The Varadero is Cuba's famous vacation spot with wide sandy beaches, clear turquoise Caribbean waters, fishing, diving and boating and all-inclusive resorts that cater to families and international tourists.
Just in time for the winter snowbird season, Occidental Hotels has completely updated the Allegro Varadero, a resort right outside the town on its own private beach surrounded by lush tropical island vegetation. The complex has four pools---one for children, a daily breakfast, lunch and dinner buffet, gourmet restaurants specializing in Italian, international and grilled seafood menus, a nightclub, daily entertainment, six tennis courts, a nearby 18-hole golf course, kayaking, snorkeling, sailing, windsurfing and diving lessons in the pool.
There are numerous snack bars, regular bars and a piano bar, and everything is included in the fee of $127.44 per night for an all-inclusive standard room for two adults. This rate is accurate for November 2010.
Allegro Varadero
Autopista Sur
Km 11 de Varadero
Matanzas, Cuba
+53-45-66-8288
allegrovaradero.co.cu
Paradisus Varadero bills itself as an all-inclusive eco-resort due to its location in an ecological reserve. Rooms are all first- and second-floor garden suites with air conditioning, balconies or terraces and satellite TV.
The hotel has two freshwater pools, including a lagoon pool for adults and a family pool for adults and kids. There are diving lessons in the pool and a white sand beach with topless sunbathing and a full array of water sports. Resort activities include yoga, beach volleyball, shooting, basketball, billiards, archery, aerobics and more. A disco is open until 2 a.m. seven nights a week.
Paradisus has six gourmet restaurants including seafood and Japanese restaurants, a steakhouse, a poolside grill for Cuban specialties and a beach buffet. The five bars include one in the swimming pool---you can stay half-submerged while you slake your thirst. The spa has a sauna and a saltwater pool and, after your Spanish lessons, you can book an eco-adventure excursion in the surrounding ecological reserve.
A family special package lets kids stay free from $192.99 per suite (rate as of September 2010). The hotel does not accept American Express or credit cards issued by U.S. banks.
Paradisus Varadero Resort & Spa
Punta Francés, Varadero
Matanzas, Cuba
+53-45-66-8700
solmeliacuba.com/cuba-hotels/hotel-paradisus-varadero
Blue Bay Cayo Coco was built in 2008 on an island connected to the mainland by a causeway. The island is part of a central Cuban archipelago and boasts some good tropical birdwatching amid the mangroves and coconut palms.
Cayo Coco sits on an extensive coral reef with world-class diving and snorkeling. The hotel has a catamaran, windsurfers and water cycles, a pool for adults and one for families and children, a sauna, steam room and several Jacuzzis, and courses in tennis, dance, Spanish and mojito making---in case you want to take a taste of Cuba home and mix up one of Hemingway's favorite cocktails.
Restaurants are poolside and beach side with menus from Cuban buffets to seafood specialties, gourmet international and Italian to a piano-coffee bar in the hotel lobby.
There are a number of add-on excursions to book, including a day trip to historic Havana. But the beaches on Cayo Coco may seduce you into staying put. Just be prepared for mosquitoes, apparently as legendary as the crystal clear water.
All-inclusive rate from $60.31 per night as of September 2010.
Blue Bay Cayo Coco
Jardines del Rey, Cayo Coco,
Ciego de Avila, Cuba
+53 33 30 23 50
bluebay.co.cu
