TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

My fiancé and I visited with our family, and the beach staff was phenomenal. I would like to personally thank Hamberto who works on the beach 7 days a week. He ensured that our stay was the best experience we could have. a caring ad hard worker. Will be back to visit. Thank you Humberto

We actually moved here from the 1st hotel we had booked which was horrendous. We’ve travelled Cuba before arrival and stayed in private Casa’s but they were cleaner than even this hotel. First up the bar staff, cleaners etc are all lovely, genuinely so nice and to a certain extent you let stuff go then because of the staff being so nice. When we arrived it was quite last minute but our room was grubby, long hairs on the floor etc. I asked reception and they sorted it out but the problem with the hotel is there were never enough people on reception. Every time you went you were waiting for 20 mins. The rooms are ok, dated and need a good clean, I told reception about stuff like cobwebs ( and dirt) in the bedside lights that at nighttime show everything but nothing was done, I think they thought I was being funny but a 5 star hotel shouldn’t be like this. Our room could see the sea, just as we were 1st floor so had one of the main halls below us which is fine but we never used the balcony once as it smelt like a smoking shelter. Anyone who smokes in and around this area on a balcony throws their cigs and rubbish out so landed on the flat roof in front of our room so it stunk. I did mention this but nothing happened to try help this. The buffet in the hotel was ok but the same every meal time with not enough staff. If you went to the grill which has various fish, beef, pork and chicken you wait 20 mins every time as the staff ask everyone separately what they want. Just cook the meat and dish it out FFS if you can see a queue snaking around the corner. If you just want a plate piled high of food you will eat at different points than your family as you all queue so long then this is for you. The ala carte restaurants were ok and a welcome change so not queueing for food but apart from the Japanese style was not great. In the 8 nights we were there we only got 3 of these restaurants booked as unless you stand in a queue well before 9Am in the morning and book for either that night or the next day you’ve no chance of getting in. It took a really helpful lady who listened to my complaints when I was second in line one morning pre 9Am trying to book the Japanese restaurant only to be told it was full for the next 48 hours that we got in. I think what happens is holiday reps book restaurants for their guests on mass as I saw this done so whilst you can only book 48’hours in advance maybe they take all the slots? We ended up eating out a few times to have some variety which we needed The general feel is that it needs more staff, more restaurants and more variety, the staff are a credit to the company and hotel and maybe the hotel will then be able to address comments from guests? I’d stay here again but I wouldn’t class it or the rooms as anywhere near 5 star, the only thing 5 star were how friendly the majority of the staff were

Room is clean and serviced twice daily with new towels (level 5 floor). Our bathroom/beach towels are changed daily despite a sign on the wall saying they only will be changed if they’re on the floor and we’ve been hanging them up. Room has been updated slightly and beds are very comfy. Some small things like plugs, switches and bathroom shower could still be updated/improved. Beautiful location, sunsets and beach. Pool is nice too except for the odd disposable plastic cup rolling around. Re-usable, hard plastic cups would not only be less likely to roll/fly away in the wind, but also be better for the environment. The hotel should seriously consider this as an easy step to do their bit for the environment. I dread to think how many of the disposable plastic cups end up being blown into the sea (from this hotel and perhaps other hotels in Varadero) each day. Food from buffet is very poor and utensils are dirty. Food from elsewhere is average and this has been our main disappointment of the trip so far. Drinks are also below average for a 5* resorts. No premium spirits available except for various Havana Club rums and only 1 white/red/rose wine available. Best part of the hotel experience for us is PAPITO and his pina coladas (with or without rum) from his stall at the poolside. He is always smiling and gives you a proper 5* service, delivering drinks to your Sun lounger and surprising us with drinks and water every so often. He makes us smile every day we have sat by the poolside. He deserves a bonus/payrise!

Had an amazing vacation. Staff is very efficient and made sure we had best time there at Melia. Barbara helped us make my birthday extra special. Did fabulous job in arranging a very romantic set up for us. Hats off to the hospitality we got. Million stars to customer service. Will definitely come back for more vacations here. Already missing the place and the staff there.

The Melia Varadero offers nice facilities to relax on a wonderful beach in Varadero. The Staff is friendly and the drinks are good. The thing that harmed my experience was the low quality of the buffet-food. Although you can choose from a variety of things, the food is not good. After two days everything tastes the same. The pineapple bites are white and have no taste. The same applies to the watermelon bites. I believe that this hotel fits for tourists who prefer quantity over quality. The low quality of the food does not only harm the guest's experience but also damages our environment. I hope the Melia (and other similar hotel chains) tries to mitigate the damage it is causing to our planet.