Reviews of Riu Turquesa Hotel, Varadero, Cuba

This holiday was the worst we...

Overall Rating:

1/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Sep 2007

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

Mrs C Perkins

Comments:

This holiday was the worst we have ever had , the hotel was below par as a rui hotel we expected it to be lovely and it was not, we were so disappointed, the rooms were something you would expect in spain or greece on a 18-30 holiday basic but livable., not a rui hotel 3*plus rating.

The room was dreadful falling to peices, funiture was old and very worn bathroom fitting were rusting, the pool had a algie problem, you would not see it unless you looked down from the bridge, the other problem with the pool was, they put too much chlorine in the pool which affected your eyes.

There was only one resturant and the food was awful and most of the time not eatable however there was no other place to eat in the hotel, dont let me get onto the snack bar that was even worst , we had to eat out quite often otherwise we would have starved we found a nice place to eat in the park at Varadero in a cave we had lobster its a must

The Hotel is set quite along way out of varadero so it can add up the cost of transport over two weeks,

If you want a good holiday dont choice this hotel, however the people were lovely could not do enough for you cosidering they dont have much, the beach is beautiful and Havana is a must. Good luck with your choice

My husband and I stayed here for...

Overall Rating:

2/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Nov 2005

Tour Operator:

Thomas Cook

Submitted By:

Mrs T McMahon

Comments:

My husband and I stayed here for two weeks. It was our first visit to Cuba and I wanted it to be my last if all hotels were like this one. On our arrival the hotel next door had people coming into ours to see if there were any rooms as theirs was so bad. At this point we did not know what to expect however we are both well travelled and have stayed in Riu hotels before so thought we had an idea of what to expect. Unfortunately it did not meet up to our expectations or even hopes in any way by the end of the holiday.



Varadero is supposed to be the hub of everything for Cuba holidays I wouldn’t agree and would not bother going back in a hurry. Havana is incredible, the landscapes are breath taking and people friendly but do pester even after you have tipped. We did the swimming with dolphins and other excursions all of which were expensive but really enjoyable and interesting.



As for our hotel it was quite simply a great big let down.



The restraunt and bar staff were helpful and very friendly and attentive but tipping was expected and relentless. Main hotel staff were just not interested in anything you needed help with but still expected to be tipped. The whole holiday tipping thing is taken to new heights in Cuba.



Food was boring and tasteless and very repetitive, first room we were put into was not clean and it was all too much bother for it to be put right or for us to be moved to another room.



Entertainment staff are friendly but repetitive and entertainment was very basic there was not really that much to do but sit by the pool with its broken tiles.



I slipped and fell in the restaurant and the hotel manager or the rep didn’t care. So all in all I think it is fair to say I wouldn’t recommend the hotel. The country would be another matter.

Lovely resort, warm calm sea,...

Overall Rating:

7/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Aug 2007

Tour Operator:

Thomson

Submitted By:

Mrs C Grimwood

Comments:

Lovely resort, warm calm sea, long sandy beach 50 yards from the pool area. The weather was very hot so would need high sunscreen factor for all(including dark skin regular sunbathers).



Found the air conditioning a necessity in rooms. Room’s basic but clean, maids formed shapes from the towels which was a nice touch.



The entertainment was basic, some good shows, fantastic circus act and local band interesting, dancing quite amateur really and did not really like the quiz shows, would have preferred some music.



Took a seven year old girl who really loved the kids club, fashion show, talent show, card games and a trip to see the dolphins(5 minutes away).



We all loved the pool which is graduated so safe for the kids. The pool area could have been scrubbed around the walkway outside. Towel service for pool great (saved lugging them in your case).



Restaurant was o.k. found something to eat(too much veal/fish) would have loved something like curry/chilli con carne/nice dining room with musicians play to your table evenings. Breakfast was great eggs cooked to your liking, fresh omelettes.



Another restaurant on site would be bette, maybe Chinese/Italian just for a change.



Enjoyed the Canimar River trip the most, Seafari good but busy, Havana was tiring but glad I went, not a great day for kids though, very hot. Did enjoy my holiday as my child was very happy/entertained by Esperanza(kids club), we enjoyed playing Volley Ball, and did Water aerobics most days.



Holiday for families really, not many disco's nearby and fine for us. We met some very nice families there. Told not the best hotel in the RIU group so some improvements needed/that would not really be that difficult. Great location, generally very good staff.



Would go back to this resort again, only real criticism that no diet mixers, found drinks a bit sweet.

From check in to check out we...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Aug 2005

Tour Operator:

Thomson

Submitted By:

ollytheblue

Comments:

From check in to check out we were pampered. A golf trolley took us and our luggage to our room. The man was filling the mini bar when we got there and for a few peso he left extra beers, rum etc every other day.



The room was very clean and kept like that by the maid who was very friendly.



The restaurant was very good. You are allocated a table for your evening meal which you must keep for your stay. For your evening meals a dress code applies, no shorts/flip-flops etc allowed.



There is a good selection of food and they have different theme nights throughout the week (the Chinese was very good). The staff take note of your drinks and the next time that you go in it’s usually on the table or on its way as you sit down.



At breakfast and lunch you can sit anywhere. Again, the food and choice is ample with lots of fresh fruit that you can take away with you.



The beach is fantastic and the sea really warm with security to stop you getting any hassle but beware as there are a few locals in the water that will swim up to you and try and sell you trinkets and trip tickets!



The entertainment crew are very good and they put on a show most evenings. Plenty of different costumes etc and different themes. They also keep the kids occupied around the pool in the day.



4 bars;

Main-closed in the day but open in the evening.

Snack bar-beer, cocktails, burgers, chips, cakes etc.

Beach bar- no food (snack bar is only 5 mins walk away) lots of beers, juice and spirits.

Reception bar-cocktails, beer etc (somewhere to flop when you get back after a trip out).



Ask a gardener for a coconut and he will pick one off a palm, lop off the top and add a bit of rum for you!



There is a bus that runs along the highway. It only costs 5 peso for a day pass. You can go into Varadero town and various other places along the way. There is a market selling the usual stuff, crafts, leather goods etc, bars and restaurants.



We never went in at night but we were told that it gets quite busy with salsa bands on the corners and a lively atmosphere.



We went into Havana on an overnight stay organised by Thomson, a must! You have got to see it. The sights, the people, bars etc are fantastic.



The Tropicana club was very good. If you take your own camera with you, you have to pay a small fee, but it’s worth it. The show lasts about 2 hours. The overnight hotel is very posh. Breakfast on the terrace next to a waterfall and pool with two violinists playing nonstop. Very nice!



All in all, it was a fantastic holiday. The Cuban people haven’t got much in possessions but they have got a lot of pride. They make sure that you enjoy your stay and look after you. They will do anything for you. You only have to ask. We cannot wait to get back there.

We have just got back from a...

Overall Rating:

6/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Sep 2006

Tour Operator:

Thomson

Submitted By:

Miss T Jemmett

Comments:

We have just got back from a week in the Riu Turquesa Hotel, on first impressions the first day looked good and promising. However the entertainment was very poor and samey every night, which was disappointing and fell flat on its face, as the entertainment didn’t seem to last long and finished by 11.00p.m every night, great for those who don’t stay up late. Food was yet to be desired, with the odd few differences of fish, great if you are a fish lover or they particular have Veal every night and day. Again samey on all the food every morning, noon and night, not much variation.



Bedrooms were quite big, bathroom also a nice size with reasonable amenities and space, although watch out for when they do tidying the grounds, they start at 7.00am, not great if you want a lie in.



On the up side the Beach was lovely and plenty of sunbeds to go around, also again around the pool. Beach events were all included, so you could go off in a pedlo or kayak or even the Catamaran to break the day up. Not many fish to see though. People were always friendly and helpful and there was never a problem with the language, most spoke quite good English or even knew 6 languages, which I though was impressive.



Excursions were fantastic and there was plenty to choose from, at least try and do two of them as this would probably be the highlight of your holiday.

We have just come back from a...

Overall Rating:

8/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Apr 2006

Tour Operator:

Thomson

Submitted By:

Miss A Day

Comments:

We have just come back from a week at the Riu Turquesa and it was amazing! Having read a lot of the reviews about this hotel I was unsure what to expect but the hotel exceeded my expectations.



The room was huge and clean with 2 beds, adequate storage, satellite TV and a mini bar. There was a also a large terrace with 2 chairs and a table. The grounds were lovely, lots of palm trees! The pool was large and ideal for laying around. The beach was amazing as well! The staff at the hotel are very friendly and go out of their way to help you.



The food was good although if you are expecting a 5* restaurant you will be disappointed. I think a lot of people forget that Cuba is a very poor, communist country! Varadero town is a taxi or bus ride away but its a good way of exploring the area without going too far.



Finally I would recommend this as a great hotel for a relaxing week away in a beautiful country!

A very uninspiring resort - yes...

Overall Rating:

1/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

May 2004

Tour Operator:

Airtours

Submitted By:

Mr K Roe

Comments:

A very uninspiring resort - yes the Varadero beach is exceptional, but other than that the Varadero experience is an under whelming line of average hotels - get out and see Cuba.



The Riu Turquesa has small rooms that have that familiar damp smell, sprouts from the previous day is not my idea of breakfast. The hotel pool snack bar lacks basic hygiene standards, and the evening entertainment revolves around Bingo and talent nights. You will also be sharing the hotel with the European 'get your towel on the sunbed the previous night' brigade.



So in summary beach = V Good, hotel = V poor (there are a lot of poor hotels in this part of Cuba)



Stay in Havana (or anywhere else) its much better!