The room was quiet and very spacious. Air conditioning was great, we even had to turn it down on a few occasions as it was too cold. The mini bar was restocked each day even if the sign was not put on the door they still checked to make sure you had a full bottle of water. Shower was great and powerful. The cleaners came in every day and the sheets were changed every other day.
Food
The buffet was great we never had a problem finding something to eat. Freshly cooked pasta every dinner and Lunch time was available. Pizza and chips was there for lunch along with a selection of cold meats. Breakfast was also good cooked breakfast, fruit, Cereal, Toast, Omlettes, cold meats it was all there for you to have what you like.
The snack bar done toasted sandwiches and hamburgers throughout the day until 5.30-6pm.
The beach grill was also very nice BBQ Pork, Chicken and plenty of Fish to choose from.
Entertainment
The evening shows were ok nothing too spectacular but something to watch. All day there were the Animation team putting on games and competitions if you wanted to take part. The Animation team were excellent couldn’t fault them one bit.
Trips
Lots to choose from but we chose 3 on offer Speed boat driving which was great for £20, two people in a speed boat in the open sea great fun.
Holguin Tour, Full day out seeing the sights of the real Cuba with a visit the a cigar factory and a nice lunch all thrown in for total cost of £60.
Paradise Island.
This was the best of all one and a half hours out an sea on a boat you come to the Paradise island where you can Snorkel then take a jeep safari and see Buffalo, Antelope, Zebra all in the wild. A Fantastic day out. Free bar on the boat all day was nice to.
Money
they only except the Cuba Peso which can only be obtain in Cuba. not a problem, the hotel has a bank where you can change your money upon arrival and the safety box in your room is free to use.
Warning
We went in June which is the rainy season and it caused all the mozzies to be about. At one point i have over 50 bits on me, I had all the sprays and cream but they were not effective. Buy the local spray its stronger and the proper stuff.
Over all
A great holiday the hotel was fantastic the food was great and the whole thing was a dream two weeks away.

The Cubans are lovely people, the staff at this hotel couldn't do enough to please, from the bar staff to the entertainment.
We went for three weeks the first week of the holiday the weather wasn't very good at all but the staff did their best to entertain the guest, this hotel was marvellous, great food, plenty of drinks and cocktails, the hotel itself doesn't look very appealing as you drive up to it with it's blue and orange colours, but don't be put of by this.
It's on a lovely beach with water sports, great for snorkelling, beach towels provided and all free, there's all sorts of activities shooting etc plenty going of if you want to join in, you can learn how to salsa or learn the language, some of the shows were excellent.
They also run a kids club we didn't have any use for it, but as we passed by we did take a look ,it looked well run the kids seemed to be very well catered for. On the down side it isn't one of the larger complexes and there isn't a great deal around the hotel and Guardalavaca which is a taxi ride away is not a very big place it's got a small market its very lively with the live music been played.
You can also for a small fee take the little train from the hotel which takes you into the countryside at Guardalavaca, that was interesting and well worth the visit. Don't miss the chance to swim with dolphins which you can easy arrange yourself just get a taxi from outside the hotel, reasonably priced compared to other Caribbean islands. We also got invited to a couple of the staffs homes, they couldn't do enough to make us feel welcome, we had lovely meals, lobster on both occasions, and a full pig at one of the homes.
We did actually think about going back to Cuba for Christmas with the rest of our family, but decided on a more southerly Caribbean island hopefully to guarantee the weather. Cuba is a must to visit ,but only if you can cope with long flights, on our flight we had to stop of in Varadero which we hadn't been aware of, so the flight seemed endless, and also be aware you must have a visa, which again we wasn't told about so we had a few problems on arrival which you can do with out after a long trip.
All in all we would go back but I think we would probably look at stopping in Varadero the next time so it's easier to visit Havana and the surrounding area.

On July 31st 2005, a friend and I decided to go to Holguin, Cuba for our vacation. It's my second time there, first time in Varadero, and a first for my friend. We were looking for some relaxation at this 3 star resort, previously known as Maritim Costa Verde.
Accommodation, food (Italian restaurant was great), entertainment, activities and amenities such at the pool, activities room (pool and ping pong), spa and beach club were all fine. That’s beside the ants in our room for the first couple of days...
The only major downside on our staying at Blau is the new Spanish manager, who displayed arrogance and rudeness towards us. At our second night, after being at the Discoteca, we decided with 4 other tenants to go to the pool to cool down a bit. Not making any screaming or noises, but just talking. 5 or 10 minutes later, the manager came down to the pool and shout at us to get the **** out of the pool... yes in those very impolite and unacceptable term.
Maybe I should point out that as two black girls travelling in this beautiful country we were often been taking for Cubans, and sometimes unfortunately for hookers. So it’s with great disappointment that we realize that the manager treated us in such way, since we were clients of this resort. He used all kinds of language not proper to his position. He also told the other tenants that they should not be hanging out with prostitutes. He checked to make sure we were wearing our bracelet and ask for our room number. My friend and I were in such shock that we decided not to give it to him. Two other tenants gave him theirs. The reception called them in the middle of the night to ask all kinds of questions.
He might of notice after a couple days that we weren’t what he thought we were, but he never took the opportunity and the courtesy to come to us and apologize. He kept on having this shameful and embarrassing condescending attitude until our leaving. We worked hard to be able to go on this trip. In 2005, we should be treated like other citizen, with respect and care.
Unfortunately it’s going to be my last visit at this hotel until they change the manager.

That being out of my chest: Two thumbs up and big kiss for the animation team (Anjel, Jorge) not only providing hours of fun but also working, day and night, at different position in the resort. A big hello to bartenders Alex and Maxi and to Isnalvis at the buffet. All of them working crazy hours... to make us feel good.
Mikky
Montreal, Canada