Reviews of Occidental Grand Playa Turquesa, Holguin, Cuba

Amazing!

Overall Rating:

9/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Feb 2007

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

natasha1310

Photos:

Comments:

I would recommend this hotel to anyone. 8 of us went all together, my parents as it was their honeymoon, me, my brothers and sisters and their partners. Everyone of us enjoyed every moment we were there! We paid for a champagne and lobster dinner for our parents and it was worth every penny, I have attached a picture of the table that was set for them. The staff were very helpful and very nice! We grew quite attached to them all! Food was great, something for everyone! The beach is beautiful and the water sports are great, the hobie cats are alot of fun! Their is also volleyball competitions and salsa lessons on the beach! Mosquito's were bad however the repellent sold in the shop is excellent! I spent most of my time on the beach rather than the pools but I met alot of people that preferred the pools - they play alot of games which are fun to watch even if you do not participate!!! I love it so much there that I am going back in Feb 09 to take my boyfriend, and hopefully my parents (it will be their 3rd visit) we are very excited! If you want the holiday of a life time - go to Grand Playa Turquesa, you will not be dissappointed!!!

Having just returned from Cuba I...

Overall Rating:

1/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Aug 2008

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

Mr J ASKEY

Comments:

Having just returned from Cuba I have to say this is one of the worst holiday let downs ever.4 star I don't think so more like 1 star maybe plus.From what I have read on other reviews regarding this hotel it seems to have gone down hill fast in the last two years,to the point of tiles missing from every swimming pool ,every bit of grass is dead,the food is horrendous you just know that the food of the day is just yesterdays warmed up(Ihad a bad stomach for a week and a half as did nearly everyone you spoke to!)Food in the snack bar (when they have some)is cold and of very poor quality.My wife had chips one day with ketchup already on them(second hand I fear)The hotel has no attention to detail ,the rooms are scruffy,torn curtains,broken lampshades,broken fridge and water coming through my bathroom ceiling every time someone up stairs had a shower.As for the staff ,the entertainment staff(thats a laugh in it's self)are so lazy daytime entertainment was virtually non existant.As for sports we were told "Yes we have some snorkeling equipment but it's all broken"Archery which I was particually looking forward to was nowhere to be found and the football pitch a baron wasteland.Give this hotel a very wide berth and if you have already booked then all I can say is sorry.

Having returned from Cuba this...

Overall Rating:

1/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Jul 2008

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

Mrs K BARBER

Comments:

Having returned from Cuba this week, we did something for the first time of going on holidays for thirty years and moved from the Occidental Grand Playa Turquesa Hotel after four days. Clearly not a four star, extremely disappointing. Please ignore any earlier reviews that are good for this hotel I suspect that there has been some change of Management, its seems to be going down hill from the reviews I read when I booked to go here. We moved to the Playa Pesquera which was a lot better. The adults pool was empty of water, the water in the other pools did not look clean, tiles were missing even in the childrens pool. Plenty of sun beds but in the afternoons nobody was round the pool, because you could not get any shade. One pool has 90 beds and 5 Umbrellas the next 110 beds and 15 umbrellas it was made clear on our first full day that if we wanted one of the few umbrellas that the pool attendant wanted a tip. He knew that these were scarce. We got pool towels on the first day and could not get clean ones for the following three days



Ours rooms were not too bad but we seem to have been one of the lucky ones, again we couldn't get new towels everyday and bed covers were missing, but some other people complained of having dirty rooms and no air conditioning.



Animation was poor, service for drinks and food was totally inadequate, they didn't have enough staff. The staff they did have didn't seem to understand the word service and everything seemed to be too much trouble.



Snack bar was supposed to be open 24 hours but at times you could not get any food.



The main buffet and al carte restaurant food was cold, bland, not presented correctly and congealed, ok if you only wanted frozen chips because they had no potatoes. Went to the Asian asked for noodles this was spaghetti. Fruit was chopped in front of you in any old chunks and thrown on to plates by people with bare hands. The plates didn't look clean. I am finding it hard to explain just how unappetising and bad the food was.



I really could write a lot more but my overall view is don't book to go to this hotel and if you have already booked then do yourselves a huge favour and contact your tour operator to change your holiday before you go. We paid for five adults all taking time off work. The first four days of our holidays was totally ruined by bad food and service from the minute we arrived when you could straight away see that the hotel and grounds were scruffy. Then the following days feeling stressed just trying to obtain basic things like towels and drinks. Then having to review other hotels and spending time transferring.



Like I said at the beginning of this review this is the first time of feeling the need to move hotels in thirty years of holidays. My overall concern was the health and hygiene safety of my family.

I have only just returned from...

Overall Rating:

1/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Jul 2008

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

Miss RB Barber

Comments:

I have only just returned from my holiday in Cuba. The hotel Occidental is definitely not a four star hotel I can say that for sure, after reading good reviews and seeing beautiful pictures of the hotel I was greatly disappointed. The food was cold in every restaurant we went to, the pool and grounds to the hotel weren't clean and I believe that there are serious health problems relating to this hotel. I have only been back off my holiday one day and have found it necessary to write this review to warn people of this hotel. Most of the staff was unfriendly and it was even hard to get a drink of water but can not be said for all. There was not really any management and this was greatly needed. After four days we moved from this hotel and found that a lot of other people were doing the same thing, it ruined our holiday. However we are lucky as some people that stayed there were more badly affected than my family. As we were very lucky with our rooms some rooms had rats and dirty filthy bed cover with blood stain. Some people have also had food poisoning and this has ruined their holiday. I really wouldn't recommend this hotel we ending up moving to Hotel Playa Pesquero this hotel was so much nicer. When we first arrived at the Occidental Hotel and we complained to the reps we were told that this is one of Cuba's best hotels and I can a sure you that there are much nicer one such as Hotel Playa Pesquero. Where we found better food the staff here was friendly and very welcoming and couldn't do enough to help. The pools and setting of this hotel was lovely and well kept.

This hotel is definately not 4*...

Overall Rating:

4/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Jun 2008

Tour Operator:

Thomas Cook

Submitted By:

Mrs S Seddon

Comments:

This hotel is definately not 4* The hotel rooms were spacious and clean but need to be refurbished. We were lucky as we had a terrace we could use as most people were unable to use them because they were overgrown with trees and bushes. The food was okay but was never hot just luke warm and not covered properly. The birds were a real problem as they were taking food off the tables and even taking food out of the trays in the food hall, I am sorry but I do not find that acceptable at all. You had to be carefull where you sat because if you were under one of the light fitting you would be crapped on!!! very nice!!! The pools were loverly but you could not get an umbrella when we asked they wanted 5 peso and a tip. Only a few members of the staff were ok most of them were very unhelpfull!!!!! we usually tip when we get good service we don't expect to have to tip all the time to get it. We took a walk around the grounds and found it to be very run down the area where the tennis courts are and football was deserted!! all the people we spoke to didn't even know they were there. The a-la carte restaurants were dreadfull don't bother!! we tried 3 and gave up although the Cuban was the best.

After reading some of the reviews I was beginning to think we had stayed at a different hotel to some of them. Wished we had changed hotels. One last point this is being advertised as an Occidental I am looking into it but I am led to believe they have dropped it.

Just returned from a fantastic 2...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Jun 2008

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

Miss P Evans

Comments:

Just returned from a fantastic 2 weeks at the Turquesa. Everything was fab here - accommodation, pools, beach, staff - especially Ivan at the pool bar! We even managed to get in some windsurfing - bonus!! The food was fine - something always available for even the most fussy person. Karel the First Choice rep deserves a mention - he was extremely helpful and informative. We went on 2 trips - The Sun Cruise which was excellent, swimming with the dolphins was fantastic and the crew aboard the catamaran were great. Snorkelling at the reef was good with lots of fish to see. We also did the overnight to Havana which again was excellent, though a little tiring in the heat. Our tour guide, Angel, was extremely informative and made the tour so interesting. The Cuban people were really friendly. Weather at all times was great - if not a little too hot towards the end!!Overall we had a fab time in Cuba and would not hesitate in going back.

This resort was amazing!!

We've just arrived back from...

Overall Rating:

6/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

May 2008

Tour Operator:

Thomas Cook

Submitted By:

Miss S Kinnair

Comments:

We've just arrived back from Cuba after initially booking this hotel. Here's what we thought:



Accommodation: Very very nice surrounding. Gardens and pool area were gorgeous. Very clean and tidy. Private beach is great with lots of watersports and plenty of needed shade. Rooms are clean and found the maids excellent. Air conditioning is great!!



Food: This was a no no for us. Food was lukewarm and sometimes cold. Birds were eating out of the food trays (and doing god knows what else in the food!). There wasn't much of a variety and the A La Carte restaurants were a joke. We actually waited 30 minutes to be served in one of the A La Carte's and the table hadn't been cleared from previous guests. Food was bland and basic. The hotel wasn;t that full so the management decided to close the buffet restaurant and move the evening meal to one of the A La Carte restaurants almost every night so from one day to the next you just placed a bet on where you would be eating! We walked around the hotel for 15 to 20 minutes one night trying to find out where we were eating. It was awful and we ended up just going to the 24 hour snack bar instead.



Staff: Although some of the staff were great and really friendly, the majority of them gave the impression that they just couldn't be bothered.



We eventually got very fed up of the poor food and the unimpressive staff and moved to the Playa Pesquero. The Turquesa is not in my opinion a four star hotel, it's more like a three star. If you pay all that money for your hotel and a four star hotel then that's what you should get and we didn't. My advice is go for the Playa Pesquero which is a five star and the difference is unreal!



As I have said we couldn't fault the surroundings but the food and attitude of the staff was such a big let down. We've never complained at a hotel before but it was just getting silly and we just couldn't put up with it anymore. After paying for the holiday we felt that if we didn't do something, we would go home disappointed.

I have just got home from cuba...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Apr 2008

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

Mr T Brewer

Comments:

I have just got home from cuba and i wish i didnt get on the plane!! The weather is absaloutly georgeous and everyone is so friendly and nice. This is the first all inclusive holiday i have ever been on and i would recommend it to anyone looking for a good time and a nice relaxing carribean holiday. I have been to the carribean twice before in antigua, but it would never beat this holiday.................ever!!



first choice have been great and the crew are very friendly



fly with first choice.........the best airline ever!!



Thank you cuba and first choice, for a wonderful holiday!!!

We have just returned from Cuba...

Overall Rating:

8/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Mar 2008

Tour Operator:

Thomas Cook

Submitted By:

Mrs V Rogers

Comments:

We have just returned from Cuba and have a fanatastic time, we chose to stay at the Grand Turquesa after reading the good reviews. The weather was fantastic and people very nice. For anyone thinking of going in the future here is a run down of what I thought.....



Staff:- Couldn't be more helpful, they remember you and Ivan at the pool bar is great, he always remembers your favorite drinks and makes them as he see's you coming to the bar. The staff are very efficient and keep the hotel and grounds very tidy and clean, the maid always made sculptures with the towels......we had a different one everyday. The people out there get very low wages and it is good to leave them a tip, we didn't leave everyone tips, but the ones that went above and beyond their call of duty we did.



Rooms:- these are very spacious, they have a shower room, no bath and were clean. The bedroom area has a TV with some English speaking channels, a fridge and coffee making facilities, I recommend taking some coffee with you as you don't get supplied much and it is a perculator not a kettle. There is a small balcony...big enough to sit out on though, not many rooms have a good view as the hotle has been built in the middle of a forest and they have made every effort to keep as many trees as possible. The safe is free and you set up your own 4 digit code and the rooms have air conditioning that is activated by your key card, we were supplied 2 key cards so left 1 in all time so room was cool when we came back on an afternoon. The beds were comfortable although we had 2 singles, we just pushed themn together to make a big double bed.



Food:- Food was good, the fresh stuff they cook for you in the buffet at breakfast and tea is better as the other food you don't find to be red hot...... there is some choice, but if very fussy I think you may struggle, but chips are always available. The other restaurants were nice, we went to the Cuban and Grill, there is a Chinese, Mediteranian and Italian and they do get booked up quickley so make it your first priority when get there, we went when it was the Canadian spring break so was a bit booked up as we didn't arrange the bookings til the 3rd day of our 1 week hol.



Animals:- We had no problems with mosquitos, although we did hear some people complain, we took one of the plug in repelants for the room that you put on for a couple of hours on an evening and the sun lotion I used had repelent in it. I did get bit though on the plane on the way home. We saw no spiders at all whilst out there and as I have a big fear for them I made sure I was on look out, we did see frogs and lizards and they do get on your balcony, but they are more scared of us and soon run away. Birds also get into the resaurants as they have no walls so if you have a fear of birds this would also be a problem.



Pools/Beach:- the pool areas are great, they have family pools and an adult only pool, so if you want peace and quiet and no kids head to that one, the swim up bar is fab and stays quite shaded so good excuse to go to it for a break from the sun, the pools are very clean as they are cleaned every morning apart from weekends......the beach is like a paradise, it is secluded and private to the hotel and is in a small cove, water activities are available, but as I'm not a fan of sand and sea I did not try these, but ones who did seem to have a good time.......for the ladies.....there is a massage hut on the beach, which cost 10 peso when we were there for 30min, get down there on your first day as this is a pre book facility and gets booked up quick also.



To make you aware, the hotel grounds are extremely large and some rooms can be a distance from some of the facilities, there are extended golf buggies that seat 8 people including driver that run occasionally around the resort to take you to your room, reception area and pool/beach. They can be ordered from your room and they are always about near the reception area. There are also a lot of steps in between the pool areas that are in the middle of the resort. If you are unable to tackle these from reception I recommend getting a golf buggy down to the bottom of the resort. Once your at the bottom of the resort the level is pretty flat, but for wheelchairs it is cobbled paths so this may be hard work and even the low rooms have 3/4 steps onto the landing....we didn't see any rooms that were totally level with the ground, but I would check first.



Overall we did have a great time and would go back. It was very relaxing and you didn't need to leave the resort once you were there. Anyone that goes enjoy.

Very impressive staff and...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Oct 2007

Tour Operator:

Holiday Places

Submitted By:

Mrs LB Brown

Comments:

Very impressive staff and service. Everything very clean, standard of care very high. Take good mossie protection with you thou.



Food generally very good. Wine not great but plenty of other drinks on offer.



Beautiful place very highly recommend it to anyone.



Having previously lived in the Caribbean for 3 years on other islands thought Cuba the nicest one we have seen, very unspoilt, people are lovely and seem to enjoy their jobs in the resorts.

Well, what can I say? Arriving...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Dec 2006

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

Miss T Jones

Comments:

Well, what can I say? Arriving in Holguin airport after a 10 and a half hour flight, to see a sort of dry grassland, didn't leave you very excited about arriving at the hotel.



When I landed I was expecting to see a tropical paradise. Little did I know that the hotel was going to exceed my expectations. We arrived at night time, even then the hotel looked welcoming and attractive. The check in was quick and easy and the staff were very friendly. There was even a bar in the entrance hall.



The next day we were extremely excited about exploring the resort, we went outside and the place was amazing, and beautiful. It was clean, friendly, happy, and sunny, and just plain gorgeous.



If I had the chance I would be back there in an instant!



I thoroughly recommend it, you'll have an absolute blast!

Just arrived back on 02/02/07....

Overall Rating:

8/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Jan 2007

Tour Operator:

Thomas Cook

Submitted By:

Mrs R Patel

Comments:

Just arrived back on 02/02/07. Had a really fantastic time apart from the mega bites I got from the sand files and mosquitoes, never have been bitten so much on any holiday as I was on this holiday.



The rooms were really nice, really spacious with a TV, phone and a fridge. The balcony was good but the only view we had was of the trees.



The beach was brilliant, which is where we spent most our time, the staff on the beach were very friendly and actually remembered you by your first name, which gave it that personal touch.



The buffet had a huge selection but being vegetarian not so much but they accommodated us a few times, we went to oriental restaurant 3 times, as they made the food to how we wanted.



The Grill was another place that was good, even though we only had grilled vegetables, they added garlic and chilli which made the taste really fantastic.



We got to know a few of the waiters at the 24 hr snack bar who within the first 2 days got know our drinks, yet another personal touch.



We went on 3 excursions, dolphin swim, the ocean paradise and the boat adventure. All 3 were excellent.



I would recommend the dolphin swim to any one and the ocean paradise where we did snorkelling and then had a massive feast for lunch. I have to say the food was better than the buffet restaurant. My husband loved the boat adventure, was a great experience.



The only disappointment was the shop, bought a packet of crisps for nearly £2.50 but I suppose you can't complain as that was the only spending we did in the hotel apart from the tips. All tips were greatly appreciated.



I would recommend this place to all but please be careful of the mosquitoes and the sand flies, make sure you take some cream with you to stop the itching.



Overall had a brilliant time!!!

Having never been to Cuba...

Overall Rating:

6/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Dec 2006

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

Miss RL Newton

Comments:

Having never been to Cuba before, I expected it to be a tropical paradise with beautiful white sandy beaches, lovely sea views and blazing hot sunshine!



The flight (considering it took 11 hours because of strong head winds) was ok.



We arrived at the hotel just as the sun was setting and check in was very easy and straight forward. A very nice man with a golf buggy took us with our cases to the room and when we arrived inside and looked out onto the balcony we were presented with a wall of trees!



No views of the sea the pool or even someone else's apartment block, just trees and lots of them! My boyfriend wanted to complain about the view but I told him to leave it till the morning because it was dark and the hotel might look better in the morning.



The next morning arrived and we went for a walk around the very large grounds of the hotel. It appeared that every apartment block was the same with trees growing right up to the balcony/terrace windows.



Not only did we not get a view at all, we could not sit on the balcony because the trees harboured mosquitoes and as soon as the sun went down we both got bit to death. By the end of the 1st week I had 138 bites from my foot to my knee on both legs and had to go to the doctor to seek advice because my legs had swollen that much and I was starting to find it very difficult to walk.



The doctor on the hotel was very understanding and thorough and gave me an injection (which I later found out only lasted 2 days) to stop the mosquitoes biting me and tablets and cream for the ones that I already had. This cost me 80 Pesos (about £45). We had taken mosquito repellent both for us and for the room but still they bit me. Everyone in the hotel was the same and it was a point of conversation for the duration of the holiday.



Regardless of the mosquitoes (and other things that came out at night!), the hotel was ok.



There was a large selection of food for breakfast, dinner & lunch and there were snacks available 24 hours a day. Alcoholic beverages were also served 24 hours a day and was part of the all inclusive package so we didn't really spend anything for 2 weeks!



The entertainment was ok, there was a show every night and there was plenty of things for the kids to do but when it rained (which it did for the first 3 days of our holiday) there was nothing to do but to sit in your room and watch T.V!



We took our mobile phones with us as well and did not get a signal for two weeks (not that I'm complaining about that!)



Overall, I would say that staying in this hotel was like staying at Centre Parcs but with lots more animals and a warmer climate!

Spent a wonderful two weeks here...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Feb 2006

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

M Gillatt

Comments:

Spent a wonderful two weeks here at the end of February, happy to be missing the March Spring Break that many of the young Canadians spend in Cuba when even the Canadians themselves don't want to be there - 'everyone goes crazy 'said the waiters. So definitely something to bear in mind when booking.



Everything about the resort was accurately printed in the brochure and although there are a lot of steps and the resort is spread over a wide area, we had no problems with getting around and my husband had a knee replacement less than 6 months ago! There are short cuts from the beach to the pools, walkways rather than stairs for infant buggies and of course, the odd golf cart to get you around - it's no big deal - take your time, after all, you're there for a week or two!



Tried several of the a la carte restaurants and liked them all, although we were more than happy in the Buffet restaurant at night. Left the UK as a couple, by the second day we were a group of 10 and the only difficulty we had was finding a table big enough to accommodate us all at once. By the second week the waiting staff had got used to us and we were soon fixed up with tables pushed together.



Visited the eco park, a 10 min walk from the hotel. 15 CUC entry for a tour that took approx 2 hours, some of which was spent in a horse drawn carriage, some walking and included a fruit salad served in the shade. Well worth doing. they are very proud of their heritage and keen to show off their farming skills. There are a number of alternative tours around the park which covers approx 500 hectares.



Went to Guadalavaca in a mini bus 32 cuc's return for 10 of us, stayed a couple of hours which was probably enough time. There is really only a small market, lovely beach and a few beach bars but it made a change from the hotel and is close enough to escape to if you feel a bit 'hemmed in'.



The airport at Holguin is, as everyone says, too small to cope easily with the increasing numbers of visitors. However, it's not unbearable and the VIP lounge which looks as though it holds about 20 people is hardly worth worrying about. There is a large patio area upstairs in the airport although there are probably limited number of seats if there is more than a couple of flights leaving at the same time. But -- how long are you going to be sitting when the plane eventually arrives to take you home? Take this opportunity to avoid DVT!



Overall, we had a really great time with good company, good service, good weather and lovely surroundings. Take a thermal cup. Plenty of toiletries (they're very expensive on site), a clock if you think you can't manage without one (none in the room), lots of sun cream and after sun, and a smile - it goes a long way and you'll have an amazing holiday.