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We usually post review after every trip which we update as we remember lol We returned last Thursday : Blau Varadero ?????????? I’m not sure where to start, we travel to Cuba 2 to 3 times per year and our expectations aren’t high. Like most, we expect warm weather, great beaches, something cold to drink, awesome people and something to eat so we won’t starve. Did Blau meet our expectations, your damn right did, it met them and blew them out of the park We got in late, around 11:30PM and the bus ride took about 25 to 30 minutes . Checkin was a breeze. The counter staff were awesome and we were off to our room, ready to enjoy our new adventure in next to no time. Our first stop was the 24 hour snack bar for a couple of gin and soda and we watched a few people dance, obviously having a good time and then we made our way back the main structure. We entered an extremely clean, comfortable, garden view room, which basically allows you to look out Over the little moat in front of the resort. Room 212, I believe you need floor 7 for ocean The next morning we started our little routine, which was heading over to coffee corner, which was staff by two amazing ladies and one pretty cool dude and I started off with a latte and an espresso, which again was amazing and Kara got a latte as well. We were off to a great start We then found one of our little nooks, which is actually that little island of seating out in front of the lobby bar, and we sat in the sunshine. We Enjoyed the view, enjoyed our coffees and then we headed to the room to get changed for the beach. ??? Let me tell you and it’s been a while since I’ve been to Varadero and now I remember why I fell in love with the island. you can walk a half hour ( at least) each way, passing multiple resorts, with White sand under your feet and amazing clear blue water beside you There are lots of Palapas , the beach bar is awesome and the lady staffing it, make some amazing drinks with a menu that is updated daily. There were no shortages at this bar and after a couple of beach drinks, we made our way back up to the poolside lunch buffet. ?? I have to stress if you’re used to buffets at home these are not it, but if you’re willing to wait a few minutes for meat to grill, you will not be disappointed. I had some of the best chicken and beef I’ve ever had in Cuba at this resort. And the pool clean, clean, clean with lots of chairs lots of space and a moderate level of music playing that was sometimes live but mostly DJ Also, there’s this cool little part in between the beach and the pool, which is basically loungers down in the shaded area, which I found awesome . Great place to relax read a book and enjoy some shade or torture your significant other Personal note: This resort is funny. It looks huge, but it’s small, it seems busy, but it’s quiet. I know it doesn’t make any sense but this resort is anything and everything you want it to be. If you want dancing, go to the disco bar at the 24 hour bar at night, if you want quiet go sit and listen from the lobby bar to the entertainment or find your own nook of which there are many. Speaking of the lobby bar, hands-down, the best bartenders in Cuba and yes, we tip them well, in American one dollar bills and Canadian five dollar bills and we never Waited, even with lineups and they had everything at this bar…….there were zero shortages And then on Wednesday night, I believe they had Canada night and they had a whole spread for us up in the piano bar, which again was them going above and beyond to show their appreciation for Canadian tourist who frequent the resort ???? I honestly don’t have one complaint and nothing but appreciation and accolades for this resort . We are looking up booking again in October and I will name everybody once I make sure I don’t butcher their names, but you will not go wrong staying here. Between the two of us, we have been to the island almost 20 times in this by far was our best resort and best adventure yet ?? * this was voice to text so I will edit at some point ?? ??????????

Awesome experience! Everything was great! The service, cleanliness, best food in Cuba, entertainment was fantastic! The beach was beautiful! À la carts were fantastic with beautiful music and entertainment. I can’t say enough about BLAU Varadero. I have been to Cuba 25+ times. Always staying in a different resort, in different parts of the island. I must say the BLAU was my favourite overall! Thank you to all of this staff and entertainment crew, who went over and above to make my vacation so enjoyable, comfortable, and amazing! I can’t wait to go back, as soon as things get better for the beautiful Cuban people. ????

I love so much the experience in the hotel, it was amazing. Thanks for everything . Xoxo

We stayed from December 26th to January 3rd.Overall this hotel could use a few upgrades. Pros: the staff at this hotel do work really hard, most of them were enjoyable and pleasant to be around. Big shout out to Jorge at The Beach grill serving drinks, he always made us feel welcome. George at the pancake station and Junior in the dining hall we're all so great. The hotel itself is situated in a great location, you did have to reserve restaurants the ala carte restaurants. But if you do it the next day you arrive you should be able to eat at all the restaurants. The front staff were nice they had some nice entertainment, and great pool games. The beach is a little bit of a walk from the hotel but once you get there the beach is beautiful they take good care of maintaining the beach. I would suggest booking the private tour with the classic car going to Havana. We had a great time with our tour guide. Cons: usually only one elevator would work at a time, the food was not so great, but you have to understand Cuban standards are a little different. We brought some hot sauce with us which really helped. The ladies cleaning the rooms could do a little bit better, there were some spots they wouldn't even touch. The rooms are very dated, the hotel overall could really use an upgrade. The lobby bar has a section for no smoking however that was never really followed and people would smoke wherever they wanted to. The disco at night only played music catering to Europeans, which if you're in Cuba you should really be listening to Cuban music. I'm not sure if the hotel sprays for mosquitoes but we did find quite a bit mosquitoes in the lobby area and outside in general, bring lots of bug spray! Overall we took this trip with a grain of salt, the Cuban people are mostly very welcoming and humble people. They do the best that they can with what they are given. However I personally wouldn't return back to this hotel.

Stayed for one week at the Blau with no issues other than the weather which was no fault of the hotel (even though some guests thought it was). Plenty of food choices, drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), no power issues. We had the Select package, didn't use the separate breakfast (same items on menu as the buffet but they get it for you) but enjoyed the Chill Out bar in the evenings (premium drinks and snacks), stocked mini fridge each day (beer & 7Up), bottle of red wine in the room, late checkout and a wonderful ocean view from the 9th floor. Select also have their own section on the beach. Elevators are slow but manageable, just be patient. The resort is very clean, even the public bathrooms. Entertainment each evening, singers at the piano bar were very good as well as the violinist at the lobby bar. We tried both restaurants (Select will give you a 3rd reservation). We visited the international twice, violinist one evening and 4pc string quartet the next. Enjoyed the coffee corner each morning and sometimes in the afternoon, good coffee here, sweets, small sandwiches and conversation with the staff. Didn't use the beach club much, my husband is an early riser so would head there for coffee in the morning. Wifi works everywhere but they didn't tell us it would be cut off an hour after checkout. The resort was full but with the layout didn't look that way. Buffet lines were manageable and never a long wait for a beverage at the bars. Lunchtime buffet by the pool could get a bit hectic, the burgers cooked by the pool were good, he also has vegetables, rice. The Beach club also serves a small buffet at lunch and 24hr sandwiches, it's a busy spot. All staff speak English to some degree. They gladly accept coin tips but they are worthless to them at the end of the day so please change them to Canadian bills for them. Special thanks to the staff at the Chill Out bar and our buffet server/lobby bar server Janet and Ernesto at the coffee shop, great service with them all. Overall we had a good trip and will consider returning.