Several times to Cuba at different locations. First time at this hotel.
This hotel is in a great location and the staff mostly are very nice.
But the hotel itself is a POS.
Only access to rooms (hotel is built into a hillside) is by elevator or stairs with 100+ steps. Twice in one week elevators were out of commission affecting people with mobility issues and trapping a couple we spoke with for over an hour because doors wouldn't open.
Internet is lobby only. For 2 days you couldn't buy a card at the front desk because their system was down.
Payment by credit card at the shops is not worth the trouble - takes a long time.
No fruit at the restaurants until the last day when a few bananas were laid out and quickly snapped up.
Plastic cups at the bars were washed and re used. Shortage of glassware meant a beer would be poured in anything from a tumbler to a wine glass.
Beach furniture is old, dirty and mostly worn out.
In our room we had maintenance come twice during the week for a noisy airconditioner, broken toilet. We still had to fix the toilet ourselves.
Patio doors had a 2 inch gap at the bottom which we couldn't fix. Lots of little bugs.
This hotel we were told is owned and run by the government and perhaps that is the reason for the problems.
We have stayed in 4 other locations in Cuba and mostly had no issues.
For a first time visitor to Cuba this hotel leaves a very bad impression

this is not so much a review of Brisas (I call it home...), but the whole travel experience with Sunwing. We flew from Toronto to Santiago, were at the airport 2 hrs prior, stood in check-in line for ever. 3 suitcases and a bike to check so we could not just use the machines, plus i have a german passport so i had to separate from my family and wait in another lane. we have been to Brisas 9 times before, and this was all new to me, same as that Sunwing and I believe Air Transat do not fly from this airport building, you have to take a shuttle bus to another building (~10 minutes). we made our flight but none of our luggage did. we were initially told that it would probably arrive in a couple of days (going to hoguin and taxied down as no other carriers come til we leave). didn't happen. we received a credit card to buy necessities. there is very little to buy at the resort and we could not even use them to purchase a tour with sunwing - they need internet access to have payments go through. the resort store had very bad connections and it took up to 2 hrs to pay for anything. days went by with no luggage, but through the generosity of other guests and the staff (of which we know many for years) we got by, we looked like poor people though as we had one summer outfit each in the end. my husband had a choice of Hooters or Tim Horton's camp day t-shirts and only his street shoes from home. We still had a great time, met old and new friends and the food was good enough (and i'm pretty picky as i love cooking). but as far as Cuba goes, it's better than a lot of other places. The Sunwing rep told us that they have frequently issues with missing luggage in the recent past. so I learned, next time - which is in 10 days - as we got the trip refunded and we spent a lot of time/money to collect all the gifts for our Cuban friends there - we just drag it all down again - I will make sure hat my carry-on has a bathing suit, underwear, my meds etc. so if this happens again, I won't be that uncomfortable. We booked Air Transat though, lets hope they have less issues. If you are thinking of going, go, it's very beautiful, if you are not too picky about outdated resorts, I never seen so many return visitors anywhere than there. Please don't feed dogs/cats - they are not allowed at the resort and will be destroyed during vacationer switch over. If you like bats, the bat cave is very nice (about 10 min by car towards Santiago). Restaurants in Chivirico are nice and not very expansive. there's no beer to be purchased at the airport in Santiago anymore since they have more issues with the US I was told. Please don't give the Cuban's stuff you wouldn't wear, they won't either (i know cause they gave them to us lol). Mojito at sunset bar is the best if it's done by the man (the lady just can't do them) - make sure to be there around 5:20 pm for the sunset. Chino at the beach bar is the greatest!!! he was so nice and the first to help us. Santiago is worth a trip, very interesting and beautiful city. Just enjoy - even without luggage...

It was my first stay at this property. To my surprise, I was not on the list for new arrivals..I was given a room on the third floor, in A building. The room was flooded due to burst pipe..(The front desk does not know the conditions of the rooms given out??)
The second room was on the first floor, was OK. I had supper chamber maid.Her name is Odalys. The hotel is dated, and in need of thorough renovation.
There was no fresh fruit at all, with exception of the Valentine's day.
The food was repetitive, day in day out. A very few times I have seen fish. A lot of Cubans on the weekends. On the Valentine's day was the worst, especially for dinner. There was a huge rude and noisy crowd, not pleasant at all. I for sure won't miss that one. WOW, it is hard to imagine!!
The beach is of poor quality and there is shortage of beach chairs. The sand is black.
The service is very good and attentive, accommodating.
My stay was satisfactory and pleasant, thanks to the attentive chamber made, Odalys. I might go back some day.