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Melia Cayo Guillermo 10/19/02
Reviewers Rating:  Excellent
We have just returned from Melia Cayo Guillermo in Cayo Guillermo. We arrived on 2nd October and were there until 16th October. This is the best holiday we have ever had, the flight, the hotel, the staff, and the beach absolutely fabulous. We flew with JMC airlines from Manchester, flight was on time no delays, we dropped off, and picked up some passengers in Freeport in Grand Bahamas (this took around 1 hour) before proceeding to Cuba. On arriving and Maximo Gomez airport there was a slight delay in passport control as they are very strict, after passport control came baggage reclaim this was also a slow process only one conveyor belt and a German flight arrived just before us so all luggage went onto the one belt. The journey from the airport to the hotel took around 1.5 hours, it was dark when we arrived at the hotel about 8.30pm, on arriving at the hotel we were given our room keys our all inclusive bracelets and a slip which is used to collect your beach towels. When we got to our room we found it was a ground floor room, we had asked our travel agent for an upper floor room so we went back to reception and they arranged a first floor room for us in about 20 minutes, our baggage was delivered to our room within 30 minutes, as it was late at night and the buffet restaurant was closing at 10.00pm we put off unpacking the cases and headed down to the restaurant for dinner, after dinner we were heading back to our room to start unpacking when we heard some screeching, we decided to investigate and found about a dozen pink flamingos in an area next to the pool, we also heard some music and ended up in the show area. When the show finished we followed the crowds to the disco, do I have to say anymore, the cases got unpacked the following morning. Daylight and we headed for the beach, we had found paradise you could not wish for better , white sand, crystal clear water, and temperatures around 85 degrees, plenty of sun loungers, and parasols. What made this hotel special were the staff, every one of the staff went out of their way to make you feel welcome, the gardeners would stop us and give flowers to my girlfriend, the chamber maids used towels to make us swans, fans, and even a heart, on the bed, the waiters/waitresses gave us gifts, the bar staff even danced with us in between serving drinks, and the entertainment team were out of this world, they looked after the daytime activities, and at night they performed on stage, then after the show, they joined us in the disco well into the early hours. Food We read reviews that the food in the resort was not up to much, this was the case in the air conditioned buffet restaurant, but the food in the non air conditioned Italian and International restaurant was excellent, at lunch time we preferred the beach grill as the Italian was quite slow, this was also a problem at night time especially in those temperatures as the Italian and the International are not air conditioned. Bars We used the bar at the beach grill for drinks during the day on the beach, and when at the pool we used either the swim up bar or the pool bar, in the evening after dinner we met in the lobby bar, the barmen Wilmer & Gisele were superb, their cocktails were excellent (we found the best cocktails here). During the entertainment show we used the disco bar, Carlos and Sergey the barmen, (I'm sure they lived in here), they were on every night without a break, we were there 14 nights and they were on duty every night. After the show it was into the disco with Carlos and Sergey, they made our holiday, kept the drinks coming even before your glass was empty, they also danced along behind the bar, this was genuine friendliness not just 2 barmen having to do their job. Entertainment What can I say about the entertainment team that could do them justice, these people were absolutely brilliant, they worked during the day, they danced on stage at night, then joined us in the disco until the early hours. Rooms The rooms were clean and bright, the only downfall was a musty smell when we first entered the room, you soon got used to the smell it may be a spray that the maids use for insects. Mosquitoes Eaten alive (We were told the mosquitoes were only a problem in the rainy season, due to the high humidity in the resort, we didn't have much rain). Take some good repellent from an outdoor shop with you, not the cheap stuff you get in Matalan or Superdrug etc. Hints Take plenty one dollar bills for tips, you will need them as soon as you arrive, at the airport, the bell boy, waiters, barmen, gardeners, musicians(you will be serenaded at your dining table), out on excursions, etc. Try to take gifts for the staff, shampoo, nylons, lipstick, nail varnish, scented soaps, football shirts, Nike baseball caps (give one of these you will have a friend for life), the staff look well dressed but it is gifts they have received from guests at the hotel. Summary Fabulous resort I have no problems recommending this place to anyone, if you are a picky eater you will even find food you will eat in the not so good buffet restaurant. The hotel is now in full swing and the gardens are now well matured, some of the reviews have knocked this place but my advice is find out for yourself you will not be disappointed. We will definitely use this resort again, we loved being spoiled in paradise. Robert & Stella from Scotland.
Robert & Stella
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