Club Tropical Hotel, Varadero Cuba. 3 stars.

Awfull JennyFlorez

“The worst mistake at the best Location ”
I went to Varadero on Jun 4th with my husband and children. It is an all inclusive hotel but is terrible to be there. First of all I had to change the room because it smelt like pee, and had cockroaches. I had a two bedrooms apartment at the second floor, any washroom had water in the toilet (that is hideous). Moreover, when we took showers, the rooms become in a river because all the water ran from the shower's floor to everywhere.. at midnight we went to the bar 24 hours open and the only snack that they had is sandwich (a cold bred with a super skinny slice of jam and cheese), I asked to the reception a washrooms fixing or change of room (again) , but they didn't, we had the whole week filling the toilet from the shower water. They have only a buffet restaurant with food in low quality, every day is same food or modified meals. Many time I had to ask for fresh fruit, meat, clean plates, or drinks. The cocktails were terrible, "mojito" is one of the most popular drinks in Cuba, but they dont have it, the snack bar close to the pool only have sandwiches or hamburgers for few hours only, some days the just said "sorry, the burgers are finished, only sandwiches" and you have to wait so long or in some cases. They do not have internet like sunwing said, but you can find for 3 pesos half hour at 10 minutes walking. People are waiting for tips all time or you will get a service with angry faces. Finally, the GYM is small and in bad conditions, they dont have spa, only a massage room unreliable never open. I readed this kind of reviews before my trip, I thought "ok, people can be bad experiences, but not can be like that, is an exageration" but is not! Pool is nice, the location is amazing, Varadero is quite and safe but some time hotels are not the best opcion in Cuba, my good times were out of the hotel or in the beach; is so clean and gorgeous. If you want ask something... you are alowed. Because of my Spanish language was more easy, I cant imagine what would happen if I wouldnt. My last words... Cubans see people "specially canadians" like goldmines, they want tips all the time for nothing, increment prices if you speak not Spanish, and confuse people to get more money from them with lies and deceits. Also, Habana is more expensive and the same thing with people. Do you want cheap vacations? go to Mexico; is cheap and not stressful!

Very good Ileana S

“You book there to confirm that post cards beaches do exist”
That is exactly what my daughter in law said as soon as we arrived and got close to the beach area of the hotel. A beautiful scenery with all the blue tones you could and couldn't imagine. The Hotel itself is located in an area of Varadero where the beach could not be more pleasant. It is also close to other places in town and to a couple of handicraft markets, in case you wanted to go for a walk and buy some presents to take home. We booked in September, that is one of the reasons for the emptiness of the beach, which makes it even more desirable to relax and to have the most quality time ever. The first contact with people at the reception could not have been better. Very professional and helpful. We arrived earlier and did not have any problems to get our rooms as soon as we completed the formalities of the registration. Our rooms were in the building facing to the beach. Perhaps no the most up to date from the hotel (I believe the rest of the rooms had been modernized), but with everything you need if your idea is that the rooms are to sleep and to shower (very nice hot water). Mosquitoes were not the most annoying issue, so with the proper repellent it was possible to seat in the balcony and enjoy a very nice view and the sunset. We had a small problem in the bathroom and it was resolved in 15 min after I went to reception. It might help to be polite and to acknowledge their service. They had problems with the air conditioning in the restaurant (I was told they have plans to refurbish that area for the next season) and during the weekend, when the hotel had more clients it was more difficult to get the main course but if you are flexible and go for other things from the buffet, that could work. We found the service and drinks at the bar OK, some of the people working there are very professional, others no so much but again being polite and tipping from time to time might make your life easier, the same applies for the restaurant. Not point spending time in the swimming pool, which during the weekend gets a little bit crowded with locals. We enjoyed the hotel nighttime entertainment; the show on Friday was good, very professional dancers. We found that the hotel is about the beach and some of the people working there trying to make things easier for you. All in all, you can have a very enjoyable time if you are not very demanding, if your expectations are about a beautiful empty beach (no July or August).