TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

Having been to Cuba for so many times this is this the first time that I am writing a negative review. I will start from our room which was completely disfunctional. 1. Safe didn't work; 2. Bed sheets were dirty; 3. No hot water; 4. Windows were so dirty like they haven't been cleaned for ages. 5. Toilet was out of order; We tried to change the room as the hotel was almost empty but the man at the reception told us to come in the morning which we did, but instead they sent a man who was supposed to fix the problem with the safe. He really did his best but couldn't repair it. Nobody came to fix the toilet. Towels in the room including beach towels were not changed once during our two weeks at this so called hotel. Room was full of ants. Food: If you don't come to the restaurant within the first 20 minutes of opening you will be lucky if you get a rice and beans. There is a pizza restaurant for lunch which serves only one small pizza per person but not everyday. The only alcoholic drinks they serve you in this "hotel" is beer, whiskey and wine. So you come to Cuba and they don't have rum. Bread is served only at the breakfast. We tried talking to a woman encharge of public relation but she was so rude and uninterested in solving of any of these issues and told us to go to city to buy drinks and food. All in all this was one of horrible experience and my most honest advice to everyone who is planing to stay at this hotel is to choose any other, because this is the worst hotel you could choose no matter what the price is.

While traveling to Cuba please keep In mind that the country is facing many shortages such as soap! Hotel Kawama has a rustic charm to it. The staff are super friendly and try their best to make you feel at home and welcome. It is not their fault if there’s food at the buffet that you don’t like! There’s always something to eat and that’s the thing that we need to remember. Right now. The resort is in the process of transitioning many staff as there have been a few that have left or retired. With that there are a few growing pains, but I’m sure in time it’ll be sorted all out. I look forward to my next trip in the spring there.

I had read reviews prior to booking. They were not the best reviews and I was apprehensive. Upon arrival at 20:30, check in was smooth, luggage taken to the room for me, and able to still eat at the buffet. My room was in building shared with one other room. I was on the top level. The room was more than expected. It was large with two single beds which could be together or separated. A sitting area with table and two chairs. TV, AC and a mini fridge. A balcony with another table and chairs with a view of the ocean. Around the corner was a closet with a safe, extra pillows and blanket. The washroom had a tub/shower combo. Soap and shampoo were in the room. No face clothes, as they are not customary, but I had brought my own. A large bottle of water provided. Note if you stay here, you refill this bottle at the bar or need to go to a store to purchase a new one. I didn't have any issues with hot water not being available. There was a slight odor from the toilet and sink, which wasn't overpowering, I had brought Just Spray and used that a couple times during my stay. The housekeeping staff member Heidi, introduced herself the next morning and asked if I needed anything. Heidi kept my room tidy and respected my requests not to service the room many of the days. There was no door tag to say yes or no to cleaning. Outside my door there was a little covered space looking over to a coffee spot and a slight view to the smaller pool. At the bottom of the stairs there was another chair to sit and reflect the day, or debate the short climb of stairs to the room. The coffee shop is next to review. Delightful and I can only imagine even more so for those that drink more coffee than I do. I did enjoy a few cups during my stay and it was delicious. No sugar required with the option of some coffee liquors if you wanted. No cream, but a milk frothed to add. The beach. Over the walking bridge to the white soft sand. The blue clear water is best to see in person. Heaven. Hard to see the divide between the sky and ocean how the blues blended together. Did not have any problem obtaining a chair with umbrella or coverage from a few trees. Bring bug spray as the sand fleas do come out. You wont see them or feel them until it is too late. It took until I returned home for a couple days before the bites showed and awoke me with intense itching. The pool bar, I don't have much to say as I only visited a few times to fill my water bottle. They did have a self serve juice jug, but fair warning, it isn't juice it was sangria. Even a better surprise when I took a drink from my small water bottle I filled. There are jugs of fruit infused water you can fill a glass with. The lobby bar serves both coffee and drinks no beer. You need to drink in the lobby or lounge area as they only serve drinks in glass ware. There are jugs of fruit infused water here as well. As you walk into the lobby area there is a calendar of events on the wall, don't miss that if you want to play bingo or do some stretching. The entertainment area has live entertainment, music on during the day, and this is where most of the events take place. I was impressed that come 23:00 noise was shut down. I didn't pay attention if there was "quiet" time posted, and compared to other resort stays, I was relieved that it wasn't noisy at bedtime. Snack bar wasn't overly busy most times of the day. Limited options but the snack plate offered had fries, tomato slices, cheese with ham. Refreshing boost in between meals. A la carte can be booked for two evenings when you stay a week. The meals there were more than expected. The cuban soup was simple yet enjoyable. One evening was chicken the next was pork. I enjoyed the flavors and meals were well prepared. Buffet meals. I didn't sample all that was offered. Breakfast: Fresh cut fruit, fresh made juice, omelettes, smoothies? like a milkshake, lots of vegetable, rice with black beans, some rolls and bread. Lunch: Ice cream and desserts, fruit, vegetables, chicken drumsticks or grilled meat (chicken or pork usually), rice, paella. Dinner: Much the same as dinner for options. I'm sure many wouldn't be satisfied with the offerings but I most certainly did not go hungry. I would confidently say my 10 year old could be satisfied with what was available to eat. Limited options for fountain soda. Fanta was carbonated but cola was generally flat. You are able to go to the store for canned pop, which will be about $2 USD. Overall I will return to Cuba and to Kawama. Staff were all friendly. I have no complaints for any service received at the resort. My room was very clean. WIFI is a charge and throughout Cuba service is not reliable. I would suggest an E-sim for data while there.

We just returned from about our 15th visit to Club Kawama. This will be an honest review , Cuba has changed but the people who work at this hotel are still the most amazing people ever. It was like being with family again from the moment YADELIN FERNANDEZ at front reception saw us we were taken great care of , and a special thank you to the new Public relations person Yoly Yosaline San Juan she was so nice and kind to us making sure we had the a la carte and the repeaters dinner. Thanks to the great crew at Gran canal restaurant in the kitchen and our servers Kenai ,Daniela , Pedro and our friend MADAY who are always amazing. The lobby bar staff were first class and it was great to see our little friend MIGUEL at the pool bar. Ok food wise there was always eggs for breakfast and ham and bread. Lunch was usually pork and green peppers and you could get rice etc The night time buffet was usually pork again and they always had deserts and ice cream at lunch and dinner. The snack bar which we found on the last day had spaghetti and pizza and was never a busy place and the server was so pleasent with us. This is a 3 star resort with 5 star staff , dont go to Cuba for the food you go for the amazing people , the sun , and the beach and ocean. Pay the extra for a superior room and it will be a more enjoyable stay. Cubans are struggling leave tips for your servers and chambermaids please and take things they need as gifts like soap and toothpaste. Again Cuba has changed everything is expensive off the resort so be careful not to get charged 10 times what a Cuban would pay for a taxi. They do not want Cuban pesos they all prefer US and Canadian dollars which they can pout on a card to buy things at the American store. Thanks for reading and again go with an open mind and you will enjoy the friendliest people in Cuba at this hotel. Regards Steve

I’ve been to cuba many times. The hotel was good. It was typical of cuba. Out of all the carribean destinations cuba is the most affordable place to vacation. I don’t go searching for luxury. I also don’t care about little imperfections that people make a big stink about…(like no top bed sheet and a couple of small stains on the bottom sheet which in my opinion was clean bedding in my room) I overlooked these things because Im a traveller who wants to have a clean room and roof over my head, feel safe, have a comfortable bed, air conditioning that works and something to eat while I spend the majority of my time on the beautiful beach. This hotel met all of those things. I had a working fridge as well in my room. The hotel lobby staff could be faster to greet and attend when a guest comes to them but I had patience and did not feel anyone at the front desk was rude. I met lots of repeat guests and many older folks seem to be there. I also liked the location as it is walking distance to downtown Varadero. I had a great time and if I go back I’ll upgrade to ocean view rooms that are 100-200 and 600-700 blocks.