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Brisas Sierra Mar 1hr outside Santiago d Cuba 01/18/2004
Reviewers Rating:  Excellent
Back from this little talked about resort about 1 hour outside of Santiago. Our first trip to Cuba so we went prepared based on much reading here and elsewhere. One big reason was the reports of repeat clientel. Our rating is 9/10 for anyone not wanting to read further but that is based on our expectations/background/details listed below. Even though we would like to have something to compare this resort with in Cuba, we would more than likely return here without even trying another location in Cuba because this met our needs so well.
THREE THINGS THAT REDUCED OUR RATING:
1.Lack of front desk advising about alternative elevator when main on broke
2.Sunset cruise cancelled twice due to insufficient people, needed 6 and we were only 3. Swim with dolphins/aquarium tour we requested had same problem.
3.Canít remember right now due to tired brain so obviously not important.
THINGS THAT MAKE US WANT TO RETURN:
Alba rep who went out of her way to ensure special seating on tour, taxi on return to airport etc.
Resort staff who were very friendly, but with REALLY special mention of Jenn at the kids club (this was her first batch of kids) and George in the entertainment/exercise etc side (wife loved him for his personal attention at exercises and pool volleyball. We hadnít planned to let our kid do the kids club as we parents were insecure. Only 3 kids in it, one younger, one slightly older, but our kid loved it and is still in tears from departure to now 2 days later.
Food selection was fine for variety/quality/taste for the varied Canadian/French/German clientele. Kid basically ate at the dessert table and was warned to try to take small amounts of other food as the taste wasnít to her liking for many dishes and we didnít want her wasting this precious commodity in front of the Cuban people. Papas fritas (french fries) seem to be mostly unavailable in the traditional form but we got them when they had them! :)
Very secure feeling with staff patrolling all night and we felt safe even with a ground level patio door.
THE VIEWS/LOCATION/WEATHER:
Breath-taking location with mountains/water/greenery...and only one topless women and two thonged older men! :)
The night shows at 9:30 were entertaining in a Cuban sort of way, piano bar, music during dinners (we only did buffet although would have had no trouble getting signed up for ala cart at 8:30am because we thought the buffet made it easier for the kids selection/attention)
Whole week was warm ~78, cool enough in the evenings for a light jacket as the wind made it a little cooler on some evenings. Clouds tended to built over land thru the day and then clear in the morning. Plenty of sun tanning time and maybe 2 5 minute light sprinkles or rain which isnít surprising in this dry warmer part of the Island.
Swam in the ocean with no problems of jellyfish. Small amts of seaweed were raked in the morning. Sand is course at the shore, water starts shallow and we saw snorkellers out and were able to paddle boat around safely. Noticed water crashing on some of the coral reefs out a ways from the ëbayí type shape of our area.
THINGS WE WOULD DO DIFFERENTLY:
Bring WAY more things than we did for the school kids/people.
Try for 10 days instead of 7 so we could do more outside tours.
Probably not prebook due the the price for 2 adults/1kidflying/eat/stay free being so close to last minute price for 3 adults.
BACKGROUND/EXPECTATIONS: First trip to Cuba and we donít speak spanish. 2 adults 37&41 (been to bahamas,jamaica,antigua, St.Kitts, disney a few times), plus one 8 year old (only been to disney), looking for a nice friendly safe resort without alot of drunken partying folks or alot of retirement age folks. Most guests seemed middle aged and repeat visitors. Wife/kid prefer pool for fear of Jaws etc but willing to go in the ocean waist deep :). I have a walking disability so physical layout a big consideration. Only looking to go off AI resort for brief periods to give the 8 year old a bit of view of others lives.
TRAVEL: via Skyservice direct flight (no first class to upgrade to and LATE flight times) thru Alba Tours. Booked 5 months ago for a kids fly/eat/stay free which ended up costing just 30.00 less than booking a selloff as 3 adults/triple occ the week before we left so probably won't book in advance again unless we want to ensure getting same resort.
Left T.O about 1/2 hr late and 1/2 hr into flight had to return to T.O due to dirty fuel/filter. Set us back about 3 hours so but no big deal after once being stuck on an AC plane for 6 hours on the tarmac and they wouldnít let us off/feed us. Our ëscheduledí times were 16:55pm-20:45pm, return 21:45pm-01:35am.
Upon arrival in Santiago we got off, noticed someone holding a VIP sign (for 20.00usd/pp 10 for kids they will take your passport and do the paperwork/get bags etc while you rest in an AC lounge with drinks/snacks/tv with very comfy leather chairs/couches, and no toilet seat...but we didnít know that until the return and did it then, and were very happy to have had the comfort when the return flight was delayed and I saw what the regulars dealt with in their lounge when I was escorted to duty free). At customs all three of us went at same time (not separated as some have noted). Then to the island rep Katia to get our room keys/info and onto the bus. Sat on the bus for ~40min while the folks in the VIP lounge held us up for the drive to the resort. Upon arriving at Brisas Sierra Mar we were greeted with drinks but at 3am just wanted luggage/bed having left T.O. the first time at 4:35pm.
Due to Katia (alba reps) diligence we had filled out one form on the bus ride, gave it to her and so checkin was instantaneous. 3:30am escorted to room with luggage/bell boy. Wife who hates takeoff/landings just wanted to go to bed but 8 year old and I went for snacks which werenít too fresh by that time of day (banana chips and some breaded meat?) Then to bed and I was up at 7:30am exploring while they slept.
RESORT: View is beautiful. Hotel (~12 years old?) built into the side of the mountain but located on the ~4 km beach and no other resorts etc visually around, almost like a bay. There are 2 ~200 room buildings with what I will call the main level (pool,bars/restaurants/lobby/shops) and 4 levels of rooms 100 series is beach level going up to 400 series level via 2 elevators then 500to800 going up in the other building which is accessed at from the drive in lobby area. Wasnít overly busy maybe because there were so many places for people to be. Rooms were in ok condition, with some wear/tear but workable, large walk in shower, toilet seat/paper Our room had a patio with sliding doors. 3 single beds, mine was a little ëcrunchyí but ok. We had requested main level handicap accessible ocean view (all rooms pretty much have the latter). I guess because main level was interpreted as lower, we ended up at beach level accessible via the elevators or several sets of stairs.
Our concern (after reading these sites/helpful posters) was the possibility of elevator breakdowns. One of the two wasnít working and the other broke down the ~4pm the second day and I reported to the front desk and an hour later went back to check status and the fellow knew nothing about it. About 3 hours later went back and he said someone would fix it the next day (Sunday) which in honesty I didnít expect since the first one had been broken the 3 days. Anyway since we had considered this possibility when taking the risk of this resort, we just took the stairs slowly. I think I did the 5 sets of stairs about 9 times as that was the only way to the main restaurant, pool etc. We werenít too happy when another guest mentioned there was a service elevator as we felt front desk should have told us after 3 visits there and my easily visible walking problem but live and learn. We made sure to tell the Alba rep and she said she would talk to the desk. (This incident reduced our rating)
Water activities incl volleyball, exercise classes, tennis, swim up bar, paddle boats, pontoon boats, snorkelling, dive shop, sunset cruises, spanish lessons etc etc.
TOURS: Seemed to be a fair choice including an included one for an overnight stay at a mountain lodge (4 hour drive each way) which reportedly had a ~75ft waterfall and large pool of water, followed by a 1 hr walk in the morning before returning to the hotel. We didnít go due to the walking problem but others said it rained most of the time.
We did the 45usd Santiago tour and Rauol was our guide. First to the cemetery to see the changing of the guard ceremony at the tomb of Jose Marti (I believe) but the kid had been riding in the back of the van and the diesel fumes had made her a little sick feeling so I was distracted, then to Barcardiís ëbarí/shop where we bought some exportable black coral jewellery, just drove by the manufacturing part which would have been more interesting coming from wine country. Then to Castle Moro which was neat to see despite having seen forts on the other islands this was one of the better for view/construction/layout. Did give a women a $ for taking our picture and then another beside here asked for $ for her baby and told us not to tell anyone. (I gave her one, baby or not). Told other tourists who said someone (maybe her) had done same to them but so what. Did a little shopping.
Then lunch in a tourist casa...food ok, ladies washroom had no seat paper, mens had both and when I told the ladies that they rushed to ours! :)
Then to the city centre where we had some time to shop etc, werenít bothered by anyone especially (beggers). Guy tried selling me paper Granma and I would have bought one but was one the way to the bathroom. Another tried giving me a 20 minute tour but I told him I only had 5 minutes! :) Went into a ëfurniture museumí off the street (more of a few pieces but neat) and paid admission and the lady said to film is 5.00, it seems as if thinking I wouldnít want to pay it but I did as I wanted to have some shots. Inside, a couple different ladies would come around to show us the displays (in spanish), it wasnít at all crowded and I gave the 2 each. Then off to some other monuments of a giant bronze horse/man and 23 giant machetes at the monument to Antonio Macea at the plaza de la Revolucion where there is an eternal flame. Apparently that is where the pope gave some service a few years ago. Overall worth it then back to the resort.
SCHOOL: Took a horse/carriage to the local school ~2km cause I canít walk that far. It was a little ackward when our guide said to give the kids stuff directly as we didnít have enough for one of everything for each kid. I asked if I could give money to the teachers, not being sure if it would be used for the kids but did anyway. As I was giving out 5s I asked how many teachers there were (5 there then) and was told ten so I stopped at that. Will definitely bring more goods next time as it seems that even the money canít always buy the things that could be used. Kid got to play a game with some cuban children. Overall I found it ackward and disruptive of us to be there and had hoped that there was some sort of scheduled visit time so the children wouldnít be continually interrupted by tourists bringing stuff.
It was a nice week. Nice place, and it was the people that make us want to return to this spot. Glad to be back despite the weather. Another relative had been to Varaderoís Sol Sirenas Coral Resort the same time and reported jellyfish problems, staff didnít seem to be allowed to socialize/be friendly with guests, and they were followed/pictured by ëguardsí on tours. Donít have much detail but again, I think weíll stick with what we know and return. If Iíve missed anything feel free to ask, not my regular email (to avoid spam) but Iíd be happy to answer questions and thanx again for all the info everyone shares, it helped us to prepare as much as possible and make what could have been a difficult time had we not anticipated some of the issues. Gracias.
dave
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