Islazul Villa La Mar

This hotel is not for the faint of heart. If you are going to cuba to see the beaches, and meet the people, and not stay in your hotel ALL DAY, then this could be the place for you to go. I will not lie, it is dirty, the food is bad, and they will try to short change you, but most of cuba is like that. But the people who stay at the hotel are mainly cubans, which is nice, because you'll actually have a chance to meet some. The hotel is not really that far from the beach, and they have a beach bar right beside the beach. We were in... more

My friend and I visited this Hotel back in February 2007. We knew that we would have to walk a few blocks to the beach. Here in Canada I would be thrilled to be able to walk a few blocks to a beautiful azul ocean. I did my homework before booking this hotel. What I did get was the joy of walking down the street in a Cuban neighborhood and meet some local people who gave us the privilege of entering their homes, having a meal and treating us like friends. I had the privilege of a conversations and a drinks in the lobby with my Cuban friends... more

Avoid Villa LaMar if you're used to 4* resorts away from civilization and looking like the Sheraton. Avoid Villa Lamar if you want to be pampered according to North American standards. This is a very basic hotel, catering to Cubans. You won't find elaborate decor, gourmet food or a well manicured beach. However, the hotel will provide clean rooms, decent service and proximity to the reality of life in Varadero. If you want to truly experience Cuba, Villa LaMar is the answer. Otherwise, book elsewhere in a Sandals Resort... The... more

i payed 718 and i travelled solo what can i say it is well worth the money only cubans in the resort but i stayed insied very few times, just ate couple of times. food is very basic but i liked it it was absoulutely enough for me rice makarony chicken fish meet everything u wish bar is very basic but they amke sure u are feeling good by 10, when it closes, to have booz u can always poor it in your big bottle and have it all night i have been to all the other resorts along the beach and i... more

We booked this hotel thinking it would be nice to be in town and amongst the locals. That part would have been nice if this weren't such a penitentiary like experience. We found the staff to be ignorant, and we seemed to be "imposing" whenever we approached them, even after tipping, getting any service was nearly impossible. The hotel is very old and in severe need of repairs. Upon arrival, we were escorted to our room on the third level, which was four stories up the stairs (no elevator here). When our room was opened up, we were... more

We arrived at the hotel no problem, the reception desk , they were very warm and receiving. Prompt help to our room, which is across the street. No Big deal. The beach is 1 block away, I am use to staying right on the beach with a view, since I will be returning, in February, this was not a concern. We got this trip all inclusive for $598.00, $700.00 total, and we were not dissapointed at all. There were a few things I would like to mention, at times, depending on the direction of the wind, a smell of the oil refinerey is pretty brutal. It... more

A very cold welcome at reception was felt, as if we were incoveniencing the reception by staying at the hotel. The porter had a really bad attitute too, when he didn't receive his 1CUC (about $1.20) tip per couple (we tipped 1.25CUC between the four of us because he only carried one bag!) In Cuba doctors earn 16-20CUC per month and our guidebooks advised us that 0.25-0.50 was a generous tip. The hotel was pretty clean but it had a few problems (see photos). We only stayed one night so I can't make a comment about the food, but our... more

we just returned this week (JAN 7-14 07) my wife and 2 kids the rooms where ok and clean put a lot of trafic noise not enough food selection or plates .mostly cuban food rice and black beens we ate at diffent hotels almost every day . 90% of guest are cubans on ly a hand full of turist where there .staff was good but the bar at the pool ran out of beer and pop 2 times ,and the glasses in the resturant was allways dirty . i guss i got what i paid for round trip from toronto all inclusive end price 558 $ per person

I stayed at Villa La Mar from Dec.28.06 until Jan. 4.07. The hotel was ok. The only problem was that the food really sucked. Rooms were ok and there was always a security guard under the building plus the maid would come and clean the room every day as well The staff was very nice, had no problem communicating with any of them.. they were very friendly..... also the hotel was in the city... so it made it easier for us to find other places and you could walk around the streets to the nearest restaurant or market. Everything was walking... more

When we booked the Villa La Mar( local rating - 2-1/2 stars) for $610 end price for one week all inclusive incl flight from Toronto, we were worried we may have to upgrade, and based on food complaints for more star hotels, it was a given for us that we would be eating out all the time. Boy were we pleasantly surprised. We were in a building around the corner from the main complex called la Delfin. Our room had 110V with North American plugs. Rest was pretty standard - AC, shower (hot !!), cable TV, balcony. Water pressure on... more