Gran Caribe Club Atlantico

We stayed at the Club Atlantico from Jan 22-29th, 2008. Having stayed at only 2 star hotels so far in Cuba, we were pleasantly surprised how much more you get with that additional star, for only a it of extra cost. The Club Atlantico is located in Santa Maria, in the Playas del Este area outside of Havana (NE, Towards Varadero). It has 92 rooms, catering mostly to Italian families and couples. It is not a very good hotel to make contacts if you're traveling single. The beach at Play del Estes, although not as good as Varaderos is... more

I just got back from this resort, and I honestly don't know what to make of it. I have travelled a great deal but have never encountered the problems that I did at this resort. I should note that this was the first time I stayed at a 3-star hotel, so maybe these problems are normal for hotels of that class. THE GOOD: -Closeness to Havana. I really went to Cuba to see Havana, and to enjoy some beach time on the side if time permitted. The proximity of to Havana was a big plus for me. It's about a 25 minute ride on the shuttle... more

I was telling myself: "I want to see a lot of Havana so who cares about the hotel!". What a mistake... I think the reason why this hotel has a fairly good rating on this website is because they won't publish reviews of profanity... Well, I'm biting my thong right now not to write pages of it. I just don't know where to start... -Small room (the cover of the bed still had sand on it when we arrived) with a bad bed and a noisy Air Cond right by your hear. -Food was 90% terrible. You need to find that 10% edible.<br... more

Stayed one week at this place in Santa Maria Del Mar, east of Havana. We knew it was mainly booked by an Italian operator; we didn't know this would mean Euro-disco blaring by the pool and beach for most of the day, interspersed with the activities co-ordinators talking, talking, talking - shouting, really. So don't go here if you want quiet, that's for sure. But do go if you are a single woman looking for buff young Italian guys. Food was decent, cafeteria level stuff. Fresh pasta and pizza every day, fish was good, I don't eat... more

For what we paid, it was great! The food was acceptable, but heavy on the salt! Can't say it was kosher food, as pork is plentiful in cuba. The shuttle bus to Havana is the real reason you will stay at this hotel. We would wake up, have breakfast, jump on the shuttle bus, then come back for 1pm on the return shuttle bus, have lunch and then go back on the 2.30 shuttle bus and then come back at 6.30 on the return shuttle bus and then eat dinner and then, if we wanted , go on the 9.30 pm shuttle bus and take a taxi (15$) back whenever we... more

If you're visiting Cuba to spend all your time at the resort, then the Atlantico hotel is probably not a good choice- though the beach is beautiful, there isn't much else to do. No night-life to speak of. You'd be better off spending a bit more money on another hotel (in another province). If, on the other hand, your goal is to see the city of Havana (which is what I wanted) then the Atlantico is a great choice. I had a fantastic time. The hotel is 25km outside the city (about 10-20 CUC per cab ride, depending on your negotiating... more

We booked at this hotel to have access to both the beach and Havana. 20 minute drive to Havana $10 CUC cab fare. The beach was FABULOUS! White sand and hardly anybody on it. The tide was bit dangerous by noon, so swimming is a bit limited. There was no night entertainment, which was fine by us. This is a good place to relax. The coffee is to die for. Perhaps this explains why this hotel caters to mostly Italians, or it's the other way around. Chicken or egg? Never a line up at the bar, and THE BEST Mojitos, I've had.

Just spent a great week at this hotel. However, I didn't know that the hotel caters mostly to Italian tourists. This made it more difficult to meet people, which was something I was looking for as I was travelling alone. However, the staff was super friendly and spoke good English. There was a bus that went to Old Havana everyday that left at 9:30am, 2:30pm and 6:30pm for 3CUC each way. Otherwise, cab rides were fairly pricy, about $15-20CUC each way. But only about 20min cab ride from Havana. I had a room facing the ocean which... more

rooms were clean, food was good beach was good everything was honky dory if you want the no frills vacation close to havnna its fine .the pool backed up during our stay it wasnt pretty, we used the beach for the remainder of the trip {3 days ] one last thing i would like to mention, the volume of the music. why do all of these resorts insist on playing really loud and really bad music all day long. this happened at the pool and the beach. i understand there is a place for these kind of party hardy atmosphers but isnt there any resorts that... more

I went to Club Atlantico last summer, but before I continue, I want to stress that I had a BEAUTIFUL and RELAXING vacation. When I originally booked my trip I was 'warned' about hookers and being harassed by men if I stayed at this hotel. I really wanted to stay near Havana, and so I ignored these warnings. I should have asked the travel agent "have you ever been there?" because I have NO idea what he was warning me against. I did not feel threatened at ANY time in my trip. He failed to mention however that the hotel is not very... more