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Holiday Reviews > Caribbean > Cuba > Cayo Guillermo > Cayo Guillermo Hotels > Sol Cayo Guillermo Hotel > Read Reviews
Sol Cayo Guillermo Hotel ReviewsPage 1 2 3
| Board Basis: |
All Inclusive |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Apr 2008 |
| Tour
Operator: |
Thomas Cook |
| Submitted
By: |
Mrs W Burton-zayne |
| Overall
Rating: |
10/10 |
| Comments: |
We went to Cuba to get married and must say we had the most fantastic time. There were seven of us that attended and we were all upset when we had to leave. The staff were friendly and the kids club staff worked extremely long hours and did a great job. The animation staff were fantastic and put some great shows on. All the staff were very friendly and could not do enough to help you.
The rooms were very clean and although basic they were well maintained. The swimming pool was great and there were activities put on for guests which included cuban dancing, beach and pool volleyball and football. The hotel was closing shortly after we left to be revamped and decorated.
The food was good and the 'a l carte' was fantastic and we had our wedding reception in here which was great. The staff were very helpful and looked after us. There was an on site doctor and nurse who were approachable and managed to clear my swollen eye by giving me an injection on the morning of my wedding, which was a bonus.
We plan to go back to the hotel in the future and look forward to seeing the revamp. Anybody looking to get married in Cuba would not be disappointed with the wedding here as it was such a special day and stress free as the co-ordinator sorted it all out for us after we had met with her to choose flowers, cake etc.
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| Board Basis: |
All Inclusive |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Apr 2008 |
| Tour
Operator: |
Thomas Cook |
| Submitted
By: |
V Cooper |
| Overall
Rating: |
8/10 |
| Comments: |
We stayed at Sol Cayo Guillermo during the last two weeks of the season prior to it's closure for refurbishment.Although it was evident that things were winding down, it didn't stop us from having a fantastic holiday. The staff worked tirelessly to ensure we were well looked after, and the rather depleted entertainment team were fantastic and always gave 100%.
As in any all- inclusive resort the buffet can become a little repetitive, however, there were chefs available to cook e xtras if required. There were two other restaurants in the resort, including an A'La Carte, providing a varied choice .Due to diminishing guest numbers, the A'la Carte restaurant was able to be booked nightly if required.
To reach our room we walked through beautifully kept and maintained gardens often passing the very friendly gardening staff. Our room was cleaned daily with many extra touches, such as the very imaginitive use of our towels! Some guests complained of articles going missing from their rooms, this is certainly not something we experienced despite leaving some articles on bedside tables etc. Any articles of any value we left in the safety deposit box provided in our room.
The beach was beautiful with white sand and warm shallow water, this was cleaned daily when the tide went out.
The staff made a big effort to compensate us for the imminent closure, providing champagne in the buffet every night and laying on a lobster and champagne dinner.
If I have any complaint, it is with Thomas Cook for not informing us beforehand that the resort was closing and we would be the last guests.
We did still have a fantastic holiday and look forward to returning one day and experiencing the newly refubished sol cayo guillermo.
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| Board Basis: |
All Inclusive |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Apr 2008 |
| Tour
Operator: |
Thomas Cook |
| Submitted
By: |
Mr S J Reeves |
| Overall
Rating: |
8/10 |
| Comments: |
We had the most amazing time staying at Sol Cayo Guillermo. We had a beautiful beach that was kept clean daily as well as our resort and rooms. The food did become repetitive at times, but there were many other options to choose from as well as being offered to visit the resturant as many times as we'd like. The bar staff and entertainment team were fantastic and worked very hard to please the guests staying at this resort. I would strongly recommend staying at Sol Cayo Guillermo and am looking forward to our next stay in the near future. My only complaint is that Thomas Cook did not inform us that the resort was closing for refurbishment the week of our stay. Some people complained that items went missing from their rooms. We certainly did not lose any of our items as all valuables were put into the safe provided in our room!
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| Board Basis: |
All Inclusive |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Apr 2008 |
| Tour
Operator: |
Thomas Cook |
| Submitted
By: |
Mrs K Lindsay |
| Overall
Rating: |
1/10 |
| Comments: |
I only gave this hotel 1 in my overall rating, this is for the hard work of bar and restaurant staff. It was the worst holiday I have ever been on. The food was repetitive,the birds landed in the food trays,the pool was filthy,the accommodation was dated, our sons bathroom ceiling was falling down,broken floor tiles and full of cockroaches. People we met on holiday had items stolen from their room had a horriffic time with police and security,which led to police and security to believe that my family stole their belongings, other British holiday makers also had belongings stolen,but, obviously did not report it to security. Ive never been a criminal in my life but I was there for the final week. They even took me away at the airport to search my case insisting that one of the stolen items was in my case,good try Cuba but I have never stolen anything. We had originally planned on getting married there, but something made me cancel (well it was actually mis-sold to me by First Choice and Thomas Cook) Thank God is all I can say, I felt so sorry for the people that did get married in this hotel, there was no effort put in, as the other surrounding hotels did for people we had met on the plane.Anyway this hotel closed for re-furbishment on 7 May 08 so that tells you how bad it was, always check the law of each country before you travel and push your travel agent to check of any special conditions any country holds, Thanks Cuba and Thomas Cook you nearly ruined the best day of any womans life but instead you just ruined our honeymoon and my sons very special holiday, you only charged us £6800
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| Board Basis: |
All Inclusive |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Apr 2008 |
| Tour
Operator: |
Thomas Cook |
| Submitted
By: |
Mrs J Moody |
| Overall
Rating: |
2/10 |
| Comments: |
A nightmare of a holiday
we had items stolen from our room and as you would expect reported this to reception. Police arrived at 9.30pm and took a statement from my husband. At 11.30 they took a statement from me. At 1.30am they wanted a statement from our daughter 13 years old. When I refused they were not happy at all !! We were then told we could not retunrn to our room as it was a crime scene..... at 2am after lots of arguing via the receptionist - the only person who was avaialble to interpret for us we went to bed - being told to expect forensics at 7.30am
We rose early and waited all morning until 2pm when 18 military, police, detectives, etc.. turned up. The saga went on... AT 5.30opm , now 36 hours, we were all fingerprinted and told we were suspects in the case. The case was that our items were not stolen and we had made it up !! Why bother making up the loss of an Ipod, Watch and Glasses - to us £500 to a Cuban several years wages !!.
The following day Sunday our Thomas Cook rep (Cuban) told us we were not allowed to leave Cuba and we faced up to 10 years in jail as we could not prove there had been a theft - can you imagine how we felt.
Eventually this was overturned and we left feeling like common criminals all for just reporting our stolen items - but it did not end there.
At the airport we were flanked by 3 security/police who watched our bags go through check in.
A family we had met on holiday's case appeared the other side of check in. The wife was taken into a room and searched for our items.. Clearly they were not there !!
The final insult came on the carousel at Manchester... my bag - filled on leaving Cuba - came wobbling along the conveyer belt - half empty !!
Whomever the security people were that took note of our bags had been through them at the airport removing most of my clothes and a camcorder - and had failed to put them back
Thanks Cuba - we have been four times - BUT NEVER AGAIN
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| Board Basis: |
All Inclusive |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Mar 2008 |
| Tour
Operator: |
Thomas Cook |
| Submitted
By: |
Mrs Jackie Furey |
| Overall
Rating: |
10/10 |
| Comments: |
Absolutely fantastic! We started our holiday at the Tryp Hotel in Cayo Coco and had a terrible time there, Thomas cook swiftly moved us to Cayo Guillermo to the Sol hotel and we could not of been happier.
The beach is breath taking the food, drink and entertainment excellent and the Cubans very friendly and could not do enough for you with or without a tip!
We went on the Overnight trip to Havanna which I highly reccommend it, this really made our holiday to see the real cuba as you are cut off from the real thing in the Cayo's.
I can't wait to go back, the beaches here are as good as any I have seen the Seychelles.
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| Board Basis: |
All Inclusive |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Feb 2008 |
| Tour
Operator: |
Thomas Cook |
| Submitted
By: |
Miss E HARBOTTLE |
| Overall
Rating: |
10/10 |
| Comments: |
We had a large family group of 38, to watch us get married in Cuba. Apart from not having any family rooms available at this time of year, it was excellent!!!
The hotel staff were so friendly, the pool was lovely and clean, the beach was breath-taking when the tide goes out, and our wedding was out of this world!! Judy, the wedding planner arranged everything that we asked for. The setting in the gazebo by the beach was perfect, and they even let us have the entire Itallian restraunt all to ourselves and laid on a massive menu for our wedding reception.
I would reccommend anyone to get married out here. I don't regret not having a church wedding, not one bit.
This hotel is fantastic for families and is a complete chill out for couples.
The evening entertainment was great, and more importantle, it was different every night for the 2 weeks we stayed for.
One word of advice, take insect repellant with you when you go to the night club!! It is open and right next to some marsh land where the mossi's breed!!!
Can't wait to come back in a couple of years time.
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| Board Basis: |
All Inclusive |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Jan 2008 |
| Tour
Operator: |
Thomas Cook |
| Submitted
By: |
sandersj |
| Overall
Rating: |
3/10 |
| Comments: |
I am a bit late writing this review, but i do feel others should know how beautiful cayo guillermo is but how horrible the complex here is. The only reason i didnt fly home is because my boyfriend and I lived on the beach most of the days or went to the other sol hotels that we could get all inclusive in (the food was as bad at the trip hotel, but the drinks were better). There are two shacks on the beach which sell lobster at a very good price, other wise we would have starved to death.
The staff here are all on the fiddle, they were all stealing the all inclusive food and drinks and packing it into parcels for their families (they are welcome to it!) and I also had stuff stolen; our driving licences out of the safety deposit box!, but luckily they left our passports. The bar staff at the main bar were only nice to you if you continually tipped, especially the females and you only saw the gardeners move if you were tipping them for giving the ladies a flower or buying their grass insects. Also the maids in our room drank the bacardi which we brought with us from england and they stole many of our fags. The people we were next door to also had stuff stolen.
However, may i say that the rooms were spacious, and we had the most spectacular views over the sea, it was beautiful. I have been to the caribbean many times, but this is the best sea view i have ever had.
Goodluck to anyone who stays here, one can only hope that it improves when it has been refurbished
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| Board Basis: |
All Inclusive |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Jan 2008 |
| Tour
Operator: |
Thomas Cook |
| Submitted
By: |
Mrs Dublin |
| Overall
Rating: |
10/10 |
| Comments: |
Was rather dubious about our holiday but needn't have worried it was wonderful after an awful flight with Thomas Cook (about time another operator serviced this hotel) but once we arrived it was worth it.
We were getting married the following week and were met by the hotel's wedding co-ordinator "Yudy" who was excellent - whisked to our room to champagne and fresh fruit - she couldn't do enough for us. We travelled with 2 children under 6 and the both loved the kids club.
The food was good, ignore the reports on food as there was plenty to choose from - fish, meet, pasta salads etc and of course the other 2 a la catre restaurants - not one of us had any stomach problems.
The wedding was the second week and Im really glad we did it there, so relaxed no stress - Roberto (one of the dancers) is great he did my hair, Yubi did my nails and Yudi arranged everything the day was beautiful - such lovely memories . - I would recommend this hotel to anyone wanting to marry in the carribean.
My son really enjoyed the cocktail bar - Carlos was quite entertaining.
There are trips but we stayed on resort although we did go bowling one evening.
There are plenty of activities if you want to do them but we enjoyed relaxing by the pool or beach (which was just like the pictures).
Returned home (on a better flight!!) rather saddened as by the 2nd week it felt rather like home. Would definitely go there again several people we talked to were on their 5th visit or more.
Staff go out of their way to make you feel welcome.
Kids can't wait to go again and neither can we.
Its a very hospitable hotel, friendly, relaxed, safe (especially for the kids) and I felt like I really was in paradise.
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| Board Basis: |
All Inclusive |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Dec 2007 |
| Tour
Operator: |
Thomas Cook |
| Submitted
By: |
Mrs D Cheetham |
| Overall
Rating: |
9/10 |
| Comments: |
Please ignore the miserable people who have rated this hotel poorly. The hotel was in need of a lick of paint in the odd place, but nothing major by a long shot. On our first night, our toilet broke and within 10 mins there was someone there to fix it - you don't get service like that in most places.
We had our wedding there and would recommend anyone who is considering this hotel for their wedding to go for it. The staff were fantastic in organising the wedding, the venue was amazing and we have memories that will last forever. We have no regrets what so ever. In fact, we are considering returning for our anniversary.
The entertainment staff were great and made the holiday a pleasure, they went out of there way to make sure that everyone joined in and that a good time was had.
In fact we didn't come across any member of staff who wasn't a pleasure to be with and none of the staff expected tipping.
We did get bitten a little, but nothing that was not expected and certainly nothing to complain about.
All in all, a fantastic holiday and we will be returning in the future.
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| Board Basis: |
All Inclusive |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Oct 2007 |
| Tour
Operator: |
Thomas Cook |
| Submitted
By: |
Mrs L Brewster |
| Overall
Rating: |
9/10 |
| Comments: |
Our 2nd trip to the caribbean certainly didn't disappoint! Cuba would have a lot to do to beat Dominican Republic where we had been the year before.
The beach is a picture postcard. Everyone thinks my photos are actual postcards so that says it all. We had a super time at the hotel. Our room was near the lagoon and to be honest, not the best. However, as we only really needed the room to sleep and wash in, so we didn't let it spoil our holiday. The maids kept the room very clean and were superb at making things out of towels! The wildlife was.......well,wild near our room. I remember one night we literally ran to unlock the door as we heard something moving in the bushes. We saw loads of massive crabs, a snake crossed our path one morning on the way to breakfast and we simply got used to the geckos and didn't take any notice after a few days.
The staff were absolutely brilliant, so friendly and very attentive. Beware of going to the beach bar when Guillermo is serving. He fills up your glass when your back is turned. You lose count of how many drinks you've had and very soon need a siesta!
The sea was like glass, so calm and clear and the fish nibbled your toes. You could actally feed the fish by hand. The beach and sea would be very safe for children as you could literally go out half a mile and still only be shoulder deep.
We tried to go back to this hotel in 2008 but its been closed for refurbishment however, i'm just looking at the internet and found that I can book for 2009, I was thinking the Maldives but............................perhaps Cuba again!!!!!
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| Board Basis: |
All Inclusive |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Sep 2007 |
| Tour
Operator: |
Thomas Cook |
| Submitted
By: |
Mr SJ Richards |
| Overall
Rating: |
8/10 |
| Comments: |
So many reviews consulted after the holiday was booked and we were somewhat sceptical at what to expect, we need NOT have worried at all.
Flight from Manchester cramped and just about bearable, I would advise you to upgrade to the COMFY seats for this 9 1/2 hour flight.
Arrived in blazing heat and then encountered turmoil in the baggage hall as eager Cuban's tried to move the bags for the waiting punters, which made matters worse. TIP ! In the arrivals area, there is a exchange window to your left, this allows you to change sterling in to CUC (Convertable Cuban Peso).
Coach was quickly organised, I'd noticed a large group of scousers assembled in the airport, once seated the coach departed for the 35 minute transfer only a small party of scousers on the coach Husband, Wife and Son (Benton) the other 42 were on a seperate coach directly to the hotel and WHAT a fantastic party of people they were too
TIP! Don't pay TC for your wedding at SCG, Arrange it in the resort with any of the events staff and you will save a fortune on arrival.
Room Allocated (521) Second floor as requested (Yippee) I collected the cases only to walk knee deep in to the water fountain (Ooops). Room was close to the entertainment and pool areas and to be fair we never experienced any noise pollution (with the exception of the Neighbours in 523 wk2 who required there TV at FULL VOLUME).
The room was basic, yet sufficient for our needs, comfy bed, clean bathroom every day, hot water shower and a toilet that flushed perfectly ok, TV has only a few English channels but enough to catch up on Football scores etc (NO SKY SPORTS IN RESORT) and the odd news report on BBC World.
The complex is well spread out with 2 tier units of apartments in either direction of the main reception area, they are currently adding a touch of paint to the outer shells, which should dispel some of the well warn comments which I have read about.
The pool area is comfortable, plenty of beds available and not so much towel attachment that I have seen on other holidays abroad. The pool is basic and is separated into 3 main sections with a much smaller 4th section for the toddlers, there is a jacuzzi too which is relaxing, the pool requires some filtration system so be careful or you will end up with bad tummies and ears etc. One lad cut his foot quite badly so its just a basic word of warning not a criticism.
Food was fine, plenty of choice for all from the buffet section and from the live cooking stations, I ate 3 meals a day and I'm a fussy eater, though I don't want to eat pork until December as I have had my fair ration, pudding choice was excellent and the staff in the restaurant very attentive and helpful at all times
TIP! At the cooking stations tip the chefs, just a Peso every now and again and they will always oblige you a healthy portion not forgetting the waiting staff who are just so grateful for your generosity.
Drink is plentiful should you need it, 3 bars all staffed by experienced and English speaking help proceedings, once again tip the staff the odd peso and they will look after you. Beer ran out a couple of times but never to long to cause inconvenience.
TIP! Take a plastic pint pot or lots of them as the cups are small, the glasses are bigger but there was never enough at busy times.
TC offer plenty of trips and a good variety, like others we visited the City of Moron and you come away with a humbling respect for the Cuban people (enough said).
The beach is "WONDERFUL" an amazing experience and reason enough to visit SCG.
Overall a quite fantastic holiday, relaxing or frantic you decide the pace on a daily basis.
A quick hello to all the Scousers, the life and soul of any party. To big Darren and his Lady (Boing Boing) even though I'm wolves and to Sam & Claire who we chatted to regularly on the beach.
You can have a wonderful time at SCG, I'm just a humble working man and having tasted a real Cuban experience you too will return with humble thoughts.
TIP! Leave whatever you can, i.e clothes, shoes, trainers and toiletries they are so generously received by the locals.
Duty free shopping at the airport is excellent value for spirits and cigars as they were so much cheaper the resort shop.
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| Board Basis: |
All Inclusive |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Sep 2007 |
| Tour
Operator: |
Thomas Cook |
| Submitted
By: |
Mr J Evans |
| Overall
Rating: |
7/10 |
| Comments: |
I have never written a review before but felt compelled to do so as when I researched this location the reviews were so inconsistent. I really had no idea what to expect.
When this hotel was first built and everything was new and operative I'm sure it was worthy of its 4 stars but a realistic rating now should be 3 star. On arrival we were greeted with a cooling drink which was most appreciated after a hot transfer from the airport. The hospitality staff were very friendly and we were quickly checked into our room which was clean, spacious and all amenities worked. The air con kicked out a healthy amount of cool air.
So far so good! We quickly unpacked, threw on some shorts and a tee shirt and made for the bar to have a cold beer? Lesson 1 DONT GO OUT EARLY EVENING UNLESS YOU HAVE APPLIED INSECT REPELLENT !!! We only walked 100 yards and were each bitten at least three times.
Cayo guillermo is a small island surrounded by shallow waters and mangroves which are a perfect environment for breeding mosquitoes. The staff fumigate the hotel grounds twice daily to minimise the nuisance and if you apply repellant containing 50% deet you will be OK but should you become complacent you will be eaten!
Next day, we looked from our bedroom window on to a perfect seascape; Palm trees edging a fine white sandy beach, just as other reviews had reported. Truly Caribbean paradise. The water is warm and shelves so gently that you can walk out for 100 metres and still be waist deep. There are free inclusive non motorised watersports which were good and there was also tandem paragliding and motor boat powered hand gliding which were safely run operations.
Food - there are 4 venues.
First is El Eden, which is the main dining hall combining cafeteria islands with hot and cold prepared food and there are three stations where meat, pasta or fish can be cooked to order. I genuinely think there is something for every one here. Reports that I had read of open food with birds defecating over it are wholly unfounded. I found all the food to be freshly prepared and with perspex hoods placed over it. Always a chef in attendance and staff continually cleaning fetching and carrying. There is a parapet within the food hall where the odd bird will fly in and can land on, but this doesn't overlook the food counters. Obviously the odd opportunist cheeky bird will fly down and pinch something off a finished plate. But waiters quickly clear finished crockery and tables are prepared for other diners.
Don Guillermo is an Al a Carte resto, nice intimate air con room with good food and attentive service, the other location is at the beach serving lunches and doubles as an Al a Carte restaurant serving typically Cuban fare of an evening. Next to this is a rum bar where cocktails are prepared and we found this to be a nice way to start the evening with a Daiquiri or two.
The main entertainment area with bar, seating area, dancefloor and stage is situated next to the swimming pool. The entertainment team are enthusiastic and try to get holidayers involved.
Staff generally are very very very friendly. How much of this is genuine and how much is tip driven, I'll never know?
Cuba is a poor country with average wages of only £10 a month so you can easily see how the odd peso or two will make a huge difference. We tipped regularly but saw non tippers treated with care and respect.
The Thomas Cook reps were on hand every day, hugely knowledgeable and gave a great meeting, they never tried to hard sell any excursions which I found most refreshing. We didn't try any of them but opted to hire a car instead. It takes an hour to cross the causeway and reach the mainland and another half hour to find the nearest town where most of the staff live and are brought in daily by bus.
You will truly be amazed, its like stepping back in time by fifty years. horse drawn carts, carriages and buses are commonplace and bicycle powered taxis abound with the odd fifty year old American saloon rumbling past and even odder Russian articulated lorry pulling an adapted trailer for people carrying!
Houses are in a decaying state of disrepair and the roads are full of potholes. There are shops but there is little or nothing in them to buy. If you are a shopoholic this definitely is not for you!
We gave one of the waiters at the hotel some money to accompany us and make a tour of the local attractions which he did and finished the day with a meal at his home; truly an amazing and illuminating day and was the best day of our holiday.
Overall opinion if you like beach based holidays this could be for you. I felt isolated after a week but all things considered it was good value for money and the friendliness of the people compensated for the few niggles that I had.
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| Board Basis: |
All Inclusive |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Sep 2007 |
| Tour
Operator: |
Thomas Cook |
| Submitted
By: |
Mr W |
| Overall
Rating: |
4/10 |
| Comments: |
My wife and I were more than pleased with this, our first venture in all inclusive holidays. The setting of the hotel complex could not be faulted as it is within a beautiful nature reserve. The accommodation was clean and reasonably well maintained. The maid tidied the room every day and all staff were extremely helpful and appeared to be genuinely pleased to help. The food was plentiful, well prepared and sufficiently varied, though one should bear in mind that Cuba is a third world country. The only concern in relation to hygiene related to the other guests rather than to the actual hotel. That is, one has to trust that fellow guests wash their hands (especially children) before serving themselves at the buffet.
Towels are provided for the beach/pool on a one per person basis and can be exchanged as often as required for fresh ones. Any loss of a towel incurs a charge of 15 pesos on check out. One would assume that as everyone has access to towels there should not be a problem as each person takes responsibility for their own. Unfortunately this is not the case as towels were being pinched by other guests who one can only assume had mislaid their own. This is not the fault of the hotel, however, and there is no law against idiots/inconsiderate people from going on holiday. Our advise would be not to worry overly about this but be aware when leaving towels on sunbeds, particularly around the pool area.
The beach is beautiful and is raked every morning to remove weed etc. Sun beds are plentiful and coconut leaf parasols are in-situ. The sand is fine and white and the sea is unbelievably clear and shallow enough to be child safe. My wife and I enjoyed watching the pelicans fishing close in to the beach. The pedalos and other water activities are fun as is feeding the fish with bread and bananas as they swim around your legs.
The evening entertainment is easily the best that we have ever seen at a holiday complex. The professionally trained dancers provide differently themed entertainment each night and were very good and also provide entertainment for children throughout the day.
On the whole we had a very good time and are considering going back again next year.
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| Board Basis: |
All Inclusive |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Sep 2007 |
| Tour
Operator: |
Thomas Cook |
| Submitted
By: |
Mr C Brien |
| Overall
Rating: |
10/10 |
| Comments: |
Please do not believe any of the bad reviews on this site about this hotel, I was slightly put off after reading them but I shouldn’t have.
We had an absolutely fantastic 2 week stay at this hotel and although the hotel is looking just a tad tired in parts it is nothing that a lick of paint won’t put right, the sheer beauty of the beach and the friendliness of the staff overshadow that.
Please bear in mind that the 4 star rating for this hotel is based on Cuban standards and not worldwide standards, Cuba is a relatively poor country, but all that considered the hotel was great.
First of all the staff.... every single member of staff that we encountered were fantastic, they were very welcoming, friendly, smiley, approachable and very warm, none of them asked for or expected a tip, although they were very grateful if you did.
Elizabeth and Carlos in the main bar deserve a special mention as they were brilliant, watching them stay calm and ignoring the stroppy Canadian as he banged his fist on the bar because he didn’t get served straightaway was hilarious!
The gardeners and housekeeping staff left us little gifts outside our room (Coconut drinks, banana leaf hats etc) without expecting payment, it was little touches like this that made the holiday!
Next, the food.... the food, although not exactly gourmet was good, there was always something in the buffet restaurant that was tasty, the al la carte restaurants were good too and the serving & waiting staff really make you feel welcome. All snack facilities were in working order, hot drinks machines etc.
The hotel.....as I mentioned, the hotel does look a tad tired in parts, this is really nothing that would spoil the holiday as everything is presentable. New ceiling fans were installed in the main bar area which was much needed as it did get incredibly warm.....you are in a hot country so what do you expect? At the rum bar on the beach you would occasionally get a whiff of sewage but after a couple of rum cocktails you soon forgot about this.
The hotel was fumigated almost every night at dusk to kill off mosquitoes so we only got bitten a couple of times in the whole 2 weeks! There are plenty of crabs wandering around the hotel grounds at night, one or two even ventured into the main bar and disco only to scuttle off quickly when they realised there was a big queue at the bar (obviously I’m joking!) but do be careful walking around at night with flip flops or bare foot, on saying that, most crabs would run a mile on hearing your footsteps and you can often hear them scuttle off into the bushes.
The entertainment team work really hard on the evening shows and although some of the acting in the shows was a bit naff the dancing was spot on and very well choreographed, some of the shows they produced were excellent!
General..... The beach at this hotel was amazing, crystal clear warm sea & white sand- it was absolute paradise, plenty of sun loungers- remember to take some bread or a banana to feed the fish- they love it!
I only knew of a couple of people that had upset stomachs but nothing that lasted any longer than a day or so, the sun is also deceptively hot here, especially on the beach with the cool breeze, I don’t burn easily but tanned very quickly within a day or so using plenty of factor 25 sun tan lotion!
Although the hotel was great and the staff were really friendly, confining yourself to 2 weeks in a hotel complex is not experiencing the real Cuba- any excursion where you get to go to Moron (the nearest town and where a lot of the hotel staff live) is well worth going.
You only need 1 hour maximum in Moron as there isn’t a great deal to do but there are plenty of photo opportunities with the old colonial style buildings, in various states of disrepair, and the old American cars- the locals are friendly and inquisitive and many will talk to you just to learn a bit more of our language.
All in all, I would recommend Cuba and this hotel to anyone, if you are looking for a relaxing beach holiday with good food and beautiful surroundings then this is the place! We struck lucky with the time of year we went, there were only a handful of Canadians in the hotel- although, as they were so loud and quite rude at times (to the staff) it seemed like there were a lot more of them.
Ignore the previous bad reviews on this hotel, I consider myself well travelled and hard to please, but I had no problems here. I know it is a case of individual interpretation but go and make your own mind up!
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Sol Cayo Guillermo Hotel ReviewsPage 1 2 3
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