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SuperClubs Breezes Costa Verde (BCV) 04/28/02
Reviewers Rating:  Excellent
This resort is a big winner...and I want to tell you what turned me on during my stay from April 19-26, 2002. THINGS I REALLY LIKED: 1. The staff - Cubans are so warm and friendly. At BCV, they pick up kids to hug and put their arms around adults who needed any kind of assistance. This kind of attitude can't be bought. 2. All inclusive concept including tips - If you wished, you did not have to take your wallet out until it was time to pay the USD$ 20 departure tax at the Holguin airport. Any optional extras and their prices ( excursions, scooter rentals, massages, laundry etc.)were clearly marked and there was NO hard sell, up sell or cross sell. The choice was yours. 3. The facilities - everything was clean and 2 years new. The grounds have grown in well. 4. Coffee maker in the room - I was in heaven sitting on my patio watching the sun come up with a pot of coffee. Tip - if you like milk in your coffee, get a glass of it from any bar and keep it in the mini fridge. Yup, I agree with other reviewers that the rich dark Cuban coffee tastes great. 5. Free safe deposit box in room - a nice little touch. 6. Morning bike tour - at 9:30 each morning, one of the staff led a group on an easy 2 hour bike tour to the local village, where we saw a school, church and farm. You actually go into each and meet the people. They are so warm and yet the poverty is heart breaking. Many people who read these forums are now bringing bags of clothes, cosmetics, candies and medicines to distribute on the tour. Please e mail me if you want suggestions. 7. The constant warm breeze. 8. The constant cold beer - they have a pilsner type beer on tap. It tastes like Labatt Light. (I understand Labatt was involved in brewing in Cuba at one time.) My personal tastes up North lean to heavier ales, but in the tropics, this seems to taste better. 9. Resort layout - there are many two story buildings, which means that it seems easier to drift back and forth to your room. 10. Hot tubs - fun and very close to most rooms. 11. Guest mix - there were about 80% Canadians and the rest were Germans and Brits. It was really pleasant not to be with other nationalities which I find to be loud and obnoxious. 12. Pool - it is so big and so fun that I can now understand why some people never make it to the beach. I never had to "fight" for a chair or shady spot at any time. The pool depths run from about one foot to five feet. NEAT STUFF: 1. Your room key serves as the electricity control. The air conditioning always seemed to be on because my room was never warm. Tile floors could help. 2. Linen and towel changes. Put a card on your bed if you want your linen changed and throw towels you want changed into the bath. Worked for me. 3. A garden of mint by the pool bar which was used for drinks. Talk about fresh. KNOW IN ADVANCE: 1. The resort is "deliciously distant". It is about one hour from Holguin where your plane lands. But don't worry. My bus to the resort was more comfortable than the plane I arrived in. The beer on the bus cost US$1, which was cheaper than the CAD$4 price on the plane. It was a dollar well spent. 2. The beach is public. It is pretty clean but not one of the world's best beaches. You may also be approached by one or two vendors on the beach, but they were not persistent at all. 3. Boardwalk to the beach. There is a 150 foot boardwalk to the beach which passes over an ecological preserve (a swamp). Once or twice it smelt a bit funky, but don't let this deter you. 4. Cockroaches. I found one in my room. The Cuban cockraches are so big, I actually thought it was a June bug. I nailed this one with my shoe - admittedly it took two wacks to kill this puppy! Don't be too put off. It's the Caribbean. Deal with it. 5. Mosquitos. One week - one bite. 6. 24 hour lobby bar. It's a fun and very busy place in the beautiful open lobby and there were only three staff on duty during the busiest times. Be prepared for a bit of a wait. Your special multi layered cocktail might not be made to the same standards of perfection as you are used to. HINTS: 1. Bring shorts on the plane and change either before landing or in the washroom at the airport before going through immigration. The lines move slowly, and there were two flights which arrived at once. 2. The mini fridge is stocked with one water container and one soda pop. If you really like diet pop, bring it with you. 3. If you are getting married, DO IT HERE! Bring the whole wedding party and get married on the beach. What a blast. A one week party which will be cheaper than one day of angst up North. The resort walls are soudproof too...
Stewart
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