| Holiday-Truth Readers Reports |
browning from sudbury,suffolk travelled to Barcelo Solymar Beach Resort with
airtours
on a couples holiday.
There were 2 adults and 0 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 09 2008 |
rated the Barcelo Solymar Beach Resort as follows:| Cleanliness |  | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food |  | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: The hotel Solymar is a very bright very well maintained and very clean hotel, the surrounding grounds that the pools and bungalows are in,very well kept.
The food at the buffet resturants were warm but it was always cooked, there were plenty of other choices of piping hot freshly cooked food as well as the a la carte resturants.
Even when we were hit by Hurricane Ike, the staff were absolutly brilliant(our safety was paramount), everything carried on as normal(resturants,bars,theatre all open)even though we were confined to the hotel for 24hrs while Ike continued to blow.
We would visit Solymar again
Click here for more information on this hotel, resort and region
|
| |
Jane,Charlie,Sue n Geoff from Knottingley West Yorkshire travelled to Barcelo Solymar Beach Resort with
Thomas Cook
on a family holiday.
There were 4 adults and 0 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 03 2008 |
rated the Barcelo Solymar Beach Resort as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment |  |
| said: The hotel was somewhat multi coloured from the outside which didn't look very appealing but once inside it was lovely, very clean.
Food was good, there was always something to eat even if you were a faddy eater. There are three different al la carte restaurants that you can eat in per week which you have to book (seafood, italian and Cuban), we found the Italian the best. Staff were always pleasant and you didn't have to tip if you chose not to.
Entertainment was not too good same nearly every night.
There are lovely big swimming pools which didn't get busy, and the beach is just beautiful very picture postcard.
They were very quick at service at the snack bars, never waited long for drinks or snacks. Charlie and Geoff sampled every drink, cocktails included, one evening. They will serve while ever someone is willing to stay up "in the lobby bar".
We went to Havana for the day and chose to go by taxi. It worked out cheaper than going with the reps with the four of us. It's a real eye opener; poverty everywhere but people friendly.
And lastly if you go it's a must to swim with the dolphins if you have never done it before that was the highlight of my holiday.....
|
| |
sandy from Cornwall travelled to Barcelo Solymar Beach Resort with
First Choice
on a couples holiday.
There were 2 adults and 0 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 02 2008 |
rated the Barcelo Solymar Beach Resort as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: This hotel had good reviews on other sites & it wasn't until after booking I read the ones on here so I was a little apprehensive before going.
However, I was pleasantly surprised, our room in the main hotel was huge & was cleaned daily, we never had any trouble with noise.
The staff are excellent, a peso tip (about 58p)was received gratefully & they looked after us extremely well during our stay. I don't begrudge tipping as they earn less than £8 per month & tips are the only way they can make ends meet. Whether I tipped or not I found the Cubans overall to be naturally friendly people, inside and outside the hotel.
The buffet food could be lukewarm so we usually went to the sections where the chefs cooked fresh food so problem solved. Marleny's baked bananas are exceptionally yummy!
Entertainment was OK but repetetive,pools and beach beautiful.
I think it is one of the nicest places we have ever stayed.
|
| |
David Walkden from Bolton travelled to Barcelo Solymar Beach Resort with
Airtours
on a couples holiday.
There were 2 adults and 0 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 08 2007 |
rated the Barcelo Solymar Beach Resort as follows:| Cleanliness |  | | Location | | | Staff |  | | Food | | |
| Entertainment |  |
| said: We stayed in this hotel for 11 nights in August 07, having previously spent three wonderful nights in Havana.
This hotel and its staff were a total disappointment from start to finish. So much so that despite the fact that we'd shelled out nearly three grand for our holiday, we couldn't wait to get home.
The facilities are very basic, the rooms are drab and smell mouldy, the bars close at funny times and the 24hr availability of food is a joke.
We waited for twenty minutes to be served with drinks on more than one occaision and the servixce only seemed to improve when I started waving a 5 CUC note in the air.
The staff never smile and all they are interested in doing is extorting money out of you in tips (or bribes, as we came to call them) or foisting banana leaf cigars on you.
A real let down which has put us off returning to Cuba.
Don't do it. Go to The Riviera Maya in Mexico instead. It costs the same, the facilities are miles better, the people friendlier and you will have a better time.
|
| |
|
|
Linda Hammond from Birmingham travelled to Barcelo Solymar Beach Resort with
Eclipse Direct
on a family holiday.
There were 4 adults and 1 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 07 2007 |
rated the Barcelo Solymar Beach Resort as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: Read many reviews on the Barcelo Solymar both good and bad before we travelled so I went with a very open mind.
1st visit to Varedero having previously stopped in the Holguin area. On the plus side the food was quite good, the beach and sea beautiful and the pools although not very deep were well maintained and we always managed to get a sun lounger.
The weather could not be faulted and it was very hot. The negatives were more to do with the staff, our room maid left the cleaning of our room until after 5pm on more than 3 occasions and left us a note to say she would not be there when it was her day off (presumably so we wouldn't leave a gift or tip for her on that day).
Stocked mini fridge from which 2 cans of beer disappeared each day even though we hadn't drunk them.
Waiters/bartenders very offhand even when we tipped them. There were only 2 lifts in working order and during the 2nd week 1 of these broke down so found it very frustrating on the day of our departure waiting more than half an hour just to get the cases to the ground floor.
24 hour bar in the lobby very hot with no air conditioning, pool bar where we usually spent our evenings closed at 11pm and the piano bar which supposedly closed at 1pm shut well before this. O
verall a disappointing holiday and a part of Cuba I would not return to.
|
| |
jerry noble from wakefield travelled to Barcelo Solymar Beach Resort with
first choice
on a singles holiday.
There were 2 adults and 0 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 05 2007 |
rated the Barcelo Solymar Beach Resort as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: We arrived at the Solymar on May the 12th and were dealt with promptly.
The rooms were roomy and clean but could do with painting the rooms were a bit damp our clothes never seemed to be dry. The maid Ismary was excellent, she always left towels shaped like swans flowers etc which we thought was lovely.
The food was excellent and loads of choice the waiter Marcell and waitress Iyola always met us with a smile and looked after us admirably. The chef Ernesto cooked really delicous omelettes ans was really chatty, you had ample choice of food so can't understand people winging about it.
The hotel staff were very helpful.
The only gripe we had were the noisy Canadians early hours of the morning shouting and bawling at the top of there voices keeping other guests awake was like this most of the holiday we were situated on the second floor just above the lobby. We complained and were promptly offered one of the bungalows, which we declined cause couldn't be bothered to haul all our baggage again.
Felix in the pool bar was excellent always a smile and prompt with his service always tip and you'll get looked after we did the overnight stay in Havanah which was excellent especially the Tropicana show. It opens yours eyes a bit though with the poverty and constant begging while your there from the locals you've just got to have a stiff upper lip and a firm no gracious.
The cattamaran trip is a must plenty of laughs drinks and excellent food when you get to Cayo Blanco beautiful beach.
I loved the Solymar and Cuba will go back one day but not in a rush to once you've seen Havanah etc think you've seen Cuba.
|
| |
Anna Lester from Birmingham travelled to Barcelo Solymar Beach Resort with
Airtours
on a couples holiday.
There were 2 adults and 0 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 05 2007 |
rated the Barcelo Solymar Beach Resort as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: All we can say is don't do it! We went to the Solymar for our honeymoon in May. Initially we thought it was really nice. The first hint of things to come was when closing the glass shower screen it fell off and just missed my foot.
The major problem we had was with the noise. I have never experience anything like it. There was a disco on site which finished at 2am. Every night we were woken up to the whole disco leaving and moving into the 24 hour bar, which was in the main lobby of the hotel!
Due to the design of the hotel the lobby bar was in the middle so anyone that was based in the actual hotel was kept awake by screaming drunken idiots.
We complained to the management who shrugged their shoulders saying that they were aware there was a problem and that security knew.
We decided to give it one more night, but as this was our 6th night of no sleep we had had enough and asked to be moved hotels.
Our biggest gripe was not once did we get any form of apology from the management, and even when we checked out they still didn't acknowledge there was a problem.
You would think as two other couples moved at the same time as us and a further 4 couples had moved the week before that they would think about doing something.
The only good thing about the hotel were the staff (although not the management!), who were very friendly and we received excellent service from them.
The best thing we did all holiday was move hotels. Its all very well people saying it is a deprived country but when we changed hotel we realised this is not an excuse.
We moved to the Blau Varadero which was of the same star rating and it was superb. How the Solymar dares to class itself as the same rating I will never know.
So if you like being awake all night, unhelpful management staff and under cooked pork, the Solymar is for you. If not and like us you would a honeymoon you remember because of the good parts avoid it like the plague!
|
| |
Darren from Essex travelled to Barcelo Solymar Beach Resort with
Thomas Cook
on a family holiday.
There were 1 adults and 2 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 08 2006 |
rated the Barcelo Solymar Beach Resort as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: Some people who write reports on here have to realise that Cuba is a developing country in the Caribbean. Of course, the food is not going to be great and there is no way of stopping flies coming into the restaurent. It is all part of the experience.
I had a great time! The hotel was a large and clean complex and the beach was fantastic! The entertainment in the evening and daytime was also good. Staff always friendly and want to help!
A great holiday! Would recommend it to anyone!
|
| |
Steve Pumfrett from Sittingbourne travelled to Barcelo Solymar Beach Resort with
First Choice
on a family holiday.
There were 2 adults and 2 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 08 2006 |
rated the Barcelo Solymar Beach Resort as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: We returned last Friday from two fabulous weeks at the Solymar and, having re-read one or two of the other recent reviews, can't help but wonder whether certain of the reviewers actually stayed at the same hotel! If they did, the only explaination for their thoughts and comments must be that they set higher standards than are reasonable!!
Overall, the hotel is arguably the best we've stayed in (having travelled to Turkey, Malta, Zante, Bulgaria, Cyprus and Bahamas in recent years) given it's situation, the staff, the pools, the food and the entertainment.
Sure, the food in the main buffet restaurant did get repetitive but, frankly, what do you expect on a typical package holiday? If you want absolute variety over a fortnight, pay the extra few thousand pounds and book something else! There was ample choice every meal - those who've moved on from Majorca/the Canaries could still have their chips every night if they wanted! - the food was always hot and edible and there was no sign of any other than the very occasional fly travelling solo. Sure, if you opted to eat outside for lunch, you might find the occasional fly couple looking for lunch but, hey, YOU'RE OUTSIDE!
The a la carte restaurants provided some variety in terms of venue but you could only book each of these once a week. The Italian was good - although strange that they had paper napkins here with cloth napkins in the buffet restaurant! - and the Cuban superb. In fairness, the Sea Food restaurant was not so good and we opted not to eat there twice.
Lunchtime snacks were fine at the poolside bars but more extensive in the main buffet restaurant. When all's said & done, it's hot so one rarely wants a slap up meal midday!
Entertainment was better and more varied than you'd expect although, as you would expect, is repeated in week two. The shows in the very air conditioned theatre were admittedly a bit tacky but colourful and good fun and the entertainers did, well, entertain. Ware ballet show in the second pool was especially good and different from the norm. Again, don't go there expecting top acts such as you'd see at the London Paladium but instead accept that it's all good fun and you're on holiday!
The pools were great, cleaned every day, well maintained and very safe given that they were no deeper than 80cm or so at any point! Don't understand any of the comments regarding cleanliness (sand, cups, etc). IF this were so, it'd only be because the guests didn't bother showering after leaving the beach before dipping in the pool or couldn't be bothered to put their plastic cups in the bin when they'd finished their drink. Both pools had showers right next to them and very many bins close by. We did find in fairness that a lot of people would finish their drink and then just leave the empty cup to blow around rather than walking the few feet to the nearest receptical!
The beach at Varadero is fantastic. Clean, safe, beautifully clear water, usual pedaloes, banana boat, small catamarans, kayaks, etc. Can't fault it.
Varadero itself is OK if a little 'plastic' given that it has developed for the tourist industry. However, the Solymar is within walking distance of downtown Varadero so much better positioned than many other hotels further down the peninsula.
Golf course is really good and worth a round!
Staff we found to be very friendly and helpful, especially in the main buffet restaurant - in particular Eber, Anna, an older chap with grey hair and a girl who reminded us of Sandra Bullock - but also at the reception and the Horizontes Bar. Not so happy with the staff at the La Dunas bar beside the second pool who were clearly giving better service to those who tipped! We didn't tip anyone until we left when we 'rewarded' those who had served us most often and with a ready smile.
Finally, the room. We had a Bungalow Suite which boasted two floors and was situated within a few yards of the second pool. We loved it. Yes, we too had one or two air-con issues - which were quickly resolved by the hotel staff - and a couple of minor leaks but nothing to spoil the holiday. Whatever issues we had were responded to quickly and effectively by a combination of the excellent First Choice rep and the hotel staff.
Overall, we will return one day since the Solymar is a much better than average venue. Go with an open mind, don't expect 7 Star luxury and silver service but a clean, picturesque, 4/5 star resort & hotel.
|
| |
|
|
m & j from Hampshire travelled to Barcelo Solymar Beach Resort with
first choice
on a couples holiday.
There were 2 adults and 0 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 07 2006 |
rated the Barcelo Solymar Beach Resort as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: We stayed here for 2 weeks at the beginning of July and found the resort lovely. This is our second visit to Cuba and what we experienced here was much better than before.
The hotel itself was kept very clean at all times. You would always see cleaners and garden staff throughout the day and all were extremely friendly and did not expect any tips.
The waiters at the lobby bar especially would go out of their way to see you had enough drinks and replaced empty glasses without you having to ask. It would be a good idea if you would take your own plastic drink cups as the ones you receive during the day are quite small, in the evening however, you have glasses.
The food in the hotel was very good for Cuba. There was plenty to choose from especially in the mornings. on a couple of occasions the meat from the hot plates were not cooked but this did not happen all the time. The ala carte restaurants were lovely. We would recommend the Italian out of all of them. the Cuban one was also good however, we did not try the sea food one as we had heard it was not that good.
The location of the hotel is brilliant, you are so close to a strip of bars that it is only a short walk or a small bike ride away.
We would recommend that you hire out the bikes as they are a lot of fun. If you wanted a change from the hotel food there is a lovely restaurant just round the corner from the hotel. You can get lobster for 10 peso! it is lovely!! Another place outside of the hotel that we would recommend would be bar 62! they play live salsa music and all the locals dance in the street. You should definitely go and see it. You do not feel intimidated at all when you are out the Cuban people are so friendly.
The hotel staff are lovely and go out of their way to see that you are enjoying your holiday. Raul and Victor in the lobby bar were brilliant. victors 'surprise me' cocktails were strong but very nice!
We did not see any hotel entertainment in our stay mainly because we stayed in the looby bar where a piano plays and we went out on to the strip, but what we heard from other people was that it was good and mainly round one of the pools.
Some advice would be to take plenty of repellent as a few people had to have medical treatment whilst we were out there for bites. apart from that go out there with an open mind as we did not find it half as bad as what some of the reviews had to say.
We would definitely go back to this hotel in the near future.
|
| |
Lisa/Jamie from Scunthorpe travelled to Barcelo Solymar Beach Resort with
Airtours
on a couples holiday.
There were 2 adults and 0 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 06 2006 |
rated the Barcelo Solymar Beach Resort as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: The Barcelo Solymar Hotel was an absolute let down from start to finish, we moved rooms 3 times during our stay due to our ceiling leaking, the balcony door falling off and 1 room was dirty and dingy.
The food was disgraceful either cold, under cooked or burnt they couldn't get it quite right for some reason. Not that it was appealing to eat there anyway as the restaurants were swarmed with flies and mosquito's, also birds would peck and poop on the food which was on display infront of you and staff would do nothing about it.
The pool never got cleaned it was always full of sand and cups etc.
80% of the staff were useless very ignorant, all they want is tips from you, they don't seen to understand your all inclusive people don't carry money all the time.
|
| |
Del from peckham travelled to Barcelo Solymar Beach Resort with
My travel
on a family holiday.
There were 3 adults and 0 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 05 2006 |
rated the Barcelo Solymar Beach Resort as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: Very dissapointed. Food awful, biggest problem cold at any time of the sittings, very repetative.
Pool side bar /resturant excellent, italian excellent
Las Dunas (dont even go there)every person who ate there was ill ?
Lobby bar staff very ignorant at all times plus lack of tables not really big enough. Entertainment on to late I am not a miz but the time after eating and no where to get a drink etc made it a pain.
Piano bar so dull and drab plus again lack of seats
been to a few Caribbean hols and this has to be the worst.
Poor hotel really only 2/3 star.
Beach fantastic but be early for umbrellas. Book well in advance for Catamarans.
Pool ok not very deep but well safe.
Wouldn`t go back there again!
|
| |
Debz from England travelled to Barcelo Solymar Beach Resort with
first choice
on a family holiday.
There were 3 adults and 2 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 03 2006 |
rated the Barcelo Solymar Beach Resort as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: This Hotel is wonderful , very close to town so no taxi rides , beach is out of this world.
Staff are great and the food was a pleasent surprise, pools were very good and hotel very clean , would go back tomorrow.
|
| |
Darren from Blackburn travelled to Barcelo Solymar Beach Resort with
First choice
on a friends holiday.
There were 5 adults and 0 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 03 2006 |
rated the Barcelo Solymar Beach Resort as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: The hotel is advertised as a 4*, 5* in some brochures. I think the rating is about right, its a good 4* hotel.
We stayed in the Bungalow suites which are huge, it's well worth paying the extra for the bungalows which are located away from the main hotel block and closer to the beach and pool areas.
The pools are large and rarely busy. My only moan about the pools were they were quite shallow, only 80cm at the deepest point. Pool bars were excellent, serving a good variety of different snacks and drinks. Service could be a little slow at times, but who cares when you're on hols!
The beach bar and main buffet restaurant served a good selection of main meals although the soups were sometimes quite bland and cold. No major complaints food wise though, it was generally good with a decent selection. The Italian restaurant was very good, the fish restaurant good. We didn't try the Cuban one! The 24 hour main lobby bar was quite busy at night which meant tables were difficult to find at times.
Evening entertainment in the theatre was good, but repeated the second week.
Overall, I spent 2 good weeks at this hotel and would go back again.
The location is excellent and the beach lovely (just not very good for snorkeling, no habitat features, just sand, sand and more sand!).
|
| |
Sarah from derby travelled to Barcelo Solymar Beach Resort with
first choice
on a friends holiday.
There were 4 adults and 0 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 05 2005 |
rated the Barcelo Solymar Beach Resort as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: All I can say about the food on offer in the buffet restaurant was disgusting I ate chips and bread for 2 weeks as that is all that appealed to me. The sea food a la carte restaurant was swarming with mosquitoes,the Cuban restaurant was ok and the Italian was good. We had to sneak into Italian as always booked up. I wonder why??
The beach was out of this world and so was the weather.
The staff are generally miserable especially reception staff. They charged me twice for a phone call to england and under no circumstances were they going to refund me.
Entertainment did not exist apart from Cuban dancing for half an hour at 10pm. No disco just a room with multi-coloured lights
|
| |
victoria smith from norwich travelled to Barcelo Solymar Beach Resort with
airtours
on a couples holiday.
There were 2 adults and 0 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 05 2005 |
rated the Barcelo Solymar Beach Resort as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: This accommodation was graded 5 star, but we very much felt this wasn't the case.
Unfortunately we found the food, accomodation and facilities on site were very low par.
The food was terrible in the buffet restaurant and the meals were very cold all the time. It also had birds flying in the restaurant pecking at the bread etc!
The sunbeds provided by the poolside were broken and unsafe and the pool was dirty and had broken tiles.
We obtained a bad leak in our hotel room due to heavy rain, the staff were very unhelpful in this matter!
We were very disappointed with our holiday especially as this was our honeymoon!
|
| |
Mel from Brighton travelled to Barcelo Solymar Beach Resort with
First Choice
on a couples holiday.
There were 2 adults and 0 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 04 2005 |
rated the Barcelo Solymar Beach Resort as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: Hi all. Just returned after a 2 week stay, with my wife, at the BRILLIANT BARCELO SOLYMAR in sunny Varadero, Cuba.
Having read some of the other reviews we went with an open mind and can honestly say this was probably the best holiday we've had.
The hotel itself is very large and is kept in a high standard, except for the swimming pools which need a bit of maintainance work to get them up to scratch. But who needs a swimming pool when the hotel is situated right on one of the best beaches I have seen. The other major point for this hotel over others on the varadero beach is it's short walk to the town of Varadero.
We stayed in one of the Bungalows in the complex and we weren't disapointed. The room was lovely and big, air-conditioning that really did the job and comfortable beds.
We both found the majority of the staff to be very helpful and welcoming and got to know quite a few. Before anybody starts to wonder, yes tipping is gratefully received but I never found it to be EXPECTED. We gave the room maid 1 Convertible Peso every day as the room was always cleaned to a higher than expected standard and she created some beautiful BATH TOWEL displays.(Go, and you'll see what I mean!!)
The only semi-complaint would probably be the strange choice of food that was offered in the buffet restaurants. I'm not saying you won't be able to find something you like but it's the strange type of dishes they offer at certain times of the day. But you also have a selection of 3 A La Carte Restaurants, one offering sea food, one Cuban and one Itallian.
Would I go again? YOU BET
|
| |
Debbie from bristol UK travelled to Barcelo Solymar Beach Resort with
first choice
on a family holiday.
There were 2 adults and 3 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 03 2005 |
rated the Barcelo Solymar Beach Resort as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: The Barcelo Solymar is a wonderful Hotel.
We stayed in the bungalows and had 2 bathrooms ,living area , dinning area massive double bedroom , i can't rate this hotel high enough , its out of this world , the beach ? wow !!!!
Food was good for Cuba , drinks are wonderful ! Staff very happy ( but then please and thank you go along way)lots for the kids to do and adults ! Everything is all inclusive even the mini bar !!
There is only one thing I would complain about ...there isn't enough high chairs ! and thats the only thing !
Go and book this wonderful hotel and resort , we already have and we have only been home a few weeks ..have fun !! :)
|
| |
ralph from worcester, uk travelled to Barcelo Solymar Beach Resort with
First choice
on a couples holiday.
There were 2 adults and 0 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 01 2005 |
rated the Barcelo Solymar Beach Resort as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: We asked to be accommodated within the main hotel building, following comments read on the internet.
The rooms in themselves were fine. Clean with reasonable facilities. Clothes storage space was in short supply, and my clothes were laid onto the suitcase in the bedroom. A coffee machine was provided, although in our first room no coffee cups were provided. The safe appeared to be well fixed, and reasonably secure. The linen was clean, although the mattress was as soft and lumpy as you would find in most other hotels. The TV was ok, with all the usual foreign channels plus CNN and a couple of movie channels.
The biggest problem with the room was the noise. Some of the rooms in the hotel open onto open walkways overlooking the hotel’s main lobby area, as did ours. This is a large cavernous area containing the reception desk and the hotel’s main bar – known as the Lobby Bar. This bar is open 24 hours every day, and the constant noise of singing, laughing, talking, shouting, clinking glass, birds squawking etc. carries right into all of the rooms that are adjacent to this area. We tolerated this for a couple of nights before approaching the First Choice rep and asking for a room change. We asked on Wednesday, and were given a different, much quieter, room on Friday. We suspect all Tour Operators know of the problems with these rooms…
Not really sure how the food in the restaurant compared to other all-inclusive, as haven’t done one before. There was always plenty to choose from – the problem sometimes was finding something appealing.
On offer for breakfast was the usual selection of breads, and eggs. Cereal and juices were also on offer; however finding a cereal bowl or a fruit juice glass was sometimes a challenge. They did seem to run out quite quickly, and were a bit slow to bring clean ones out. If you really wanted, you could try the previous night’s vegetables, as they were usually available. Even sprouts! They also serve the worst coffee you will ever taste.
Lunch was generally the time when the best and freshest food was available, as they never appeared to offer the previous night’s food. Also, lunch was when they cooked fresh chips. Those not eaten lunchtime were generally offered again in the evening – but warm (ish). Mmm.
The biggest problem with the food was not a lack of choice, but a failure to fully appreciate how non-Cubans liked some of their foods cooked and presented.
There are 5 main bars within the complex, some of which serve food at various times. We found significant differences in the service at each of the bars. The best service was had from the 2 pool bars, where you would not have to wait long at a table before being waited. The worst service was at the Lobby Bar. Unless it was obvious you were brandishing a tip, you could wait forever before being waited. The waiters at the Lobby Bar appeared to be happiest in a glass-collecting role, and were well practiced in managing to collect the glasses from all of the tables while avoiding eye contact with any guests. The best way to get a drink here was to stand at the bar. The bar staff were usually happy to serve guests at the bar, although one or two saw even this as a chore.
The culture of tipping in Cuba (which is not generally a problem) appears to have developed, at the Barcelo Solymar (although I suspect the other all-inclusive hotels are the same), to the point where the unwritten rule adhered to by some key staff is “The food and drink might be free, but you will have to pay to receive it. It is only a few staff who work this way. Unfortunately, it is those particular high-profile staff who know the position they hold gives them the access to the most tips, and who, consequently, abuse their position.
The majority of staff we encountered within the complex were helpful and courteous. There are, however, a few who are visibly less so. We made a point of tipping after good service. We were not about to provide tips for grudging, reluctant, indifferent service.
There are within the hotel, a number of vendors selling various goods. Almost without exception, the same goods can be bought significantly cheaper in Varadero.
If the wind is in the right direction, you occasionally get an oily whiff from the refineries.
Best things about Barcelo Solymar were: proximity to the beach; proximity to Varadero (important if the weather is poor, or if you want to try a different restaurant); cleanliness; apparently secure.
Poor things about Barcelo Solymar: too many rooms close to lobby area; bizarre presentation of some foods; too many reluctant waiting staff.
I suspect the Barcelo Solymar is probably one of the better hotels in Cuba, and some of the above might be thought of as petty, but they remain important issues that will continue to be an issue.
|
| |
Subscribe For FREE Updates
Sunny Says there
are 77 visitors online