Reviews of NH Krystal Cayo Coco Villas Hotel, Cayo Coco

The 10 hour flight in March 2008 seemed long, but our final destination was worth it. In addition to the normal two buffet restaurants, one at each end of the complex, it is adviseable to book early into the 4 ala carte (Italian, Fish, American and Cuban restaurants). We also booked into the VIP Restaurant which is not part of the all inclusive. Sadly, we didnt get round to the Havana trip because it was heavily booked, but we managed a day out in a Catamaran (lovely trip with beautiful scenery) and a coach visit to mainland Cuba, which included a visit to an interesting Sugar Mill, Wildlife park (with crocs) , horse & buggy, etc. Complex execellent,nice and clean, facilities good, daily supply of fresh clean beach towels. Villa clean. Food good. The return flight was reduced to 7 hours, with the help of a tailwind! We would happily return to Cuba to visit the places we didnt get round to on the last trip. Everyone including staff very friendly. Holidaymakers at the time (March08) consisted of 90% Canadian/French Canadian.

The reps are all informative and helpful there is a sense of teamwork about them, they have a office on site and will all help you regardless of tour company, Frank the Airtours rep is on 24 hours call out and you will be given his mobile number.



I had a very good holiday and the Hotel service and standards were excellent. The only thing that let the Krystal down was the buffet style of catering. Anything cooked on the griddle was excellent, the fish and seafood was good. The bread was all freshly baked and was excellent. All soups were good. But the veg was always lukewarm and the combinations on offer were weird. The deserts were unappealing, fortunately the ice cream was good. I got the overall impression locally produce was excellent e.g. (fish, bread, meat etc), imported produce mediocre e.g. (carrots, cauliflower, runner beans etc).



The speciality restaurants are all good and no complaints, the best being the fish restaurant on the Lagoon. We were allowed 8 evening bookings over our 14 day stay and had a choice of Italian, Fish, and Steak and Cuban bookings in any combination. To book there is a small desk by the reception which opens at 9:00 am every morning, bookings are made there. Best to book the first morning after your arrival to get the times that suit you. Remember to take the later evening bookings if you plan to go on excursions.



The beach is a short walk, the beach is narrow but runs for miles in either direction, there is a drinks bar on the beach. There are sun loungers everywhere for sunbathing and shelters to avoid the sun.



Beach towels are provided in a hut by the main swimming pool area, they will ask you your room number the first time and when you leave they give you a slip to hand in when you check out. Bit like everywhere else.



Towels and toiletries are provided in all rooms. Rooms are provided with bottled water and there is a fridge in the rooms. All rooms have air conditioning which cuts out when the window is opened. There are no keys; you have a programmed access card. All rooms have a safe deposit box which is digital. It will be open on arrival. To change the number keep the door open select four numbers and press star key. Close the door and press the four numbers again and that will lock. The same four numbers will then open and close the deposit box. Rooms are very spacious with 2 double beds. There is a TV in each room we got CNN and BBC and English speaking films.





The rooms in the blocks have no balconies, which does make washing clothes and drying a bit difficult. But we improvised with a small washing and got by. Our toilet stopped flushing we reported it and within the hour it was repaired. You will get telephone calls asking if you are pleased with the room from reception.



Tipping, it is a tipping culture so be prepared. Once you have changed your money over go to reception and change a note for coins. It is useful to keep a small amount of coins in your pocket at all times. They are all happy with a one peso tip (buffet, bar staff, singers) but in the speciality restaurants I left 3 peso. But tipping it is a personal choice. Remember one thing, all tips are pooled and shared by the staff.



We took gifts because of the American embargo on the Cuban economy has made things we take for granted hard to come by especially sun tan lotion. They really appreciate anything; we took pens for children and little things we get in one pound shops as gifts. We left all the toiletries for the chambermaid and she was over the moon. Infact I told her in advance that we would leave them for her. I also gave her a 10 peso tip at the end. I ended up giving t-shirts to gardeners and clothing to other staff. They appreciate anything received as gifts but do not expect it. Remember to give them a note that it is a gift as security leaving the complex is iron tight for them and security may think they could have taken it.



Mosquitoes, remember to taken insect bite stuff and repellent. Bit like the UK some people attract bites others don't.



There is a medical centre on site with a doctor and pharmacy. I got the trots because I decided to drink the sea water when snorkelling. I paid about 8 pounds for 12 Imodium tablets and a sachet of dioralite. Money well spent.



Excursions, the most value for money trip is colourful Cuba. You get a meal, ride through the sugar cane fields in an old steam train, visit an old sugar factory, visit a crocodile farm, and tour the mangroves in a boat for a wild life tour. Tour a bit of the countryside. Then visit a town called Moron and tour the town in a horse drawn buggy in a group, then a bit of shopping and then home in time for a speciality restaurant. The visit is perfectly safe a secure and you are well looked after.



The worst trip is the Trinidad trip it takes 3 1/2 hours to get there by coach, a meal, a museum, market stalls, then 3 1/2 hour back home. The Havana overnight trip is brilliant, and but costs about 186 pounds each.



Checking out, you check out at by 12.00pm but if your pick up is 17:00 it could mean a five hour wait. On the day of check out you can at 7:30am ask to extend your checkout time at a cost of 10 peso per hour. Money well spent.



Gifts, the hotel shops are great value, infact most items are priced the same as elsewhere in Cuba, in some cases cheaper. So if you decided to stay on the complex its all there and reasonable. Remember one thing, duty free at cayo coco airport is full of spirits, rum, cigars, and cigarettes all Cuban brands - these can be bought after you have weighed everything in. So it is best to buy spirits at duty free at cayo coco airport to avoid excess baggage.



Best little gift I found was a tin of Cuban coffee at duty free, worked about a pound. Everyone I bought one for thought it was excellent. A nice little touch. Also Peso can be cashed back at the airport.

The hotel, accommodation and location/beach were all 10/10,



The only thing that let this hotel down was the buffet food, you expect this to be poor as it is all over the Caribbean however this took this to a whole new level.



All the food which we eat at the buffet was either not cooked at all or was extremely undercooked, virtually everyone there seemed to have the same opinion however I only heard a few people actually complain about it to the reception, who didn't seem too interested.



The Food in the A La Carte restaurants was fantastic, first class!



Other than that though, the Hotel itself was amazing, the staff were extremely friendly and always looking to do whatever they could to make your stay enjoyable, and whilst tipping is expected, no pressure was put on you to do so and all tips were always very gratefully received. All the grounds around the hotel, including the beach were always meticulously looked after so nothing was ever less than perfect.



The rooms were very large, with a separate changing area from the bathroom which was very useful.



I would not hesitate to return to NH Krystal, or El Senador as it is better known, or to recommend it to friends.