Angsana Cayo Santa Maria

The problem with so many reviews is their lack of comparison. In order to compare a 5 star resort, it's a good idea to have visited one or two. For comparison purposes, we have travelled to: Melia Las Dunas (2), Royalton Cayo Santa Maria, Iberostar Ensenachos, Melia Cayo Santa Maria. In Veradero we have visited: Sandal/Royalton (4), Melia Las Antillas, Tryp Peninsula, The Good Generally the service staff were all very good. The pool was clean and a cool, refreshing temperature. Both white and red wines were quite nice, not with any degree of complexity, but drinkable. The resort is small with just over 240 rooms making it easy to navigate. Forget the idea of saving pool loungers, there was always plenty vacant. The beaches were both located on nice white stretches of sand. The more secluded beach was situated on an idyllic cove with mostly placid water and few rocks. The nightly entertainment was always exceptional. Finally, the ocean view rooms truly were a visual pleasure to wake to. The Bad Upon first arrival, the time when your excited to settle in the front desk team made certain that you left thinking, "who peed in their Chereoos?". Wow, crack a smile or be at least somewhat pleasant as a first impression. Can we say depressing! No where in the lobby, internet, gift store, corridors are there lights. The pictures you see displaying this golden glow of an amazing grand entrace...ya no. The bedrooms were adequate, we had a garden view ground level room. Two double beds are all you will get on this level, forget about a King size bed. After day two the ant and bug situation was too much and we asked to move. Couldn't care where just higher than ground level, well that ended up costing us about $100.00, so we had to pay for our move out of their bug sancutary. Cleanliness, the bare minimum is mostly the case here. While the rooms are maintined to a "just average", the hallways, glass and stair cases are a step below filthy. Mosquitos, yup, you had better be bringing your Deet. I'll give them this credit in that they do fumagate twice daily. As I previously mentioned, the beaches are ideallic indeed, but don't expect powder soft white sand. It is a coarser variety with shell and coral in the mix. Speaking of the beachs, both have convienient beach bars staffed by great bartenders. The private, tranquill beach...ya not so much when you have five or six workers congregated at the bar laughing, joking, shouting and just generally talking at a level that revererates through the cove. Wi-fi, maybe you might get it, maybe not. I myself disconnect from the world but if your the plugged in type, good luck. Apparently it was a no-go for three days out of seven. Lets talk about selection. Do you enjoy gin and tonic, most likely you won't here as tonic is a no-show four days out of the week. Who runs out of hotdogs and pizza, you got it, The Angsana does. Air conditioning was always excellent, you got it, until the rolling blackouts at 4am. The comfort level of the beds was average, I like mine soft whereas my wife prefers a bit firmer. What I don't understand is the beds designed for Umpa Lumpas, coming in at about fifteen inches off the ground. Lastly, 5 star resorts set themselves apart by the little things. Examples are, bath robes, Kleenex, room service, quality towels, and I get it, this is Cuba, but you'll find none of these here. Yet at the Royalton, we did. The Ugly You guessed it, the food. Six months ago we visited The Melia Las Antillas, a truly regrettable decision I might add. We had thought we seen a new low in terms of food quality, presentation, options and cleanliness. Not until we visited The Angsana. By now you've heard of the culinary nightmares associated with Cuba. I can tell you that other resorts have been surprisingly good quality and selection, not the case here. Read other reviews to get the details, but I can assure you that where your on a Keto or Dr. Bernstein's diet, none compare to the weight loss you'll experience by The Angsana diet. To wrap up, it's a shame that this resort after only being open for half a year is sliding so rapidly into 3 star category. Managers, please use my notes here to make this a more desired location. This vacation was very nice despite it all, just remember the old adage: you get what you pay for!

It is a quiet place, ideal to older crowd. No waiting in line for change, dinner reservation. Etc. Most of my meals were at the Bistro outside restaurant were the food and service was great, they can produce a poutine with the right sauce and cheese.The last night we were there they ran out of certain foods, there is multiple beaches, one big and long and others are private with 4 to 12 chairs and all with beach bars. The room was always clean. Staff was very helpful and friendly. The only thing to improve would be to inform guests of the BBQ at one of the beach.

We have just come back from 2 weeks at the Angsana Cayo Santa Maria. The bus ride from the airport is almost 2 hours , just a heads up! I will start with the positive about this resort. Check in was wonderful, we were greeted by amazing reception staff, quickly and efficiently. We were taken to our room, which was exactly what we had booked, an amazing Premium Ocean View, with a King sizebed. The room was nice, and had everything we needed, hair dryer worked perfectly, bed was comfortable, pillows were good as well, we had a lovely patio which we enjoyed every morning with Cappacino from the bar downstairs. My biggest issue with the room was the a/c which did not cool the room with an average temp of 24 which was far to warm, coming up from a day at the pool or beach, we asked numerous times to have it looked at to no avail. Pools are nice, and they are the perfect temperature, and I found them to be clean, although the staff could have been better about cleaning up empty glasses and things from the pool area. Internet worked quite well other than the last three days we were there, and you have to go daily to have your time updated, which is 1 hour per person. We did not have any trouble exchanging Canadian money at the reception desk, they usually had plenty to do your exchange. Now on to the staff, they were absolutely amazing, fun, sweet, helpful and always tried their best to keep everyone happy, we enjoyed all of them and became friends of which I hope we keep in touch. I took 55 gift bags for the Cuban people and they could not have been more appreciative and happy with the gifts, and I think gifts of items are much more beneficial than tips, (we tippped as well), but so many things they need are far to expensive for them to buy when the average. Income in Cuba is $30 per month. We enjoyed 3 excursions which we booked through our Sunwing rep, and everything was wonderful and exactly what we paid for! My biggest issues with this resort were the food and lack of much entertainment. The buffet was terrible, and repetitive everyday, there is a pasta station, and grill but they were the same daily, there was not a lack of flour while we were there, so there were buns ,bread and pizza most days. Meat at buffet was either extremely under cooked, or terribly over cooked. Mornings were ok with the omelette and crepe stations, but other than that it truly was a huge disappointment. The pool snack bar was a much better option, and the food seemed passable, providing they had what you had ordered, which wasn’t always the case. Al a Carte’s we ok, the Asian being the better of the two. I have been to Cuba in the past and understand you can not compare it to other countries, but I still think there is definitely room for improvement at this resort regarding the food??The drinks were good, but they ran out of things quite often, (gin, tonic,etc). This is said to be a quiet resort and they truly mean it, we are both 60 yrs old and found the resort to quiet, with very little entertainment. In the evenings there was live music sometimes in the bar, which was most certainly geared to an older crowd. If you want to dance and enjoy great Cuban entertainment, this resort is not for you. There isn’t anything going on at the poolside either, so we found it quite boring,being there for 2 weeks. There are NO shows want so ever in the evenings to enjoy, so most people are in bed early, and there isn’t much happening after 11 pm. My feeling is this is a resort geared to a much older crowd, and people who just what to lay by the pool or beach and enjoy that type of vacation. The maid who cleaned our room for the time we were there was very nice, but the room was not cleaned properly, or well, the bathroom counter was never actually cleaned, the floor only swept in the traffic areas, sliding door never cleaned and the patio floor was never washed. We did not have an issue with towels however, and when I requested more, I received them. Although this resort is not a year old yet, it’s starting to look like it needs some repairs. The grounds are nice but again need work. The beach is stunning with plenty of covered areas, and a quiet beach at the opposite end of the beach, where the water is much calmer, and less rocky. I also would recommend taking plenty of bug repellant, and anti histamines as many people were bitten terribly and on antibiotics when they returned home. They did fumigate in the mornings and evenings, and unfortunately it was during hours when people were up and having breakfast and the fumes were very strong and overbearing with people covering their faces. There are many lovely things about this resort, but also things that are not. We will not return to this resort.

Returned home last week from wonderful visit to the Angsana. Everything about this resort was great! From modern, clean rooms, great drinks at the main bar to amazing staff. The are two beaches. The main beach is shared with the other resort and the smaller, quieter beach at the end of the resort. Great snorkeling there. Special thanks to Yailet, Resort Hostess for looking after us during our stay and to all of the wonderful staff who provided such excellent service!

I don’t think ?? people complaining stayed at the same resort we did. Honestly the food choices and presentation at the snack bar, buffet and Ranchon restaurants were outstanding! A shout out to the “grill master” whom my husband was so impressed by the way he grilled snapper, chicken and pork, delicious and done to perfection! We made so many friends with staff and vacationers. Had a gorgeous and clean room with a view of the ocean ??. Tipped the staff well as they deserved it and are so hard working and very appreciative. We gave the gardeners sunglasses and the awesome staff at the quiet beach my husband gave fishing lures, etc and flashlight for night fishing. Loved both the quiet beach and the larger beach that is shared with the Dhawa resort. Snorkeling at both beaches was epic! We have travelled to many 5 star resorts including Aruba, Antigua, Barbados and this resort is right up there in service, food , great staff .Thank you Angsana for a memorable week and we will definitely be returning and recommending to our friends and family! ????????????