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Reviews Hotel Melia Cayo Santa Maria
February 27 2012
Name: Steve Tiveron
Country: Canada
I stayed here at: 02/14/2012
Cayo Melia Santa Maria
My review: Most people tell us we are crazy to just keep going to Cuba over an over, we must see other places to compare and experience different things. I guess at some point we will venture out and try something else but for now Cuba has become our home away from home of sorts since we have gone roughly 3 times a year for the last 4 years.
We just returned from the Santa Clara area where our favourite Island Cayo Santa Maria is. This is for all purposes „virgin‰ territory and has yet to be over populated by tourists even though there are now 8 resorts on the Island it never seems crowded.
We are not a Casa Particular type of couple although I would not mind trying it even if it was for a night or two, some of the homes look amazing and the people are so welcoming. Our trip is about two things, total pampering buy staying at an all inclusive and cultural trips away from the compounds of the resort.
This time we stayed at the Cayo Melia Santa Maria which was our first time. We have been to all the resorts in Cayo Santa Maria except for two now and our favourite is still the Occidental Royal Hideaway now known as Iberostar Ensenachos. Anyway, we really enjoyed the Melia Santa Maria for many reasons. The resort is beautifully landscaped, flower bushes everywhere that are bright and stunning along with many other types of vegetation. We love resorts that are lush with colour and greenery. If you don't know Cayo Santa Maria is a UNESCO Heritage site so it must be preserved, you will never see a huge hotel being built beside the ocean as the land between the ocean and the resort is mangroves usually and protected. All the resorts are built back and nestled in beautiful surroundings.
The resort has 3 A la Carts, an all you can eat lunch Buffet, an all you can eat dinner Buffet, a 24 hour snack bar that makes the best pizza and a restaurant on the way to the beach that serves everything BBQ', It's fantastic to come from a day at the beach and sit with a wonderful view of the ocean while eating fresh BBQ right off the grill.
The rooms are nice and clean, they have more of a Cuban flare to them which we like and a nice big balcony. We also enjoyed the lobby bar since they served almost anything you wanted to drink and it was nice to sit outside watching all the activities going on around you. We sat out every night after dinner and watched the entertainment in the large outdoor theatre.
Right beside the resort is the newly open Pueblo Las Dunas, which is located right between both resorts so that you get the feel of leaving the resort and going to a little Cuban village. It is the second village built on the Island second to the Pueblo La Estrella which is much bigger. Both of these new villages are very colourful and charming. You can find many hand made gifts to buy for friends back home. They also have bowling, ice cream shops, restaurants, dancing, night life etc if you want to go off the resort property and mingle with others who are staying at some of the other resorts on the Island.
The staff at the resort are very friendly and my partner and I never had any issues and as a matter of fact we have nothing but nice things to say about them, much like most people in Cuba who are very friendly.
The beach was stunning and if you have ever been to Cayo Santa Maria you know what I mean and for those who have not you must go now!!. The beaches all along the Islands are to hard to describe, except to say pure white, baby powder, bright green ocean, big blue skies, warm wavy water. Many who we have spoken too that go to different locations each year like Mexico, Dominican, Jamaica and
even Hawaii say they have not seen beaches this beautiful anywhere. Well maybe this is the reason we don't go anywhere else besides loving the Cuban culture.
Check in is very easy at Cayo Santa Maria, they do it for you while you are on the bus ride from the airport, can't get any faster service than that and all while you are drinking Crystal beer to boot. The ride from the Santa Clara airport is one hour and a half, it is a little longer now since they have put speed limits along some roads. The buses are very modern and comfortable with air conditioning. Even though the ride is long you get to see so much of the Cuban Countryside and your tour operators gives you a tour on your way to the resort. Sit back and enjoy the views, the colours and smells of everything that is Cuba, as soon as you step off that plane and feel that warmth of the Cuban Sun you will be glad you went. All I would ask is that everyone go with an open mind, Cubans live very different than you and I but they are very happy proud people who would share with you what little they have even though they have not much. Enjoy!
How was your room?*: Room was clean, nice size with a walk in foyer area and seperate washroom area from the main bedroom. Also had desk area, Tv, mini bar and a couch sitting area. Balcony had two chairs and a table. Over all the room was in our oppinion perfect.
How was the food the offer?: The food was good, I know people compain about the food but I have never gone hungry and there is selection. The Al a Carts were good, the buffet was good and the snack bar and beach restaurant were very good.
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