Sol Cayo Guillermo Hotel

1 reader found this review helpful

First of all, Cuba is one of the most colourful and vibrant countries in the world. It is truly unique and the fact that it has been frozen in time is an asset.
If you really want to experience the real Cuba don't go to Cayo Guillermo. You could be anywhere in the Caribbean here.
But if all you want to do is eat, drink and be merry, then this is the place for you.
Though don't expect haute cuisine - Cuba suffered food rationing only a few years ago and it's only just getting back on its feet. The food was edible, occasionally tasty but mostly just edible.
I would urge everyone to tip the friendly and cheerful Cuban staff. They earn about 12 quid a month and every extra peso they get from British tourists is much appreciated. It's only 70p to you but a fortune to them.
We did the Havana trip - which is an awesome place: endlessly interesting, full of life, colour, characters, history and great music.
We did the dolphin trip which my wife wanted to do but I wasn't too fussed. It still feels like these intelligent creatures should be left alone rather than turned into a performing circus act.
We went via Trinidad and Santa Clara, home of the famous Che Guevara monument and museum. The coach was amazingly comfortable but when we went to get off to go to the museum, the guide asked us to leave our valuables on the coach so as not to 'disrespect their national hero'.
Later we discovered that my wife's purse was 100 pounds lighter. We only discovered this when we got back so can't say it happened on this trip for certain, but we are 90% sure.
However this didn't spoil a memorable holiday: we also did things we would never do at home like horse riding, tennis, salsa dancing, canoeing and snorkelling.

2 readers found this review helpful

This has to be the most beautiful place in the world. Me and my boyfriend stayed in the Sol Cayo Guillermo, all inclusive for 2weeks from 30th Aug - 13th Sept. The price was fantastic. The scenery was amazing and the people were excellent and very friendly.
This hotel is one of a few on the island. This island has no Cuban people living on it. Its a natural park. As it was their winter we had a few light showers but that didn't spoil anyone’s time. It was very hot and the sun was always shining. So we did stay in the pool or down the beach for most of the holiday.
Glass bottom boat is a must! This trip was to snorkel. The fish were amazing, the colours were fantastic. Great experience. Also did the trip on the catamaran - was good but we had a storm over us for half of the trip which being afraid of thunder - wasn't great for me.
The only problem I had was the mosquitoes. I sprayed repellent continuously and had a plug to keep them out of our apartment. This didn't do anything so I came home with over 60 bites. I was told from a family I met, to buy a repellent with deat in it. So next year when I will definitely go back - I will make sure I buy that stuff.
Overall - I couldn't fault this hotel or the location. So relaxing, so enjoyable and the sun and food was great!

1 reader found this review helpful

This holiday I can honestly say was the best holiday my husband and I have ever had. The island was beautiful and our little bungalow overlooking the gorgeous blue sea was just fantastic.
It was cleaned every day to a very high standard and our maid was very friendly, so much so that we gave her all sorts of gifts when we left (they really do appreciate the smallest of things).
Two members of staff that I particularly remember were Nelson and Elizabeth, both very friendly and helpful.
It has spoiled me for other holidays as nothing can compare.
The only downside to this whole holiday was the lack of anything else to do on the island as there are no towns or shops, just hotels so we had to go on quite a lot of excursions. But this way, we also got to see quite a lot of Cuba. Don't miss the Jungle Speedboats!

1 reader found this review helpful

The Sol Cayo Guillermo is a fantastic place for a holiday. We are going again Easter 2006, we first went Easter 2002, then 2003, 2005, so this is our 4th trip and definitely not our last.
Everything about this hotel makes it 'the place to be'. I love the colour of the warm sea, the relaxed atmosphere of the place, all of the staff who have become our 'friends' who welcome us each time we arrive and remember us so well.
When our coach first pulls up at the door, we are so 'hyper' to see who we can recognise, and usually it's everyone as the staff stay the same, unlike other holidays, you go back to
expecting it be the same and all the staff have changed and it's very disappointing, but not at the Sol Cayo Guillermo. It is set in time and remains unchanged year after year.
If you want a holiday of a lifetime and keep the best memories ever, you have to visit the beautiful Cayos of Cuba.

1 reader found this review helpful

The only downside to the entire holiday is the flight. The legroom and width of the seats make for an uncomfortable journey particularly on the overnight return. Neither myself or my partner are particularly large and there where many people on the flight should in the aisles for most of the journey. On the flights we had there was no options to pay the extra for premier seats with more leg room either - but I would recommend paying the extra for the comfort if you have the option!
The rest of the holiday more than makes up for the journey though. Lovely hotel surrounded by beautiful gardens and the most amazing beach. Stunning...
Beautiful beach, amazingly warm gently shelving sea with ample parasols and loungers with nobody sitting either in front or behind you and plenty of space between you and your neighbour - definitely no sitting on top of each other.
The food throughout our stay was plentiful and fresh not always piping hot but not cold. Certainly lots of choice and the buffet has several fresh cook stations.
Rooms large and airy with very effective air conditioning (we even had to get up to turn it down some nights!) Cleaned daily and towels changed often.
All the staff we met at this hotel where friendly and very helpful. The entertainment team put on shows each evening which where entertaining to watch.
Didn't see much of the holiday rep but then we really had no reason to seek him out either.
Elvis at the beach bar remembers what drink you like at which time of day - fantastic, and you barely finish one Cuba Libra before the next one is served.
As we went in June there where mosquito's each evening which are rather annoying but only to be expected in an exotic location. Take plenty of repellent and I also recommend taking pure 100% Tea Tree Oil in mixing this in a carrier cream - they seemed to really hate this!
I also had my birthday whilst we where away and we had a lovely dinner in the A La Carte restaurant where I was presented with a lovely bottle of bubbly - nice extra and helped to celebrate!
We did head off on a couple of trips - The Speedboat trip, this was great, short trip on a coach to a speedboat which you get to drive through the mangroves and lagoon to a snorkelling area - take some bread in a plastic bag as the fish will feed out of your hands! We also did the one day dolphin swimming trip by plane and coach - again an amazing experience and worth doing.
All in all a fantastic holiday and amazing value for money.

1 reader found this review helpful

We went to Cuba for our honeymoon in October 2004 and were not disappointed.
The island itself seemed slightly strange as we drove to our complex as there does not seem to be much around other than marshland and the odd wild cow roaming around.
Once we arrived at the complex we were absolutely thrilled it was 1st class all the way the foyer was beautifully decorated and so clean you could see you’re face in the tiles. The room was large and airy with its own air conditioning unit, which is an absolute Godsend. The rooms are cleaned regular with new towels every day.
The whole of the complex is immaculately maintained there are always gardeners pruning the magnificent gardens.
The restaurants were fantastic with loads of food to chose from all the time in the buffet restaurant always hot and fresh. It is also a real treat to dine in the international restaurant or the beach restaurant as well.
The beach is to die for it was always clean and fairly secluded as the complex had its own stretch of beach.
I know I am sounding like this is too good to be true but you have to experience it to believe It. Cuba has the friendliest people I have met in all the countries that we have visited, the staff at this complex are fantastic and nothing was ever to much trouble.
We will definitely be going back without a doubt!!