Iberostar Tainos Hotel, Varadero Beach Cuba. 4 stars,

“Not What We Expected”
We stayed here on the second part of our Twin Centre Holiday. We left the Iberostar Parque in Havana at 10.30am for our 2 hour transfer to the Tainos. Having arrived around 1.00pm we were told our rooms would not be ready until 4.00pm. Why we had to leave Havana so early then i just couldn't understand. We left our cases in the lobby and went and had a very long lunch and wander around the grounds, which were very nice. At 4.00pm we went back to reception and were given a resort map and our key cards to get into our rooms. A circle was made on the map where we had to go. On leaving reception we were told a mistake had been made and we were not in the marked bungalows but in fact we were in what i can only describe as a tower block. All smiles on our faces changed as we looked at each other in disbelief. This what not what we booked. On arriving in our rooms we found cupboard doors that wouldn't shut, a patio door that was incredibly hard to slide open and didn't lock and an empty mini bar which we were informed would be filled the next day. The air con unit in one room was hanging off the ceiling and there were several long black hairs in one of the beds. This was getting worse by the minute. A trip back to reception brought a maintenance man up who said the air con unit worked so it dosen't need fixing. When we pointed out it was hanging off the ceiling he replied it works thats all that matters. He also said the patio doors were not his responsibility. A maid soon followed and we showed the hairs in the bed, which were removed. Again another trip to reception resulted in them telling us they would move us the next day. That evening we had no hot water, then no water at all, a call to reception told us the problem was being fixed. Next day we were moved up one more floor in the same block of flats. The rooms were cleaner and looked like they had been given a lick of paint. Stil not happy about our accommodation we decided to go to the beach and chill out for the day. The beach area is very nice with a bar run by George. The animation team do their best to get everyone involved but never hassle you to join in if you don't want to. When we wen't back to our rooms to shower before dinner we couldn't believe that yet again we had no hot water and after 5 minutes, no water at all. Another trip to reception resulted in being told again the maintenance men were working on the problem. Several guests told us that this was the norm every evening. After more complaints we were offered a free upgrade to the Iberostar Varadero up the road. We were a little apprehensive in lieu of everything that had happened but finally agreed it couldn't be any worse. I would like to make it known that the staff at the Tainos were fantastic as was William the Cubatours rep who was brilliant in sorting out our misfortunes. Still we lost three days of our holiday sorting all the issues out. The Tainos grounds and beach are lovely as are the multicoloured bungalows throughout the grounds. These are shown in all the travel brochures and you are led to believe thats where you are staying but as we found out, thats not always the case.

“Mission Accomplished ”
We booked this hotel in order to attend our son's wedding which took place on the beach Wednesday 19th November.......unfortunately we had an extremely blustery and wet day and it would be unfair for me to comment on my thoughts as to the content and delivery of the wedding ceremony as it was "their" day and if they were happy then so be it. Our intention was to incorporate our first visit to Cuba with the wedding and a holiday.... hopefully returning home free from any health issues mainly related to food standards. We achieved this on the face of it.....back home today. Our room was a refurbished bungalow near the pool and was OK..no bug issues.....the pool area was extensive and clean with ample sunbeds.....the beach did not deliver the expected WOW factor...the lobby bar was best for alcoholic drinks....the pool bar the best coffee....ALL staff were pleasant and friendly and not tip expectorant. The main buffet is a clean modern area with quantity rather than quality from my point of view ....that said many residents plates were stacked high....I remained vigilant and did not adopt any adventurous approach to trying anything that was not easily identifiable and not cooked to my expectations. Papa the omelette man produced my breakfast every day.....I had a burger which was good for lunch.....fried fish was delicious. Our wedding day fayre was in the Cuban restaurant and I did not rate this....lukewarm soup..."bloody beef"....another celebration night was in the Japanese restaurant and this was very good. In summary an excellent visit to Havana with a lobster lunch and a stag do of epic proportions at the Beatles Bar meant the visit to Cuba delivered enough to make the experience enjoyable. Would I go back to Tainos or Cuba.............NO !

“Very clean and quaint ”
To be honest, we wanted to move to a different hotel our first day at Iberostar Tainos. We wanted to go to Iberostar Varadero, which is a five star hotel and were we had stayed before..but we decided to give it a chance, and we are glad we did! This hotel is smaller in size, a bit dated...the elevators were actually very scary, and I am not kidding...but it was clean, the bedrooms were comfortabe, the pools were so beautiful and clean. The grounds were very well kept. The beach...oh, my...the beach was just a dream!! I want to go back...I do! The staff was very friendly. The shows were very good...a different show every night. The Japanese Restaurant was soooo good! so much fun! My husband and I had a great time. We love Cuba, we love Varadero, and we will definitely be back soon!

“Cuban all-inclusive as you'd expect it to be. ”
It was our first trip to Cuba and my first experience of all-inclusive. The location of the hotel was great, only 30mins from the airport and on a beautiful stretch of the northern Cuban coast. On entering the hotel there is a feel of the 1960's, with old style fans and dark brown wooden facade. The staff were all helpful when required and particularly the entertainment staff who did their utmost to make sure people felt involved and there was always something to do. The room was comfortable and large, with great air conditioning which I can imagine is a must in the Cuban summer. The facilities were good, with a basketball court, tennis court, large swimming pool and gym. The upkeep of the courts wasn't great, but may simply have been unfortunate timing on our part. Unfortunately there was no Wi-Fi available, due more to the culture than the quality of hotel it seemed, as they did have a computer room. Within the hotel there was plenty of ways they made it feel really Cuban, with traditional bands playing music each day at meal times and shops with some local gifts. It was also great that there were opportunities to change money in the hotel, which was ideal bearing in mind the flexibility issues of the Cuban currency (CUC). The only real let down in part was the food. Although there were two al-a-carte restaurants which were lovely. The buffet was somewhat 'hit and miss' with some things becoming repetitive over the week. Some of the food was really quite nice, but there was an issue with keeping the food warm. The end result being that I was put off some things I'd normally be a fan of. But as a free buffet it is hard to complain. And to offset that, the opportunities for drinks throughout the resort were always on-hand with a good range of drinks available in the all-inclusive offer. With a beach set just a two minute walk away the hotel is ideally located. And just a few mins walk to the main road makes access to a local bus service into Varadero easy to get to and great value. The resort is also set just a couple of hours away from Havana which means its easy to see the country's capital on one of the excursions available from the hotel.

“Best staff in Cuba. ”
We were at the Iberostar Tainos from November 13 to the 20th. My husband and I stayed in the main hotel building while our friends were in a bungalow by the pool. Both sets of accomodation were very clean and comfortable. The grounds are beautifully maintained. We all enjoyed the buffet dining room and the food. Service in the dining room was exceptional. Glenda and Annubus looked after us for breakfast and dinner and were amazing as was Elvis who we often had at dinner. Daylin our server at the lobbly bar was wonderful and were several of the other staff whose names I can not remember. Julio from the pool bar served us once and from then on remembered exactly what each of us liked to drink. He is a quick minded young man. Tamara at the front desk was very kind and accomodating when I had a small problem. Ernesto the bellman was also a treat to deal with. Armondo the Sunwing rep was very helpful when it came to tours and information. And Elbis from the animation crew. What can I say. He is a delightful man who obviously enjoys life. If more people were like him the world would be such a happy place. The whole time at Tainos, we had only one complaint aside from the bit of rain on Wednesday and the onslaught on Thursday. Why is it that the lobbly bar which opens at 9:00 am does not have someone to make expresso until 9:00? We observed staff members bringing their coffee into the dining room in plastic cups. When we asked where it was from, we were told that the ladies at the lobby bar made it. This was at 7:00am not 9:00am. Two sets of rules apply here it seems. My husband and our friend visited the next door hotel in the mornings and were served expresso at 6:30 am on more than once day, no questions asked. I would like to return to this hotel in the future but only if they can get the coffee going a lot earlier in the morning. We have been travelling to Cuba a couple of time a year since 1984 and this is the only hotel where you must wait for the staff to be ready to make coffee in the lobby. PS. The coffee in the dining room is not good at all.

“A comfortable hotel on a modest complex ”
The room we had was a very good size and comfortable. We had a slight problem on our first day but it was rectified and everything was fine thereafter. The main restaurant and pool bar cafe offered the usual buffet self service fare, which was acceptable. We ate in both the A la Carte restaurants, Cuban and Japanese, on site. We were very disappointed with the Cuban restaurant but had two wonderful meals in the Japanese restaurant, not only was the food excellent but the cooking and serving of it was very theatrical. The grounds are lovely and beautifully maintained, as with everywhere that we went in Cuba, the staff were excellent and the entertainment staff were engaging without being pushy. It is very well placed along the beach and has plenty of activities for all ages. We particularly like the pool entertainment finishing at 17:00 and the entertainment moving closer to the main building giving the rest of the complex a very peaceful atmosphere.

“Fifth trip with hopes of many more to follow ”
I am a little late in posting this review as we made our fifth trip to Tainos October 1, 2014---and I am still basking in the after glow of another fantastic vacation. Why do we keep returning---because of the people there. The staff is what makes the Tainos such a stellar resort----Pedro, Giselle, Sandi, Evis, Daylin, Yudel & his wife, Meylin, Esperanza, George, Franki, Julio, Roberto, the list goes on and on. Ana is a terrifc manager and seems to know that that staff making you feel like family is a huge asset. We stayed in one of the renovated bungalows and the renovation was very nicely done. The old bathtubs are gone and there are lovely new rainforest type showers. The rooms are kept spotlessly clean and each day you a greeted with delightful, often whimsical, towel art. The beds are comfortable, the rooms are bright and good-sized. To be honest we spend very little time in the room and it had everything that we needed. The food is quite, excellent for Cuba. Yes the buffet can get repetitive but so would any buffet that you eat at three times a day for a week or more. The food was always fresh, pleasing to the eye and palate, with a good selection. I am a 'picky' eater and a vegetarian; I have never had a problem with finding something enjoyable to eat. However, if you have not been to Cuba before, please keep in mind that Cuba is not a cuisine oriented destination. You may find brussel sprout salad at the breakfast buffet but you will also find eggs, (fried, boiled, omelettes etc), fresh breads, fruits, cereals, french toast, pancakes, yoghurt, jams, jellies, potatoes, bacon maybe yes, maybe no, sliced cold meats, terrific cheeses, Lunch can be had outside between the beach and the pool, or at the buffet, a variety of salads, pasta dishes, hamburgers, hot dogs, fruit, ice cream, pizza, fish, soup, breads. At dinner you will normally find salads, hot vegetables, several types of meat, primarily chicken, pork, fish, cold meats, pizza, create your own pastas, soup,breads, cheeses and desserts and more desserts! There is also the Cuban restaurant (very nice outside) and the Japanese restaurant. The beach is spectacular and depending upon the month you are there can be crystal blue clear calm, bathtub warm or more 'wavy' and a little cooler. Regardless it is stunning, relaxing, great fun to soak, play, swim or snorkel in. The sand is powdery white, lots of palapas on site for shade, entertainment from the animation team (wonderful people), watercraft to use, and a great beach bar. You can can just sit and read, stare at the sea, join yoga or excercise on the beach, or in the water exercise, play volleyball, play the animation team games, go for long walks or runs on the beach, do what you like. We have seen pelicans, colourful fish, and even a camel at the beach. The pool is large with a smaller pool for little kids (next to the mini club). There is entertainment around the pool area at different times, never too loud, you can join in or not, the choice is yours and you are never dragged in to something you don't want to do. There are more than enough chaises around the pool, bar service in the pool area, and the outside lunch buffet is just a few steps away. Entertainment is yours to choose----lunch time outside musicians at the pool area, evening live music in the 'square' outside of the buffet, dance if you want, have a drink, alcoholic or not, listen to the sax player, or the band, sometimes there are fashion shows in the square, or some other type of special event. There is also an on-site 'club' with vegas style shows in the evening ---don't miss Evis, he is terrific---the whole animation team is terribly fun and are wonderful people. If you are lucky you may hear Sandi (lobby bar) sing, a man with a golden voice One of our favourite spots is the lobby where you can slouch down into a comfy chair, sit in the marvelous breezes flowing through, have a drink, chat, play cards, read a book, watch the old cars that serve as taxis pull up to the front door, and just generally chill out. There are tijendas on site, a few craft vendors, you can change your money at the front desk, arrange tours (do not miss Havana), there are also tennis courts, exercise room, archery, those types of activities available. It is however the Cuban people themselves that keep us coming back. Varadero is of course a tourist place and we have been to more remote and rustic places in Cuba but it always the warm heartedness of the people that captivates us. The charm and delight of the Tainos is the people, the staff are amazing and if you want to feel like you have found a second home, come to the Tainos. We want to thank Ana the manager for a delightful 'welcome back' party----and especially to thank Pedro our friend (concierge par excellence and true gentleman) and Giselle (one of the sweetest ladies I have ever met) and all the staff of the Tainos for making each trip more than vacation---it becomes an experience to be remembered and savoured in the depths of a cold Canadian winter.

amazing
The Iberostar Taínos Hotel, in Cuba's coastal resort of Varadero, was built in one of the best beach areas, at a few-minute drive from downtown. The establishment is at a 20-minute drive from Juan Gualberto Gómez International Airport, which is the main airway to the world-famous beach resort. Surrounded by beautiful tropical landscapes by the sea, the hotel is the best option for single people, families and couples, in a natural environment that invites to relaxation and enjoyment of a wide range of tourist options.

Excellent Iberostar Tainos
Surrounded by tropical gardens, with one- or two-storey bungalows, for that home-away-from-home feeling. Singles, couples and families appreciate the excellent four-star value of this recently built hotel, and the wide variety of entertainment and activities.

Amazing Iberostar Taino
My husband and I returned last week from a one-week stay at the Iberostar Tainos in Varadero and had a fantastic week there.The hotel and pool was nice and clean, staff very friendly and helpful and the beach was the best! For the most part, the food was good at the buffet but the pool buffet left a bit to be desired. Not really impressed with Brazilian restaurant either.We had great weather during our stay. Aside from a small "flood" in our room when a water pipe broke (high-rise section) which the staff were great about - we thoroughly enjoyed our stay and would go back again for sure.

Iberostar Tainos
I´ll never forget this vacation....it was something perfect!!!

Beautiful holiday Iberostar Tainos
I enjoyed my stay at the hotel. The food and service was fantastic and found the staff wonderful, eventually I married one of them who is presently with me in England!!!!!