Dec 19 2013
Name: Maxine and James
Country: Canada
I stayed here at: 11/30/2013
Casa Carlos y Belkis
My review: We have just returned home from a two week stay with Belkis and Carlos and their family. We chose them because of the past reviews on this website. What a great choice! Everything that the others have said is so true so please read on to their reviews.
It's so wonderful to be offered a bedroom plus a sitting room with fridge and balcony that face south, offering views of the street life below, Santa Clara Cathedral and the hills in the distance. The ceilings are 18 ft. high-we measured! All this for the price of one room!
The food is amazing! We have been to France and Italy and the food can compare. We did not eat anywhere else.The coffee is great! The coffee beans are hand picked by someone they know and roasted by Belkis and her mother. The juices are made from fresh fruit-nothing added, nothing taken away. Carlos shops for fresh produce daily.
Carlos and Belkis worked very hard to make our stay memorable. They truly are generous, special people. Unlike some, they never take commissions when recommending taxis or other casas when they are full…so the tourist never gets inflated prices. Several times, I saw Belkis take food to less fortunate neighbours across the way.
We feel very blessed to have spent time with Carlos, Belkis and family. We miss them but we are already planning to go back next year.
You can email Belkis at eugenia@fts.vcl.sld.cu However she cannot always check her email and internet in Cuba sometimes fails. I called them directly at 011 53 42 229 838 and spoke to Carlos who speaks English.
Casa specifics: English speaking, Quiet, Fantastic hosts, Elegant, Comfortable, Colonial, Cozy, Hidden gem, Roomy, Romantic, Charming, Beautiful, Safe, Garden, Pets in the house, Patio
Amenities: Airconditioning, Private bathroom, Minibar, Laundry service, Balcony, Garden, Ceiling fan, Breakfast service, Dinner service, Extra bed available, Bathroom with shower, Private parking
How was your room?: The two rooms feel very spacious with floor to ceiling doors leading to a balcony facing south.
How was the food they offer?: The food was excellent!!!
Other services they offer: Laundry service, food requests, guided tours, etc.
Other comments: The casa is the perfect house in a perfect location in Santa Clara.
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Sept 16 2013
Name: Bertel y Melissa
Country: Denmark
I stayed here at: 08/09/2013
Casa Carlos y Belkis
My review: Carlos and Belkis are very welcoming and willing to help out. Carlos' english is very good and he is in addition a very good spanish teacher!
The room we stayed in was very large and well kept with an extra private living room and terrace for our comfort.
The location is excellent with the casa located right at the beginning of the Boulevard (main street) and the central plaza within walking distance.
Casa specifics: English speaking, Quiet, Fantastic hosts, Comfortable, Colonial, Cozy, Roomy, Charming, Beautiful, Safe
Amenities: Airconditioning, Private bathroom, Laundry service, Balcony, Breakfast service, Dinner service, Queensize bed, Extra bed available, Bathroom with shower
How was your room?: Spacy and comfortable.
How was the food they offer?: Delicious.
Other services they offer: Spanish lessons.
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April 9 2013
Name: Donal Lynch
Country: Ireland
I stayed here at: 03/18/2013
Casa Carlos y Belkis
My review: Myself and my wife spent three wonderful days and evening with Belkis and Carlos, in their beautiful home. Carlos and Belkis have achieved an amazing feat in retaining this wonderful building, protecting the charm of another era, original flooring, doors, bathroom and pillars, whilst providing a service to visitors that can be seldom experienced elsewhere. Carlos has excellent English and is most helpful in everyway possible. Belkis although doubts her proficiency in English is a lady who wishes to assist and succeeds admirably. Both had humour and graciousness which abound.
Casa specifics: English speaking, Quiet, Fantastic hosts, Elegant, Comfortable, Colonial, Cozy, Hidden gem, Roomy, Charming, Beautiful, Safe, Pets in the house, Patio
Amenities: Parking service, Airconditioning, Private bathroom, Minibar, Balcony, Breakfast service, Dinner service, Kingsize bed, Extra bed available, Bathroom with tub, Bathroom with shower
How was your room?: Not just a room but a suite, Double bedded room with private sitting room, balcony and private bathroom - this bathroom is original to the house, perfectly maintained and functions in the modern era.
How was the food they offer?: All the food was excelllent, abundant, indeed too much, and of the freshest highest quality.
Other services they offer: Nothing seemed too much to ask for. Carlos was most welcoming from minute one, collection at the Viazul Bus Station, advice on any issue and indeed arranged for transport which we required on our last day, travelling from Santa Clara further afield.
Other comments: I read on a review prior to travelling something like - "we arrived as visitors and left as friends" which I thought at the time was a little over the top .... it wasn't!!!!!
Feb 18 2013
Name: Kathryn and Garth
Country: Canada
I stayed here at: 12/19/2012
Hostal Carlos Y Belkis
My review: Carlos & Belkis ( sometimes known as Las Jimaquas) Santa Clara at 104 Independence beside Casa de Ciudad.
My husband and I spent 4 very enjoyable nights with Carlos and Belkis in their lovely large 2nd story flat in Santa Clara.
( Don’t be fooled by the very plain wood door at the entrance.) Behind it is a white marble staircase leading upstairs, where you will find ceilings about 20 ft high with ornate cove moldings and floors of patterned porcelain (or ceramic) tiles.
It was a great location, only a few meters from the no traffic boulevard, which leads to the main plaza, where music, theater, and people abound. A bank, internet cafe, and shopping all were within a 5 minute walk.
They have a locked garage for anyone arriving with a car.
Our comfortable accommodation consisted of a room with table, chairs, fridge, and settee, a separate air conditioned bedroom which included a fan, a double and a single bed, dressing table, bedside table as well as ample closet space and a bathroom with hot and cold shower.
Both Carlos and Belkis are very warm, welcoming and gracious hosts. Carlos, who speaks very good English, made reservations for us on the Viazul bus, arranged a taxi ride to the station, and called to confirm our next casa was waiting for us.
Belkis wowed us with her cooking. Every meal was different and delicious and we ate in the family dining room, where we met other members of the friendly family.
We look forward to staying again with Belkis and Carlos if we have a chance to return to lovely Santa Clara. P. 5342229838
Casa specifics: English speaking, Quiet, Fantastic hosts, Comfortable, Colonial, Roomy, Charming, Safe
Amenities: Airconditioning, Private bathroom, Minibar, Balcony, Ceiling fan, Breakfast service, Dinner service, Extra bed available, Bathroom with shower, Private parking
How was your room?: Double bed and single bed with air conditioning and fan. Comfortable, colonial architecture about 16 feet high.
lots of room in closet.ensuite bath with shower.
We were also given a separate room for our use, with a table and chairs, couch and fridge with cold water. A balcony looking onto the street opened off it.
How was the food they offer?: We stayed for 4 breakfasts and 4 dinners and each was different and delicious. Very accomodating and caring hosts who go out of their way to ensure a comfortable and happy stay.
Other services they offer: Carlos arranged transportaion to the bus station and checked with our next accomodation to be sure they were expecting us.
They also went and got us red wine when wanted some with dinner.
Other comments: The casa is very central, just next to the boulevard ( closed to car traffic) which leads to the main square. Lots of music, theater etc there. A very relaxing and nice place to sit and people watch.
We arrived as strangers and left as friends.
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