TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

Great location and met a lot of friendly people. The food was excellent with lots of choices. The air conditioner in our room didn’t work so had to move to another with air conditioning. The toilet seat was shaky, but it was fixed in no time. There were two bath towels in our room, but no face towels. The staff at the buffet and the bars were very friendly and helpful. Overall we had a great holiday.

We were at Arenas Blancas for two weeks. Upon arrival Friday night our tv didn't work, the door handle fell off in our hand, hair dryer didn't work and no stocked mini bar. The air conditioning vent was disgusting, full of mold and dust. The bathtub was dirty when we arrived and never cleaned in the 2 weeks we were there. There were a few other little things but the list is to long. We were not happy. We considered Changing rooms but it was late and we just wanted to sleep. Beds were very firm, which I didn't like but it made my sister happy. It wasn't until the next morning we complained to the front desk. The TV and the door were both fixed that day so I thought maybe my first impression was wrong. There are 6 elevators but only one works. That one only holds 4 people. 98% of the staff were wonderful. The food in the buffet was poor and yes I've been to Cuba and know what to expect food wise. If you don't drink alcohol your s@@@ out of luck. They have yet to have any type of soda for the whole week. It can't be blamed on shortages as their sister Resort next door has cola. I can go to their own beach and buy Pepsi from the vendor. I can walk across the street and buy cola. No excuse. Beer is only available at the pool bar. Every day when we go to the buffet, we have a bag that carries our money, passport, phone and stuff we need for either the pool or beach. One week in, for the first time we were refused entry to the buffet for lunch unless we left our bags at the ledge by the door. Not a chance in hell I'm leaving my money and passport at the door for anyone to come along and take. We complained to the front desk and were told "that's the rule". Hasn't been the rule all week. The man at the front desk couldn't even look at us as he was telling his lie. No help anywhere. Yet others were allowed in with their bags. Complained to our Westjet rep who talked to the front desk and was told the same thing. She also was told that it was because the Cubans had come for the night. Week two, they finally got soda. A big problem which is not the hotels fault was people budding in line at the buffet or bars. The lack of respect for your fellow travellers was terrible. We did have two power outages but they only lasted about an hour. On our last day I woke up to no internet. I called down to the front desk and was told it was out hotel wide. When we went down for breakfast, we stopped at the front desk to check on the status of the internet. The girl said it was fine and was never out. Another lie told to us. The beach was very large and beautiful. Hurricane Melissa had gone through the Caribbean just days before our arrival so the waters were churning some of the days. The location is perfect, right at the beginning of town. We met many new friends. Most of the staff are great. The problem is clearly the management. It was the first trip that I wanted to come home early. Will I ever return? Never and I will not recommend this place to anyone. P.S. Another problem was at the airport. Both my sisters and my luggage locks were broken off and riffled through. I can't say if this was in Varadero or Toronto.

I have been visiting Cuba twice a year for over 10 years mostly in Varadero and I have stayed at dozens of hotels on the peninsula. Arenas blancas is by far the best!!! Arenas is shared with Barcelo solymar and the hotel provides everything you are looking for in a beach vacation Location You cannot get a better location! Arenas is located in downtown Varadero steps away from shopping restaurants and nightlife. If you want to salsa at calle 62, or take in a rock show at the beatles bar Arenas Blancas is only minutes away. The beach While almost all the hotels in Varadero are located on a beautiful stretch of white sand beach, the beach areas can vary. The beach at Arenas blancas is perfect! The sand is flat and the water shallow gradually getting deeper, no crazy drop offs. Rooms I have stayed at both Solymar and Arenas and once again I prefer the Arenas side of the hotel. While the hotel is an older building the rooms are clean and the beds are very comfortable. I have never had any problems with the air conditioning, but I do turn it off at night as it works a little too well! The rooms and balconies on the Arenas side are much larger than the rooms at the solymar side. Food No issues with the food, despite what you may hear there is lots of food in Cuba. Arenas/solymar offer 2 buffets, a lunch restaurant and 4 ala cartes (Mexican, Cuban, Seafood and Italian) I enjoyed every meal but my favorite was Mexican Atmosphere This is a family hotel and there is something for everyone. There are 3 pools, 2 pool bars, 2 lobby bars and bars that service the beach areas as well. The animation team engages guests in games and activities during the day and in the evening. The staff This is one of the main reasons why I keep coming back! The team at Arenas Blancas work hard to make your vacation an enjoyable experience. They make you feel welcome and really go above and beyond. They have become like family. Shout outs to Lianys, Esteban, Juan and Lala just to name a few of the fabulous staff, but honestly everyone is amazing! Come visit Arenas blancas you will not be disappointed

Well will start with the best bits , pool is excellent, beach is beautiful. Our room was disgusting (4207), the bath had been painted and was peeling off. Air conditioning was like a tractor. Fridge was filthy and ants every day on the side board, even though no food in apartment. The vents to air con were filthy. There was 6 lifts but only one usable and a lady making sure no more than 4 people in it. (Lovely lady). Staff very good. Maintenance tried fixing air con but had to turn off in the end as smell making us sick. The ladies public toilets never had toilet paper in , so had to make sure we carried tissues. Food was inedible and bar always running out of pina colada and soft drinks. All four of us had upset stomachs, yet we moved to another hotel and was fine . They decided we should move rooms day before we went to next hotel in havana. Only butter in a morning for bread rolls , not allowed any at lunch or dinner , no proper bread either. I'm attaching photos and hopefully the video of our room. Would definitely not recommend thus hotel.

Well this is my 4th time to Cuba and never have I been treated like this. My friends room, paid oceanview was not given oceanview was given pool view. Had to go to the desk 3 times to get someone to look into getting her into a different room. Asked for adjoining rooms - that did not happen. I only book hotels with minibar option - no beer was put in the fridge. The room safe key is the same key everyone uses to get into your room - careful with that. My bathroom - has a tub, but no plug to be able to use it. My rainfall shower head, I had to fix as it spraying water everywhere. And my drain looks like it has not been cleaned in months. The buffet is small, extremely small, if you like food stay somewhere else. People are rude and walk in front of you. And it's like a stampede at any meal time. There's usually a snack shack or something for kids or adults to snack at and only found 1 place that has burgers but no fries. There's no hours on the sign to say when restaurants are open and closed. No physical map, you take a picture and find on your own. The stay at 1 play at 2, great! But your not allowed the Solymar buffet - only booze and ala cartes. TV sucks. Most of the channels are full of static. There has a number of power outages at this resort, but not the sister resort and told to go there if you want coffee or a drink. One of the hotel staff tried to be nice by offering ala carte dinners. To be fair we habe 2 seperate room booked and would be entitled to the 3 ala cartes per room. 1 elevator works out of 6. Being a travel agent chances of recommending this resort 0. If I could stay at one of the other resorts, I would move in a heart beat. Very sad!