Cuba Tech Travel
Cuba Tech Travel
  • Hotel Sol Pelicano

    Sol Pelicano Hotel Cuba

    • Destination: Cayo Largo
    • Address: Cayo Largo del Sur, Archipiegalo de los Canarreos.
    • Phone: (5345) 48333
    • Accept child:Yes

  • Description: Sol Pelicano Hotel Cuba

    The Sol Pelicano Hotel is located on Cayo Largo del Sur, 30 minutes by plane from Havana, and is surrounded by beautiful white-sand beaches of crystal-clear water. The establishment offers a wide range of recreational and sports activities for children and adults and is an excellent place for diving enthusiasts and nature lovers. The hotel

    •  

  • Sol Pelicano Hotel

    • Interesting recommended places
    • Cayo Largo Marina
    • Sirena Beach
    • Cayo Iguana
    • Swimming with Dolphin Cayo Largo
    • Cayo largo
    • Where to eat recommended
  • Room facilities
    110 volt power
    220 volt power
    air conditioning
    balcony or terrace
    coffeemaker
    hairdryer
    handicap facilities
    hot and cold running water
    minibar
    private bath
    safety deposit box
    Satellite TV
    telephone
  • Facilities

    24 hrs. emergency medical service, art Gallery, babysitting, beauty salon, bell boy, bikes, board games, buffet, business centre, car parking, car rental, conference rooms, cyber cafe, disabled facilities, discotheque, grill, gym, hotel shop, laundry & dry cleaning service 24 hrs., luggage storage, massage, money exchange, motorized water sports, multi-language staff, no smoking rooms, Piano bar, post office, Reception 24 hrs., room services 24 hrs., safety deposit box in room, satellite tv, sauna, scuba diving center, Solarium, swimming pool, taxis, tennis courts, theme Restaurants, tourism bureau,


  • Reviews
  • Your first-hand experiences really help other travelers. Thanks!
    98% of people enjoy this
    Write a review
    Excellent 
     
    Very good 
     
    Average 
     
    Poor 
     
    Awfull 
     
    • birdsofafeather1
      ricksandy
      Review about Sol Pelicano Hotel
      Poor Poor

      “More delightful Surprises ”
      We just returned from a trip to Sol Pelicano where we stayed from Feb. 28-March 6th. The last time we were here, we swore we would never come again as per problems we discovered from last two times we have stayed here. The first trip was great and for the most part, we were happy, explaining why we returned. The only reason we returned this time was because of all the good reports that it has been receiving this season and I'm not sure we would have returned except for the cheap price at under $700 ! I just figured maybe things have changed here to make it more popular then in previous years. Well....we were wrong and as a matter of fact is the worse we have ever seen! First, a good new service we received was the main restaurant obvious was very concerned with people with colds because you don't get napkins anymore ....YOU GET TISSUES instead so you could blow your nose while eating! What a Great idea management ! Kleenex tissue stocks must have gone up ! Who would have thunk of an idea like that...WOW ! The other thing we saw while there was, I hope you were observant, was that the pasta sauce sat on a cold plate, at the station, the whole time we were there, without be refrigerated for a week. If there was a health department in Cuba , this place would have closed down for sure. Getting fries with our sandwiches after a long day on the beach used to be a favourite thing for us to do but this year but NO French fries this year !!! Things must be getting tough for a large company like Sol Club not to have fries for their guests. Finally....the guys at the pizza restaurant started not giving out menus because they had very little product to put on them...only bacon and cheese. Shame ! Lastly, we were forced to get out luggage from under the bus at the airport because there was no staff to help us out and I had to crawl underneath to drag out ours and other luggage, to get checked in. We are not going to return to this resort ever again, even if the price was under $400 . Its a shame but a person has to draw the line somewhere to have a good time and good food at the same time. Shame on you management.

    • birdsofafeather1
      Sylvie G
      Review about Sol Pelicano Hotel
      Average Average

      “sorry ”
      I have visited most of the places for vacation in cuba . this hotel is nice. you must think before reserving that this place closes at the end of april , it is an island in itself so all the food is being shipped by boat. my trip was from the 30th of march until the 7th of april. the place and the rooms are really well taken care of . having been in cuba over 7 times in the last 8 years, i am accustomed to the food and the variety. i never complained about all of that but this time, when we arrived at 22 o'clock that sunday, after unpacking our luggages, we went for a beer..the lplace was empty, no shows and no beer! sold out! It happended again on the thursday at 3pm.. no more beer how can that happened?. there was i was not able to find fresh pineapple( which is grown in cuba! and ready to b eaten at the time that i was there) Only canned fruits ( were served. i put it on the account that the resort was going to shut down the activites at the end of the month. the animation at night before the shows was almost inexisting( dancing with cuban music) all what makes vacations in cuba special. i am planning another trip to that resort in november . once it is reopened, i will be able to see if the management of the faciity is better before really giving a bad review. the sea is wonderful but after 3 days of it, you need to get satisfaction eather from the food or the animation

    • birdsofafeather1
      MikeColetta10
      Review about Sol Pelicano Hotel
      Average Average

      “Paradise beach, average resort... ”
      Travelled to Cayo Largo from April 18-26. Amazing weather and absolutely stunning beach. The 6 minute drive to the hotel was a bonus! If you're a beach lover, this place is 5stars. If you're picky about upscale resorts like those in other Caribbean destinations (Riu, Iberostar), you may not like it. It does require a bit of TLC but overall the service makes up for it. Dont ask for additional water however as the staff wont give it to you. Each room is only allowed one large bottle of water per day so you have to ration it or just drink RUM which is cheaper!! We found ourselves buying additonal water at the store each day as you need it in the hot sunshine on the beach. Not a huge deal but if youre spending all this money, asking for water shouldnt be a big deal...but it was. The food selection wasnt abudant but the service did make up for it. The staff is friendly and very helpful. Overall the resort was average at best. So if you're up for a stunning, white sand, turquoise water beach out of a travel magazine...this resort is for you!!

    • birdsofafeather1
      MattD1980
      Review about Sol Pelicano Hotel
      Average Average

      “Subpar hotel, with subpar food. ”
      I've stayed at the Sol Pelicano on March 20th for a week. I expected a little better with all these positive reviews however, be warned, if it is your first time there, most of the reviews are based on nostalgia rather than facts. The hotel is kept clean, very clean, you can see the maintenance crew hard at work. The rooms are "ok" however, the bed are just plain horrible, but that's fine, typical of what I experienced in Cuba in the past. The food is absolutely atrocious. The Snack bar always had something unavailable and they will feed you the excuse of being "on an island and sometimes resources are limited", I've traveled to other islands in the past (San Andreas in Columbia to name one) and never had that problem. Out of the 11 people in our group, 6 caught stomach bug. Raw meat is NOT handled properly, same tongs used to manipulate raw and cooked meats. Hygienic-sanitary conditions are never great in Cuba but I've always managed, they're just horrible at the Sol Pelicano. Just be careful with what you eat. The pools were nice however, it was not very clean and it is showing age. Prepare to Tip! But that's like this in Cuba, we were almost "harassed" to leave our stroller to one of the chamber maids who was quite annoying. Cayo Largo is just an amazing place to visit, just don't expect a great hotel.

    • birdsofafeather1
      poudrerie2014
      Review about Sol Pelicano Hotel
      Average Average

      “Mixed feelings ”
      We came back from Cayo Largo last night, and we had a good time, even though there is one major point I haven't read about in other reviews that is a deal breaker when it comes to staying at the Pelicano again: the show starts at 10 p.m. every night, which I personally find a bit too late for a resort targeting families - having a 2 y.o., we missed all of them. BUT that is not the point. The music from the show was often loud, and we can hear the "boom-boom" all the way to our room on the other side of the resort and close to the beach. After the show, the music continues OUTSIDE until 0:30, even louder. I don't know if it's always the case or if it was just because the lobby bar was in repair (a beam had fallen and broke some windows), but it kept us from sleeping before the music stopped. Otherwise, as other reviews have said, it is an older hotel, linens and sheets are used and sometimes stained, but it's pretty clean. The AC isn't powerful enough for the room, which makes it quite damp. On the other hand, the room is very different from all the others we've had in Cuba: there were windows on both sides that we could open to get a breeze and reduce dampness + French doors leading to a big private balcony. It is true that the buffet is small, but you can always find something if you're not too picky. It's also true that we had paper tissues as napkins for breakfast and lunch for a few days, and some days there were no fries, but so what?! They are quite far from the mainland, which does make it harder for them to get some items. The sea was rough for 2 days, and the red flag was up, but other days, it was fine. Bring a body board, it should be worth it! The staff was really nice. The service wasn't always top notch, but they work so hard, and we can wait a little, we're on vacation. If the music was contained in a closed space at night, I would recommend this hotel hands down, especially for the staff and the beautiful beach.

    • birdsofafeather1
      MrASM
      Review about Sol Pelicano Hotel
      Average Average

      “Amazing vacation but average hotel. ”
      Just came back from Sol Pelicano (spent one week from March 6th to 13th) Before the details, it was an amazing vacation and I would like to revisit Cayo Largo again in the future. now, here are the details Room Pros : Clean, almost no bugs (except for ants), good size, have a nice view. Cons : Dirty Linen/Towels (no way to get clean ones, I tried everything), tired equipment, the A/C is really weak, I guess that's the real reason they close in summer, the vent fan was not working in my kids room, the washroom door is made of transparent glass ... (I think ours was an exception). Beach Sol Pelicano beach Pros : Beautiful, Clean, wide, enough chairs. Cons : Wavey (All week it was) I don't mind, actually my kids enjoyed playing in the waves, no snorkeling off-shore, yes some told me I can walk to the left (but didn't want to go across the nude area), not enough umbrellas. Paraiso beach Pros : Amazing (you can't miss it) Cons : transportation is not consistent (I had to pay Taxi both ways, because there were no spots on the train), be very careful in the area near the trees, I got like a zillion spikes in my feet from the plants, wear your sandals, no facilities at all, so bring your own drinks and food. Amenities Restaurants Three restaurants, the main one was buffet restaurant where you can have breakfast, lunch and dinner. Then the other two Lalyana and Rancheon are two a la cart ones. Buffet Restaurant Pros : Nice design, many options, amazing pasta, good service Cons : food options are limited (for example it is an island I really expected more sea food items only fish for the whole week was annoying), very limited options in fruit/vegetable Rancheon Pros : Amazing setting. Cons : Way less options, basically stuck to one plate, waiter was not friendly, felt really pushed to buy the lobster. Also, they have one nice pizza place, and the ZunZun cafeteria by the swimming pool and a lobby bar Pizza Place Pros : Nice corner with few tables, amazing pizza. Cons : inadequate service, only one waiter for like 12 tables, very limited options. ZunZun Place Pros : Nice Setting, daily BBQ lunch, slightly better menu for snacks, well staffed. Cons : inconsistent quality (I got one sandwich, that had two different pieces of meat, one tender and one chewy !!!). Lobby Bar ========= Pros : Good drinks (Coffee is good, Pine Colada is good), good service. Cons : limited seating, I actually never had problem finding a seat, but we are talking about spots for like 20 people. The general note was the water in the island is not drinkable, even when you avoid drinking it, it is still used in making ice and in making hot beverages (coffee/Tea), also I would assume that this is the main reason why linens/Towels are not clean and smell, the water is probably hard and detergent can't make it. Trips The Island is out of this world, anything you do you will enjoy, basically the trips I did were 1- Catamaran cruises, one during the day and one sunset (I tried this and it was beautiful, this sunset will stay with you) 2- Also, I went to the Marina, where you can visit the Turtle farm, and the marina has amazing fish, the bank and 4 poor craft vendors. 3- I also did a fishing trip and it was the best (total surprise), biggest catch in my life. Good Luck guys. Enjoy it and brush way the little things, don't let them spoil this paradise.

    • birdsofafeather1
      Alanna R
      Review about Sol Pelicano Hotel
      Average Average

      “Great service and staff! Food, linens and extras need work... ”
      We just returned home this morning. All in all we had a good sand and sun vacation. I travelled with my husband and 2 daughters (7 & 9). ROOM I assume that because we were 4 people in one room, we were assigned a room with a king bed and a triangular alcove adjacent to our room with a single bed and cot. By examining the size of the other rooms, ours (4910) was a little bigger than the average room. However this came at the expense of not having a terrace or balcony, so no patio door just windows. This was a shame as this room was right next to the beach (no view because of the vegetation between the resort and the beach and being on the ground floor) Also, the room being on the ground floor (we had requested 2nd floor but those rooms were smaller), we constantly had ant issues, large ones and tiny ones. On the last day we did find a very small cockroach. We chose to just remain in our room and not make it ruin our stay. The bathroom is small. Our bathtub had a hole that had been patched but needed more care. The water had a sulfur smell to it when showering or washing your hands. All linens, sheets, pillows cases, bath towels and beach towels all had a weird smell, like diesel fuel to them. They were all stained as well, never looked quite clean. The towel racks were so corroded, probably due to the salt in the air, that the towel got extra dirty just rubbing on them. There are no face cloths or tissues, bring your own. The beds were very comfortable, mattresses looked quite new, great nights sleep. FOOD Disappointing. The buffet does not have much choice and what is there is not very appetizing. This is my fourth resort in different cities in Cuba and this one had the worst food. We didn't go hungry but there are no real veggies besides tiny pieces of peppers and cauliflower. Fruit was pineapple (when Miguel was around only, by the way he is an artist and loves to make kids smile... Thank you!), green oranges, papaya and passion fruit. Pears, mango and peaches were from a can. No orange juice for 3 days, only mango or guava juice (tough sell for kids). This also means that they use grapefruit juice instead of orange juice in alcoholic beverages (rum punch) at the bars. With so many people taking medication for blood pressure or cholesterol these days, grapefruit juice is not the best choice... Fresh pasta was good. Service at the buffet was great! Rene and his three colleagues at the center buffet room were outstanding!!! Very attention oriented. Pizza bar is very good. Beach snack bar was OK for lunch. Snack bar is limited in choice of food. Sandwiches do not have anything with them (fries, veggies... Nothing) A la Carte restaurants (2) basically have the same food as the buffet with a slight twist, nothing to write home about. RESORT OVERALL The resort is old but it is very well maintained. They are building new pergolas, replacing boardwalks to the beach, adding new play areas for the kids... It is very clean. You can tell that the staff really take care of the resort. The beach is just beautiful. It is very wide and clean. It is a shame that some people get up at 6:30 to reserve chairs and shade and keep them all day, even when they are gone. They do lack chairs at the beach and pool. ENTERTAINMENT Entertainers were very friendly. Yoel was very sweet to our daughters! Thank you again! Only issue is that the show is essentially the same every night. Even the pool show on Thursday is a repeat from the stage show... The music at the pool is the exact same everyday too. EXTRAS (keep in mind that the exchange rate is about 15% for CAN $) There is a safe in the room but you must get a key card for it at the cost of 2 CUC per day. If you want your room for a late check out, it'll cost you 6 CUC per hour extra after noon. There is a little train to bring you to the two other beaches (Paraiso and Sirena) that is free. However, it fills up fast to go and even faster when you want to come back to the hotel. Taxis follow it very closely however and charge you 2 CUC per person each way for the 5 minute journey. With 4 people in our party, it adds up pretty fast. Other hotels on the same beach get their transportation included. Same price to go to the marina (to go to the bank or to see the turtle sanctuary). All in all, we had a relaxing, enjoyable vacation with our girls. Beautiful beach, great sun! I probably would not go back because of the food and extras, especially at the price we paid (our daughters were on spring break so a little pricey)

    • birdsofafeather1
      andrew g
      Review about Sol Pelicano Hotel
      Average Average

      “Not too bad...”
      This was our first trip to Cuba so I was expecting the food to be average, as per other reviews. Well, I would say below average as far as fruit and veggies are concerned. The buffet wasn't bad but certainly could use some more variety. The staff is awesome and a special thanks to Anna Margaritta working in the buffet building and doing a great job in looking after us. The rooms are kept clean (building 42) but noticed that the outer linens on the bed where stained... as well as some towels upon our arrival. There are no face cloths to be found so bring your own if you want them. There was a noticable sewer smell through out the grounds on the complex...I suspect due to the broken and missing sewer covers. The beaches here are awesome. Never have I seen such beautiful sand and clear water beaches before, both on and off the resort, and I live near the worlds largest fresh water beach...Wasaga Beach. My wife and I did enjoy this trip but I don't know if I would ever go back Thanks Sol Pelicano Andrew & Nancy

    • birdsofafeather1
      Aubelisa
      Review about Sol Pelicano Hotel
      Very good Very good

      “Worth a trip of a life time - Especially the worst kept secret of one the best beaches in the world! ”
      We were dreading to go to an all inclusive resort like Sol Pelicano as the stereotypical stigma are attached to these resorts; as most people who go to these types of places either get serious stomach issues due to the food or the type of crowd that goes there. But we were very pleasantly surprised. The only way for you to get to this magical island is via a tour operator. Trust me when I say this, we tried everything to book a flight out there, but they only do chartered flights hence, the safest and only option was to book this part of our trip via an agent. There are few hotels on this small island, and we feel Sol Pelicano is probably the best on the island due to the beautiful beach it has right on its doorstep. We walked the whole length on either side of the resort, and found that the beach and sea is the best, but there is something even more spectacular, read on. The welcome by the front of house was friendly and unfortunately at the time of check in our room with sea view was occupied, so they upgraded us for free to the junior suite. We thought we had just received a bad deal, but yet again we were wrong. The room is like a miniature apartment, it was large and very clean. It had a balcony of which we had a ?part view? of the sea. We did not change our room, we were very happy with it. The room, or what we like to call it a mini apartment, had a large living room area, with a TV and sofa, leading to a small balcony. The bathroom was very clean and had all the modern features. The bedroom itself, was large with a very comfortable clean bed, and yet another big TV. Overall, the rooms were very clean, modern, and had an air con and ceiling fan. Only thing negative, the safe which they have in the room, you must pay 2CUC a day which is very cheeky especially for how much you have paid to stay there. The food, breakfast is comprised of a wide variety buffet, it has everything you can imagine from a proper fry up to the healthy options of fruits, yoghurts etc. There is more than enough to keep any hungry person at bay. The lunch options, you can either dine at the restaurant by the beach or in our opinion by the pool, as they do a BBQ everyday which consists of wonderful meats, and you can have as much as you want. The restaurant by the beach is buffet style as well, and it tends to be very busy, so the pool side option is far better. The dinners, like breakfast there is a wide variety, but I would not necessary the quality is up there. They do have a fresh pasta bar which was refreshing to see. During the day they have a pizza bar near the bar, which makes tasty pizzas, a great afternoon snack! The location of this resort is 10 minutes from the small airport. The beach is right on its doorstep, where you have your own sun loungers. The beach and sea itself is the best by far compared to other resorts on that side of the island! Overall, as we have been traveling through Cuba, we stayed at casa particulars and felt the real Cuban lifestyle. Here it?s a resort you won?t know if you?re in Cuba or any other place, but again you don?t come here for the accommodation, you go for the beach and sea. All the staff are friendly, the gardens are looked after by their fantastic grounds men, the restaurant / bar people were all very friendly. We had a wonderful time. Don?t Miss: Go early in the morning (7am) to bag yourself a nice spot on the beach. Pass on: Pina Coladas or the ice as a few people had upset stomachs due to them (including us) Suggestion: There is a free train car service that takes you to probably the best beach on the island; a matter fact the best sea in the world. You cannot comprehend its beauty unless you are there; it was not voted one of the best beaches in the world for nothing - absolutely amazing! The name of this gem ? Parasio, truly paradise! It is a must, its post card beautiful! Worst kept secret!

    • birdsofafeather1
      Berto2727
      Review about Sol Pelicano Hotel
      Very good Very good

      “Honest Review ”
      Pros -Exceptional beaches, must visit Paradiso and Sirenas - 100% perfect! -Very good bar service -Nice lunch time BBQ (chicken, pork, fish) by the pool -Nice pool, lots of room and only 4 feet deep everywhere - no diving -Nice rooms made of cement, kept us cool but not as cool as you would expect to be at home -Nice homemade fresh pasta every dinner time - delicious -Loved the mornings just before sunrise -Airport is just a 6 minute bus ride to hotel - amazing -Breakfast I must say is good -Entertainment was enjoyable, they try real hard and it is much better than the TV channels available -Very friendly staff - they are definitely are happy to see you and want you back -Enjoyed the long walks you can do on the beach -Do visit Marina Village by taxi $2, change your money there at the bank instead of hotel and buy rum for $4 to $5 for 750ml bottle Cons -As always with Cuba, its the food - I rate it between plain to good, never horrible but never fantastic like on a cruise ship -Went April 14-21 2014 and it was very hot, don't go there in the summer time; it must be unbearable unless its what you like -Free taxi ride to Paradiso and Sirenas fills up in seconds, you have to literally shove people to get a spot on the train however you can take a taxi ride for just $2 per person if not enough room - bring water bottle! -Lack of fresh fruits (watermelon, grapes, peaches etc...) at the restaurant -Lack of ice cream at the restaurant -Mosquito bites at the beach in the morning only -No real food after 10:00 p.m. if you got the munchies -Avoid the restaurants - basically the same buffet food but served to you unless you want to pay for special wine selection and "lobster tail" -Rooms towels started off being normal but halfway thru the vacation we only had one towel per person to shower with - I'm a big fella, I need at least 2... and the wife likes 3 towels Finally It's been about 3 weeks since returning from vacation and the family is still saying how great it was. We don't usually repeat the same vacation but for the Sol Pelicano there's a good chance that we will return. It's just that you have to prepared to compromise on certain things. But you will have a very enjoyable and relaxing time.

    • birdsofafeather1
      ronniecat
      Review about Sol Pelicano Hotel
      Very good Very good

      “Great staff, and overall a good vacation ”
      We stayed at the Sol Pelicano from April 4 to April 18. This was our third visit to this resort. Overall we enjoy this resort but it does have some idiosyncrasies that travellers should know about so they will know what to expect from their Pelicano experience. The rooms are comfortable and clean and the housekeeping staff were lovely. In fact, all the staff we encountered were great. I would especially note the reception desk staff, the buffet wait staff and cooks, the bellboys, and the bartenders at the Zun Zun snack bar as particularly contributing to making our stay pleasant. The food in the buffet restaurant was superior to any I?ve had in 14 trips to Cuba. I have read elsewhere that the hotel has a new chef, and if this is true, s/he is doing a marvelous j ob. Food was very well seasoned and flavourful, something that is not usual for Cuban buffet restaurants in our experience. We enjoyed every meal we ate there. The beach was wide for the entire two weeks we were there. Best beach we?ve experienced in Cuba. One unfortunate downside was that ?the towel game? was in full play, but with an unpleasant twist. No matter how early we got up in the morning, even at the crack of dawn, nearly every single chair was already laid out under a palapa in the most prized sections of the beach, and all had been ?reserved? by some little item like a flip flop or a bandanna. The only conclusion we could come to ? since we were right above the beach and did not see hordes of guests tripping down pre-dawn - was that beach staff were reserving chairs for ?some? guests, which seemed unfair and left a bad taste in our mouths. We had to move once during our stay (the resort was having some problems with sewer smells and our room was eventually badly affected) and the move was handled with the utmost efficiency and professionalism by the reception desk staff. They and the bellboys were so helpful during this process. We were very happy with how that was handled. The brochure and the resort?s website refer to the lobby bar as a ?24-hour bar? but this is not really true in practice. Following the show at 11 pm it is turned into a ?disco? for an hour while the animation team leads dancing with strobe lights etc. If you wait this noisy period out, however, at midnight when the disco ends somebody on staff begins to repeatedly turn the lights out in the bar for extended periods of time, leaving patrons in the dark. It is made clear that (someone on) the staff wants patrons to GO HOME at that time and they don?t want you hanging around for late night drinks or conversation with fellow guests. They basically annoy or irritate you out of the bar and back to your room, so if you are a night owl be aware you won?t get much of a warm welcome after midnight at the lobby bar. Having said that, the resort is reasonably priced, the beach is second to none, and the vast majority of the staff are just fantastic. I would recommend it, with the caveats above.

    • birdsofafeather1
      Christine D
      Review about Sol Pelicano Hotel
      Very good Very good

      “15th trip to Pelicano ”
      Dear Alejandro As promised I take a few minutes to write my comments on our 15th trip to Cayo Largo and 14th at the Pelicano. As usual it was great but this time ,( March 30 to April 14) we really appreciate the fact that the hotel has a new chef. What a difference since the last 2 years. At the buffet the food was much better, more choices, the food carts were hotter than before. We always appreciate the service of the cubans staff especially Rene who always have a nice smile and always happy and also Adolpho who is very kind. Best regards to the new chef thanks him again and I do hope he will stay for many years to come. For sure it could probably help if the hotel was open 12 months a year. I can understand an employee that does not have a job all year long to go and look for another job else where. The Pelicano should really be open longer it would be good for everyone. (clients and staff) But for us Pelicano has a special place in our heart and will probably always have. The beach, the diving and snorkeling, the spirit of the place, the cubans friends and more... We look forward to go back next november. Thanks to all the cubans staff for a great service especially Yusmila (public relation) Rene and Adolpho (buffet), Mario Alberto, Noel and Dinaldo (Ranchon), Vladimir (pizza), Melvian and Osmi (chamber maid), Liobel (reception) and last but not the least Yosvany and Anita at the bar. These 2 are incredible with all the clients around them to have a drink they keep there calm and are just the best. Thanks also to all the gardeners and the guys from security to keep Pelicano a nice and peaceful place. Thanks to you. Hope to see you next november. Hasta Luego!

    • birdsofafeather1
      Beachlover420
      Review about Sol Pelicano Hotel
      Very good Very good

      “Sol Pelicano- a Solid Resort in Cayo Largo ”
      Sol Pelicano is the best Cuban resort we have been to. We are a couple in our mid-thirties and we had an amazing vacation there. The food is good, plenty of variety and lots of grill options. Loved the chicken and pork chops. Great dessert options , we loved their flan and shortbread cookies. My wife said pasta was decent. Eggs, omelettes, French toast was good too. Great rice, curry, fish options. Lobster dinner was great at Rancheon. Spanish coffee at the lobby bar is a must. Love Anita!!! The beach is stunning, white and long. Water not as swimmable but still good to go in have fun. We explored Playa Paraiso and Playa Sirena. Took the train or a taxi, always around. Calm waters, fishes at ankle deep water, amazing view, you cannot miss it. Sirena is a long walk from the train dropoff, must wear shoes. Drinks were pretty well made, did not feel watered down. But we bought some from the store, really cheap, and had some with pop in the room. pina coladas are good. try rum with coconut water at sirena or pina colada in a coconut..yummm, best we ever had! Resort was well designed and not a long walk between lobby, pool, bar, restaurants and beach. CUC exchange was efficient at the front desk. excursions get booked early. we did the sunset catamaran cruise. snorkeling was good, Cayo Iguana was good but we did not like the lobster dinner, it was like curry. Still a good day out, great sunset. we needed OFF twice a day in the room , ground floor, room 4204. saw a big crab just outside so don't freak out. Room was super clean, no problem with water or towels. Laetita was our chambermaid and she was amazing. These are the folks we bonded with, so we say thank you sincerely: Anita, Adolfo, Yasmira, Dinaldo, Leonor, Vladimir and Leandro. Tips: Please bring gifts for the staff....chocolates, sanitary products, medicine, cosmetics, clothes, shoes...one of our fave things to do was to give gifts to the staff who made our vacation special From Toronto, there's only one flight a week. Going there wasn't so bad, but the lineup at the airport was crazy long, in crazy heat. it was a painful experience, 2 hrs to check in. Either you go early or late, up to you. Overall, we had an amazing vacation and would only return to Pelicano. The two beaches here are to die for and it was a nice romantic, sexy getaway for us to rekindle our intimacy. It worked :) Please don't go to Cuba and hate on what they can provide just because you are incompetent in your research. These people are amazing and one of the most heart-warming things to see was how sincere the intimacy was between Canadian return guests and the staff. Be the person who makes THEIR day, and your vacation will be fulfilling. Finally, there's rude idiotic people everywhere and no exception here, unfortunately, even some Canadians. I hope you take your next vacation in $3000 Hawaii resort and not ruin it for others with your rudeness. If we go to Cuba, we are going back to this island. Period.

    • birdsofafeather1
      veryvenus
      Review about Sol Pelicano Hotel
      Very good Very good

      “"Soul" Pelicano ”
      Sol Pelicano left an impact on my soul. I'm in awe of it. This was our 4th time to Cuba and first time to Cayo Largo. We stayed through April 18-25. In room # 5408. Despite a few easily ignorable flaws I can say this confidently that this was by far our best trip to Cuba. This is a small intimate resort with extremely friendly, nice and kind staff. So much variety of good food. Let it be the buffet to the a` la carte restaurants, the zun zun snack bar or the pizzeria or the Ranchon. I just enjoyed every meal. Thank you Ernesto, Yoel and Irma Theresa you made sure that we were well taken care of. You are all gems. We took our kids (6 & 12 years) and my biggest concern was their entertainment. I was at ease the moment we got to this resort. This is one of the best family friendly resort! My daughter fell in love with Odalys from the kids club. Very well organized and programmed kids club with plenty of activities for all age groups. There's pool table, chess, table tennis and so much more. Kids pool with a slide and a play ground. Indoor activities planned throughout the day by Odalys. Our chamber maid, the ever smiling Neidi was awesome. The animation team Michael, Alfred, Isabelle, Richard. I'm sorry if I'm missing anyone's name. I just want to extend my thanks to you all. You let me dance my heart out and brought this place to life every day and night. I think the dancers are amazing. I only suggest some more productivity and professionalism in their shows. Again nothing against dancers and choreographers. It's just that we have seen some amazing shows at Iberostar Ensenachos and I feel that Sol Pelicano dancers have so much more potential. They are like diamonds in the rough. This is just a friendly suggestion. Another slight issue we had was the air-conditioning in our room. It was not functioning well unfortunately. I wish the reception would've taken some action. There are no iron/iron boards in the room ... It can or cannot be a big deal but this addition could be a plus point for sure. The rooms are spacious and clean. The beaches are without a doubt breathtaking and you have a variety to choose from. It can't get any better than this. Kudos to the resort's general manger! I would definitely come back to this resort!

    • birdsofafeather1
      Andrew B
      Review about Sol Pelicano Hotel
      Very good Very good

      “An excellent time ”
      We booked our trip between March 21st and 28th, 2014 and it was our first Cuban experience. As we are not partiers and just wanted to relax for a week, we picked Cayo Largo for it's remoteness. Keeping in mind the Sol Pelicano is rated as a three star, we evaluated it as such just to be fair. The trip from the airport is about 10 minutes which is fantastic if you hate long bus rides. Be forewarned though, my suitcase had the wheels torn off while being loaded on the bus. We ended up with a room on the second floor at the east side of the resort. The room itself was clean and tidy albeit a little small but very quiet with a balcony that was very private. My only issue was the poor air-conditioning which had the strength of a mouse puffing warm air. The next day a worker checked it out and only adjusted the louvers to point at the bed which gave minimum air flow. It wasn't worth the hassle to repack and move and sleeping at night was acceptable. A word of advice, don't waste your time bringing any issues to the female receptionist at the front desk and go directly to a representative if you want any attention. The beds were comfortable and there was warm enough water for the shower. I was told that most units did not have a tub which wasn't a big deal. Don't leave any open food or flowers inside the room. There are small ants that will discover it. A small harmless lizard occupied our window curtains for a couple of days which didn't bother us at all. It eventually departed using the window. There is a small tower centrally located on the grounds. From the top, you have a panoramic view of the resort and area. The grounds were well laid out and everything was easy to find. Two pools were centrally situated and they were shallow and well maintained. Onto the beach which was our primary reason for going on the trip. In a single word, "Fantastic"! Sand dunes separated the beach from the resort area. The beach itself had beautiful white sand. If you want a shade umbrella, you better get a spot early. Unfortunately there are the inconsiderate people who will reserve a shade spot early in the morning and in some cases were never seen until late in the afternoon. The beach was never crowded and the nude section was quiet and no one bothers you. Once in a while, you get the occasional gawker walking up and down the beach who pretends to not see anything but that was rare and goes with the territory. For the most part, everyone was friendly and kept to themselves. There were no drunks creating problems and most of the crowd were mature adults. On windy days, the waves can be a little rough. There is a rip-tide that will push you northwards along the beach but nothing dangerous when we were out in the water which was usually calm. It should be mentioned that the water was quite warm and perfect even for the most sensitive person. Speaking of sensitive, bring plenty of sunscreen and use it even in the shade and especially on cloudy days. More than a few people were deceived on a cloudy day and became lobsters by afternoon. If you choose to go for a walk, you can go for miles in either direction and even enter the other resorts. We very much recommend taking a trip to Pariso Beach which is about a 15 minute taxi ride from the resort and you will not be disappointed. The beach is spectacular with a lagoon type setting with calm water that you can walk out over 200 metres and still be only to your chest level. We found starfish at about 4 feet depth and also saw Blue Herons that migrated from Canada. A word of advice. If you plan on walking from Pariso beach back to Sol Pelicano, give yourself plenty of time (and water). We severely underestimated the distance which ended up being around 8 to 10 kilometres. A beautiful scenic walk on undisturbed beaches with no one in sight for miles. About halfway back, we had to climb to the top of the sand dunes to navigate around coral outcrops on the beach. We lost daylight at that time (about 7:30ish) and arrived back at the resort at 9:00 p.m. in the dark after a 4 hour walk in sometimes mushy sand. The food at the resort was fine. Both reserve-only restaurants were booked after our second day and we ate at the buffet. From what we heard from others, the reserve-only restaurants were not anything special and not much different from the buffet. The variety was slightly modified each night but mainly consisted of tough beef and chicken and some fish. While we had no issues with the food, a woman at the airport departing passed out in line and was quite ill. She did claim that she ate undercooked chicken 3 days prior but I did recall seeing her out basking on the nude beach that same day with some cocktails so I'm not sure what role that played if her claim was even true. Bottom line, just be smart and check the doneness like you would at any restaurant. If anything, we found most of the food to be well-done. A final piece of advice. As we had a late flight out, we booked our room on the last day for 6 extra hours which allowed us to squeeze in a great afternoon and shower before leaving. It came to 6 pesos an hour which was a wise investment. Instead of taking the bus back to the airport at 7:20 p.m., we elected to take an earlier 5 minute taxi ride. It was a wise choice in the long run. We still had to wait in a small line since the checkout counter wasn't open but later when buses from different resorts all arrived at the same time, it was absolute chaos behind us especially when you consider that the airport is not air-conditioned and the line moved at a snail's pace. There was air conditioning at the loading gates and limited seating. Overall, it was an excellent trip and we would return back to the same resort without hesitation.

    • birdsofafeather1
      cubateamo
      Review about Sol Pelicano Hotel
      Very good Very good

      “had a great time ”
      this was our first trip to cayo largo and the sol pelicano as many others have said beaches are beautiful, food was good the only place weve had better food in cuba was at paridisus in holguin but it cost a lot more, the room was spotless , thank you marlen, the drinks are good and not too bad for lineups, before we went i emailed and asked for a second floor with king bed as we had our 29th anniversary there, we got room 5211 just what i asked for thank you customer service, we only went to nightly shows twice just not our thing, you can walk the beaches with no one bugging you to buy stuff we really like that, met some great people, we went mar 14 - 21, will be back but i think next year will be for 2 weeks

    • birdsofafeather1
      David G
      Review about Sol Pelicano Hotel
      Very good Very good

      “4th time to Sol Pelicano ”
      Hello Everyone: I am going to add my evaluation of our trip to Cayo Largo from Feb 21 to Mar 7 2014 which is under Cuban control. This year for the first time, we left Toronto at about 5:30 p.m. And arrived in Cayo Largo at about 9pm. In previous years we have always left at 6:30 a.m and were on the beach by about 11:30. We certainly prefer the morning departure. At the end of your stay, check out time is 12:00 noon. This means that with an evening departure (leave the hotel at about 7:30), you have all day to go to the beach or do whatever you want. Since there is no place to shower, we prefered to stay around the pool for the day. One has to make sure that you have your winter attire in your carry-on. We left our lounging clothing on right to the airport. There is plenty of time to change before you get on the plane to return home. This time we were transported in the biggest plane I had ever been on, an Airbus A320 with 227 people on board. There was lots of leg room. We ended up in the centre row of seats (3 rows, 2 aisles), but it didn't matter because this was a night flight and one couldn't see anything out of the windows anyway. Several times the captain asked us to strap in because we would be entering turbulance. All I felt were a few minor bumps. It was a beautiful flight and landing both on the island and at Toronto on the way home. This was our 4th visit to the Sol Pelicano because it has everything we want or don't want. We wanted sunny days and got 14 out of 15. One day we had some rain and it was a little cool. We like the variety of foods that are served . Over the years, the chefs have learned to cook Beef and Pork properly. They used to over-cook it to the point where you could not cut it, but no more. They now do a beautiful job. They always had great fish, and this year was no exception. We found this year that they were lacking vegetables in the menu, but we always found something to replace them. We always ate breakfast and dinner (7:00 p.m.) in the buffet restaurant and always had our same waiters. There was Victor and Jesus, who looked after us perfectly. If we were on time, we were usually seated at the same table. They would have our drinks ready. I am not fond of their wine, and so just had ice-water. In the morning, they always had our water, juice and coffee/tea for us within seconds of our sitting down. A word about the coffee. The coffee served in the restaurant comes from a vending machine and the taste leaves something to be desired. I discovered that a mix of coffee and hot chocolate mellowed it out, and Jesus (pronounced HEY ZOOSE) , knew that and always brought it to the table that way. After dinner, my wife and I migrated to the pool area, where they played soft, relaxing music. I believe that one of the Cds that they played, was a new album by Neil Sedanka. Quite beautiful. We usually ate lunch at the beach restaurant, where they had a chef cooking up fresh fish, and actually had a tray of vegetables. Of course you could also have a ?Servesa? with your dinner to re-hydrate after being on the beach. There was a travelling band that would ususally end up at the restaurant for the dinner hour. Being an old sound guy from yesteryear, I though that they were fantastic. They were strictly acoustic. I think their mandate was to travel from one restaurant to another. The only complaint I would have is that there seemed to be nobody co-ordinating the music. So they would arrive at the pool bar and even though there would be loud music playing from the speakers, they would burst into their own song and it sounded like listening to two radio stations at the same time. Alex, you need to fix this. Turn off the recorded music when it is time for the band to play. We usually did not go to the nightly entertainment. For one reason, we were usually too tired after a day at the beach. The second reason was that the music and MC were TOO LOUD. Alex I am suggesting that LOUD does not translate to enjoyable. When the music is so loud that one must be outside the theatre to enjoy it, IT IS TOO LOUD. Here again, co-ordination is needed. When one is sitting in the lobby bar, some nights there was loud music playing. Then the theatre right next door would begin their shows with their loud music, but the bar would not turn off their music. In my estimation, the lobby bar after 9:00 p.m. should be playing relaxing music. Another activity that I find enjoyable is having a massage. First time visitors might be at a loss as to how to go about getting one. Well, you make your appointment through the towel exchange person, who gives you a ticket with your room number and time on it. When the time is right, you take this ticket to the massage area. This is where it gets a little strange. You stand outside the locked door until your masseuse comes out to greet you. Alex I would suggest a small decorative bench , perhaps on the grass under a tree, just outside the door so that customers had a place to sit while waiting on their appointment. I know there is an outside table at the lobby bar, but it quite some distance, and if it happens to be busy, there is no place to sit. A nice touch was added to the check in this time. If you are a returning vacationer, you are processed through a special line that only takes a couple of minutes to get you your room key, towel card etc and your bags are delivered to your room immediately. The staff delivering your bags also seem to have other duties. Ours put our bags right in our room, plugged in the fridge, checked our porch light (it was out, but fixed shortly). Also the next day, our maid noticed that our shower would not stay in position, and had it repaired the same day. Great Service. I noticed that when we entered our room that the A/C was set to the very bottom. We turned it off, but found that later that evening we had to use it again. I think we finally ended up with it set at about 28c which felt plenty cool compared to the outside air. Alex You can probably save some electricity by having staff set thermostats to 25c instead of ?cold as possible? We come to your island for the heat. Don't expect much in the way of TV on your visit, althought this year the tv was much better than last. There is CNN and the American weather channel (Canada does not exist). Most other channels were English advertising for some good movies, but when the movie came on it was over-dubbed in spanish, so not too enjoyable for english speaking folks. Things to take: When you are packing your bags, besides the bathing suit and clothes you should pack the following: A hat or cap. The sun is brutal on fresh skin. I burned my forehead and I was aware of what might happen. I did not have a hat with me and finally purchased one. You can get a hand-made hat (out of vegetation and quite nice) for 5 pesos. Ask the person cleaning the pool, and he will know somebody who makes hats. Toilet paper or Kleenex: This is for the airport which has the worst bathrooms on the Island. There are no toilet seats, and you are expected to tip the lady who will had you a couple of pieces of paper. Take your own. Once you get to the resort, you will be fine. Not a very impressive way to greet tourists who are supplying Cuba with their livelihood. Warning: Some laws have changed You can no longer take more than 25 pesos out of the country. I like to bring 10 pesos home for a returning visit so that I have some to tip the bus drivers and baggage handlers. Also, you cannot have any cuban money in your pockets. So , put it in your carry-one until you clear customs. Also, if you are bringing back liquor, it must be in your checked baggage, not in your carry-on. Although, if you buy at the duty free once through customs , it must go in your carry-on. Go figure. I would be remiss if I didn't mention the front desk and staff. This is where you must change your Canadian Dollars into Pesos. At some times in the past, I would go to front desk, only to be told that they were out of Pesos, and that I would have to return. When I did get change, it seemed like they were smothered in Paperwork, writing down numbers etc before they could give me change. This has all changed. This year, the whole operation is much more relaxed. In fact they keep coin in what looks like a cut-off Soda Bottle and when you go for change, they throw your bill on the desk, dump out some coin, count it out and pass it to you. Thank-you for this. Be generous with tipping. My pesos for the staff included daily 2 for the maid, 1 for breakfast, 1 for lunch, 2 for dinner, and 1 for each time I went to the bar for my drinks. Oh, almost forgot because I don't have kids, but there is a wonderful play area for little ones and being upgraded as I write this. Also a beautiful big wading pool for them. You can borrow games and books from their ?library? which is also handled by the most pleasant person at the towel dispensary. My vacation this year was not quite as enjoyable as other years, simply because I contracted some kind of bug ( I think on the plane on the way down) that hung on to the point that when we got home, made a trip to emerg, and the doctor put us on puffers and antibiotics. Its been a week since we landed and I am starting to feel better now, but I'm told that this thing lasts for 100 days. I will be much more diligent at disinfecting my tray, arm rest etc on the plane. Sooooo looking forward to my next vacation at Sol Pelicano when I am not taken down with a cold.

    • birdsofafeather1
      Birgit E
      Review about Sol Pelicano Hotel
      Very good Very good

      “A gem in Cayo Largo ”
      I've been at the Sol Pelicano now 7 times. I have seen some changes, not all for the better. But it is the people who work there who make this place so special and why people keep on returning again and again. We went there the first time in 2003 when the kids still attended the Mini-Club. This year I returned for one week with my husband and for another week with 2 of our kids who are now in their twenties and still remember the songs the sang at 'Mini Disco'. In 3 1/2 hours by plane you are in Paradise and it takes max. 10 minutes to get to the hotel from the airport which is a wonderful plus (no long bus rides). Again they were out of a lot of things (such as French Fries and Calamaris unfortunately). This is usually better on the mainland. But we do not go there to stuff ourselves. We always find something good and healthy to eat; the fish is just so fresh and delicious. This time they even had limes!!! Angel still makes the best Mojitos in the land at the ZunZun and he trained some people well. Guillermo, Yosvani (?) and Anita in the Lobby Bar did a fabulous job. It became a ritual for us after dinner to go for a Spanish Coffee that looked great and tasted even better. The guys at the Pizza place/and La Yana restaurant did a wonderful job to make us feel welcome (thank you Carlos, Gonzalo, Eduardo and Ernesto). True that some days they did not have everything on the menu (such as tuna or garlic) but you just have to be flexible. For the price you pay and the beauty of the ocean & beach it is still worth it. Dinaldo and Yanni at the Ranchon still remembered us and always gave an excellent service. I must not forget our wonderful dining room waiters Rene & Adolfo who always made sure they found a table for us. The rooms are very clean and I love the (hard working) girls who do all those animals with towels and bed sheets. I noticed that they did not have Kleenex boxes in the rooms any more - I guess they are now in the restaurants!! LOL. The dance shows were very nice as usual and the dancers practiced a lot and mingled with the guest and asked them to dance after the shows ; Moulin Rouge I have seen now (too) many times. They used to change??? But the Karaoke and Mr. Pelicano were terrible the week we were there as was the 'award show'. I tried diving for the first time (first pool, than ocean) and had a great and very patient teacher in Israel and decided to learn how to dive in a pool course at home. I would hope for the staff working there that they kept the hotel open longer than till May only. Most of them are unemployed between May and November and they cannot find work somewhere else for those months or transfer to another hotel. We have stayed at the Sol Cayo Largo once as well but the atmosphere is 100% better at the Pelicano. I am sure we'll go back again in the future. Thank you everybody for 2 wonderful relaxing weeks in the sun.

    • birdsofafeather1
      harry58
      Review about Sol Pelicano Hotel
      Very good Very good

      “went back again”
      My wife and i spent another wonderful two weeks at the Pelicano.This was our fifth time there and it just gets better every time.The staff are so welcoming and do everything they can to make your stay unforgetable.There is lots of us that go back every year because the staff are so great.Food is good,entertainment is good and you can't beat the beach.Rooms are clean as is every part of the resort.Now to the person that made the bad coments about room 4313.I have stayed in that room two times and had requested that room for this trip.There is nothing wrong with it and if you thought there was you should have contacted the front desk and they would have done everthing they could to make it the way you expect.This is not the place to complain about it,talk to Alejandro he will make sure everything is done to make your stay the best.As i told him he should bring his staff to Canada to teach our people how to give great service.Going back again in 2015.

    • birdsofafeather1
      nannak l
      Review about Sol Pelicano Hotel
      Very good Very good

      “best vacation value ”
      Just back from a wonderful weeks holiday. As always the service, rooms, restaurants, beaches and pool were great. We are returning guests who have travelled all over Cuba and continue to find Sol Pelicano our favorite. We travelled with first time visitors who fell in love with the location, the staff, hotel and amenities and are planning on returning. We loved our 3rd floor ocean view rooms with its amazing views. We will continue to visit Sol Pelicano until we can no longer travel.

    • birdsofafeather1
      Randy L
      Review about Sol Pelicano Hotel
      Very good Very good

      “Total Relaxation ”
      Just came back from Sol Pelicano (Feb14-21). The trip was exactly what I envisioned, even though my wife might have other thoughts. From the arrival Friday night until the return home a week later, everything was great. We landed in Cayo Largo around 9:30pm and after clearing customs, getting our bags and taking a 10 minute shuttle to the resort, we were at the Sol Pelicano in no time. Check in was quick and we were able to convert our money then also. (we were able to exchange money any time throughout the week) We got the room we have asked for 4324. We had asked for building 42 or 43 and on the second floor. It turned out we were only 50 yards from the ocean. Our room was clean, and everything was in working order. We had adequate A/C and hot water for the whole week. The next day our tour of the resort revealed well kept grounds and walk ways. Any staff we encountered were friendly and helpful if we had any questions. Didn't spend a lot of time at the pool but in the afternoon, there was music and activities including exercise and water volleyball.. The beach was the highlight. Soft sand, cool on your feet. The beach in front of the Sol Pelicano was the best as far as I was concerned. Easy to get into and out of the ocean. The beach went as far as you could see in either direction. There was a C/O section that was well used. You just needed to get down to the beach early in order to reserve a lounge chair under a canopy. I was able to walk 7 kilometers of untouched beach one morning to go to the Playa Paraiso beach and then take the train back. Since this was my first time to Cuba, I was not expecting a lot from a food stand point. I was pleasantly surprised except for the lack of vegetables. The breakfast buffet was adequate where I had my egg whites with ham or chicken. We had a varied lunch choice. We could chose between the buffet, hand made pizzas made to order ( the best choice), pool side snack bar that served small steak or ham and cheese sandwiches, or the beach restaurant that served freshly made hamburgers, chicken or fish. We had two evening ala carte meals, one at the Ranchon beach restaurant that served Creole food and the La Lana that served a steak. The rest of the week we ate at the buffet. The buffet food was basic, but ok. Since the resort is on an island there was little to do in the way of sightseeing. If relaxation is what you want, this resort has it in spades. I look forward to going back.

    • birdsofafeather1
      Travelpair58
      Review about Sol Pelicano Hotel
      Very good Very good

      “Know what you're getting and you won't be disappointed... ”
      After some 20 trips to the Carribean, we've learned you always do your research, and that minimizes surprises. Surprises, (and by that we mean bad ones) mean disappointment, and that can ruin a trip, and who wants that? So we knew going in this was a laid back resort, with food that is unlikely to wow you. (That's not really a criticism, it is a reality of most decent size Carribean properties) Briefly, here's what we decided, with a couple of tips to help. ARRIVAL AND RECEPTION: We flew in at 9:30 at night. Immigration is a bit slow, but on the plus side, when you get out, your baggage is ready. An efficient system to catch the bus to your resort, which is only five minutes away. Bonus! Watch out for the one fella at the airport who picks up the smallest bag possible, and then demands 5 dollars. There's not much in the airport, but you won't be there long, so it's really not important Reception at the Pelicano, was pleasant, and efficient, given that 50 people had just pounded through the door at ten o clock at night. Our first room was in the building 45, and had two twin beds. This doesn't work for us, so we requested a change. The Hotel was excellent at meeting that request, and we were moved to building 57. ROOM: Comfortable, EXTREMELY well cleaned, and almost everything worked. The TV was intermittent, but this is really not an issue for us. We had warm water in the shower WATER TIP: I think most rooms might have hot water. But it's a really tiny little spot on the controller....so, have fun MORE IMPORTANT: Coffee makers are not in the room. Go some where and buy a little one-cup maker and bring it, and your own coffee with you. You will be very happy FOOD: It's Cuba, and Cayo Largo is a small island unto itself. That's the justification I heard for some items being unavailable, but I don't buy it. A delivery and supply chain should be established after all these years. And as a resort company Melia should have a good idea of how much of each item will be used each week. The specialty restaurants here are weak, and not having menu items available doesn't make them much better. The Buffets are somewhat repetitive, but that is the essential nature of the buffet. We always found something to heat. The beef is very tough, but fish and chicken are passable. The breads are delicious, and the egg station each morning is appreciated (although a little faster service would help) DINNER TIP: Wine is a pretty subjective thing, but we found the wine almost un drinkable. It's from Spain. Now there is some delicious wine from Spain, but this stuff isn't it. Perhaps the resort should ask it's Argentinian guests to bring in a few bottles???? Find something. It's horrible. THE BEACHES: They really are spectacular. Miles and miles of perfect sand, and warm water. The beach restaurant Ranchons is pleasant and the food is passable. The umbrella guys are terrific THE STAFF: Really quite outstanding. Every member was willing to help, and very pleasant. Quite challenging for them in some cases as they dealt with people who spoke English, French Italian and Spanish. The maid did an excellent job on our room. And the front desk always willing to answer our questions. ENTERTAINMENT: The shows are not really our thing, but because of the location of the Lobby bar, we were able to witness most of them. The entertainment staff certainly works very hard, and all of them deserve credit. The House band is always travelling around the resort, and were a terrific bunch, especially since I brought my own guitar, and we were able to jam together a couple of times. Thanks to William and the rest of the people in the band for being so much fun. If you're expecting big bustling nightlife, this is not for you, but there are always plenty of interesting people to talk to. OVERALL: This is not a party down,knock your socks off resort. But the rooms are clean and pleasant, the food is passable, and the beaches are beautiful. The staff is very friendly, and helpful, and if you go down with a great attitude it will be returned. Congratulations to the Hotel's manager for making the best of the situation when it comes to food and beverage. We all have a master to answer to, and I'm sure he does too. Hopefully the parent company will listen to comments from here, and from the end of stay survey. Questions? Fire away!

    • birdsofafeather1
      InnisfilGilmour
      Review about Sol Pelicano Hotel
      Very good Very good

      “Great week at a nice resort. ”
      The weather was hot and sunny all week, except for the last day, which was fine for us, not so much for those arriving, but I heard it cleared up the next day. Food was the best we've had in Cuba. We have been to three other resorts in Cuba. Made to order omelettes at breakfast, as well as fresh fruit and veggies, 'Cuban" style sausage, and meats scrambled eggs, breads, cheese. Hot dogs, hamburgers, assorted salads, pickles, olives, pasta, chicken,and very good pizza. Dinners had nice assortment, with excellent roast pork, baked potatoes, veggies. Great serving staff. Especially our Ana-Margarita. The beach bar is very large and a great place to enjoy drinks and lunch in the breezy shade. It doubles as an a la carte in the evening. Beaches here are amazing and miles long. There is almost always waves in front of the resort, but still fine for swimming. Fifteen minute train to beaches at Playa Paraiso and Playa Sirena ensure a shallow calm swim. If it is sunny, unless you are an early bird, you will not get a chair in the shade at any beach. I personally don't like the practice used at most resorts of early in the morning, putting a towel or something on the seats you want to save, because a lot of the time, chairs in prime spots sit empty most of the day. But so many do it you are forced to or you won't get a shady spot. We learned this time to NOT use a resort towel, but instead, bring some old t shirt to 'save' seats, as our towels were stolen and it was ten CUC each to replace them...live and learn. We paid an extra roughly $150 for an ocean view, (we were in 4327 on the third floor) and it sold me on ocean views forever. Great investment. It was an excellent view and you got a perfect cross breeze if you open the front door. Nice large balcony too. Gift shop is open 9:30 - 8:00 and they carry a variety of gifts, cigars, clothes, Cristal beer one CUC, coffee, pop, and liquor which is the same price as at the airport. Airport is only ten minutes away but there are only maybe six or so planes a day so noise not a factor. We had a coffee maker that took a 'v' shaped filter with carafe that held two large cups but we only got coffee packs for it twice in the week so will bring my own next time. We didn't like the coffee that was in the restaurants but it was drinkable. We got a large bottle of water in room to drink each day or make coffee, if we had it. We took the catamaran day tour which included drinks and lunch, chicken or seafood (lobster). It stopped for snorkelling, mask etc. provided, shallow bay to wade around at starfish island, and stop on iguana island about 5-6 hours, 160 CUC for two. Entertainment at theatre each night, although we never made it, because we enjoyed our breezy balcony and drinks in the evening...amazing starry nights, over the dark Caribbean Sea. Two pools, one wading for kids and both are salt water...with salt levels like the ocean, but they have showers near both. If you want great beaches, fairly quiet nightlife, and good for Cuba food, coupled with very good staff in a little tired but clean accommodating environment...this is for you. Front desk staff is friendly and helpful. You can change your money to CUC anytime, which is a plus...many resorts have (banks) with certain hours and lineups. My advice: bring coffee and v shaped filters for your room coffee maker, old t shirts to reserve your beach and pool chairs, spring for the ocean view, for 'tips' staff appreciate small toiletry, personal care items, small bottles of over counter pain relievers, kids and adult shoes and clothes, crayons, candy bars, all in short supply in Cuba.

    • birdsofafeather1
      sleepy2014
      Review about Sol Pelicano Hotel
      Very good Very good

      “Great holiday ”
      Just returned from a week at this resort. Had a wonderful time. Great weather, superb beaches, wonderful service. Would like to thank Yaqueline,Yoan, Victor, Geovanys, Angel,Jose, Aprisi and Juliet for the great service. Would definitely return. If you are looking for more American fair in the restaurant, then this is not for you. We had no complaints. Beds were comfortable and rooms were clean. Pool and grounds well maintained. It is located close to the airport so the commute is short.

    • birdsofafeather1
      Jimtraj
      Review about Sol Pelicano Hotel
      Excellent Excellent

      “A dreamy place”
      It was the first time we went to all inclusive hotels and we were a little bit hesitant as to what we will confront. But everything was fine! The hotel complex provided all necessities, medicine care, shops,restaurants for all tastes, swimming pools and of course an infinite beach. Our room was spacious, clean,cool and quiet. I have no words to describe the staff. All very polite, helpful whenever needed. Always present to solve any problem! We had no problem with the quality of food which was plenty and delicious. All the cocktails were also included in the price. I want to make a special reference to the group of the entertainers, a group of young talented people who from 10 am to late at night compelled us to take part to many activities and interact with other residents of the hotel. Every night they held a different show first for the kids and then for the adults in the small theatre of the complex! We thank them a lot! In this hotel we felt like we were a part of a big family! The hotel was full of Canadian people mostly from Quebec and Italian. I've heard that many groups return every year for at least a week, Wish we could go back again but we live too far, Canada is next door!!!!! As we had this reservation from a Greek Travel Agency I don't know the exact price but it is definitely cheaper than many hotels I've stayed in other countries. Highly recommended!

    • birdsofafeather1
      vivacubafredericton
      Review about Sol Pelicano Hotel
      Excellent Excellent

      “What a great vacation! ”
      Cayo Largo is a very special place, a one-of-a-kind vacation experience bound to soothe a beach lovers soul. However, if you visit with unrealistic expectations, you might find it?s not the kind of vacation you want, because it is certainly not for everyone. Cayo Largo is a small island with no permanent residents. Outside of the beaches, you can explore the whole place in a matter of hours. So if you are not content to entertain yourself or just chill, this is probably not your best choice. It is remote, and supplies must come by ship or air. You must be prepared to accept shortages of various items from time to time, so if you are not flexible about what you eat and drink, it likewise might not be for you. On the other hand, Cayo Largo is paradise for many people, like me. I have been to the island 5 times and cannot wait to return. There is a unique laid back ambiance to the place, and the serene beauty of the sea, sand , wind, and sun is transcendental. We have stayed at each of the three beach resorts available to Canadians, and enjoyed them all. The Pelicano is our favourite though, and we have stayed there 3 times. The main reason we prefer it is because, for our purposes, it has the best stretch of beach and the best resort layout. This visit we found the beaches in the best condition we have ever seen, which on Cayo Largo means they were AMAZING!! Along with that, the weather was wonderful for the entire two weeks, sunny and warm and not too windy, so we really maxed out our beach experience, went swimming every day, and I freely roamed from Playa Blanca to Paraiso at will. It was the best beach walking I have ever experienced. THE RESORT Like many Cuban resorts, the Pelicano is comfortable and attractive, but not luxurious. It has a cheerful atmosphere and all the basics you would expect, including a nice clean pool with lots of loungers, nice lobby area, a smallish lobby bar, great pool bar. There is a small tienda, 24 hour money exchange at the lobby, and even a kids pool with lots of fun stuff. There is a beach Rancheron which did not appeal to us very much, so we can?t comment except to say many people seemed to enjoy it a lot. One of our favorite spots is the Zun Zun snack bar. It?s a great spot to sit by the pool and observe your fellow primates. We loved ending our day on the beach with a Zun Zun Mojito, where we could sit in the sun or in the shade. It?s a very relaxing place we have enjoyed on all our visits. We were given a room in the building we requested and were very happy with it. We did have to move later in our vacation because of an air quality issue, but the staff handled that well and made an extra effort to keep us in the area we wanted to be in, so that was not a big deal to us. The housekeeping is very high quality at the Pelicano and we find that makes up for the basic and sometimes worn fixtures. Overall the rooms are comfortable and homey. STAFF Simply, among the best we have encountered in Cuba, and that is saying a lot as Cubaphiles will know. We always felt like resort staff was doing their best to ensure we were having the best vacation possible, and of course they are very good at working around any glitches that come with being on a small island. Aside for the housekeepers I have already mentioned, I really appreciated the front desk staff, the Zun Zun bartenders, the gardeners and maintenance crew, and the outstanding bellboy service. I also had great service from the guys in the lobby that coordinate transportation. The musicians and the animation team are unbelievably hard working, but cheerful and engaged all the time. Great job! FOOD A real highlight of this trip! I eat a lot more in Cuba than I do at home, so I am happy to report that every meal we had was excellent. The selection in the buffet may not be the biggest in Cuba, but the quality of the fresh cooked items was exceptional. For instance, I?ve never had good beef in Cuba before and was amazed. All the meats and gravies were flavourful and well prepared. An outstanding effort by all the chefs, and every time I complimented them they seemed genuinely pleased to hear it. There are shortages you have to accept, as I mentioned earlier. We only had ice cream once during our two weeks, orange juice a couple of times. There were ingredient shortages at the pizza parlour, but what I had I enjoyed. That being said, we never felt we were being deprived, as there were always tasty options available. You won?t go hungry! ONE ANNOYANCE I don?t really understand how the ?towel game? is played here. For the first week of our vacation, we found most of the chairs in our section of the beach already ?reserved?, no matter how early we went down. If proxy ?reserving? is a service being offered to guests, it should be offered to all guests. Things were quite a bit different the second week, with much more availability, for whatever reason. I really like the way staff handles loungers and palapas at the Sol Luna y Mares in Guardalavaca. The staff control all the loungers, and when you arrive they get you one each and put it where you want. The chair is yours for the rest of the day if you like, but you can?t get one unless and until you show up. That is fair and was working out very well for us and for the other guests. Of course there are more staff looking after the beach there than at the Pelicano. CONCLUSION This was one of the best vacations I have ever had. I fully intend to return to Cayo Largo and to the Pelicano. I congratulate the staff and management for their hard work and thank them for everything they did to make my vacation great.

    • birdsofafeather1
      adadaCan
      Review about Sol Pelicano Hotel
      Excellent Excellent

      “A week in paradise! ”
      Sorry for being late with my review, but I guess it?s better late than never. First of all, I have to say a big thank you to everybody that works at Sol Pelicano, everybody is trying so hard to make the guests to feel at home and they are doing an amazing job! We?ve been to this resort between November the 4th and the 11th. It was a few days after their reopening, so there were not many people at the resort, but that didn?t bother us at all. I can?t believe that people are still complaining about food! There was plenty of food! Is everybody having bacon every morning at home? I guess not! If you don?t find what you like the most, I?m sure you?ll find something else to eat. And how much somebody can eat? You are in vacation doing practically nothing. We had to skip breakfast some days because for us was too much food and we wanted to enjoy the amazing fish that they had for lunch. And lets not forget about the calamari that were out of this world! The chefs at this hotel are amazing, the food is so tasty and the sweets were very yummy. I don?t eat a lot but what I eat has to be good, so I can tell everybody that the food was exceptional! From breakfast to lunch and to dinner, everything was amazing. I guess it?s a matter of going with an open mind and heart and trying the different and the specific things that each place has to offer. The resort is very clean and everyone is trying hard to keep it that way, from the maids to the gardeners. It would be nice to see that the tourists are doing the same; instead of leaving those plastic glasses on the beach, I think that it?s not that difficult to take them and throw them in the garbage can. The animation team is great, they are everywhere trying to get you to play volleyball or giving dancing lessons. The beach is gorgeous and the water amazing in front of the hotel. We were lucky to have beautiful weather, so in one of the days we actually walked to Playa Sirena. It is a very beautiful beach with a very calm water, so if you don?t like a bit of waves you can go there. We were happy with the beach in front of the hotel and we loved the waves that we had in some days, it was more fun. I would like to mention the names of a few people that made our vacation a special moment: Yamile, Roger, Gonzalo. Every single day, from the morning until late in the night you would see Alejandro, the General Manager of the hotel Sol Pelicano always checking and making sure that everything is all right. We want to say thank you for everything that you and your team is doing to make our vacations a memorable time. We will be back and we are trying to make that happen as soon as possible, may be in November when the hotel reopens again! Thank you!

    • birdsofafeather1
      Robert C
      Review about Sol Pelicano Hotel
      Excellent Excellent

      “Earthly Paradise”
      Our honeymoon in Cuba started with 5 days at Sol Pelicano, and we had a truly amazing time there! The hotel & staff really made a good impression on us, it's a place I'd definitely come back to for a number of reasons: * pleasant and very helpful staff: we arrived early at 10am, so we appreciated a lot the courtesy room we could use from noon till 3pm (by the time our room got ready); another special thanks goes to Yusmila who helped a lot to arrange that we could have a photographer (Edgar, a really good professional) to have a photosession arranged; additionally I also found the staff members very helpful and attentive to our requests, great job by everyone! * the hotel has a very nice atmosphere with it's smaller & bigger buildings laid out on the area with a nicely maintained garden around all the buildings * food variety was decent, I was especially satisfied with the breakfast, and with the opportunity to have different type of lunch at various locations (e.g. grill next to the pool vs. the regular buffet restaurant, or taking the lunch right at the beach bar) * the beach is very well maintained, and there were various programmes offered (e.g. dancing lessons, beach volleyball) by the animation team. These facts and the all-inclusive beach bar offer some good reasons to use the hotel's beach, even if the nearby (30 mins free mini-train ride, or 15 mins taxi) Playa Sirena's sights of palm trees and calmer water is very difficult to beat. Nevertheless, despite some small things (bad sound isolation of the room), this is a really an amazing place on a beautiful location, great facilities and a very friendly, attentive and caring staff who made our stay extremely pleasant. It's really an earthly paradise, and I consider Sol Pelicano as one of the best place to have a great holiday rest.

    • birdsofafeather1
      MJ V
      Review about Sol Pelicano Hotel
      Excellent Excellent

      “Very Nice Place:) ”
      Travelled here April 11-18, very close to the airport, check in was quick and easy. Very clean resort, everything centrally located and easy to find. It's true what other reviewers say, the Staff here is what makes it wonderful, all hard working, friendly and helpful. Great bar tenders, entertainment, great everything! The beach is simply Amazing, can walk for miles! Food was fine, lots of choices, pizza was excellent. Took the free train to Parisio, breathtakingly beautiful, saw the turtles in town and enjoyed a Mojito at the Marina, sunset boat trip was the Best, saw some wonderful sights, highly recommend that, $79 well spent! All in all a GREAT place:):)

    • birdsofafeather1
      cayolargo4us
      Review about Sol Pelicano Hotel
      Excellent Excellent

      “Back from our paradise... ”
      We were there from April 11-18. The weather was really hot and you can already feel the humidity when you get off the plane...7 minutes from the airport you can't go wrong. Flight from Toronto with Air Transat on time to leave and we arrived 20min before our scheduled time so it is was nice. On the way back we arrived before our time as well. Everyone on board was very nice and welcoming. It was our second time with them and the food was the same as the last time which is ok it is what it is. You get either pasta or beef stew on the go and either pasta or chicken on the way back. Served with wine or any other cold drinks and coffee/Tea after the meal. The drinks are served only after the meal which is the only negative I could think of if you like to have something to drink while you eat you better ask for at least a glass of water before they serve the food if you don't want to be left without a drink with your food. The staff They are ALL very nice and super friendly. They all try to make your stay very pleasant. Most of the time you get fast service everywhere except for few times they get very busy and forget to bring you what you asked but in general the service is excellent. We did visit Playa Blanca and the Sol Cayo Largo and by far the workers at the Pelicano are the best. Front desk Everyone from the receptions to the bellboys and security are very welcoming and efficient. They are always happy to see you and serve you right away. The exchange rate was .82 for the week that we were there compare to the .90 that we had last year it sure made a difference in the spendings... The only thing that was negative was the check in it was very slow and not very well organized at all. Usually they have a line for repeat guests but this year they just made everyone waited in the same line. Everyone seemed to be overwhelmed and it took a while but no big deal we got to our room eventually and we were happy to unpack. Room We had 4322 this time and it was very nice and clean. Bed (king size) was very comfy so we slept very well. Air condition is a bit weak at times I must say I don't think they keep it to a maximum capacity as sometimes it wasn't very cool in the room. The view was nice and Marisel our chambermaid was excellent. We never had any problems getting clean towels and you get water everyday. It is also very nice to have a small refrigerator in the room with a small freezer to keep everything cool, No complains on the room at all as everything was perfect. Thanks Marisel for the great job we miss you already xox The food We can't really add more to it than everyone is saying in all the reviews but personally this year we both thought it was better then last year. More choice and also more veggies but not enough fruits...The bread in the morning is very good and the pasta bar is always a good go to choice when you don't know what to eat. They had cuban honey in the morning which was REALLY good enough that I bought 2 bottles before we left. Even had cinnamon I was really happy about that. You can eat at the buffet, Ranchon, pool bar or Pizza place so the choices are all there for you. We did visit and ate the food at the Playa Blanca and the Sol Cayo Largo and we thought that our food was way better at the Pelicano. Not trying to put the other 2 resorts down as we didn't stay there for a full week to compare but it is our opinion for the times that we ate there. To my opinion just a bit of fine tuning and the food would be way better but in the end you find something to eat. Remember this is NOT Canada or the food that you are use to eat at home so you make with what you have it is ok for the time that you are there. If you expect to eat like you do at home it's simple STAY HOME!!! The beach Well there isn't much I can add to what everyone has already said it IS paradise there as far as the beach is concerned. We had about 3 days of green flags and no red flags at all so it was nice but there were days that I wouldn't swim at the beach hotel because the waves were to big but if you enjoy that it is ok and safe to swim. I must say compare to last year at the end of february the water is way warmer and the waves are really smaller. Also the beach is really big compare to end of february which is nice as you have more room to enjoy it. We did have a palapas every time we went even if we didn't reserve one as many do at 6AM. Yes from 6AM you got the people running on the beach to reserve their places and often don't show up until sometimes 2pm. What a waste of time and complete lack of respect for others. As far as the nude beach is concerned you still got the ones who are fully dressed there taking spaces for the people who really follow the rules but what can you do it doesn't seem to change every year it's the same... Do go to Paraiso and Sirena to see the starfish and the nice color of the ocean it is just amazing and it is worth the trip. You can go there by train(no charge) or taxi(2 pesos per person). We did walk there it took about 2 hours with a few obstacles along the way so be prepare to be challenged a bit in the rocks it could be dangerous. Bring some water and a good pair of shoes that you can walk with in the water as it is not really safe to walk without them in the rocks. The animation staff They are very nice and friendly always making sure you are enjoying yourself without pushing you to join them. They have activities on the beach and resort through out the day. Kids club If you bring children there for sure they will enjoy themselves with the kids club or making new friends as there was a lot of kids this time of year. They had lots of activity for them and the kids pool is very safe. They also have a drug store and a little boutique that you can buy food, clothes, liquor etc. The catamaran sunset cruise It is one of my highlight of the trip I do enjoy to go every time we are there. For 80 pesos a person they take you to see the iguanas, you go swimming in a natural pool and do 45min of snorkelling which I find wasn't long enough. You have the choice of a chicken leg or a lobster but this time as usual we had lobster but it was VERY disappointing as they didn't have enough for everyone so they had to cut it in very small pieces we only had a few pieces each which wasn't enough at all. On top of it they over cooked it so it was hard. We all paid for a full lobster and got bits and pieces of it so for that part we all got ripped off big time I must say. We did complain to the Holasun rep and she assured us she would make a complain to them but for us it was no use as we had already went but I would strongly suggest that if you do go to the cruise make sure before you go that they will serve you the full lobster because you will pay for it anyway so make note of it. Special thanks to all the staff who made our stay memorable in particular Alexandro who is really present all the time and makes sure you are happy and don't miss a thing. Marisel, Eveline, Michel, Yamira, Dinaldo, Rene, Geovanys, Jesus, Lisandra and everyone else you guys are the best and we miss you already xoxoxo Can't wait to go back. Thanks for everything!!! If you have any questions feel free to email us.

    • birdsofafeather1
      relaxer1
      Review about Sol Pelicano Hotel
      Excellent Excellent

      “dream vacation in Cayo Largo !”
      We spent the week of april 6-13 at Sol Pelicano In cayo Largo. That is definitely a place we would like to go again. Our flight was on Canjet from Montreal and it was #1. First of all, Cayo Largo is not a place for springbreak parties..it is a relaxing place with no commercial attraction or distractions of any kind. Go there for the beach wich is perfect and endless. There is even a section dedicated to naturists... but don't worry, you won't need to get naked for walking thru ;-) Temperature was wonderfull all week long except for a 20 minutes rainshower on the first morning. Otherwise. 31-33 degrees C all the time. The airport is about 5 minutes from the hotel, wich is great... there is a little village -the Pueblo- where hotels' workers stay and party on wednesdays and friday nights. Tourists are invited to join them and we were pleased to get there dancing with people we used to be served by at the hotel, Super ! There is also the marina where any sea excursion start, some local art shops, a rhum and cigar shop and a turtle education center. Rent a scooter and get there or take the bus or taxi for a couple pesos.Don't miss 5 feet long Tarpons right by the pier at la marina...Impressive ! The Sol Pelicano is not the biggest resort I've seen and that is a good thing. We never felt it was crowded at all. The personal at this resort is simply the best we've met in 5 stays in Cuba ! Friendly, smiling and welcoming all the time. I especially appreciated Giovannis and also Jesus at the buffet. Giovannis did not hesitate to come dancing with us at wednesday's dance at the Pueblo. We had all our dinner meals at the buffet and ended up in the same section where Jesus and Giovanis work. They used to be very funny guys. Talk to Jesus about Jean Coutu...Yoel was also a good choice for he can speak very well french and english, always with a welcoming smile. The kinda guy I would introduce my daughter to. Food at the buffet was very good despite a lack of diversity along the week. But I was never disapointed and always eat with satisfaction there. We did not try à la carte resturants but bad comments came from people we met at the exit of la Yana. Don't miss the pizzeria wich is located right beside the lobbybar (wich is not in the lobby by the way) . Service is very quick and the pizza is so good ! the beachfront restaurant Is also a good choice for the lunch. We had to eat burgers one time because there was simply nothing else left but it was good. Usually, they can grill you fish, chiken, etc... Once again,the guy at the grill was very welcoming. I guess it would be great to have a 24hrs restaurant service somewhere, maybe at the pizzeria. We did not try the pool restaurant. Entertainment at night is good but not the best I've seen. Anyway, you get a show every night at 10. Now the beach... AAAhhh the beach !!! the best I've seen yet, Even better than Cayo Coco and Cayo Santa Maria. The only thing I missed was a snorkeling spot close by and maybe a closer bar opened past 5PM...and by the way, it should never miss beer ! There are lots of palapas too. Should beach quality be you priority, this is the place for you ! Don't miss Paraiso beach !You can get there on a train from the hotel wich is free and funny but a bit noisy. Other: We did the sunsetcruise on a catamaran and we loved it. Snorkeling, beach, visit of iguanas island, nice meal onboard... and the departure is at 2PM so there is no rush in the morning ! Perfect and pretty cheap at 69 or 79 CUC... can't remember exactly... money: you can change your cash for pesos (CUC) at the lobby anytime but they don't accept credit cards for pesos. If you need to use it for cash, you must go the the bank at the pueblo. Rooms: very good since we asked for a seaview. This is worth the extra. I heard some people complaining about poor conditionned air at their rooms but no problem at ours. Anyway, we slept with opened door so we could hear the sound of waves... so cool ! Room was always clean with new towels. Negative: well, maybe it's me but I felt the lobby bar lacked the usual lobby bar ambiance. Maybe it's because it is not actually located in the lobby... ? Also, I love when they have the beisball on the TV rather than boring soccer...maybe because of all these Italians there... By the way, service can be slow sometimes at night. I mean there are too many tourists for not anough barmans. I beleive it's because this is the only bar left open at night... Great job anyway by Anita, Alexei and Geovany .Also, it would be nice to have the menu for drinks and service at tables would be great.. The beach bar should serve mojitos... this is Cuba right ! So give us Mojitos at the beach and beisball at the lobby ! In the end, we had a great vacation. Thank you all at the Sol Pelicano for a wonderfull vacation !

    • birdsofafeather1
      Pauline B
      Review about Sol Pelicano Hotel
      Excellent Excellent

      “A piece of paradise! ”
      I went back again to my paradise! I really like to spend my vacation at the Sol Pelicano. I like it because just a few feet away there is the second most beautiful beach on the island. What I like even more is the 'vibe' of the resort in general. It is quiet but lively. All the employees try hard to make our vacation unforgettable. They all are very friendly, attentive, accommodating and pleasant. The gardeners prepare coconuts when asked, in the morning the pool guys greet you with a big smile, the cooking staff make sure to grill your meat exactly like you want it, the entertainment team is always full of energy and come up with different activities to participate in, the servers try hard to accommodate you during your meal and even take the time to teach you few words in Spanish. You won't find that kind of food found in a 5 star hotel. The food is fresh and there is a good selection. The food tastes what it is supposed to taste without greasy or heavy sauces. Although too many times I was disgusted to see people filling up high their big plates and eating barely half when it is known that many Cubans do not have enough to eat!!! Unfortunately it is the culprit of an 'all inclusive' vacation package. Nothing is perfect! I had few minor problems with my room but they were promptly fixed. The secret is to ask in a respectful way and to use a bit of patience....(after all we are on vacation!). I would recommend the Sol Pelicano to those who do not mind the rustic style and a 'family like' kind of atmosphere.

    • birdsofafeather1
      HarleyDebster
      Review about Sol Pelicano Hotel
      Excellent Excellent

      “Beautiful, and welcoming ”
      This hotel was perfect for resting, relaxing, and recharging. From the moment we arrived Medina made sure our rooms were perfect. When he saw us around the resort he always had time to ask if everything was well. We travelled as a group of 8, and the staff didn't take too long to make sure we were seated together at meals, poolside or Oceanside. Isabel, Ernesto, Equardo, Rene', Aldolfo, and Noel all made sure we were taken care of. The beaches were absolutely beautiful. Our meals were all good. There were always chairs available. Zun Zun bar with Silvio and Jose' made great drinks and snacks. The Lobby bar has great Spanish Coffee. Our rooms were always clean and tidy. Thank you Daisy. We were in building 43...perfect. As a group we would recommend the Sol Pelicano, and have hopes of returning again in the future. Thank you to all the staff for your part in a wonderful holiday!!! We look forward to seeing you again:) The sunset cruise was a highlight...complete with a lobster dinner! Awesome!!!!!

    • birdsofafeather1
      Felicia P
      Review about Sol Pelicano Hotel
      Excellent Excellent

      “Going bak to Sol Pelicano in 5 days!!! ”
      We have been to Sol Pelicano in January 2013. This place was recommended by our friends who have been going there for about 5 years now.We simply loved it. The staff is wonderful, the atmosphere is relaxing, the food was excellent, the beaches are to die for...It was perfect for us, exactly what we were looking for. Now...we are going again and not just me and my husband. We are taking our 3 daughters and my mother-in-law. I hope things will be just as good this time around. Can't wait to have lunch at the Ranchon and chat with Dinaldo... All we want are 2 nice rooms close to the beach and I know the rest will be perfect. Alejandro, here we come again! We are all very excited. We had a very very cold and long winter, here in Canada.

    • birdsofafeather1
      jeffrey g
      Review about Sol Pelicano Hotel
      Excellent Excellent

      “Beyond Paradise and Amazing Staff! ”
      This is our second time at Sol Pelicano:) We stayed also with another couple the week of March 21-28 and once again had an amazing time!! This place has never been anything close to a "mediocre" resort!! ... The grounds are beautifully well kept, the beaches are out of this world amazing and the rooms are perfect for what you need on a vacation that, believe you and i, you wont want to be in when you get to this paradise:) ... We were amazed and pleasantly surprised at how many staff remembered not only our faces but also our names...thank you Gelvus for being so accommodating, as usual. Thank you to Erik at the Lobby bar for putting up with us and all our "banana mamas" and "Erik specials" hahaha The staff at the Ranchon for preparing things just the way we like :) and all the entertainment staff who work hard and keep smiling. Once again had a great couple days on the scooters and going into the village. If you can, i definitely recommend the sunset catamaran cruise, Lobster to die for:) . So many good things to say, not enough room lol ... I think its a perfect place to bring family or if you need a break from the kids...meets both needs. See you next year Sarah and Jeff room 4424 and Clinton and Christine room 4430

    • birdsofafeather1
      MIffermon
      Review about Sol Pelicano Hotel
      Excellent Excellent

      “5th time.... Always a relaxing trip ”
      My review is late, we stayed for one week mid Jan. Just gets better and better. Yes we are return guests and no, we do not do the 'au natural'. We return for the staff. Who, over the years have become very good friends. Some we talk to through email on a weekly basis, or we 'ring' each other to let them know we are thinking of them. The beach, staff and relaxing paradise are why we return year after year. Hola to our friends, yusmila, Gelvyis, Yunior, Yanni, gonzalus, Adolfo, raybert, Tania, Mikeal and his wife, Giovanni, Jezus, etc. We look forward to our one trip a year we get to take. We love everything about this resort. If they run out of something, we understand, it's an island, it happens. Loved all the ongoing upgrades the hotel is trying to do. See you all again next season. Xxoo your friends Scott and Angela Mifflin

    • birdsofafeather1
      Bill C
      Review about Sol Pelicano Hotel
      Excellent Excellent

      “Another very enjoyable time at the Pelicano ”
      My wife and I stayed at the Pelicano for the first two weeks of March this year. Returning for our seventh time it is a wonderfully familiar place for us to go. It's exceedingly friendly staff and professional management team ensured that our stay was problem free and thoroughly enjoyable. We have visited many other Caribbean locations and tend to compare them to the hotel Pelicano and environs of Cayo Largo and believe our valuable vacation time is best spent on the beach in Cayo Largo. Warm water, cool white sand and spectacular long walks are the true treasures of this oasis. The hotel provided us with a clean, well-appointed room and balcony. Firm comfortable beds, refrigerator and a large bottle of water each day. Hot showers at all times. A choice of food and beverages are always available from the various restaurants found on the level well-kept grounds connected by wide sidewalks and creative pathways. For us Breakfast was fresh eggs, fruits and breads. Lunch was a mid-afternoon break from the beach for a crispy thin crust pizza near the lobby bar. Dinner was always enjoyable, at either the buffet with fresh handmade pasta, the Ranchon for melt in your mouth fresh fish or the Yaya for a formal dinner served by the impeccable Gonzalo and his staff. The entertainment staff are engaged, courteous and happy. The quality of the nightly entertainment showed the hard work and practice of the dancers and actors. The audience was included many nights and the results were humorous and at times touching. I could include a hundred details and tips, regrets and exultation's, but every visit is a different adventure and the days fly by. Knowing that each sunrise is going to lead to another relaxing, no stress day, is basic to my beach vacation needs. I enjoy the positive points and flaws each day brings to the resort. The island?s mistress is huge ocean allowing the flow of goods to the Cayo at its will, not mans. Cuba is Cuba and that must be accepted when visiting. No butter today? Well maybe I?ll be able to savoir the taste of the bread itself. If you want to watch the Simpsons and eat 10 oz steaks I know a nice trailer park in Florida you might like. This is is my first review of any resort and I only do so because I told my friends I would. What goes around comes around and during all of our stays, the Pelicano has always treated us as thier friend and family, thus deserving of our praise. If i was a dishonest person I would prefer to slam the hotel so we could keep it all to ourselves.... BillC Je suis prêt

    • birdsofafeather1
      Vito A
      Review about Sol Pelicano Hotel
      Excellent Excellent

      “Best Hotel ever! ”
      Just returned from Sol Pelican with my wife. We are elderly and will never forget the hospitality experienced by their Customer Service Manager - Loida. She was incredible. We required some care and she went beyond what a hotel can do for customers. Loida is the reason we will recommend Sol Pelicano and return next year - but for 2 weeks! The beach is breathless and the prettiest we have ever seen. The other staff were just as magical. They were kind funny and so professional. The food was spectacular. So many people review Cuba's food to be bland but that is not true. We are Italian and we went to sleep every night so full of great cheeses, cold cuts, roast beef, chicken, great salads, fresh fruit, fresh bread, etc....Certainly an abundance. Thank you, Sol Pelicano. We are grateful for all you did for us - especiallyLoida! YOU ARE INCREDIBLE AND THANK YOU.........xoxo Vito and Lina

    • birdsofafeather1
      Anneke-Gaetan
      Review about Sol Pelicano Hotel
      Excellent Excellent

      “Damn good vacation ”
      This was our second year visiting Sol Pelicano, Cayo Largo. We stayed January 30th to February 6th and just like last year truly enjoyed our visit. Right away, we noticed that a lot improvements were done on the property since last year. A new ramp to walk to the beach alongside the Ranchòn restaurant ; new flower beds with aloe plants ; renovated rooms, etc etc. The list goes on. A great effort was put into improving the food this year by the hotel staff. It was tasty, nice variety, fresh fruits and vegetables and the desserts were succulent. The beach as last year was beautiful and kept clean. There were plenty of chairs and palapas for us to find shade under. Last year, we had stayed in the 43 section ; this year we stayed in the 45 room section in a welcoming, brightly coloured renovated room. We were very touched that many of the hotel staff not only remembered us from last year but also embraced us with open arms, their warmth and their hospitality: Dinaldo, our amòr from the Ranchon ; René, gentle and caring, at the buffet ; Eduardo, shy and a true gentleman, who we missed seeing at the buffet but were delighted to discover that he was at La Yana. Roberto, our hero at the beach. Aymara, although we were not in her section this year, recognized us and enfolded us in a big hug. We were delighted to have our room looked after by a lovely young lady (sorry forgot her name) in the 45-section. We met Sr. Raymondo, a sweet and kind gardener with whom we shared a few lovely conversations. Liopel, at the front desk, gave us good advice and was a gentleman. All of you have made our stay a memorable one. You are our friends away from home. Sr. Alejandro, we look forward to coming back next year, this time for 2 weeks. Anneke and Gaetan

    • birdsofafeather1
      Rmzl
      Review about Sol Pelicano Hotel
      Excellent Excellent

      “Very relaxing and refreshing vacation ”
      I stayed at Sol Pelicano during my reading week from school in February. I was just traveling with my boyfriend and it was our first time going to Cuba so based on reviews we weren't expecting very much in terms of food and hotels. However with that said it was a lovely trip that greatly surpassed our expectations. We had a room in building 43 (by the beach) which I have no complaints about however we met some people who were in building 44 (by the pool) and their room was a little more modern and nicer. I heard rooms in building 49 were not as nice as ours so I think there is quite a range. The entertainment staff were really good and had something planned every night. Michael works very hard to ensure everyone on the resort is having a good time. Him and his wife, Celia (I may have the name wrong) are really nice if you get the chance to talk with them. Richard and Yoel from entertainment also were great. The servers we really got to know were Geovanys, Yoel, and Ana from the buffet and they were always on top of everything. Erick the night bartender at the lobby bar always did a good job handling the busy crowds and he does make really good drinks although Cuban drinks were slightly too strong for me so I did have to ask that they put less in. The food was really good, especially the pizza and pasta! In the morning eggs and coffee were always great. If you go to any a la carte restaurants the fish is always promising. The beaches are all really nice and I'd recommend going to sirenas. We weren't as crazy about paraiso and the beach in front of the resort is really nice as well. The sunset catamaran cruise was an awesome experience and more than worth the $80 it cost. This resort is definitely not a party resort and the people there travelled from many different places, it was not majorly Canadians. We still managed to meet people and have fun with other people around our age but we also went during a school break so I don't know if this would be as likely at other times. The island also does not have too much happening so if you go here you are basically going for the beach and the resort rather than exploring Cuba. Overall it was a really good trip that exceeded our expectations and I would definitely return.

    • birdsofafeather1
      pipescleaners
      Review about Sol Pelicano Hotel
      Excellent Excellent

      “sol pelicano ”
      enjoyed our vacation in feb for one week at pelicano. yes we are returning guests, for the last 8 years. we take 3 or 4 trips a year but always try to hit cayo largo at least once. it has everything we want in a vacation. beach, service, and peacefulness. last year during the spring we had to go to sol cayo largo as the pelicano was closed and we enjoyed our holiday but the service compared to the pelicano is just not comparable. the food at the pelicano is by far better than the sol cayo. perhaps it has something to do with the time of year you visit but we were blown away with the variety of food at the pelicano for cuba. the fish is so fresh, everyday, lots of options to choose from. they even make there hamburgers from fresh ground beef. lots of salads and greens available at lunch, which for cuba is not often seen. we were extremely pleased! the resort is clean, rooms clean, even the lobby bathrooms are always clean. which I always find that at other resorts is never the case for public washrooms. the staff knows a lot about customer service. they will not walk by you with out acknowledging you. they go out of there way to make sure your pleased. all of them. to mention a few that stood out of the most: Julian, gonzalo, anita, dayan(beach cook). the resort is very lucky to have these 4 staff, as they are there to please and very genuine. the only negative I have is the pool doesn't have a very exciting appeal. some of the lounge chairs around the pool could also be replaced. I could see that some were. the hotel was at max capacity when we were there but you wouldn't really know it. never lineups for anything. the beach could probably use a few more chairs. we are early risers so we never had a problem finding a beach chair but we did see a few couples later in the day looking for a chair and not being able to find one, or shade. the beach guy is awesome and tried his best to run up and down the beach to help people with this issue. but some occasions it appeared there was nothing he could do. we were impressed with how hard he worked to make sure the problem was resolved as fast as possible. its upsetting that the pelicano does not stay open year round. the last year we have had to stay at sol cayo largo during our spring trip. and it looks like we will have to do the same for this upcoming may. I don't understand how its not worth keeping the resort running all year. during our stay the pelicano was at max capacity but the sol cayo largo was running less than half. or so we were told, and it definitely appeared so when we walked by and nobody was on the beach. so my question is, if any resort should be shutting down for the off season, why not sol cayo largo? the manager at the pelicano is always present making sure things are running smoothly, which I personally like to see at resorts. he is very polite to the staff and you can see that the staff respect him as well. im unsure of the recent negative reviews regarding him but I think they were a bit biased and exaggerated. some people don't always know there facts and make things up in there head that isn't necessarily the truth. anyway, thanks again, hope this resort continues to live up to its expectations!!

    • birdsofafeather1
      Wendy M
      Review about Sol Pelicano Hotel
      Excellent Excellent

      “Great vacation ”
      Thank you Sol Pelicano for another enjoyable vacation. (2nd visit) Stayed in room #4920 and it was kept very clean daily. I can't remember how to spell our maids name, but she did a great job every day. Never ate breakfast, but always enjoyed lunch and dinner. Found the servers and bartenders very friendly. Our favorite place to eat was the beach bar especially in the evening. Would have liked more calamari. Beer was cold and the piña coladas were yummy! The weather was warm and sunny every day making the beach experience awesome. Travelled with another couple and we were always able to find 4 lounge chairs when we needed them, thanks to the big fella on the beach :). Jeep rental went smoothly and thoroughly enjoyed our day at Sirenas beach and dinner at the marina restaurant. Entertainment staff work hard all day and night to keep activity flowing. Quick money exchange at the front desk was a bonus as other resorts I've been to in Cuba require your passport and have limited hours for money exchange and long slow lineups when you want to be at the beach. Special thanks to Anita, Ernesto, Angel, and the resort musicians for a great week. We'll be back!

    • birdsofafeather1
      Mary
      Review about Sol Pelicano Hotel
      Average Average

      Excelent
      The Sol Pelicano Hotel is located on Cayo Largo del Sur, 30 minutes by plane from Havana, and is surrounded by beautiful white-sand beaches of crystal-clear water. The establishment offers a wide range of recreational and sports activities for children and adults and is an excellent place for diving enthusiasts and nature lovers. The hotel's options include the so-called Pueblo Tour (Town Tour), which consists of a visit to Villa Isla del Sol, including the Marina and the turtle farm "Los Quelonios"

    • birdsofafeather1
      Julian alvarez
      Review about Sol Pelicano Hotel
      Average Average

      Its cuba
      Its cuba.... To expect ameneties and basics is like requesting golden linens and rose petal floors..... These hotels are government ran they only recieve a certain amount of goods. While the general population is straving consider yourself luckly to have the little that they can offer...