Reviews of Iberostar Tainos Hotel, Varadero, Cuba

Fantastic holiday, both myself...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Jun 2008

Tour Operator:

Thomas Cook

Submitted By:

Miss S JENSEN

Comments:

Fantastic holiday, both myself and my partner enjoyed this hotel and agree its the best hotel we have ever stayed in. The staff were very pleasant and helpful. There was a good variety of food in buffet. The restaraunts were also very good. I would definately go back to this hotel and would reccemmend it to anyone going to Cuba. We went overnight to Havana which was also a good event. The rooms were celeaned daily and promptly. I am looking at going back next year or in the near future.

Just got back from our first all...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Aug 2008

Tour Operator:

Thomas Cook

Submitted By:

Mr P.A. Thompson

Comments:

Just got back from our first all inclusive holiday at the Iberostar Tainos Varadero.

Had spent 3 days in Havana first. Brilliant. Stayed at the Hotel Telegrapho right in Centre of Havana. 3 days about right amount of time, saw loads. Travelled down to Veradero for 11 days at resort. Iberostar Tainos is Fabulous in every way.

Food was good and varied, Staff superb and work so hard, rooms lovely and have benifitted from a recent re-fit. Had good fun with the maids leaving out props for her to make bedroom towel sculptures. Entertainment staff were brill and talented. Had tropical storm "Fay" come through the last few days of the holiday. Hotel management were great and kept everybody informed, and all services ran all the time.

Things to do.

Flying boat off beach, overnight trip to Trinidad, Aqua-jets in the lagoon,Deep sea fishing, Coco Taxi into Varadero a must.

2 negatives. The main bar and lobby are in dire need of air-con as a means of sanctuary at the end of a long hot day to have a respite from the heat rather than going to your room for comfort. Also, if your staying on the ground floor in the main building, it's very noisy from the bar area. Could do with some self closing doors to save on the ear plugs and drink more Mojito's as a night cap.

Overall brilliant. go if you can. Look out for George at the pool bar and Elvis on the entertainments team.

Hotel met all our expectations....

Overall Rating:

9/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Aug 2008

Tour Operator:

Thomas Cook

Submitted By:

Mrs K Griffiths

Comments:

Hotel met all our expectations. Rooms were spacious although not luxurious (how much time do you spend in your room?). Beds were comfortable and towels were changed daily. Maids did amazing 'sculptures' with them. The buffet restaurant had a huge choice with a different meat or fish selection every day as well as a section which featured a different country every day e.g chinese, British etc.The Japanese restaurant was our favourite which we booked 3 times and the cuban resturant was also good, if a little souless (needed some music).The pool was huge and there was always plenty of sun loungers. The beach was glorious, the sands much deeper than some of the neighbouring hotels. Again there were plenty of sun loungers and parasols. The hotel staff were always pleasant and friendly and yes we did tip regularly but when you realise some are paid a peso a day (about 80p!)it was really no hardship to give them a peso. We never found them hanging around waiting for a tip, often we went back after them. The day time entertainment was good, if you wanted it, but you never felt pushed into joining in. We tended not to watch the evening entertainment as there was a lot of handing out of certificates etc. I believe the shows which started around 10p.m were quite funny though.

We did 3 trips. The swimming with dolphins was enjoyable but the water (in a canal) was filthy. Doesn't compare with Discovery cove in Florida. The overnight trip to Havana and Pina de Rio was fabulous. Excellent tour guide and well worth the exhaustion felt at the end of it! The Catamaran trip with fresh lobster on board was fantastic. The crew were a lot of fun and the uninhabited island was 'picture postcard'. The snorkling was great too.

We've had a fantastic time- the...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Jul 2008

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

Mrs S Holden

Comments:

We've had a fantastic time- the staff are always happy to help and go out of their way to make sure everything is OK. The room was large, quiet. Food was varied and plentiful, though this (and in fact Cuba) does not seem the place for vegetarians. The kids club was ideal and they always brought your child to a personal handover and checked with you if they were moving to another part of the hotel for playtime. Activities were plentiful and amusing if you got to know some of the other guests. We could not fault anything at this hotel and even persuaded our maid to give us towel-folding lessons!

One thing I would mention is that outside of your hotel, particularly in varadero town or havana, the toilet facilities are less than basic. Either use the coach for Havana trips or don't go at all when in varadero- I tried one of the hotels in varadero town- its facilities for toilets were the sort you might find in a run down public convenience in the 1970s- no seat, no wash basin, no paper, no flush.

All that said the hotel is great- say hello to Yuly on the desk and Elvis and Fernando and Veronica in the Animation team

just come back from Cuba today ,...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Jun 2008

Tour Operator:

Thomas Cook

Submitted By:

Miss C Adams

Comments:

just come back from Cuba today , what a holiday! it was stunning stayed in the iberostar tainos in varadero what can i say ? brill we cant recommend this hotel and all the staff enough. the Cuban people don't have very much but they work so hard in trying to make sure that you have a good holiday. tip them well they deserve every penny. keep a look out for George behind the bar hes brill. our maid was nerida tip her well to and your fridge in your room will never run dry . if you leave them little gifts to then they will see you OK .also keep a look out for Elvis by the pool ho god is he a caricature. he also dose some of the entertainment in the night as well. go and see the shows they put on for you you wont be sorry also spend time in the lobby you get to meet some lovely people and just chill while having a drink. try some of the cocktails but take it easy ha ha they don't measure anything. the mambo club is good the catamaran is also good the beach is to die for and the food is really good . the trades in by the lobby are really good value bought loads . be aware of the lifts you could get stuck, but don't worry! that's nothing bad it adds to the fun of the hotel and you will soon get used to them. please say hi to George for us from Thomas and Howard and cath tell him were looking forward to seeing him again next year, as were going back. once i get chance i will up load some pics for you all to see . we had a really fab time. ho and take lots of clothes you don't want anymore out with you and donate them they will be so great full to you also take pens pencils take more smellys and shower gel than what you will need. also take some high factor sun lotion with you just to start you off . hope you have a lovely time and enjoy as much as we did ho and its realy cheap and safe there crime rate is 0

Third time in Cuba love valadero...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

May 2008

Tour Operator:

Thomson

Submitted By:

Mrs J Gent

Comments:

Third time in Cuba love valadero so much everyone really friendly. I have stayed at the Iberostar Tainos Twice now The staff are very friendly and helpful, we stayed in one of the Bungalows this time which we found to be very clean. How ever we missed Frank & george at the pool side. We did find George in side the lobby bar. ronaldo works very had setting up for the nightly shows.We will be returning again soon hopefully, we run a bar nd staying at Tainos was a lovely break well reconmended

the best holiday WE have ever...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

May 2005

Tour Operator:

Thomas Cook

Submitted By:

arthhelen62

Comments:

the best holiday WE have ever had,returning this year in may,can anyone tell me if they have renovated this hotel.IF the same staff is still there it will be a most enjoyable again.On previous visit we did not tip my wife gave cosmetics to the gils and staff,and i gave the lads aftershave etc ect, but if tipping is the done thing,so be it,one CUC was left under the pillow every morning. holiday cant come quick enough.

My partner and I would recommend...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Jul 2007

Tour Operator:

Thomson

Submitted By:

Mr R L Storrer

Comments:

My partner and I would recommend Iberostar Tanios to anybody.



Food was great and the staff were helpful and so very friendly. The resort grounds was well maintained and clean.



Our room was spacious and very clean and was kept clean by the maids throughout our stay.



We also tried the Brazilian al a carte restaurant which was absolutely beautiful. Beach was very spacious and clean with clear turquoise water.



We also became close friends with the pool bar staff Jorge and Frank who kept us entertained.



Even with the hotel due to close on the day we departed ;nothing was compromised. And hope to return in near future.

This hotel is nice, but could do...

Overall Rating:

7/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Jul 2007

Tour Operator:

Airtours

Submitted By:

Miss V Biss

Comments:

This hotel is nice, but could do with a paint job. Rooms are standard and the staff are friendly and nice.



The food is not bad considering they don't have much, but 2 wks of all-in, and it gets a bit repetitive.



I would recommend getting 2 keys for your room, and leaving 1 in the socket so the air con is always on, it gets really hot. Also there is no air con in the dining room or the lobby bar and it is quite uncomfortable.



I wouldn't bother with the Cuban restaurant because you will get eaten alive by mossies, and the Brazilian is basically a mixed meat kebab.



The entertainment tried their best, but it was very amateur-ish and only lasted an hour, then the lobby bar closes at 1am,and there is nothing else to do!



I would recommend the overnight Havana trip, but be warned, the next day it takes about 5hrs to get back 2 the hotel.



Also recommend going on the flying boat (you'll know what I mean),pricey but great. The Cayo Blanco trip is o.k. for a day out (even though they put us on the wrong catamaran!) I would definitely get speed boats out 2,loads of fun!



Don't bother with the dolphin show, it’s also amauter-ish, and the water is muddy and disgusting, you won't wanna get in!



Varadero has a wonderful beach and the sea is so lovely and clear, like getting in a warm bath!



If you want a relaxing holiday, and to stay in your hotel most of the time, then this is the holiday for you. If you like to venture out, go for walks, try restaurants and go 2 shops/bars/clubs, then don't come here.



Also if anybody asks you to go horse riding, don't go! No helmets, under malnourished horses, trotting on main roads, and no one to guide you!



Overall a nice place to go, but was ready to come home and I wouldn't come back (only cos to many places in the world to visit!).

Just got back from a fantastic 2...

Overall Rating:

7/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Jul 2007

Tour Operator:

Thomson

Submitted By:

Ms D Fleck

Comments:

Just got back from a fantastic 2 weeks in Cuba. The Tainos is lovely. All of the staff were great - especially George and Frank at the pool bar (give them a big tip!).



Went on overnight trip to Havana and Club Tropicana show is a must! Not so impressed with our Thomson rep - we misread the time on another trip and missed it, rep hopeless when we explained that the time wasn't clearly written on the ticket, refused a refund and wasn't very pleasant.



That was our only complaint about the holiday though.

I’ve just read all the reviews...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Apr 2005

Tour Operator:

Thomas Cook

Submitted By:

Mrs M Hawes

Comments:

I’ve just read all the reviews on the hotel and all of them are spot on.



This hotel is excellent, from the room's to the staff, to the food even the entertainment was fab.



Me and my soon to be hubby went there in April and I must say, I wished I got married out there (we got married the following July and went to Cancun Mexico and Cuba is much much better) and yep every one is right, George at the lobby bar is great a really nice man.



Swim with the dolphins I did it on my 36th birthday and what a birthday I’d never forget.



If you go to Havana please only do a day trip because it is far too scary out there.



Beggar’s, even little children with mum's in tow every 2 minutes, and the amount of drug's that was offered to my other half (well).



Oh and take you own loo roll, even if you go into a posh hotel you have a lady giving you 2 pieces of loo roll and wanting money for it lol..



Apart from that I will be going back there when I have saved some pennies. Have great time peps.

Reading holiday reviews are...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Board Basis:

Full Board

Date of Holiday:

Oct 2006

Tour Operator:

Thomas Cook

Submitted By:

Rob D

Comments:

Reading holiday reviews are always suspect to me, as you never actually know who posted them but all the above comments are absolutely true!



If you've seen the Thomas Cook video then that's exactly what you get. There's not much to say that hasn't already been said, what a beautiful place to spend a few weeks!



The only downside for me was the arrival at Varadero airport, gees after a 9 hour flight (from the U/K) you don't need a somewhat protracted entry procedure in a steaming hot small airport. Ok Ok! That’s my one and only whine.



To say anything about the hotel that hasn't already been said is difficult but one thing that springs to mind, was that although the hotel was fairly full there was always a sun bed by the pool available at any time.



The places to eat were never crowded and a seat was always available, for such a large place privacy and space were always available. The Cuban restaurant was fantastic (just put your name with reception and a time to dine) I ate there 3 times as the steak was fantastic, the restaurant is semi open air so use your insect spray.



We hit the ground running and saw all the sights, you can't go to Cuba in Castro's lifetime without seeing Havana we did but were glad it was only the day trip as I wasn't overly impressed, one run down big city is much the same as another to me.



From the hotel lobby you can book a cruise to a perfect island where you sail in the morning eat fresh lobster on-board then go snorkelling off the boat for an hour or so, the boat then moors at a perfect tropical uninhabited island where you bathe in the crystal clear 33.2 deg water (the captain had a temp probe in the water and I assure you that was the sea temp) you then eat on the island and sail back to within 2 miles of the hotel I can't remember the exact price but I think it was about £60 each. Do IT !



We met many people on our travels with horror stories about their hotels, so be warned, there are only about 2 hotels in Varadero that constantly won praise from the many people we met and the Iberostar Tainos was one of them.

Hello I'm doing a holiday...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Aug 2006

Tour Operator:

Thomson

Submitted By:

Mr G Plowright

Comments:

Hello I'm doing a holiday review! Great holiday looking forward to coming back in 2008 .



This year we stayed at the hotel Tainos it was excellent! The hotel was superb, all of the staff including the night entertainment and beach people were very friendly and always on hand to help if needed.



We loved the food the fish was really nice! The snorkelling was amazing and the little cleaner fish were weird but we loved them anyway. The dolphins, when you first swim with them words cant describe the feeling being with them.



George was lovely and Louis was an excellent bell boy as well as Pedro. Arlien was our favourite- all of these members of your hotel are a credit to you, which is why we will be coming back to the hotel for our 25th wedding anniversary with all of our family! Gracias!

Me and my boyfriend went here...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Jun 2006

Tour Operator:

Thomson

Submitted By:

Miss Amy & Steve

Comments:

Me and my boyfriend went here hoping for our perfect holiday. It was absolutely brilliant we didn't want to come home, the hotel was really good, very clean, food was excellent I was worried about the food because I’m a very fussy eater but there was always something tasty for me, lots of desserts! My favourite!



We did some trips when we were there which we would recommend doing. We went to Havana for the 2 day trip 1 day just wouldn't be long enough Havana is a beautiful city definitely worth a visit we went to Club Tropicana at night which I was really looking forward to, my boyfriend wasn't really looking forward to Club Tropicana but admitted that he loved every minute of the show.



We also went swimming with the dolphins this was a long day as the dolphins are a 3 hours away from Varadero so it was an early start, the swimming with dolphins was the best thing we have ever done I was a bit scared at first (I’m soft) there was 2 dolphins and 4 of us so there was lots of dolphin time for us we got lots of kisses from them which was really nice our dolphins were Luna and Bobby! On the last day my boyfriend booked us on the skydiving trip! The most scariest thing I have ever done in my life, we got a DVD and photos of us doing it as proof to our families!



We will definitely be coming back for a mohito to Iberostar Tainos, we loved every minute of our holiday we can’t fault anything about it.

Good overall hotel - Staff very...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Jan 2006

Tour Operator:

Thomson

Submitted By:

Mr D Hayday

Comments:

Good overall hotel - Staff very pleasant (Especially Big George the head barman in the Lobby bar!- helped with large amounts of Cuban rum and fatherly advice when I was just about to get married!)



We went through Thomson & got married at the resort – all went extremely well and the Wedding coordinator was magic!



They had recently gone through 13 consecutive hurricanes in the last wet session – so there were tiles missing at the bottom of the pool and it could have needed some more repairs in the complex.



It has a great spot on the main beach – lovely sand and an ocean to die for.



Some tips though… Take the strongest ‘Jungle mosquito repellent’ & something for the stomach. – Especially put on the repellent if dinning at the Cuban restaurant.



The food was great (however I think that they could do better on variety)



They were especially extra nice to us all when the main management visited and we had to fill in questionnaires.



Be nice to your room maid (bribery usually does the trick!) and they will make an extra special effort to keep your room tidy!)



Entertainment was good and they look after the children – lots of activities to do for people of all ages.



Good shops on-site. We stayed in the resort for most of the holiday – in Cuba you must see the ‘real’ streets outside the normal holiday makers areas in Havana & you MUST go to Club Tropicana !!!!



Cuba is a magical country and Iberostar Tainos go out of there way to make your stay a happy one!