Blau Varadero
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Cuba Varadero Hotel Guide 🏝️
Olivia Williams
412
We stayed @ this resort for 1 week at the end of July 2019 and found the reviews/experiences of other guests similar to ours! Overall very happy, would recommend. POOL -Big, no deeper than 4.5 feet (estimate) -very clean -Beach house always had fresh towels to exchange (during open hours) -lots of lounge chairs. The ones in the shade closest to the pool were occupied first. But more shaded areas available further back -volleyball net always up. Scheduled game times if you wanted to play with a bigger group -music always playing -Almost all scheduled resort activities took place in or in front of the pool (aqua fitness, tai chi, dance/drink competitions, “disco” @ night) -public washroom & outdoor showers very close by BEACH -Absolutely gorgeous, the main reason why we chose Varadero! -Stunning white sand, very minimal seaweed washed onshore (only on 1 windy day) -kept very clean -tons of lounge chairs available & hut/umbrellas for shade -a few cabanas available for rent. (Not sure how much) -beach bar. Only cocktails available, no beer -volleyball net -scuba diving INDOOR BARS (Piano bar/downstairs) -Very hardworking staff -Cocktails were very strong & sugary -no mohitos the whole week we were there (they had run out of mint) -live music almost every night at one or both bars -downstairs bar fills up @ night, so get a table before it gets busy if you want one DINING HALL (Breakfast/Dinner) -indoors, very large -go as soon as it opens if you want a more chill environment. At peak times it gets super busy -Very hardworking, king staff -kept extremely clean, no bugs. But some flies FOOD IN GENERAL: For Cuban food, this resort was pretty good. Some dishes were more flavourful than others (Shrimp/fish) some were lacking (beef). They didn’t have anything catered to gluten free diets. WATER: -The fridge is restocked once a day with 2L of bottled water -can purchase bottled water for 2 CUC @ store in hotel -Everyone was drinking the tap water @ dinner (bottled water not served) so we did too -only 1 out of the 4 of us got stomach sick for a day or two but it could have been from the food -Hotel guests were not worried about the water at all BREAKFAST FOOD: If you eat healthier this is not the best meal for options -Chefs made fresh eggs/omelettes, pancakes & crepes -Tons of fresh fruit: mango, watermelon, papaya, pineapple, passion fruit -Assorted meat & cheese platters -different cereals & milk -bacon (not flavourful) TONS of unhealthier food options: -deep fried breakfast foods, different kinds of bread, deserts (cakes, jello, cookies etc) LUNCH (Poolside dining) THE BEST meal for variety/flavour. -Rice, beans, beef, chicken, lamb, cauliflower, potatoes, pasta salad, fruit, avocado -Pasta bar (not super flavourful) -cucumber & lettus were pretty much the only raw vegetables -deserts DINNER -Very similar to lunch 24 HOUR SNACK BAR -hard time finding it since it’s not in the hotel. -Just before you hit the beach it’s located with the 24h bar -they served chicken & cheese sandwiches and some fruit (did not try sandwiches) -between meals there were also 2 other snack bars open during the day by the pool -1st served fresh cut fruit & smoothies -2nd served burgers & French fries (both not very flavourful) WIFI -1 CUC/ hour -purchased @ reception where they give you a card with code -wifi only works in the lobby. It is extremely slow -works best right outside the piano bar -ONLY APP that worked for us the whole time was Facebook messenger ROOMS: -Rooms were cleaned very well & fridge restocked every day (2 beer, 2 cola, 1 2L filtered water). Lots of fresh towels -No bugs in the room or food -great air conditioning -Very spacious bathroom. Good lighting, great water pressure -Working Safe -2 double beds were hard/could feel springs -queen bed was hard but couldn’t feel springs -pillows were average -Could Hear loud entertainment @ night starting @8pm -Loud chirping birds in the morning
Blakely Aviva
00
I recently completed a seven day solo vacation at Blau and cannot overstate what an incredibly rich and rewarding experience it was staying at this resort. The staff was extremely attentive and friendly. The facility was fresh, clean and easy to navigate. The aesthetics were flush with greenery and a complete sight to behold. Stunning, elegant, classy. Some of the many ways I'll forever remember this beautiful hotel. Coming to Cuba, one often expects to experience certain concessions while staying at any of the many beautiful resorts the country has to offer. None of those concessions apply to Blau. The food was plentiful. There was an abundance of fresh food in many varieties. The buffet was well stocked and not a day went by where I wasn't spoiled by choice and abundance. The quality of the (two) à la carte restaurants was even more impressive than the buffet. The meals being prepared at the restaurants at Blau easily rival some of the best you'd find anywhere else in the world. The house musicians attending the International restaurant are world class and add a level of elegance to the ambience you just have to experience for yourself. The many bars located around the resort never left you waiting for drinks, snacks or conversation. This was the complete package. The quality on offer at Blau isn't just great by Cuban standards; It's great by any standard. The one stand-out feature of Blau, and something I'll be missing the most; the magnificent cafe / coffee bar. The outstanding quality of the coffee is rivalled only by the generous and knowledgeable staff running this corner of the resort. Big shout out of appreciation to the team as they are the real deal. Second note of appreciation is for the hotel staff performing the room turn down service. I experienced a not-insignificant medical issue related to a surgery I had a few weeks prior to my visit. This emergency resulted in at least a few of the housekeepers taking note of my struggle and stepping in to asisst me above and beyond what their job description may have suggested. Absolute professionalism but more than that, care, compassion and concern. They did an amazing job assisting me and taking extra care in the days following the experience. Extremely lovely and understanding. A million thanks and appreciation! The entire resort was peppered with lovely personalities and friendly faces. You will make friends at Blau and you wont want to leave them behind. No resort is perfect or without it's faults however and if you look hard enough you will find things to criticize. This is true of any resort in any country. That being said the many pluses far outweigh any of the negatives you may find. You visit Blau and you will be surrounded by wonderful people who truly care about your experience. For that reason alone I'll be planning a return visit ASAP.
Lucas Grodzinski
00
Resort staff were amazing. From the reception team to waitstaff, housekeeping and bartenders; all were professional, courteous and helpful. We stayed in the Select Oceanview rooms and were not disappointed. Marlenis our housekeeper was attentive to our needs and very appreciative of our little notes of gratitude and tips. Rosie is the Customer Service Agent to see at the resort if you want to book guided tours, a la carte reservations, massages, etc. She is so helpful! We went with Douglas in a classic car to Havana and had a lifetime's experience. This is the way to really see the country and experience some great cafés and little hidden gems in Havana. As a chef, I love to try authentic food and drinks while travelling. If you are coming to Cuba to eat like at home, stay home. Cuban food is not spicy or hot, covered in rich sauces or BBQ. Pork is the # 1 protein choice for Cuban families. Cubans make food with what they have available and considering the massive shortages in the country I think the resort did a good job. There was always fish, chicken, beef and of course pork. Lots of vegetables, both raw and cooked, fresh fruit juices with what is available and ripe, fantastic pastries and fresh breads daily. Due to low occupancy, some restaurants were closed. Some guests complained constantly about this and the whining got a bit old fast. Why would any business in these economic, and Covid19 fatigued times spread their resources so thin as to open all the restaurants. Can you imagine the food waste that would happen in a country that already struggles with massive shortages. Go check out a state run grocery store (pictures attached). It will make you grateful that there is any food in the resort. And make you more mindful that your Canadian, American and European currency tips go to staff who can use it to buy from the unofficial marketplace. My recommendation is to be patient, get off the resort to appreciate what you have in your home country and enjoy what Cuba and the people have to offer! The beach is spectacular. Be sure to towel off when you come out of the ocean. We are familiar with swimmer's itch at home and until we did some research didn't think it was also in ocean waters. My husband got it and I didn't. ( I towelled off) Don't assume you can buy Tylenol, Advil, antihistamines, stomach meds, aloe vera or bandaids. Bring them with you! If you buy new packages and don't use them, leave them behind with a note to your housekeeper of gratitude.
Trish de-Sp
00
THIS IS NOT A 4 STAR HOTEL!! Customer Service wise probably the worst ever!! And I am very well travelled.!! I have no idea how anyone can give this hotel 5 stars! On our arrival we were greeted with the most miserable receptionist called Arias. She didnt even say hello and just asked for the passports. She then asked for our holiday voucher. We showed her our booking confirmation but apparently this was not enough, even though she had our names, ticked us of her list, and gave us the welcome letter from our Virgin rep. She made us both feel so unwelcome, and just kept asking for the holiday voucher!!!!! Reading other reviews it would seem that if you are dark skinned, they treat you badly!!! I got upset and asked for the manager. The Manager was Mireylis who really wasn't any better but told us to come back at 3.30 but that she would need to photocopy our booking confirmation. We came back and our cases were still in reception even though we now had a room. I asked why our bags had not been taken up and were told that they were waiting for us. We took our cases up and I called the manager, who ended up telling me I was rude for complaining about their attitude. Things really didnt get any better. Our room was so shabby and I know we were not given a superior seaview room as other people we met had much nicer rooms. The restaurant and bar staff are so nice so the star is for them. The food was ok but very bland. The Noisy fridge. I slipped after we were told to pull the plug at night. we did and the water leaked out Called receptionist about remote control and they put the phone down. Still was not fixed Called about safe not working and got “what do you want me to do”! Shabby room, tired towels, no hair conditioner or body lotion, and had to ask when our soap and shower gel ran out. Room not properly cleaned. The spa area was so shabby. and not a place for relaxation!! My husband got a shock from pulling fridge plug!! The food places close at 3pm. Even the fruit bar. After that you can have toastier or pizza. I ordered a tuna toastie and got a cabbage one because that’s how it comes!! No sign of even a tuna flake! Because of my husbands electric shock Roseia, the customer service manager offered us an upgrade and massage in return for signing a disclaimer letter! We said no, as it should have been done as a gesture of good will This was meant to be a relaxing break but the customer service made it a truly awful experience!!
Rubina latif
00
First time in Cuba for a week . It is great hotel with a lot of plants, palms and flowers inside and outside. Great facilities. There is good size swimming pool and outside cafe next to it, 2 restaurants, bar and shops for souvenirs, rum, cigars and tourist staff BEACH - secured & safety, white sand beach, very beautiful and clean, plenty of umbrellas and sun beds , there is small bar with limited choice of drinks in 200ml plastic cups. ROOM - decent size with balcony, EU plugs, old fashioned but clean, flat TV with some channels, small fridge with 1.5 water, 2 cans Holland’s beer and 2 small bottles of Cuban cola. My room was with garden view but it is most likely highway view and was very noisy from the buses who pick up the staff in the morning. INTERNET - they give you 10 h and when you finished it they will give you another 10h. When you stop using it for more than 2 min, it is log you out and you have to log in again: 20 symbols for network and 8 symbols for password. The signal is poor, mostly I used is in my room or the bar CURRENCY - everything is calculated in Dollars, but you can use any currency like euros or pounds also. You can not exchange unspent Cuban pesos and you can not use in airport. STAFF - some people are very friendly and helpful, some are not. They do better service to local and expecting some tips from tourists. EXCURSIONS - book it in advance online and get some discounts, I recommend full day trip to Havana. FOOD - it was awful, no taste, very poor quality and not big variety for all inclusive resort. Always have to wait on queue 15-20 min for the grill because the meat is not cooked, they give you 3 pieces of meat, if you ask for more they will give you 1 more, you have to begging for the food which you already paid. The Masks are still required, it is post covid hotel. DRINKS - mostly plastic cups smaller than the glass for water, fizzy drinks are poured from 1.5l bottles, juice is something like mashed fruits with water without sugar. No sugar & limes in mojito, no lemon in Cuba libre. Alcohol is unknown brand except the rum. In the bar, there is small size mosquito, who bites a lot. This holiday I felt like person in boarding house with daily portions of food and drinks. For me the food is very important when you are in all inclusive resort and paid decent amount of money. Very disappointed and very bad experience. I do not recommend Cuba, better go to Mexico or Dominican Republic.
Krasimir Krastev
00
Nearby Attractions Of Blau Varadero
Melia Las Antillas
Royalton Hicacos Resort & Spa
Varadero Dolphinarium

Melia Las Antillas
4.4
(1.2K)
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Royalton Hicacos Resort & Spa
4.3
(862)
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Varadero Dolphinarium
4.0
(290)
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Basic Info
Address
5RQH+R3M, km 15 Carretera de Las Morlas, Varadero, Cuba
Map
Phone
+53 45 626300
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Website
blau-varadero.com
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Reviews
Overview
4.6
(1.8K reviews)
Ratings & Description
attractions: Melia Las Antillas, Royalton Hicacos Resort & Spa, Varadero Dolphinarium, restaurants:
