Blau Varadero Hotel

11 readers found this review helpful

My wife and I stayed here after spending two days at the Nacional Hotel in Havana.
The building is new and from the outside looks like a huge concrete sandcastle! My first thoughts were Oh My God! However when you walk inside it is jaw dropping stuff!
It is all open plans with the lobby area extending into an area of cane and wicker furniture looking over a little balcony down to the very ornate bar area on the ground floor.
Check In:
Very quick and efficient with very friendly staff
Rooms:
We were on the 10th floor which is got by the internally facing glass lifts, two either side of the huge open atrium. The room was spacious, very comfortable beds, mini bar restocked each day by the maids. We had a view over the pool towards the sea - only one word to describe the view - stunning!
Staff:
The maids were very adept at making towel sculptures (Swans, nature scenes etc) out of your room towels - it was exciting to get back and see what they had created!
Our waiter in the dining room, Javier, was an absolute star - he tended to our every need and he was a very polite, chatty young man who just appeared from nowhere when your glass was emptying or your plate needed clearing. The little balding restaurant manager was great very welcoming and very attentive to what was going on within the restaurant.
The "animation team" were also hard working people none more so than "Evert" who was like the Cuban version of Lenny Henry with Frank Bruno's laugh! - He organised the Volleyball, playing as well as refereeing! (Definitely some dodgy line calls though Evert!) Aqua aerobics, salsa dancing, water polo and somehow or ever was even involved in the nightly shows!
All of the staff are first rate, the boys and girls at the bars work hard, and I cannot fault them in any way!
Beach:
Out of this world - Warm gin clear water, white sand there is nothing more that I can say to describe it!
There are kayaks that you can take out, pedalos and the staff will take you out sailing on one of the Hobie Cat catamarans should you desire - very quick little boats!
Drawbacks:
Varadero town is a fair way off!
Mosquitoes - when we were there was the beginning of the rainy season (we had several monsoon downpours and the effects of tropical storm Barry!) the Mosquitoes came out to play! To say they were voracious is an understatement!
One chap from Manchester had to be flown back due to adverse reactions to the many bites he suffered! (This is an Island wide issue, not just Varadero) the BLAU immediately began to treat the whole area of its real estate and respite was gained until the next rain! It must be said that the Hotel reacted swiftly to eradicate the little so and so's
Would I go again? Definitely!
Many thanks to the staff especially Javier and Evert.

5 readers found this review helpful

We went to the Blau Varadero in October of last year and had a truly magnificent experience!
It was our first time to the Caribbean and we were a bit anxious about what to expect from the hotel - especially after reading other peoples reviews regarding similar star hotels in Cuba!
The hotel is spectacular and we soon found that in many people’s opinions it was also the best place to stay in Varadero - even beating Sandals!
All the staff are friendly and approachable - and to top it off their always smiling which is a bit of a change from the UK!
The service was brilliant - whether it be the maids who create wonders with towels, the chefs/waiters at the restaurant or the bar staff who never seem to sleep!
Our room was cleaned daily with towels being replaced daily or when required. Mini fridge was also stocked daily with water, lager and soda - without it having to be requested. We always had hot water for showering too.
Lunch was always served pool side and tended to be quite a bit of the same thing, make your own pizza, rice and pasta dishes, fresh fish, lots of different meats, lovely fresh fruit and ice cream!
Dinner was served indoors - remember the dress code! - This was again mainly the same dishes but each chef adds their own little twist which makes the meals enjoyable and not tedious!
Breakfast was definitely the best for me - and I would thoroughly recommend a beach walk at sunrise followed by omelette or smoothie to set you up for the day!!
Snacks were available 24hr at the beach and pool bar (toasted sandwiches - let’s just say you get a bit fed up of cheese and ham!!).
The beach this hotel backs onto is out of this world! Just a short walk on a decked path and you’re at the golden miles. Water is very clear and we found it calmer for swimming in the morning rather than the afternoon.
We were never really bothered while on the beach but anyone that is selling things don't really tend to bother you once you've said no once.
We found the Cubans to be very friendly and respectful to us during our visit to the island and you can't help but build a rapport with the people you meet because they all seem like one in a million!!
Next time we go though (which is September 07 but to Blau Colonial in the Cayos this time) we will be stocking up on the little things we take for granted here such as batteries, copied Cd’s, shampoo to leave for the staff. As the average wage there is only £13 a month!
If it is your first time to Cuba or the eleventh we recommend the Blau Varadero - and also swimming with dolphins which is life changing! You will not be disappointed!

1 reader found this review helpful

The Hotel is nice, no complains there. The food is so-so, like everywhere else in Cuba. Not the best.
The resort is very nice. New and clean, the hotel definitely falls into the 4 star categories.
Pool is great. Bars are great too, especially with big variety and all inclusive (Courvoisier, Baileys, Glenfiddich, etc). The hotel is very nice except a couple of things, like food.
“Blau Varadero” is more for families and maybe couples. If you are a single guy, I don’t know. In my opinion “Barcelo Solymar” is much better.
Inside bar closes at 12 midnight; only outside bar works 24 hours. If it is cold outside then nothing to do but going to bed.

1 reader found this review helpful

Just had 11 days at this hotel and it was brilliant, it has a 4 star rating but I would give it a 4 1/2 star rating.
Staff were lovely and not after tips they were a bonus if given.
Food was great some weird dishes but so much choice at every meal it didn't matter, fresh fish every night including prawns, calamari and lobster cooked fresh in front of you on alternate nights. Sea bream, salmon, choices of h’ordourves, fresh salad and wonderful cakes and ice creams for dessert every night.
Great breakfast choice including smoothies freshly made for you and eggs cooked for you on the griddle. Always lots of fruit with every meal and lunch was in a choice of the beach bar or pool restaurant.
Our room was huge with a lovely big double bed, a view of the beautiful beach from our balcony, and always clean.
The drinks in the main hotel bar are served to you in proper glasses and there is no queue or rules as to how many drinks you can have. The pool bar stays open all night if you wish a serves toasties if you are still hungry.
There are 2 specialist restaurants, the grill very nice, and the a la carte with a string quartet playing your requests (no Bonjovi but Beatles, Elvis).
There is so much I could go on about but trust me you will have a great time at this hotel. The Mambo club is 5 mins away and there is a nightclub at the Brisas la caribe if the hotel nightlife is not to you taste. (Can be a bit conservative).
We flew with Cabana they are not up to Virgin standards but the seats are comfortable and they come around with drinks and water, 2 meals, no snacks for sale and limited duty frees.

1 reader found this review helpful

If you’re going to Varadero book this hotel. Very good.
3 couples from 3 other hotels paid to move to this hotel from other "good" ones in the same area, all wished they had done it earlier. Go on the overnight trip to Havana.

2 readers found this review helpful

We stayed at the Blau Varadero for one week in early may. The hotel is the best ever I have stayed in. On entering you get the wow factor immediately with open lobby and glass lifts.
The room was very good spacious and well equipped with a fridge stocked daily with water, beer and cola. The maid service was excellent and daily, and if you leave little gifts on the pillows they really appreciate them and leave little thank you notes for you.
The food was very good with a wide selection to suit all tastes, breakfast included fresh fruit smoothies which we really enjoyed. Dinner time was in the grill with pizza burgers etc all cooked in front of you. Evening meal was buffet style with lots of fresh fish, vegetables etc.
The a la carte restaurant was good you are allowed to visit once a week they have romantic music playing it is nice.
The staff work very hard and everyone is so friendly they have an entertainment programme which you can either join in with or just watch if that is what you want to do.
The beach is out of this world, we have never seen anything like it clear blue sea and white sand. While we were there it turned breezy in the afternoon which gave some welcome break from the very hot sun.
The only trip we went on was to Havana which you must see if you go to Cuba it is like going back in time - you must go.
Overall We would highly recommend this place to anyone, the hotel was clean, and of very high standard anyone who moans must not see what we didn’t. A great stay with good staff who made is both feel very special.

The best holiday ever. The resort was new, so not all the rooms were booked. The ambiance was amazing. The hotel was wide open with walls that could be raised or lowered depending on the weather.
The food was the best we had ever eaten in Cuba. My husband usually has some disagreements with the food, but not here. Breakfast was standard, cheese, cold meats, breads and eggs - hard boiled, omelette, scrambled or cooked to order. Plenty of fresh fruits and my favourite - yogurt in many varieties. Lunch was by the pool and excellent (if you could eat more after breakfast) We only ate lunch 4 times during our week stay. You could count on hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken, fish, salads, breads, cookies. All fresh and cooked to perfection.
Water is on each table and someone comes around to get you beer, wine or mineral water. If the weather is bad, lunch is in the dining room. There is an a la carte restaurant on site. You need reservations. The food was great, service amazing and elegant. But, my husband was still starving so we went to the dining room ad had more to eat. The staff was very friendly, you get what you give.
Everyone spoke good English or could get by. No problem. The rooms were very clean and large. We had three adults in our room. Two queen beds and a cot. The cot was very comfortable - I got possession of it. The pool was great, not many people used it as it was a bit cool the week we were there. We used it two twice. The walk to the beach was through manicured grounds. The palm trees were not fully grown, and the bushes were new. There is a boardwalk to the beach. A nice walk.
The beach - well - it is Varadero - need I say more. We walked it every day - even when we had a storm. One day we walked to the commercial centre - good thing we took sandals - we had some places without sand - mostly coral - and we had some climbing. it was an adventure. The beach is long and white and soft sand. We have stayed at a 3 star and an3 1/2 star. No comparison to this hotel. We are going back next year. I cannot say enough about Blau Varadero.