Grand Memories Varadero reviews
9762 TripAdvisor reviews
Just Got Back from Paradise – Here’s My Honest Review!
Paula M on Dec 12, 2025
Property & Rooms The property is absolutely beautiful—huge credit to the gardeners who keep the landscape pristine and picture-perfect. The rooms are definitely outdated and could use some upgrades, but honestly, I don’t go on vacation to stay in my room. The bed was very comfortable, the A/C worked perfectly all week, and we had hot water in the bathroom with zero issues. Food We never went hungry! There’s something for everyone—eggs every morning, plenty of variety. If you stay in the Premier Club (Diamond Club), you get access to a private lounge for breakfast and lunch, which was a game-changer. Bacon, bananas, and even peanut butter—such a treat! Highly recommend paying a little extra for those perks because you also get a private section of the beach with your own beach bar. Special shoutout to Zetti, the bartender—she’s amazing (and a proud mom to a 10-year-old daughter!). Beach & Activities The beach is stunning! They offer beach exercises, yoga stretches, and even Zumba lessons right on the sand. Tip: Bring a floatie—you’ll love just drifting on that gorgeous ocean. Pool Always a party! Lots of fun, music playing all day, and a great vibe. Restaurants We tried all the à la cartes. The Italian was our favorite—best lasagna ever, and my sister loved the carbonara. At the Gourmet restaurant, the fish (similar to salmon) was incredible. Staff The workers truly went above and beyond to make our stay comfortable and enjoyable—from bartenders and servers to the cleaning staff. They deserve all the praise! Bonus Tip There are a couple of dogs on the resort—don’t be afraid, they’re harmless and just looking for food and water. Be kind and share some meat you don’t eat (they’re not fans of hotdogs, even though the hotdogs at the snack bar are actually really good—and yes, they have mustard!). Extra Tip They accept both American and Canadian currency, but they prefer American dollars. Avoid bringing loonies and toonies for tips—it’s very hard for them to exchange coins for bills. Thank you William and the entire staff for making our family vacation a memorable one.
Amazing treatment
Andy S (Toronto, Canada) on Dec 12, 2025
This is my go to resort. Everything is just right. The staff try to do their best. Yamayasis is amazing and she takes care of a lot of things above and beyond her responsibilities. Luis, Michel,carlo,Danny at lobby bar are outstanding. Hansel and Talia are so good with the entertainment crew. This place is like family. Beach is nice. Pool events,are great. Disco is good as well. Love grand memories.
50th Birthday Family & Friends Getaway
Diaoso2023 on Dec 11, 2025
Had a blast with family and friends group getaway for a surprise 50th birthday with 21 people in our group. We were well taken care of by the manager, William & staff. They went above and beyond with all our needs and expectations. There could’ve been more activities during the day and at night the disco should open right after the entertainment. Highly recommend that if you need absolutely anything to get in touch with William or Yamaysi or David. The bar staff was amazing & coffee bar. Especially Zetti at the beach bar, such a beautiful young lady who took exceptional care of each one of us. Rooms were well taken care of and cleaned. Anything I requested for my room our cleaning made sure we got it. I personally have been there 3 times and have always been taken care of.
Service
Renat A on Dec 10, 2025
Only the lobby bar. If you don’t give tips per ask, then they will not service you. Waiters aren't interested in high service. Unfortunately, only money. Instead of grand memories, you fill negative emotions.
THE WORST PLACE WE'VE EVER STAYED.
Trail08708876435 on Dec 08, 2025
Upon arrival, greeted by David. A nice young man who did his best. We paid an additional $280 for the premium upgrade. Early check in happened after being walked around the huge resort, seemed like he was trying to kill time till the rooms were ready. Only one of the two rooms was ready (early check in paid for) Travelled to Cuba many times over the years, in saying this we understood that the food isn't always the greatest, but the other parts of the vacations made up for that. NOT here. The food was exactly the same, every ...single ...day/night. The 24hr snack bar we went to at about 1130am said they have nothing but bread and mayonnaise at the moment. What they served was pasta, or chicken salad on rock hard buns. The beach was unkempt. We watched a couple people trip over old palapa wood sticking out of the sand. Washed up debris was never taken away. I'll include pictures. Im talking huge cross like parts of palapas carried in by the waves. Cigarette butts and overflowing trash bins broken down and busted up resort. Needs a huge makeover. Almost everything was broken or falling apart. The rooms, where do I start. One morning I came back to the room and my shoes were floating. The room was flooding. The toilet spraying out water. Phone in room does not work. Cannot get ahold of reception. A QR code on the nightstand was of no help. I ran outside and asked a groundsman to help me. He sauntered away and never came back. Its a solid 10-15min walk in between everything. Finally a beach worker came by I said please help me. He came in, grabbed some stones from the garden and stuck them inside to stop the toilet. Said someone would come in an hour. They NEVER came. Almost in tears i was ready to book a flight home. Eventually they issued me a new room. In the new room the safe was broken, the toilet didnt flush until I added water from the tub. The sink had no handle on it. One thing after another. We imagined we could stay drunk to forget about the state of the place but it's hard to drink when your always hungry. I survived on rice and beans all week and a couple horribly made omlettes. Roaches on the walls.on t buffet on two occasions. Service was ok a few nights. Coffee maker in room, no coffee in sight, asked our "butler" he gave coffee grounds in a small container. The machine takes pods ?? The events calender (which we took a picture) had all kinds of things planned. From karaoke to dance classes to nightly shows. None of which happened. There were no shows at night. Workers asking for us to get plates of food for them as :life is very hard and they were hungry" . Coming over around the pool asking for food/money or cigarettes. Waitstaff asking for my shoes and toiletries upon our departure. I love all people, but the number of ignorant Russians was overwhelming. Absolutely no regard for personal space or common decency. The mini fridge was never replenished and when it was, it was with leaking water bottles which seemed to be refilled as they didnt snap when opened. Stains on sheets, beach towels in room (for premium) were never changed all week and bath towels were hung on chairs to dry. Not replaced. I could go on and on about all the reasons one should not go to this resort. I have never counted the days till I could leave. Flying home early would have cost us more then it did for this God forsaken whole trip. I will never return to Cuba. Yes I now understand that they are in the worst economic crisis since their independence but Sunwing should have made this abundantly clear instead of their outright lies and deceitful sales tactics Pay a few hundred extra and go elsewhere. We officially needed a vacation when we returned.