A Canadian tourist who spent two weeks at the Barceló Solymar - Occidental Arenas Blancas resort in Varadero described his stay as “the worst experience of his life.” Joe Eastcott, a resident of Surrey, Canada, shared his ordeal in the Facebook group “Barceló Solymar — Occidental Arenas Blancas” along with photos showcasing the severe deterioration of the facilities and the poor quality of the food.
“The food was barely edible, and most of the time it wasn't,” said Eastcott, who added that this situation forced him to eat outside the resort for most of his stay.
The disgruntled tourist noted that he couldn't understand why the food had been enjoyable at other hotels during his previous visits to Varadero, but this time it was different. To make matters worse, according to Eastcott, “the staff seemed more concerned with helping than anything else.”
Additionally, he found it incomprehensible that he was constantly required to switch bars when he wanted a drink and had to change locations for meals. The snacks consisted of “day-old dry rolls, raw hot dogs, or a single slice of meat,” Eastcott pointed out. “No ketchup or mustard,” he added.
“I was served raw chicken and rice with stones in it,” the Canadian tourist complained, showing photos of one of the "finds" hidden in his food. He also noted that the resort was in a deplorable state: “Broken or damaged items everywhere.”
“I never received the minibar that was supposed to be in my room,” added Eastcott, pointing out that he was only given one bottle of water per day, something he found absurd and indicative of the crisis facing the Cuban hotel industry. “I suggest a different resort for your vacation,” the tourist concluded.
Complaints about Cuban hotels have become frequent, particularly regarding the food and recreational facilities. “Scarce food and lines of up to two hours to get a piece of meat,” described some tourists last May about the situation at the Meliá Las Dunas hotel in Cayo Santa María, located in the northern part of the Cuban province of Villa Clara.
A customer who visited the facility reported to CiberCuba that the situation there is “shameful.” In February, a relative of Russian tourists stranded at the Cayo Coco Airport in Ciego de Ávila complained about the mistreatment suffered by their relatives due to an 18-hour flight delay from this location to Moscow. “They were not given water for a long time and were not informed about what was happening,” explained Dmitry to the Russian portal Belgorod No. 1, whose family was among those affected by the flight delay.
Issues with Cuban Resorts: Common Complaints and Experiences
In light of numerous complaints, travelers are raising questions about their experiences in Cuban resorts. Here are some frequently asked questions and their answers to help potential visitors.
What are the common complaints about Cuban resorts?
Common complaints include poor food quality, deteriorating facilities, and inadequate customer service.
Are there any specific resorts with frequent issues?
Yes, resorts such as Barceló Solymar - Occidental Arenas Blancas and Meliá Las Dunas have been frequently mentioned in negative reviews.
How do tourists usually find out about these issues?
Many tourists share their experiences and photos in online forums, social media groups, and review sites.