This is our 7th time to Cuba and we stayed at the Playa Cayo Santa Maria from March 13-22 2022. The bus ride from the airport is an hour 40 minutes. It's a beautiful bus ride; gorgeous scenery and lovely small towns. The hotel itself is not bad. Letty at the front desk is an exceptional employee who tried very hard to get us an upgraded room. The supervisor at the front desk really needs to work on her customer service skills and I felt that she disliked us from the minute we got off the bus. Everytime Letty tried to put us in a room, she would say no. Our original room was in building 2, right bedside the theatre. It was small, with a king bed and a 3/4 size bed jammed in the corner. There was literally no room to move. We went back to the front desk to ask for an upgrade, we made it clear that we were willing to pay, we weren't looking for a free upgrade and again the supervisor wouldn't give us one even though Letty kept pointing to rooms on the computer. After much discussion between Letty and her supervisor, we got an upgraded room with an ocean view, If you can get building 14, it's a great building. Close to the beach, ocean view and far enough away from the main buildings that you don't hear any of the noise.

The food was not great, but we never went hungry and there was always something to eat. The a la carte restaurants were very good. There were only 3 open this time; Asian and seafood were closed. Surprisingly, the desserts were some of the best we've had in Cuba!

We used the east pool everyday and it was a perfect spot. Javier at the bar is a wonderful guy. Always ready with a smile and a cold drink. The beach was the best beach for running and walking on; very wide and hard packed sand made for prefect conditions. The ocean was so warm and turquoise! Absolutely gorgeous.Our housekeepers, I don't remember their names, but they were awesome. Our room was spotless every day and they always left a towel creation on the bed. The water in our fridge was replaced everyday.

Overall we had a great vacation butI would not return to this resort. The 1:40 drive was not worth it in my opinion.

Let me start by saying this was my first trip to Cuba and an all-inclusive. I was a little worried about the all-inclusive part but couldn't have been more wrong.

The Room: The room was great. Not a 4.5 star by Canadian standards but it was clean every day and a special towel design from elephants to babies every day was a nice touch. We had a problem the first night but Yary and the team at the front desk got us sorted the next night so no complaints. As some have mentioned the late night party can be loud but nothing a few pre-bedtime drinks can't fix.

The Resort: Beautiful place, like really beautiful, and well cared for by everyone from the gardeners to the cleaning staff. The pools were always clean, though they closed around 6pm which was a bit inconvenient getting back from an excursion. There was no garbage anywhere at any time. The main lobby is stunning and a great place to sit for a drink, coffee or catch one of the many fashion shows, It looks large on a map but it's very well laid out and everything is close.

Beach: Holy %$#@ is that beach beautiful. I'm very fair-skinned but couldn't get enough of it. Took a catamaran ride with Greco and he and the ride were a high point. Enjoyed that one even more than the catamaran excursion we did. Snack Bar is interesting but it's free so can't complain. Beach bar was great.

Food: Romantico and the lobster dinner were amazing a la carte. The chef who did our lobster dinner was so good my partner agreed to marry me. The buffet is also very good. Things change all the time because they make do with what they can get. But they take pride in it and do their best and there's enough variety you can always find something you like. Yeah the locals order 30 pieces of pork and beef and it slows things down but if you talk to anyone local you know just how expensive and hard to find those things are now. Have some fish or wait quietly and enjoy your vacation. The only bad meal we had was at the Italian restaurant. Was very bad and we left and went to the buffet. But I've had a million bad meals in Canada and the buffet meant we didn't go hungry so no big deal.

Bars: Gin bar by the pool is a must do here. Ronny makes the best drink I have ever had and on top of that is some of the best people I have ever met. Cigar Lounge is classic and a great place to sit and enjoy a Cohiba. The other bars are all good but only some offer diet options for mixing drinks if you're trying to avoid sugar.

Entertainment: Victor is a star and does not get enough credit for how hard that man works. He and his team work very hard to get people moving and the evening shows were much much better than I expected. TIP THEM. It may not seem obvious but they work hard and deserve a tip like anyone else.

The People: A-^%$#ing-mazing. I have travelled extensively and never met nicer, kinder people in my life. The affection they have for you if you treat them with respect is genuine. Very gracious, kind and thoughtful people. I will be back if for that reason alone.

Last thing: TIP THE STAFF IN CANADIAN OR US OR EUROS. And tip well. With foreign currency Cubans can load a credit card and buy things they normally can't. Pesos are accepted but not as wanted. And don't bring a roll of coins. They just need to exchange them. Give a $5 bill every few times instead and save them the extra work. What is a meal out for us is a week's wages for them.

If you are looking to bring stuff don't visit the dollar store. They don't need that junk any more than we do. Medicine like advil, tylenol, allergy medicine, antibiotic cream, Old cell phones that are unlocked, hygeine products (leave your used ones too when you leave), shoes in particular but clothing in general.

That's it. Can't recommend this place enough and planning on returning when we get married.

I was at your hotel on the 1 March for a week. I want to let you know that it was a wonderful place!
I travel 3 to 4 times a year all around the world and of course a lot in Cuba!! Love your country and the people.!!
I have to say that my room and the building (14)I was in was wonderful. The maids were friendly and polite. the beds were soft which is very good in Cuba, my room was also very clean too and the people were beautiful and friendly.
The coffee bar was excellent in the lobby and at the snack bar. I miss very much the coffee !!!
Food was very good. I loved all the restaurants!
the beach is incredible, specially the men that work there, they’re very hard-working( I think his name is Roberto) he is a very nice man, hard working and was always ready to help anyone. He was always smiling and friendly.
The spa, was very calming, relaxing and the people were very professional, had a great massage and I love that I could have a private pool for the day.
Your evening entertainment like the Michael Jackson was fun to watch.
And the modelling of the clothes in the lobby is a great idea!! Keep up with the great ideas I’ve never seen that before. It was very entertaining.
If you can please give me the name, contact or email of the man / maker of the clothes who was responsible for models. Please

I want to let you know that I have zero complaints and the person I was with also says the same.
I never go back to the same hotel but I’m thinking to go back to yours as soon as I can.!!
Thank you very much for the relaxing & beautiful, clean hotel!! Keep up the great work!!
Hopefully I will be able to see you all soon!
Sonya