Occidental Arenas Blancas reviews
1610 TripAdvisor reviews
We Had A Fantastic Time - Will Be Back!
295heatherf (Halifax, Canada) on Jan 18, 2025
We had a fantastic time at Occidental Arenas Blancas in January 2025. There are some shortages, yes, such as eggs and alcohol options; the staff are doing their very best to keep everyone happy. Only one e...levator was working and there was always a staff member available to assist. Our room was very clean; although dated and in need of some updates, we were pleased--lots of hot water. There was enough food for everyone, despite the egg shortage. We did one formal dinner, Italian, at Solymar. It was ok. Loved the lunch buffet at the snack bar and went multiple times. The nightly entertainment was phenomenal! We even saw a magic show! The pool area is beautiful, the beach access was a short walk and very clean. You can always find a chair at the pool or on the beach (many people are siteseeing in town). The only downside for us was to witness some tourists giving the staff a hard time. One man was yelling in the buffet about the egg shortage. Another man was yelling because the half bottle of vodka he had by the pool the night before went missing--he blamed the staff. This is not on them! Who drinks an entire bottle of alcohol by the pool? A glass bottle? Hello?? We love the location--within walking distance to restaurants, shopping and bars. We love the staff. A special thank you to the gentleman at the entrace for alerting us to our early bus. We were having a beer by the pool and he came out and whistled at us to come in - the bus was waiting. He is a wealth of information and does his very best to help. We wish we knew his name. He was working on January 16th in the morning. Special thanks to Yacqueline in the elevator--beautiful lady and very friendly! And thank you to Yaima. She is in the buffet in the mornings, usually at the back, and at the snack bar, lunch buffet. Always smiling, very friendly, and looks for us when we come in. Many of the staff members were very kind, always smiling, and very accommodating. We will definitely be back! Thank you all! Heather & Jim
Amazing stay!!!! This place is extremely well located if you want to go out and experiment the night life. Food and entertainem
Foulds F on Jan 08, 2025
While it might be a little antique this hotel is very charming. The staff members went out of their way to make our stay extra special. They all always had smile on their faces, were friendly, lively, an...d hard working. No complaints, this was the best resort I've stayed in cuba and I've been to a handful. The food was delicious and there was a good variety from day to day and the live music at every meal really brought in some culture. The animation team did a great job. The location is ideal right in the city, i went off the resort multiple times with my family and felt extremly safe walking around with my kids. The market and bars close by are a must see. If you prefer to stay in the resort however there are lots of things to do volleyball, basketball, gym, dance, etc and even spending the whole day at the beach is incredible. I can't wait to go back.
Cuba Varadero 2025
Pioneer03821881083 (Quebec, Canada) on Jan 08, 2025
Well Cuba is Cuba..and you have to take everything with a grain of salt, bring peanut butter crakers and snacks. It is an older building but the staff are super friendly and work very hard to keep the plac...e looking it's finest..food is ok drinks are good they even have Pepsi and cola
VERY WELCOMING HOTEL IN DOWNTOWN VARADERO
M-MacKen (Kingston, Canada) on Jan 07, 2025
I spent two weeks at Arenas Blancas and enjoyed my vacation. I arrived late at night from Toronto and was checked in very quickly as per my request in a room on the second floor. A couple of times the si...ngle working elevator was unserviceable and the walk up two flights when you are in your 70s takes a bit of time but I looked at it as good exercise. The hotel is spotlessly clean; my room was large and everything worked well. The buffet food was tasty and sufficient. Once a week, there was an outdoor BBQ and party with ladies walking around on stilts, a colourful parade, dancing, music, sugar cane stalks being pressed into liquid for rum drinks, fresh coconuts were served and tasty BBQ. There was no butter except for the last three days (not the end of the world)....that's Cuba and its shortages. There was a shortage of wine but with what little they had, they created Sangria that was wonderful. I loved it. The grounds are beautiful; the beach.....the best; lots of sun chairs and palappas. Workers were busy building more palappas and installing them on the beach in preparation for the high season. Weather was cool with high wind most days in December and it took a bit of courage to go in the ocean on the days there were gentle waves; the pool was freezing but kids didn't mind. The entertainment staff worked tirelessly in the activities department. Location to downtown is convenient because you can walk across the street to the Beatles Nightclub and on to the markets, shops, restaurants and pretty Josone Park. Varadero is a very nice beach destination. I recommend Occidental Arenas Blancas and its sister resort, Barcelo Solymar right next door that allowed us to use all their facilities except the buffet. Well done everyone.
Cockroech Cockroech Cockroech and lots more Cockroechs
Trail49355229508 on Jan 05, 2025
Cockroech hotel in the buffet section and restaurant's in the lobby, never again varadero cuba is not the same people are rude specially at this hotel and Quatro Palmas, good luck with the ridiculous packa...ges prices, hopefully the government will clean the hotel from dirt and cockroechs and rude staff.