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Sol Luna Y Mares, Guardalavaca 08/27/2003
Reviewers Rating:  Great
I just got back from the Sol Luna Y Mares (Week of August 9-17, 2003); Iím a 35 year old divorced father who was looking for a simple nice (and somewhat cheap) vacation with my 2 daughters (5 and 7 years old) in a 4 stars or + all inclusive hotel. The Luna was the best deal I could get (from Montreal). The Brisas-Guardalavaca was cheaper but I read that the Guardalavaca beach (Brisas, Club Amigo Atlantico) was a public one and not as beautiful as Playa Esmeralda (Sol Luna y Mares, Paradisus Rio de Oro) and it seems everyoneís going to the new hot spot (prices a bit higher), Playa Pesquero, (Breezes Costa Verde, LTI-Costa Verde, Playa Pesquero) but again Internet reviewers said the beach is not as attractive.
Let me start up by saying Iíve traveled extensively in Europe, the Caribbean and Cuba (Varadero, Cayo Coco and Santiago). The Luna side and Mares side are totally different in style and character and I do not think the combination (Luna y Mares) deserves a 4 star rating: I would give the Luna 3.5 stars and the Mares 3.75 stars although all facilities can be used by everyone. Still, it is a good deal: lots of fun for a cheap price. All restaurants were opened and each side had its own nightly show.
The beach is incredible: white flour sand, lots of trees (and shade), never feels crowdedÖ A bit rocky in front of the Luna but only for a few feet. You absolutely must watch 2 nightly shows: Moulin Rouge and Fantasy/Disney: there are 10 dancers that lip-sync songs from Broadway shows like the Lion KingÖ They are simply incredible! An Ideal settings, surrounded by luxurious vegetation (although we never needed bugs spray), friendly staff, and lots of activities to choose fromÖ this would be perfect (for a 4 stars) except for a few detailsÖ
Even thought there were a lot of choices, in general the food was only fair: breakfast was OK and you could always find some decent snacks (Hot dogs, pizza, burgers, fishÖ) for lunch but the buffets (lunch and dinner) were just awful (both in Luna and Mares). I know itís Cuba (it is not my first time after all!) but a lot of people (including me) would look at least twice for good things to eat! Out of despair, people would line up in front of the pasta counter. The staff was friendly and helpful but as soon as you show a $1 bill, you get the VIP treatment. I brought old pants and shirts for the maid and $50 in $1 bills for tipping the bartenders and everyone elseÖ Each day I would leave something for the maid and in return, she would make flower and towel arrangements (Swan, HeartÖ) and fill out the fridge. We would just sit down for lunch or come up to the bar and someone would immediately come take our order (instead of waiting 5-10 minutes). The bartender used 7 year old rum for my drinks and used the ìregularî white rum for the other non-tipping clientsÖ The kids Club is not opened full day, only a few ours in the morning and the afternoon, so you canít drop them in the morning and pick them up at 5. I didnít use it anyway as I wanted to spend as much time with my kids. The dolphin excursion ($77adult/$47kids) was fantastic! There are other excursions but my 5 year old only wanted to play in the water. Look at the beach activity center for free or really cheap excursions.
The Luna side (where I stayed). The Luna is made up of 4 blocs (blocs 5, 6, 7 and 8000) of 3 or 4 buildings scattered on grounds that are twice the size of the Mares; it gives the feeling of a nice relaxed family village. There were shuffle boards, a mini-putt and a small path in a wooden area. It is located between the Rio de Oro and the Mares. The rooms were big and nicely decorated (repainted in 2002, I think) but the bathrooms need some work. Blocs 7000 and 8000 are a bit far for a 5 year old little legs and I strongly recommend blocs 5000 and 6000 which are directly in front of the pool and closer to everything (restaurants, the Mares side, beach). The pool water was clear but there were some spots of mildew on the floor and the walls. The pool closed at 8pm. I found the staff a bit older, friendlier but slower than at the Mares. The nightly shows were more family oriented (Fantasy/Disney).
The Mares side. The Mares looks like a more modern resort (letís put as many people in the smallest place possible): U shape buildings around the pool. The pool area is bigger and nicer than the Luna but the pool water was a bit murky. The staff is younger and more professional (faster but more cold). The buffet restaurant is bigger, nicely decorated and brighter that at the Luna. In fact, the public areas were all generally nicer at the Mares than at the Luna. I havenít seen the rooms, but it looked like they were renovating some as you could hear hammers and power tools from the pool side. The pool closed at 10:30pm. The shows were more adult oriented (no Fantasy/Disney show) and more typical of the Caribbean: Adam and Eve night, Fashion showÖ And waiters would come, during the show, and take your order. At the Luna, you had to go get your own drink at the bar. The only discotheque was at the Mares. The Mares is more adult/couple oriented but not a super party resort. It is noisier that at the Luna. Getting from the Mares to the Luna is a 2 minute walk.
It is a strange hotel. On one side, the Luna is a nice, quiet family village and on the other side, the Mares has a more party atmosphere for adults. It is not advertised this way. Even if everything is not perfect, it is a beautiful and fun place to be at a very reasonable price.
Francis L
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