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| Holiday-Truth Readers Reports |
Maddison from Durham travelled to Sol Cayo Coco Hotel with
Thomas Cook
on a family holiday.
There were 4 adults and 0 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 06 2008 | rated the Sol Cayo Coco Hotel as follows:| Cleanliness |  | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment |  |
| said: We were a family of 4 adults going for an all inclusive chill out holiday and that's exactly what we got.
The hotel was a little dated (refurbishment in progress now) but immaculately clean, the air con lacked a little power now and again but that is also something they're concentrating on.
We couldn't fault the food at all, there was a wide and varied selection of both Cuban and International Cuisine, and the meat dishes in particular were second to none.
The hotel was situated right on the beach and the beach to the left of the property, which could be reached by a small bridge, was like paradise on earth, very quiet, crystal clear warm waters and a beautiful sight to see.
The hotel staff were all very friendly and nothing was too much trouble for them. From the gardeners right through to the Hotel Manager they were all there to help. The entertainment was good, they worked hard throughout the day with various activities and then put shows on in the evening.
All in all we had a great fortnight and really didn't want to come home, we would all definitely go back in fact I'm looking to go back later in the year I loved it that much!
Click here for more information on this hotel, resort and region
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David Templar from Swindon travelled to Sol Cayo Coco Hotel with
Thomas Cook
on a couples holiday.
There were 2 adults and 0 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 10 2007 | rated the Sol Cayo Coco Hotel as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location |  | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: Sol Cayo Coco Cuba
2 October to 16 October 2007
Operator Thomas Cook
Arrived at Gatwick to be offered a food voucher, flight delayed for four hours. Thank heavens we booked Thomas Cook Traveller Plus. This included entry to VIP Lounge which given hours of delay enabled us to rest nibble and drink without emptying our pockets.
Flight late but good and Traveller Plus gave us better meals. What a shame Thomas Cook have expunged this option for 2008.
Cuban Customs have upset us in the past but 2007 they were best ever. I suffer sleep apnoea, diabetes, high blood pressure and carry as hand luggage my Cpap breathing machine and many prescribed medications. My machine showed up on their X-ray and naturally they wanted to inspect. I produced letter from hospital to Lady Customs Officer so polite couldn’t have been more kind. Well done great improvement from earlier visits shows Cuban Government now cares about Tourist Industry. I have no quarrel with use of sniffer dogs to stop import of illegal drugs.
Transfer no problem, but good old Sol knowing we would be four hours late kept the Restaurant open with limited staff and provided a fair selection of food for weary travellers. No check in problems cases taken to room to the right of restaurant. Never had a bad room at the Sol, but decorations don’t last long in tropics. Room 2007 was better than 2005, loo flushed, shower powerful and hot, plenty of storage room for clothes. Beds comfortable slept well all holiday. Given the mossie problem tended not to use the verandah.
The main restaurant had been up-graded since our 2005 stay. Again we had no need to eat buffet food, fresh cooked breakfast after fruit juice, cereals and finished with real coffee. The toast machine was as challenging as ever but the variety of fresh bread was wonderful. Lunch was a challenge between fresh cooked pasta or salads. Dinner had a plethora of fresh cooked foods, cavery and finished off by our old friend The Flambé Man.
Regret the Cuban fish restaurant by the beach suffered too many Mossie for our enjoyment. By contrast The International Restaurant was wonderful, even though The Beef Wellington has departed from the menu, the staff are so friendly and welcoming, but my favourite will always be the Senior Pianist. She plays without music, answers requests and usually remembers my love of Scott Joplin with her own arrangement of The Entertainer and her repertoire of modern musicals is encyclopaedic. Live piano so much better and more relaxing than deafening electronic musack so loved in European Holiday Resorts.
The Rickety Rackety Bridge to the quiet beach was repaired. This beach is our almost perfect paradise, water calm, warm and shelves gently. Sand white but horror of horrors our secret is out and one day I counted 30 people on the beach. There is only one trader on this beach Mr Coconut on his quad bike once a day. How relaxing, compared to Kenya & Sri Lanka where the minute you step on the beach Uncle Tom Cobbley and all his extended family try to hassle you, you can read in peace, swim, chill out and get a tan for winter. The main beach is as popular as ever and has an extra bar and children’s club.
Entertainment for us El Bucanero the Hurdy Gurdy machine now with Tom-Toms accompanying our Cocktails is what All Inclusive should be. The tradition of Musical Shows I like, but not enjoyed by Mrs T continues on dry evenings.
Trips were mostly the same as earlier years, sad that the Steam Train around the sugar plantation was undergoing repairs. We tried a new trip 2007 4x4 day out in Suzuki Jeeps. The 1st Jeep proudly flying a large red Che Guevara Flag. We were privileged and honoured to meet The Cuban Minister for Eco-Tourism who presented the 4x4 Business with Cuba’s first Eco-Tourism award.
Given the problems caused by USA sanctions and paranoia over “Axis of Terror”
It was interesting to see a sign for Moron Baptist Church and that an extended family from Birmingham hired a mini-bus to attend a Sunday 7th Day Adventist Service in Moron. We noticed many changes in Cuba since our first visit, new busses from China, supermarkets, more shops, pork off ration but plenty of old American Cars and Ural Motor Bikes.
A great holiday, wonderful staff at The Sol which gets better each visit, would recommend to any who want a peaceful beach holiday without MacDonald’s and shopping malls.
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Gallagher family from Nantwich travelled to Sol Cayo Coco Hotel with
Thomas Cook
on a family holiday.
There were 2 adults and 4 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 06 2007 | rated the Sol Cayo Coco Hotel as follows:| Cleanliness |  | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: On arrival at the Sol Cayo Coco, we were allocated three of the most damp and poorly decorated rooms. As a family with young children, we had requested adjacent rooms, but this was not the case. As we had stayed at the same hotel five years ago, and had booked nine months ago, we had requested rooms in the west (quieter) wing. The "entertainment" is of the "loud" variety and the rooms that we had been given were overlooking the noisy pool area. Four days later, we were moved to more pleasant rooms, but my husband had to wipe mould off most of the walls and ceilings.
The situation of the hotel is lovely, but very secluded- do not go if you like shopping!! The beaches are very beautiful and water clean and excellent for swimming and snorkelling. The only wildlife that will bother you are the mosquitoes- these are the worst we have ever come across and seem to "laugh" at repellents!
The hotel is in a dire need of refurbishment. The roof gave way in places several times in the main buffet restaurant and these were just patched up.
The overall "look" of the resort is tired and dated.
The Sol Cayo Coco is not a four star reort- perhaps a two star?
The hotel staff are very good, and repond well to a regular peso top up. Entertainment is loud and brash.
The floors are deadly after the rain and I slipped up several times.
The kids club is seriously poor and very few people seemed to bother with it.
The food is on the whole rather bland and avoid the International restaurant- the food is greasy and disgusting. The Cuban Restaurant is excellent. All of us got diarrhoea to some degree, and our two eldest children both developed bad ear infections, which we felt may be due to unhygenic pool water. Several other children also had similar problems.
On one morning, there was no toilet roll or hand towels in the pool-side toilets from 9am-1pm, despite several guests complaints to reception staff.
We would certainly not recommend this hotel. It has definitely deteriorated since we last visited. we will most certainly not be returning!!!!
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Cliff from Worthing travelled to Sol Cayo Coco Hotel with
Kuoni
on a couples holiday.
There were 2 adults and 0 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 12 2006 | rated the Sol Cayo Coco Hotel as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: We chose this hotel from the Kuoni brochure which stated that it was suitable for families, couples and singles. Not really true - the hotel brochure itself points out that it is geared to families. There are other nearby hotels more suited to adults.
On arrival we were allocated " a good room with pool view". Unfortunately the reality meant that it was exposed to the full force of the entertainment staff screaming into microphones attempting to enthuse a few participants into poolside games interspersed with loud music. On day 2 we transferred to a quieter room (the reception staff reacted as though this was a routine occurence) which proved perfectly acceptable.
We avoided the poolside and spent most time on the two beaches close to the hotel. Fortunately, although we suffered a samll number of bites, the mosquitos did not prove to be a major problem and they appear to be less active at this time of the year. The hotel still sprayed the surrounding areas each evening though.
The buffet food was tolerable although often rather cold but the chef provided freshly prepared omelettes, pizzas etc if you were prepared to queue. They did however excel on New Years Eve when a superb buffet spread was provided.
The hotel staff were perfectly fine and for families I would think it is perfectly suitable.
Don't think you see the real Cuba though. The resort is isolated from reality and even if you take the day trip to Havana (which will be a culture shock in itself) you will not see how the majority of the population live.
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paul, carolyn and scott from preston travelled to Sol Cayo Coco Hotel with
thomas cook
on a family holiday.
There were 2 adults and 1 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 07 2006 | rated the Sol Cayo Coco Hotel as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food |  | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: Hotel is great with 3 swimming pools, rooms are in blocks of 4 very clean and tidy and of 4 star quality.
Nothing around the hotel, it is on an island 50 kilometers out to sea. beautiful gardens and beach. We found the food a bit ropey, ommlettes and fried eggs ok in a morning or pancakes were cooked fresh for you .
Evening there is a carvery it is either meat or fish.
Italian restaurant was very nouveau cuisine {raw meat whats all that about ?} left everything and walked out. Creole restaurant was superb as was the pizza bar.
You wont go hungry.Main concern was there were flys landing on all the food all the time.
TIPS...... My advice is give the waiter a couple of pesos 1 = 65p when you arrive and one at meal times to ensure good service, same at the bars. Mosquitos were a major problem, it did not matter what you put on 90% of people were eaten alive. Entertainment all day long if you wanted it.
As someone else has said take some large plastic glasses as all you get is small plastic childrens cups {about 8 would make a pint!} Free watersports on the beach dingys, kyaks, catamarans windsurfers etc. Trips are quite expensive and nearly all involve 4 hour each way coach rides. so all in all would reccomend it .
OH AND BEWARE: no cash machines, no american based credit cards eg Capital One, MBNA etc can be used. You can NOT draw cash but you can pay for trips on others.
Take sterling or euros for the best exchange rates. Have a nice hol.
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Mrs Emery from East Grinstead travelled to Sol Cayo Coco Hotel with
Thomas Cook
on a family holiday.
There were 2 adults and 1 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 05 2006 | rated the Sol Cayo Coco Hotel as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: This hotel is by no means a 4*! The maids do indeed seem to take care of the cleaning in the rooms but our room was in need of redecorating.
The mosquito problem was so bad here that one man in particular received a total of 48 bites on his back on just one day! All fairness they sprayed the resort at least twice a day to help overcome this, the number did indeed go down but definately take some antihistamine with you.
Food was pretty much the same every day and although edible got quite boring! The childrens corner has pizzas already made and made to order, chicken nuggets (nothing like the famous golden arches ones though!) and hot dogs hot dogs, our Son found that chips for breakfast (yes, that's right), lunch and tea wonderful for the first week but was desperate for something different after!
Staff were all very friendly but you certainly got special attention if you tipped! Just 1 pesso per meal (about 60p) and they were very happy. The bar staff for the pool would only bring round drinks once to those that don't tip though.
One serious bit of advice, take you own (large) plastic beaker with you. You will only be given out small childrens party size thin plastic glasses with your drinks, believe me, they will be their weight in gold.
Entertainment was quite good in the evening at the shows but we found it a bit heavy pool side. The staff are reluctant to play beach volly ball as scheduled because it is just so hot and they prefer doing it in the pool!
Oh, and unlike you would expect, the Cayos are 2 round pin plugs, take these with you as you will not be able to buy them there. Every day our Rep had begging notes on her desk asking for any spare ones.
The floors when wet outside the rooms walkways were like an ice rink. My Son infact fell over on these whilst walking (not running) and cut his chin open requiring 3 stitches! There were several other people with similar accidents although I think ours required the only medical care.
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Dave Templar from Swindon travelled to Sol Cayo Coco Hotel with
Thomas Cook
on a family holiday.
There were 2 adults and 0 child(ren) in the party. The travel date was 09 2005 | rated the Sol Cayo Coco Hotel as follows:| Cleanliness | | | Location | | | Staff | | | Food | | |
| Entertainment | |
| said: Sol Cayo Coco 4* Hotel Tour Operator Thomas Cook 12 Oct to 19 Oct 2004 & 14Sept 2005 to 28 Sept 2005
Hurricane Rita
1st Praise where praise is due. Tropical Storm / Hurricane Rita passed during our stay. The hotel went on Cuban Government Alert, the safety plan was well executed windows sellotaped or boarded up. The Thomas Cook Rep stayed with us through the emergency and kept us informed. We always felt safe and were impressed by the extra duties performed for our safety by hard working staff. Yes the beach was closed for 2 days, but the bars remained open I don’t remember any drunks ot trouble.
Flight & arrival
2005 We paid extra for “long legroom seats by number” we were moved out and never refunded by Thomas Cook. The flight was thus long and uncomfortable knowing we had been cheated
We were not impressed by Cuban Customs, yet again hand luggage searched aggressively. Customs Officers did not like my diabetic medication even though they were shown a letter from my Doctor on Official Headed Paper. Even worse they thought my HP photo printer was a secret radio. Since they don't use mobile phones they don’t worry about them. Do these people realise they are competing for tourists and friendly welcomes elsewhere in Caribbean means we are less likely to return to Cuba? We don't mind their drug sniffer dogs or even a polite search as in Kenya.
Reception
2004 we flew in from Havana early morning and were directed to the buffet breakfast whilst rooms and paperwork were sorted.
2005This was our 2nd visit to Sol Cayo Coco, we produced our Sol Melia Card and were whisked through.
ROOM 2342
Had not been refurbished and bath was in urgent need of replacement enamel missing from several areas. But shower worked, loo flushed and Maid kept room spotless. We are over 50, beds were comfortable room size and furniture satisfactory. Due to large numbers of predatory mossies one avoids using the veranda.
There was a refurbishment program going on, management had taken notice of earlier complaints about smell from paint and dust so for 2005 we could not return to our 2004 Room on the left of reception but stayed on the right.
FOOD
We noticed many changes in staff from previous year. A pity that there seems to be a policy of replacing "cuddly mums" who understand food with young dolly birds who don't. But Mr Sunneysideup cooked fine breakfasts, and pasta lunches at the beach grill. Range of food at breakfast and lunch was so good in quality and choice we were not bored during our 14 day stay. Fresh fish charcoal grilled at lunch was wonderful. Dinner at main buffet we consider well above AI average, we enjoyed fresh cooked food every evening a little time waiting brings great rewards.
The International Restaurant provided a Beef Wellington The Duke would have enjoyed, and pianist with a grand range including music from English Speaking Composers. A wonderful contrast to the main Buffet where Spanish Management think British Holiday makers should be subject to Brahms, Beethoven and Bach for breakfast! My suggestions for a little Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, Sir Tim Rice, or Sir Cliff Richard or Elton John at breakfast were firmly rejected by Spanish Management who were very hands on at ordering Cuban staff, reminiscent of The Colonial era.
Dinners at the Beach Restaurant provided sublime delights from the local Caribbean sea. Many complain about Cuban food, having completed the Thomas Cook tour WE know why state restaurants can be bland and boring. We maintain that if you are patient the standard of cooked food at The Sol is well above other AI Hotels we have stayed at in Africa, Asia, Caribbean and Europe. The local wine is an acquired taste but one’s palate adapts and a few glasses at lunch are most enjoyable.
There is a bonus lunch Saturdays in the International Restaurant with the Cuban Manager for returning guests, we enjoyed this occasion, interesting the Spanish "Consultant MNanagers" did not attend.
BEACHES
There are two. One for fun and games, the other for peace relaxation and enjoying a good book. Many reviews state how wonderful they are, on sunny days the white sand and warm shallow sea combine to give a feeling one is in paradise. Delighted the Rickety Rackety Bridge was eventually repaired and there is again safe access to "THE QUIET BEACH". Let us hope Sol management sustain these 2 beautiful beaches as they are. The sea is perfect most days (except after storms) a pleasure for swimmers, and other activities
BARS,
An Outstanding Performer is provided at the Cocktail bar with an endless range of Specials do enjoy his gifts before and after diner. The other bars are satisfactory in their own ways, but what is really required is a mossie free air conditioned retreat as opposed to the "Main Barn Bar" where mossies outnumber humans by at least 10 to 1. Staff do appreciate tips and service follows donors.
Entertainment.
My children have grown up and fled the nest so I won't comment on the Children’s Club except to say families we spoke to enjoyed their visit to the local farm and children loved the staff.
The evening shows are always a matter of taste. I enjoyed them, my wife did not. I admired the way so many young people worked so hard in the heat of the day to dance and sing evenings in the best "Jester Traditions"
Trips
There are many via your rep, compared to Turkey they are expensive. We have completed the Thomas Cook Tour so our needs are different. We would recommend any visit to Havana that includes The Tropicana. Comments from Families and young couples show they love swim with dolphins trips (by air or coach). We enjoyed our ”Eco trip on Old Soviet Lories". Boy racers enjoy the speedboats trough the mangroves. We recommend the Colourful Cuba visit to crocodile farm, steam train around a sugar plantation, speed boats across a reservoir and horse and cart around Moron where you have a chance to do shopping.
Conclusion
Overall The Sol is blessed with friendly Cuban Staff who all want to help us enjoy our holidays. Some reviews complain about the tip culture. We visited some staff homes in Moron we know and have seen overcrowding and poverty that would not be tolerated in England. I have no regrets about any trivial sums we donated to these hard working people, or odd shirts given for families. Remember there is still rationing for Cuban Families and USA sanctions. The Sol is a 3rd World Beach Resort where we from Europe have value for money, if you want shopping malls, chips and burgers try Florida.
Finally if you can't get a VIP place at Airport, take an early taxi it saves hours of high blood pressure queuing for checkout and exit visa.
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