Reviews Hotel Villa Cuba
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March 18 2010
Name: Laura
Country: Canada
I stayed there at (date): Repeatedly
Hotel Villa Cuba
If you care to experience the people and culture of Cuba then read on.
I stay at Hotel Villa Cuba every time I go to Varadero. There is a reason for this! The resorts in Varadero run from budget in the west to luxury in the east. The west end of Varadero is where the locals reside the east is an ecological preserve and several kms from the town itself. Hotel Villa Cuba lies in a strip of resorts just outside of Varadero (walking distance along the autopista or the beach (approx 20 min)). These resorts are also situated on the cleanest, widest stretches of beach in Varadero.
HVC is clean and comfortable but budget minded - think Super 8. Generally, the staff will treat you as you treat them even though language can be a barrier. If you are polite and respectful to them, they will do their best to accommodate your requests. If you are loud, rude, demanding and/or belligerent...
The layout of the hotel is quite confusing but there are maps throughout the resort; however, there are a lot of stairs and the elevators are unreliable. At the front desk, I find Marilyn to be the most personable and helpful. On my first few trips I was constantly seeking out her help and advice. Yeni, a server in the main buffet, is fairly fluent in at least 5 languages. At the coffee bar, Lydia is my café con leche go-to girl. Evidio at the lobby bar makes a fabulous mojito and Otton, the head bartender at the pool bar, will ensure your glass is never empty.
Villa Cuba is located directly across the street from Mesón del Quijote where a surf-and-turf dinner will cost you ~ 10 CUC. A short walk into town will get you to Calle 62 - snack bar by day, THE place to be at night for people in the know (the street is literally barricaded off and tourists and locals alike dance in the street to live salsa bands and ~ 3 CUC for a cervesa Cristal).
Nightly and daily entertainment is provided by the animación staff and varies by the day of the week. Nightly activities for the week are posted on signs throughout the resort. The entertainment is usually quite good. Chekéré is the disco at HVC but if you want to go out dancing in Varadero speak to Jovier - he will direct you to the club that will be the busiest on a specific night.
Other recommendations for enjoyable travel in Cuba:
Money:
Cash is key to successful vacationing in Cuba. Debit cards are not accepted anywhere in Cuba. Credit cards need to bear the same name as the passport of the person using it and they MUST start with the digits 4510. The system is antiquated and they will take a physical impression of your card for most transaction so the chip/electronic transaction cards are useless.
There are two currencies in Cuba - the "Convertible Peso" or CUC for tourists and and the original Cuban peso "Moneda Nacional" for Cubans. There are several banks in Varadero and most resorts will exchange your money to CUC for a fee. Money can also be exchanged at the airport. There is a mandatory 25 CUC departure tax - I suggest tucking this amount into your passport when you arrive to ensure you have it when you leave.
Gratuities:
While tips are graciously accepted, foreign coins are essentially useless to Cuban citizens (as it is too expensive for the government to ship away for exchange). My suggestion is to purchase roll(s) of pesos to carry with you. This ensures that you always have money handy to tip your server, bartender, washroom attendant, or to purchase trinkets, beverages, etc.
Because of the difficulty obtaining basic supplies in Cuba small items left as gratuities are also greatly appreciated. Sample toiletries or cosmetics, patterned nylons, costume jewelery, school supplies, even dollar store items are appreciated. Anything name brand is highly coveted - new or used. I collect shoes, clothing and sporting equipment (especially baseball) we no longer use and donate them while I am in Cuba.
Tours:
There are numerous tour companies offering various tours. Your vacation representative will give you a handout of the companies they use when you attend orientation. Your best option is to speak to resort staff and ask them to recommend someone they know. Many locals and tour guides will give you a personalized tour on their day off, for significantly less than you would pay a tour company - just ask around!
Transportation:
There is a double decker bus that runs from one end of the peninsula to the other and back again. The daily fare is 5 CUC and it comes past HVC at ~ 1/4 to and 1/4 past the hour. You can rent a car at the neighbouring resort for ~ 100 CUC or a scooter in front of the resort for ~ 20 CUC. Taxi's are safe and government controlled but negotiate your fare prior to getting in.
Notes:
I travel frequently and have been to Cuba repeatedly. If you are looking for a lavish, luxury resort vacation experience then Cuba is NOT the country for you. The US embargo seriously limits the availability of even the most basic supplies (be it toilet paper or milk) and has forced the government to introduce tight rationing of energy, food, and consumer goods.
Keep in mind that Cuba is not a first world country and it is in the tropics - you will commonly see insects and reptiles. Cuba has one of the most reputable health and education systems in the world and has achieved one of the highest literacy rates in the world. Cuba takes their commitment to conservation and the environment seriously and is the only country that is on track to meet their Millennium Development Goals.
The Cuban people do what they can with what is available but be it 5 star or 2 star, if an item is not available then it's simply not available.
How was your room?: The rooms in both the villas and main hotel are basic but generally clean and comfortable. The towels and linens will not be changed during your stay unless placed into the laundry bag provided - signs are clearly displayed in your room. Bring along tissues or toilet paper when away from your room - these can be in short supply elsewhere and a charge should be expected outside the resort. I would suggest bringing your own towel for the pool/beach. Room towels are not allowed in these areas and there is a refundable 20 CUC charge for beach towel rental during your stay.
How was the food the offer?: The food at the buffet is plain and basic but plentiful. Breakfast generally consists of a selection of cereals, fruits/juices, breads/pastries, eggs and dollar pancakes. Lunch and dinner offer similar selections and include pizza/pasta, Paella or Frijoles Negros, fresh breads, mixed salads, available meats and vegetables (whole fish, "mystery meat" cutlets, chicken, squash, eggplant, okra, cabbage), and of course the desserts.
There are also three À la carte restaurants (fine dining, Asian and Cuban), a snack bar behind the pool bar (hot dogs or hamburgers and ham sandwiches) and a beach bar. You should also check out the views from the bar on the 9th floor as it is the highest place in Varadero. You will need to make advance reservations for the À la cartes and I would advise doing this immediately after you check in.
* pictures
December 13 2009
Name: Robert Curotte
Country: Canada
I stayed there at (date): Jan 5/2009
Hotel Villa Cuba
People are friendly hotel is clean.They are always working painting cleaning upgrading the hotel this is my fourth or fifth time there at this hotel and I will be staying two weeks this time.
Only problem is the elevator sometimes not working all the time
How was your room?: Room is clean matresses could be a little better but I have slept on worse.
How was the food the offer?: I like the food you can always find something you like remember if you want a big mack stay home you are in a different country so enjoy and forget about canada enjoy the people and culture the beaches
SO GO AND ENJOY
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