Club Amigo Guardalavaca / Reviews

C, is my 39 th time, I'm a Canadian, Cuban, because I am always with these wonderful people, j, returns of 4 to 5 times a année.Les tourists do not go out and do not know the life Cubaine.Pour food, be aware that there are several countries and the menu has tous.La is suitable for the beach is public and the Cubans are not aggressive and very sociable.Quand c language is spoken, is very open and there is of brothers .... I find that many tourists flock to Cuba once in 5 years ... and that they are not very generous in pourboire.C, is a very safe place for people agées.Merci Fidel Pedro xxxx

C, is a climate merveilleux.Les people are more generous day ... if you speak their language, c, is like brothers and soeurs.Besito a todos xxxxx

I was in the hotel room in 2054 Section 1 evening was very noisy because the bar is just the first level, on the other night everything was okay after 11:30 no sound. simple but very clean room I had the problem of water and TV but this was rectified the next day. c, the season was so quiet the only club amigo buffet restaurant and 2 a la carte restaurant open. toujour had good service to the restaurant and super beautiful despite bar.plage qu'elque small pieces of glass on the sand.

Buffet little choice but let's say I'm not starved. onts was invaded on the beach the weekend by the Cuban, and the hotel was also filled by Cubans to 3/4 probably because of the quiet season. there was a pool which was closed because of water very muddy and dirty.

great food, great atmosphere, to visit the city take a taxi to cheap it makes you visit the city for Guardavalaca is the same thing most drivers know people who live there, it is very country but people are so friendly

The rooms in the new section, impeccable. The beaches are fabulous at this location. The majority of staff is always helpful with sourrire. Take the bikes and go walk around, very safe c. Enriching experience, go to the beach by the side of the Brisas, the inhabitants or more may give you a lobster dinner for 10 cuc (about 12 can) I'm going four times a week for my dinner. This was my second visit to this hotel and will return again. This time I went alone and no extra ca worth.

MARIA at the reception which is on a power trip and shit even the other employees. At the airport you can not change your American Express travelers checks, even if they are in Canadian dollars, but the hotel I had no problem.

- Beautiful views of the turquoise + blue sky. - Easily accessible to snorkel, bring your equipment. - Very well maintained garden. - Villa renovated + maids work hard (Thanks Rebecca & Marisol) - No mosquitoes (because of the wind blowing constantly) - Buffet filled very often even on weekends. - Hot water galore when we needed (6.00 am & pm) - Possibility of dinner at Brisas (A1 for busy weekends) - Employees profesionals, hospitable & glad to see you. - Dinner Special for your second visit to Club Amigo hotels.

- Small glass plastics flying the slightest gust of wind and find themselves in the sea and up the coral reef! (Bring your cups filling please) - People drunk and noisy at night (big discussions, cries and laughs). - The Villas (# 1,2,3 & 4) close to the bars: noisy, and passersby are not soundproof. - Some employees expect their tips! - The shenanigans for your convertible pesos - coffee, rum, cigars, lobsters and whores (men and women) on the public beach. - Convertible Pesos very expensive (arrival: $ 1.37) and (departure: $ 1.31) - Zero home by staff when you arrive. - 3 cockroaches in the room first and second in chips!!

It was very well served by courteous staff all week as to bars, snack bars or restaurants. What I enjoy most is being able to dive from the shore. I also liked the little market where you can buy lots of souvenirs and finally access to other services. We ate very well except that buffet, the menu could come back even more than times, fortunately, it was good. Although the room was clean and maintained every morning with some wonderful fantasies with the towel, he took autait the curtains are well suspended. (Just a small detail) Nolitours Thanks for the attention of small bottle of Cuban rum.

On arrival we were treated to a superb cockroach just at the entrance to our room. In the same room, no one has seen but it was too.

Very good price / quality ratio

Since mid-April, Cubans come to the hotel on weekends when the service for tourists is nonexistent because the hotel staff provides service to Cuba, about the food, we had to wait in line at the buffet and it even for lunch! Then for dinner, we decided to leave the site and go eat at a restaurant on the beach about 15 min. walking by the place (we had to pay because it is not included in the package).

Super performance ratio. Clean rooms, friendly staff, reservation made in the section with Nolitour chameleon. In the package we were entitled to two meals a la carte, a BBQ dinner and a tapa. Beautiful place to walk, meet the people. The sea is beautiful the beach is great and lots of trips available. Very clean room, done every day, no lack of hot water and a lot of pressure. With your family, friends or couples, everyone is benefiting.

The buffet is limited, luckily we ate there once. 2 pools closed (green water), no music in the evening at the bar 24 hours, so must be its own atmosphere. The shows are so, so.

This is my 2nd time at the Chameleon section and I have not been déçu.Pour a 3 star, this is the place idéal.4 sites 1.The Lobster dinner at the El Benny is extraordinary.

Buffet redondant.Suite to IKE, less shade on the pool of plage.Eau Chameleon disgusting.

POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE COMMENTS ---------------------------------------------- ------------------------------- • HOTEL-Physical appearance, infrastructure, amenities, etc.. (8/10): Grand hotel complex consists of four hotels with multiple infrastructure that we have free access. About 700 rooms, Class "standard" to "luxurious", depending on the section. Guardalavaca section (standard), Tropical (+ standard), Bungalow (top), Villa (top +). Located near several small villages and village more "modern" in Guardalavaca. Beautiful flower gardens well maintained. We were in the Guardalavaca section: Single room, rather small, but clean and functional. Patio door without upper balcony, small terrace on the ground floor. Distant view of the sea for some rooms. Safe available in the room ($), no fridge. Lots of storage space. Hot water in large amounts, but too warm (50 c). Bungalow: Chamber of medium size with balcony and hammock. No rooms with sea view in this section. Ocean View is only available in the Tropical section (without balcony) and in the Villa section (with balcony). At the various sites of the hotel: Four beautiful large swimming pools. No spa. Large quantity of chairs and umbrellas goshawks pools. Multitude of places to sit, relax and chat. Grand entrance hall with plenty of seating (section Troipicale), small lobby with some seating (section Bungalow). Gymnasium with sauna available. A few shops, a bank counter and a large craft market (the only area) next to the hotel. Two mini-golf, tennis, soccer, basketball, disco medium size. • THE BEACH - Sand, length, width, water, etc. (7.5 / 10): Fine sand beige. Beaches Hotel: A tourist and Cubans. Well maintained, wide, clean, no algae and no jellyfish. Very large amount of comfortable chairs. No salesman. Very few palms (even less since the hurricane of 2008), but a lot of vegetation (mostly trees with large leaves and large round not very nice). Sidewalk along well laid along the sea (lights, plants, flowers, lookouts). Several small private bars offering "drinks" at a popular price. Left: Mainly frequented by Cubans. Several "palapas", but no chair. Limited by a panoramic restaurant seafood to ten minute walk. Presence of a stone staircase leading to the flea market and bars, shops and restaurants. Three other very small beaches more "private" are available outside the hotel. Right: Ability to walk 20 minutes to a very small village by following the sidewalk along the sea and then by taking dirt trails. Past the village can continue to explore the beach sometimes bypassing wild coral reefs. Water: Turquoise, hot. Small waves favoring the practice of water sports. Nice atmosphere because of the music and animation from a small private bar. (No hotel entertainment on the beach) • RESTAURANTS-Introduction and quality of food, variety (7.25 / 10): wine at every meal in every restaurant. Buffets (2) / Bungalow: The best of both. Freshly squeezed orange juice every morning. Toaster useless 6 days on 7. Better conditioned than last year. Access to the "front porch" for lunch (in season). Evening for the clients of "Chameleon Club Nolitour traveling with." Tropical: Few decorations, noisy, well conditioned. In both buffets: Food average, well presented. Very regular and repetitive deserts and very limited variety of fresh fruit. By selection against good ice cream every day. Snack bar (3): Bungalow (with table service) and Tropical (counter service). In both cases: In open air. Hamburger pork and beef, pizza (best in the chameleon), hotdog, sausage BBQ. Italian poutine at the Bungalow. No BBQ chicken and fish as last year. (The two stoves BBQ near the snack bars were not used). One of the Tropicale is more beautiful and better decorated. Villa ("24" hours, but in reality it closes a few hours per day): Large and well decorated. A open air. Several tables available. Limited menu (pork burger, fries, hot dogs). On the menu (for dinner with reservation): Bungalow (1) Italian Well decorated but very small. Lack of atmosphere, no music. Excellent "blue ribbon" good pork and Parmigiani. Beautiful presentation. Very fast service. BBQ on the outdoor terrace of the bungalow (reserved for customers traveling with Club Chameleon Nolitour) Evening Païella, shrimp, grilled meat (chicken and fish). Table service. On the terrace outside the buffet. Well decorated. Intimate with visiting musicians (violin, guitar, vocals), if not background music. Extremely slow service. Tropical (International) Mal decorated. No atmosphere. Good soup. Prawns in good quantity (12-13). Beautiful presentation. Very fast service, without any refinement. Villa (Benny) Cuban food, but people go there mainly for lobster ($ 10 extra). Very well decorated (open air). No atmosphere, no music, big neon lights. Note: Ask your lobster "natural" (without garlic butter) because if not she bathe in it. Ask the butter aside. Possibility to have dinner once a week, the buffet restaurant of the hotel Brisas (4 **** right next door), with reservation. NB: Do not delay book your a la carte restaurants on the first day as space fly very fast. • Presentation-BARS, opening hours, range (8.25 / 10): Six (6) bars are available: 24 hours a bar (snack bar at the Villas), one in the lobby of Tropical (day and evening) one at a disco Guardalavaca (from 23:00 to 2:00) and a poolside bungalow's (day and evening), one in the pool of Tropical and a second at the snack bar (day) near the beach. Mostly well decorated, several seats available. Average presentation with some pieces of fruit on the occasion, in very small plastic cups, good varieties of alcohol (very good "mojito" well prepared). Presentation of key cards "drinks" in some bars. Some "drinks" are colorful and appetizing demonstrated at some bars. • STAFFING AND SERVICE-Kindness, courtesy, speed, efficiency (8.25 / 10): As far as the various restaurants to bars, towels, ect, the staff was very friendly and jovial. Very fast and efficient, with or without tips. Maid discreet (even unknown). The room service is not better with or without small gifts (we sometimes lacked soap and shampoo). Important: Beware of bank service representative from the hotel. It does not give money if you do not ask the invoice. Regardless of who it is: She will steal your changes is guaranteed! (Like this year and last year) • SHOWS AND ACTIVITIES IN THE NIGHT-quality content and scenery, variety, professionalism (8.25 / 10): Theatre in section Bungalow outdoor tables with style "bistro" . Enough places. One improved decor. Beautiful costumes. One show "typical Cuban" Every night, three-part show: Orchestra, singers, professional dancers, fashion show, water show (in the pool), play and compete with the public. Disco moved to the Guardalavaca section. Large enough. Open after the show (23:00). Many people, nice atmosphere. Varied music (Latin and international). Private nightclub (La Roca) 5 minutes walk from the hotel. Open Fridays and Saturdays. Entrance fee exaggerated (25 CUC) not giving even more right to free drinks. Music "Latino". Busy (waiting line). Lots of atmosphere. More affordable price (5 cuc I think) after the show. Small private bar of beach: Possibility of dancing feet in the sand some weeknights. (Tuesday and Saturday). Lot of people (mostly Cubans) on Saturday night. • ANIMATION AND ACTIVITIES DAY-Presence of facilitators, interest in motivating people to participate, variety of activities. (7.00 / 10) Several activities especially at the Tropicale (volleyball, water polo, bingo, Spanish lessons, salsa classes, etc) Moderators rather discrete. Free water sports, snorkeling, including around 15 to 20 minutes by catamaran (with guide). Attendants suggest a tip when booking. Possibility of an expedition than an hour off in a catamaran with a guide (with a "tip" of about 5 cuc per person, after negotiation). Multitude of free sports and activities available (mini-golf, volleyball, basketball, new bicycles. Scooter rental (about $ 25 per 24 hours) • ACTIVITIES / EXPEDITIONS-availability and accessibility, variety, quality equipment. ( 7/10): Several expeditions offered by the hotel at affordable prices. No opportunity to do the same activities at a lower cost by buying them on the beach or in town, as they are managed by the State. possible to visit several villages nearby, on foot, by bicycle or scooter and people invite us to visit their home (ideally provide a small gift of politeness). easier if you speak Spanish because the villagers do not speak Spanish. • SOUVENIRS/ARTISANAT- variety, price, ease of exchange (7.5 / 10): One small flea market of medium size (right next to the hotel). Memories varied (changed regularly craftsmen who return every 2-3 days). little Souvenirs rather expensive and easier to negotiate and make the "barter" (except for t-shirts and flags because they are controlled by the state). very friendly Sellers that do not press (unlike Mexico and the Dominican Republic) • LOCAL POPULATION-General attitude and with tourists (9.5 / 10) People affordable, nice, friendly, cheerful and warm, just harassing. They greet us by honking and waving at us. No danger for single women (even night on the street) ASSESSMENT OF AVERAGE TRAVEL: 7.75 / 10 • REPRESENTATIVE AT DESTINATION (Orlando):-Skills, availability, presence, courtesy, efficiency (7/10) Session of background information, summary. Respect of its schedule Attendance at the hotel. It helped us solve a small problem easily as promised. However, rather "cold and distant." TEMPERATURE-Heat, rain, clouds, winds (9/10) No drop of rain. Always Sunny hot and dry. One day with few clouds. Evenings hot (enough to swim in the pools). • CONCLUSION We have once again greatly enjoyed our stay here and in this region of Cuba. • Even if the Hotel was great, service was prompt and personal and that tourists knew and spoke (friendly). Not too "posh" (as opposed to 4 or 5 star hotels) • Customers of all ages, not many children or young families. No French tourist, few Europeans, many Quebecers and English Canadians. • We were in the heart of the Cuban countryside, which allowed us to rediscover the rural area and the local population. • Cuba in general remains a country where you feel safe (day and night, alone or in groups). This is not the case at all in the Dominican Republic or Mexico. • The beach from our hotel was the best the region and among the best of our destinations. (Aside from the fact that there were not many palm trees - much less since the hurricane - and it was not very long) • We find advantage being located 60 minutes from the airport. • We recommend that destination that offers excellent value "price / quality." We believe this hotel deserves more than 3 *** (at least 3 ½) LINK FOR PHOTOS www.picturetrail.com/holguin2009