More Traveller Reviews of Blau Costa Verde Resort
Absolute Heaven!
from A TripAdvisor Member
Vacationed at the Maritim / LTI Coata Verde Beach Resort between February 10 - 17, 2004. This was or 5th stay in Cuba and this was one of the better places that we have been at. FOOD: The food was excellent. If you were a picky eater, then there was enough variety to appease even you. There was a large buffet for 3 meals a day or you could choose from 2 restaurants (Cuban & Italian). Reservations were required and had to be made between 10 - 12 am. ROOMS: Our room was exactly as seen in the brochure, kept very clean by the staff. I loved the towel swans and hearts we would come back to each day. The beds are firm and we found very comfortable. My husband and I slept very well indeed for the week we were there. The hotel has a fresh coat of paint and looks great. It is always clean. The grounds are well looked after and lush and the gardeners are out there working before you get up, throughout the whole day and are still at it when you head up to bed. BEACH: The beach was wonderful. We loved the pure white silky sand and turquoise blue water. We took our own mask and snorkels which meant we didn't have to wait for equipment to be returned so we could go out anytime we wanted. There wasn't any problems getting in or out of the water in bare feet - we just went in over near where the sail boats were in front of the towel exchange. The water was warm and there were lots of lounge chairs. There are shaded sections of the beach as well. The weather was unbelievable, at least 35 degrees and not a cloud in the sky every day. OVERALL: On the whole, we would definitely recommend the Maritim / LTI Costa Verde Resort. We really did enjoy our stay and would return here. The scenery is beautiful, the resort is clean, and the beach is fantastic. It's a place to have a great time and relax and that's exactly what we did.
Excellent!
from A TripAdvisor Member
Just got back last night, Feb 17th, from a week at the LTI now called Maritim Costa Verde. The rooms were just like in the brochure and were clean and comfortable. The staff always had a smile and the service was very good. The beach was lovely. I note from recent reviews of a complaint here and there. I have travelled extensively to the sun and have yet to find perfection. I note complaints like waiting for drinks. In any establishment at peak times one always has to wait a minute or two but nine times out of ten, one got instant service and did not need to tip for it. I found that if you treat people with common courtesy, a please and a thank you, you get very good service. Perhaps people who are mean and demanding are the last to be served. Some people have to dwell on the negative and ignore the many positives. Some complained about rocks and urchins on the beach but after the first day I did not use water shoes as there was plenty of "pathways" into the water. Some seem to be negative on the food but there were numerous options. I enjoyed my early morning capachino at the bar and fresh orange juice and croisants, made to order omelates etc. Fresh fried fish at the beach bar for lunch. Plenty options for supper ( nice touch with the champagne and red rose on valentines day where I had excelled salmon at the Italian Restaurant) Crown Royal in the piano bar after dinner. People don't have perfection in their daily lives and some are natural complainers. This was a 10 out of 10. If people can't like this place for a deal well under a $1,000, perhaps they should go to a 5 star and pay double to get a chocolate on their pillow at night! I just hope that people who compain stay away next year so that the demand for this place does not keep increasing and the cost goes way up because I will return to this place in a heart beat!
cuban vac
from A TripAdvisor Member
we were at this resort for 1 week jan 29 and wwe had an excellant vacation we also found as most reviewers that the service and food and activities at the maritim coste verde were for the most part above average this is a resort we would definatly return to in the future. here,s to julio numero uno
Great resort... but there were problems
from A TripAdvisor Member
This was a excellent, beautiful resort except: - The service was HORRIBLE. At the bar it would often take 15 min for them to take our order and another 15 to fill it. It did not seem to matter if we tipped the waitress after, or even if we were holding a $1 bill ready to tip even before the order, the service continued to be poor. - The diving shop was very slip shod. They often told us to come for a 9am dive the next morning and when we got there they told several of us that there were too many people for the boat and to come back at 11am. Planning was very poor.- Even worse, their safety practices were frightning. Most people did multiple dives in a day and the dive master shugged it off when people started expressing concern about the fact. He said just stick with the guide (even though there were different guides for each dive so the guide would not be concerned about overextending his stay). - The dive guide consistently took us 25' deeper than planned. On one deep dive, having taken us deeper than we planned, me and my dive buddy were getting close to a deco dive (I was using a computer) so I grabbed him and we ascended a few feet. I shudder to think about the people that did not use a dive computer. BE VERY CAUTIOUS if diving with these people!!
Catamaran ride was fun but...
from A TripAdvisor Member
My husband and I were at the Maritim week of Feb.1 to 7/04. We encountered our first problem when they didn't have the VIP Oceanview room we paid extra for. At first the front desk guy just smiled and shrugged off our concern but after we pointed to him that we had paid for the VIP room, he was prompt to give it to us. The room they gave us had an amazing view and we were very content with it. The next day they supplied all the things that a VIP room should have. We did book the Catamaran tour and were actually on the same one that the two people that got sick were on. I completely understand their complaint because we were told before the tour that if we didn't feel well, they would take us back and refund or reschedule the trip. I would have been really upset too if they denied paying me back the $ 140 US! Fortunately for us, the catamaran ride was the best part of the trip. Lobster for lunch was excellent! I also agree that the front desk usually was not very helpful. I would give them a rating of 2! The service at bars was also poor. you had to constantly tip in order for them to pay any attention to you. The beach was beautiful but beware of sea urchins and rocks! Definately bring your own snorkels because they only have maybe 4-5 pairs and are always out and you can keep them for only an hour. Food was good, service again slow. Food at buffet restaurant was better than the "Cuban" restaurant! The Italian restaurant is good, but you have to book these in advance and can only go once to each of them. Another thing I think they can improve on is maybe have snacks between the hours when they don't serve any food, this would be really helpful for people with kids. Pool is excellent! Our Maid was excellent! Grounds are beautiful and clean. Overall I would rate it 3.
Don't book the Catamaran day trip with the Tour Desk. Go through a rep
from Redd
My family and I are no strangers to Cuba. This was our fourth trip to this magnificent island. In light of that, it only takes one problem to ruin a good trip. Unfortunately, as you look at the title, we ran into a serious issue. We booked a day trip on a large sized Catamaran with Henri of the Tour Desk located in the Costa Verde. The cost for 2 people, $138.00 U.S. It was to include lunch, tw stops for snorkeling, and water bikes (Jet ski like vehicles). When we got on the bus, the guide Gabriel, told everyone that the swells were quite high and can cause sickness. He explained that, if we did not participate in the functions and left the boat during our journey, we were entitled to a refund. A half hour into our voyage, things started to get rough on the water. The swells were as high as 10 to 15 feet. I have never been sick on a boat before, but there is always a first time. While I went below to deal with my sickness, the guide on the boat, Mario, came down to inform me that my wife was in very bad shape. Her arms cramoed and stiffened up, and she was in and out of conciousness. The boat was commandeered to the nearest marina to have taxi pick us up. The remainder of the day was spent in our room under medication. The next day, we spoke to Henrique. He claimed that the Catamaran office (Sun Cruise) would not refund us. When I asked Henrique to provide the individuals name, it was like pulling teeth. He didn't seem to feel it was his problem. Suffice it to say, it only took this problem to ruin a very nice (and expensive) trip. The following is how a rate the hotel and their staff out of 5.Tour Desk- Zero (Read comments above. Henrique is a nice fellow, but he needs to know that customers come first) Front Desk- 1 (They were always too busy to care about concerns) Bar staff- 2 (We tipped regularly, but if we were coming out of the pool and all wet, we had no tip to give and the service became lousy) Rooms- 4 (The King sized bed we booked was never available). Maid- 5 (The maid Nivia was as excellent at all times) Beach- 4 (Beautiful beach, but wear beach slippers because there are quite a few sea urchins, and many people stepped on them. It is very painful) Mopeds- 5 (They're great, but they are more like scooters. Only experienced riders should rent them. While there, two people suffered broken arms and one had a broken collarbone. I still loved riding them)
Ola ca la ca la loved this resort
from A TripAdvisor Member
Just returned yesterday Sunday February 8th on a late flight out of Holguin. The Resort is actually now called Maritim Costa Verde. First want to say Hola to everyone on the Animacion Team you guys were fantastic...Suzanne, Magnolia, Otero, Sandor, Johnny(Tarzan) Francisco(my salsa partner)..Carlos(I hope that was his name) at the bar for his amazing Mojitos and everyone else on the animacion team..you all had me laughing so hard. I miss Cuba already. This resort really exceeded my expectations..it was always clean and the grounds/gardens were well cared for(beautiful). The food was good all the time and everyday was different...The service was always good(sometimes a little slow)but I'm not complaining, just an observation..these people really work hard and they just keep smiling. They had a birthday cake waiting for me with a birthday note when I got back to my room!!!Not sure how they knew it was my birthday but it was a wonderful surprise(will be sending a letter to the Director to thank them)...I miss you all already..see you all next year!!
As advertised and more
from A TripAdvisor Member
I was amazed..... Completely as advertised, with much better hospitality than I expected. Staff was great, and all services were available as explained in their information. The only thing that bothered me was that the best restaurant (Cuban) was required to be reserved only between the hours of 10AM and Noon each day, for the following day. If you are on tour excursions each day, it is impossible to book. They won't take written requests either, you must be there in person. Oh ya, if you want lobster, you must also declare that at the time of reservation, and is a $18 upgrade per plate (we didn't realize and were relegated to fish). All things considered, very impressed, can't wait to go back!
Cuba Si !!!!!! Till we meet again
from A TripAdvisor Member
Just arrive Jan 21, 2004 Highly recomended, excellent service, food is amazing. Animation team is absolutely fantastic and friendly. Beach and the new friends that I meet it was a memorable experience that left me with cuban fever. I will miss you "Special K " Until Next year same time same place. Cuba Si!!!
Excellent Vacation
from A TripAdvisor Member
The Good-My husband and my Brother & sister-in-law just returned from a weeks vacation at the LTI. I would have to say that we had a fabulous time. The food was amazing, we had been told by the travel agent not to expect great things from the food in Cuba. The buffet was wonderful, always lots of choices of meats, vegetables, rice,pasta, cheese, fruit, desserts. ie. fresh fish, crab, shrimp,escargot, turkey, fillet mignon (excellent beef), pork cutletts, breaded chicken, broccoli, cauliflower, green beans(excellent) brussel sprouts, carrots, peas, corn, fresh bread/rolls. A great variety every night was different always containing approx 4 different veggies, made to order pasta, 4-5 kinds of meat/fish, salads,soup, rice, potatoes, cheese, cold meats etc. The desserts consisted of pies, squares, cakes, ice cream etc. We ate one night at the specialty restaurant, where we had, shrimp cocktail, grilled shrimp, chicken-a-la-orange and coconut pie, amazing, very large portion .The staff could not have been friendlier, always trying to please. We have found in other areas, like the Dominican tips were ask for expected etc. here they just provided great service and then were grateful for any tips. My sister-in-law & I each had a pedicure ($5 US each) and a massage ($7 US each) and I would have to say they were just wonderful. They have catamarans which they will take you out on(all included) & the "capatain Polo" was great. The paddle boats have slides so you can slide into the water which was neat. The snorkelling was great, make sure & take an underwater camera as there are a lot of fish. The weather was fantastic. We never had a problem getting beach chairs, they had staff on hand to get & wipe off & set up your chairs wherever pleased you. We never had a problem getting chairs around the pool, in fact we had our chairs in the pool lounging, as part of the pool is very shallow. The maids made fancy swans etc with your towels & bedding so it was neat to come back & see what they did each day. The drinks were good, they even had Amareto & Baileys, which I quite enjoyed. The resort was very relaxing which is just what we were looking for. If you were looking for a real party & night life spot you probably would be disappointed. The Bad- Nothing bad about the resort, the only suggestion would be to have a drop off & pick up place by the pool for the towels. The beach towels had to be exchanged/picked up at the beach. The airport in Cuba was very unorganized on the flight home. They had several flights going out at the same time, and no real organization to the three different lines that you had to go through to check out (luggage check, then $25 departure tax, then immigration) I would not hesitate to recommend this resort.
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The hotel was all I expected from a Cuban hotel. This is not luxury class holidays by any means , but then you don't pay that much either. The rooms were clean, and kept that way each day, clean towels every day if you wished and beach towels changed every day if needed.... more