Reviews of Gran Caribe Barlovento Hotel, Varadero, Cuba

Well where do i...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Sep 2008

Tour Operator:

Thomas Cook

Submitted By:

Miss M Wellington

Comments:

Well where do i start..........This has got to be by far the best hotel i have ever stayed in. the staff are so friendly, helpful and very relaxed. the all inclusive basis was fab! we could eat and drink and not worry with having to spend lots of money, which isn't a worry at all in Cuba as its so cheap. The hotel its self is very clean, our maid for the week was always doing great things with our towels, making them into swans and even plam trees. we did thank you for all her hard work by leaving her something on our beds for her everyday. There are three pool around the hotel grounds, the biggest one is very clean and had a loverly foutain feature. The other big pool is deeper and has a circular seeting area in the middle so u can relax.. is was fantastic with a cocktail! Then there was a very shallow pool for children, which is still a big size. They had entertainment going on in the hotel every night, it has its own stage and the enternainers are very enthusiastic to get everyone watching invloved.. i was dragged up on our last evening into a dance contest, which i did enjoy very much, its such a good laugh. The drinks are very resonable, to beer, cocktails and even Cuban coffee. The food is very well presented and tasted very nice. There is a variety of different foods, which doesn't really change over the time you are there, but there is eide range to choose from. I was told before we got there that we must try the Mexican restuarant, but unfortunalty due to a lil hurricane that decided to grace us with its presence, it was closed. That is my only disappointment, it never seamed to be open the whole week we were there. The hotel grounds are huge, with lots of things for you to do, even getting a massage, which i was very tempted to do but the beach just did it for me, the view from the hotel, is breath taking and the fact you can walk straight on the beach from your hotel is just the icing on the cake!!! We were so overwhellmed with the services of this hotel it was a stunning hotel.. The trips were fab, they really do have lots for you to choose from.. we really wanted to go to havana but unfortunatley we couldnt go due to the hurricane being on the days the trips were on, but we did manage to swim with dolphines, which is a dream come true. its not expensive at all 89 pesos which is £60!! and u get 20mins in the water with them and get to watch a show aswell. its such a good day out!! plus your not there all day so u can sun yourself with the rest of the day. The hotel is close to a few markets, but you can get taxis they are so cheep! I was gutted to leave Veradero i would deffinalty recogment this to anyone, i went with 3 fiends and were all in the age range of 19 - 32 so it suits anyone. I canht wait to go back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THIS IS ONE HOTEL WHERE YOU HAVE...

Overall Rating:

8/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Apr 2008

Tour Operator:

Thomson

Submitted By:

Ms C James-stuart

Comments:

THIS IS ONE HOTEL WHERE YOU HAVE IT ALL THE STAFF WERE GREAT THE PORTER COULDNT DO ENOUGH FOR YOU HAD A GREAT TIME THE BEST,WELL CANT WAIT TO COME BACK.

CHERY, LEE, MELANIE, MICHAEL

LOTS TO DO AND SEE BUT TAKE YOUR OWN TOILET ROLLS

WEATHER GREAT

Fantastic location, right on...

Overall Rating:

8/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Feb 2008

Tour Operator:

Thomson

Submitted By:

Ms A Gonzalez

Comments:

Fantastic location, right on beach.Decor a bit tired, but to be expected for 3 star. Staff generally lovely. Food fresh, a bit repetative as with all inclusives. However fresh cooked fish daily. Vegetarians may sruggle. Choice of 3 restaurants- 2 a la carte.

Stunning beaches and 3 pools on resort. Lovely gardens. We had a fantastic time. Would recommend!

Generally good hotel to stay in....

Overall Rating:

6/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Jan 2008

Tour Operator:

Thomas Cook

Submitted By:

Mr P Davenport

Comments:

Generally good hotel to stay in. We found the food to be quite good but with a few dodgy days . pools and beach clean and tidy, but pools were very cold with no one in them . Most of the staff were nice and helpful,except the lobby bar night staff . The three men who work the bar would look away when you walk up or go in the back room.It made no difference if you tipped or not, they were just horrible . We all (4) had a good holiday but wouldnt go back because of staff i mentioned.

My boyfriend and I have just...

Overall Rating:

8/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Apr 2007

Tour Operator:

MyTravel

Submitted By:

Miss C Freeman

Comments:

My boyfriend and I have just returned from a 2 week all-inclusive holiday at the Barlovento, and we had a fabulous time! Where shall I start?



Initially we arrived a bit worse for wear after a 9 and a half hour flight into Holguin, followed by a 2 hour stop-off there and then re-boarding for the hour flight to Varadero airport.



It was a pain, but at least this stop-off was on the way out rather than on the way home. Do check if you're having a stop-off as it appeared a few passengers on our flight weren't told before they left.



We arrived at the hotel (first drop-off, last pick -up) in the middle of a tropical rain storm and thought we might have to get a canoe from the coach to the entrance due to the flood, but luckily this was only one of 2 storms we had in 2 weeks, and otherwise the weather was scorching.



April is apparently one of the best times to go to Cuba, and we were very lucky with our weather.



We arrived at the check in desk and were immediately issued with our wrist bands for the all inclusive. The only moan I'd have about this bit was we were given our room key, told the room number and sent on our merry way without any directions to where the room was!



We found it easily enough, and unpacked into the large, pleasantly decorated pool view room. We had 2 double beds pushed together which was fine and more than enough space to spread out in.



We went just after the school Easter holidays had finished so overall, the hotel was pretty empty by our 2nd week, and hardly any children for our whole stay either. We found that most people tended to go to the beach during the day which left just us and a few others round the pool - like having a private villa!



There was no problem getting a lounger by the pool or on the beach whenever we wanted one, not like some other places where you have to put your towel out at 4am to get a spot (I'm not German, but sometimes you've got to play them at their own game...).



You’re promised watersports for an hour a day, but we never got to do any as the sea was generally too rough - usually a yellow flag day (traffic light system). Not that it was really windy on the beach, but once you got in the sea for a paddle, you did tend to get washed along a bit, so the windsurfing and canoe equipment was rarely out.



I'd read a few other reviews on other sites about the Barlovento before we went and was a bit concerned about the food, but it seems most people were whinging about the pettiest of things. I am the world’s fussiest eater, and I found something to eat everyday without going hungry.



Strange combinations perhaps - a slice of pizza, some spag bol, chicken and rice etc, but although sometimes it was slightly luke warm, there was nothing wrong with it and I didn't suffer from a gippy tummy at all!



Ok, so maybe it was a bit much like the same thing every day, but as long as you break it up with your a la carte meals it'll be fine. Saying that though, we could only fit one night in the Mexican restaurant as it was fully booked, so clearly you don't get one meal in the Mexican and Cuban a week as they advertise.



Other reviews seemed to suggest that unless you tipped at the bars, you never got served. What rubbish. There were a lot of Canadian guests at the hotel, and as a general consensus, they seemed to tip a peso or so every time they ordered a drink.



I'm not tight, but what’s the point in going on an all inclusive and virtually paying for your drinks? I never found that I was ignored at the bar as I didn't tip every time, I just waited my turn like everyone else.



Maybe that’s what their problem was - they felt as they tipped, they should've jumped the queue at the bar. Anyway we tipped a larger amount once a week rather than for every drink, and we were treated no differently.



Now then, the nightlife.... Erm, a bit less than desirable. They put on a show every night - dancing mainly and the odd synchronised swimming act (who took over the pool to practice at 3pm everyday and made you feel like you couldn't get in, but there was another pool to go in I suppose...).



They were mainly quite good, but there was only 5 or 6 different shows, so if you're there for 2 weeks or more they may get a bit repetitive!



We ventured outside the hotel a few times to see what was about and were disappointed again, to find very few things to do. There were quite a few restaurants, which basically served the same kind of stuff as in the hotel - a nice steak house about a 5 minute taxi ride away (a mile or so walk in that heat was too much!) But no bars!



We were really surprised at the lack of just somewhere different to go and have a drink rather than in the hotel every night. 2 restaurants over the road to the hotel were nice enough - I heard the 'casa del chef' did a fab lobster but we never got round to trying it.



The pizza place next door gave my other half stomach ache with the steak and chips he had (think it was the chip fat or something) and the ham pizza I had was more like a cheese sandwich really, so we didn't go back, but other people had no problems, so don't just take my word for it!



Most restaurants we went into, we had 2 main courses, maybe a starter and a few drinks and at all came to under a tenner - can't complain about that!



So we ended up staying in the hotel bars most nights, and were in bed usually by 11.30pm (I'm only 28!) but it seemed to take ages to get used to the time difference, but I'm pretty sure the bars were open till about 1am, and I definitely saw people knocking back whiskey before 9am at breakfast, so you can get a drink almost any time it would seem!



If you get on the open top bus that takes you right to the end of Varadero and back in a loop you'll get to see all the posh Sandals type hotels down the end.



To be honest, they didn't look that spectacular and there seemed even less to do up that end of the resort as it was just hotels and a marina with a couple of boats - we foolishly thought that there might be a few nice restaurants and bars near the marina like we'd experienced on other holidays, but nothing there either!



So it seemed that the Barlovento was actually right on top of the 'main' bit where the other restaurants and the market was - probably one of the best located hotels for venturing out.



Over all, I really enjoyed it. My other half got a bit bored towards the end as he likes a go on all the motorised water sports, but we couldn't find anything like that either. If you're happy to sit on the beach and read a book, and aren't too fussed about a busy night life, then it's for you.



If you're after a bar strip with night clubs and the like, you won't find it in Varadero.



The trips were pretty good though, swimming with dolphins is an absolute must if you've never done it before - it's not just for kids as my boyfriend is 37 and it was one of the best experiences ever!



We also did an overnight stay to Havana, which was just about enough - it's so busy, noisy and polluted we were glad to get back after 2 days.



If you do the trip to Havana, beware that it's mostly coach-based and you don't get a great deal of time to venture out on your own for a mooch round - we booked ours through our Airtours rep, but I'm sure the people who booked it through 'Cubatur' (the trip booking place within the hotel) didn't get any different.



It means you get to see the Tropicana show which is brilliant, something you have to see if you're in Havana.



Not many Brits there, not sure if that’s a good thing! And beware ladies - the GHD's don't work there! Horrific I know if you've got 'unruly' hair like mine, and the hairdryer I took barely worked either.



The only saving grace was that I found a plug socket near the pool table that had 220v and the straighteners worked in that socket alone - might sound vain, but those of you who know what I mean will understand why I had to stand by the pool table to use them every other day!



So don't bother taking them unless you want to do what I did - my boyfriend was so embarrassed at being a look-out in case I got told off by hotel staff for doing it!



Excellent value for money - we couldn't get rid of our money really. First time I've come home from a holiday with cash! You'll probably find you'll tip more than you'll spend. You're supposed to barter in the markets, but when something (a painting for instance) is only £2, how can you?



Our maid was also really grateful for the toothpaste, paracetamol and shower gel etc we'd brought for her, as I think Cubans appreciate those things more than money as they're extortionate to buy, and remember, they're all on rations of stuff, so they like any of your t-shirts you care to leave behind as well!



Enough waffling from me - have a great time if you go, we did. But remember it's not going to be as lively as you might expect, considering it's supposed to be the 'liveliest' resort in Cuba!

We enjoyed our visit very much,...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Feb 2006

Tour Operator:

Signature

Submitted By:

Mrs E. Rosvold

Comments:

We enjoyed our visit very much, no worries about getting to the resort, the bus was right there waiting. The card for the towel was a bit confusing, you hand in the card to the towel people, and they give you a towel. You need to keep that towel unless you TRADE it in for a clean one of course.



At the end of your stay you hand in your towel with the towel people before they close for the day (4:00 or 5:00 I think) for the card which you hand in at the front desk at check out. If you don't show up with that card at the desk, they will charge you $10.00 per towel. Not a big deal, but they didn't explain it to us, we just walked away from our towels the first day and had to pay that deposit of $10.00 to get some the next day.



We thought the staff were very friendly and helpful and fun. The dance lessons were great, the pools were beautiful and the beach of course was incredible. The trip to Havana was worth it to us, we did they stay overnight and thought it was good value, the hotel was nice, the Tropicana show was amazing, very authentic, this is was Vegas has tried to copy for years.



It was nice to be close to the town of Varadero, could easily walk in to the market from the resort. Lobster for $10. pesos down the street. Overall, very satisfying holiday.

My boyfriend and I stopped at...

Overall Rating:

1/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Dec 2005

Tour Operator:

Thomson

Submitted By:

Miss SRC Callaghan

Comments:

My boyfriend and I stopped at this hotel as part of a twin holiday with Havana over the New Year. Havana was great but unfortunately the Barlovento was not as was described to us at the travel agent.



We were advised that the food would be 24 hours with it being all inclusive and there would be an abundance of it, there would be a choice of three restaurants, a bar literally at the poolside and a widespread choice of water sports.



Upon our arrival we were extremely disappointed to find out that in fact this was not so. In fact the food was extremely bland lacking imagination and it was repetitive, so repetitive that it was the same cold tired food practically every day- chips, pork, rice, beans etc (which I might add were covered with flies) on rare occasions you were lucky to get shrimp; the 'three restaurants' were actually really one with a week long waiting list to eat either Cuban or Mexican food, which in fact was only cooked towards the end of the week in rotation, and if you were the generous type and liked to tip you could eat that food as often as you liked. However Mexican wasn't exactly Mexican it was the same hashed up dribble that was served in the repetitive buffet restaurant. Considering we were in Cuba- the Caribbean we did not even once sample any Cuban cuisine instead we were forced to live off chips, pizza and rice for 11 nights!



There was not even a fruit table, hardly any fish or lobster. The food wasn't 24 hours as was advised instead you had to wait like sheep for feeding time which was within specified hours. If you were hungry outside that window you would have to starve or go out to buy snacks.



Now I know we may sound like moaners but I assure you we aren't we were just sold a holiday that cost an awfully lot of money that did not measure up to what we expected; we want to pre warn any other potential victims.



On our return to the UK today we spoke to several other holidaymakers about their stay and we were green with envy to hear that they had had the time of their lives and their hotels had exceeded all of their expectations. They were served with excellent cuisine and lots of it with fresh fish, prawns, fresh fruit, vegetables etc with optional room service and 24 hour snacks.



On the plus side our maid Clarissa was lovely and the room a good side and clean, oh and the beach was beautiful. We however feel as if our holiday was ruined, my boyfriend and I have both travelled to numerous countries such as Bali, Thailand, Las Vegas, Orlando, New York etc and have never had cause to complain, in fact we had the time of our lives. I know that Cuba is communist but if the hotel down the road can offer the service and food standard we expect why can't the Barlovento? You have been warned!!!

If all you want is basic...

Overall Rating:

2/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Apr 2005

Tour Operator:

Thomson

Submitted By:

Miss L Oxer

Comments:

If all you want is basic facilities, friendly-ish staff (depending on your tipping abilities) and a small leap to the beach and you are renowned for not caring what you spend your hard earned cash on, this is the place for you.



If you had spent £700+ per person (as advertised in the Thomson brochure), you will leave Barlovento with stripes across your forehead where you spent the week scowling in dismay. You will have scowled at the fact that the food was abysmal (barely edible at times), that this wasn’t the luxury relaxing break away you’d expected and best of all that your final bill was a different figure each time you asked for an itemised bill.



Varadero itself, well, clearly the sea has always been there, but its infrastructure was built for tourists, so need I say more. If you’re after a genuine Cuban atmosphere and culture, you won’t get it. This is an "exclusive" resort for "exclusively" tourists and Cubans trying to earn a living from the trade (who can blame them when someone is silly enough to spend £700 + on a week at Barlovento).



Strongly suggest if you have an urge to go to Cuba, you take the DIY route and plan your journey in advance. Do Havana, do the mountains, do Trinidad, take a peek at Varadero if you must, but please don’t find yourself at Barlovento....

We are a family of five that...

Overall Rating:

8/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Oct 2003

Tour Operator:

Thomson

Submitted By:

SaraRutt

Comments:

We are a family of five that stayed at the Iberostar Barolventa last October.



The Hotel was great with plenty to offer, and the staff were wonderful. The Entertainment team go out of there way to make sure you have a good time, and if anyone is planning a trip to this hotel if you come across Evis, no he is not mad he is just doing his job.



If you venture out into Varadero the shops are limited but further down the strip there is a shopping complex...recommend the bus or the horse and cart it is a long walk.



Don’t buy cigars from the street traders , if they don’t have the white seal on them you will have them taken away at the airport.



Swimming with the dolphins in Cuba is cheap compared to other destinations , and well worth the money.



The staff at the Hotel appreciate any left over toiletries that you may have, these items are expensive to buy and they all work extremely hard for very little money.



Finally out of the five of us travelling two of us came back with food poisoning ...... be careful to check that your food is cooked properly and hot , I thought we were careful, but obviously not careful enough.... This to me was just a hic cup and could have happened anywhere. It hasn’t put any of us off and we would definitely visit this Hotel again...