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Barcelo Solymar 11/10/2005
Reviewers Rating:  Excellent
This was our 7th trip to Cuba, and third to the Barcelo Solymar. I can't say enough about this hotel. Here's my breakdown for you:
Hotel: 9/10
The interior lobby of this hotel is absolutely stunning. Vines grow from the 4th floor to the ground floor...almost looks like a green waterfall! There are loads of comfy sofas and chairs throughout the lobby, with greenery everywhere. The only reason I didn't give this a 10/10 is because the vines make it quite dark, blocking out most of the natural light.
The hotel is situated just on the edge of the town of Varadero. Perfect location! You can walk to the markets and Josone Park easily from the Solymar, and if walking isn't your game, you can always get a quick taxi ride or take a scenic route via horse and carriage. We find the Solymar to be convenient for us, just because we can walk to the Havana Club or the Compasita Club in the evenings and save ourselves cabfare.
Restaurants: 9/10
The buffet restaurant in the lobby had excellent breakfasts, with made-to-order omelettes, loads of fruit, breads, eggs, bacon, meats, fresh orange juice, etc. This restaurant was closed during the lunch hour, but opened for dinner around 6:00. We never have problems finding something to eat. Every evening the buffet restaurant had a different theme (Italian, Mexican, Cuban, etc.). You must try the icecream...it's the best.
The Italian restaurant is also in the lobby, beside the buffet restaurant. The decor is very nice...service is a little slow...but hey, you are on vacation! What is your hurry??? The food was okay, but I prefer the buffet restaurant for all my meals.
The snack bar is located beside the main pool. We usually grabbed an afternoon snack here, just because it was nice and handy to the pool. You could get anything from pork chops (excellent), chicken, fries and hotdogs at this location. I highly recommend this locale to eat. This is also where you go to get a late-night food fix. We usually popped by here around 2am to grab a hotdog before heading to bed. This area was very popular in the late evening.
There is also a large buffet restaurant located directly on the beach where lunch was served. They had made-to-order sandwiches, pasta, salads, desserts, etc. This restaurant is open in the evening for supper, but reservations are required. We have never eaten here in the evening, so I can't comment on that.
Beach: 10/10
What can I say? The stretch of beach in front of the Solymar is one of the nicest in Varadero. I've stayed up the peninsula at the Melia Varadero and the Arenas Doradas, and I must say that the Barcelo Solymar has prime beach area. The waters are crystal clear, clean, and warm. No coral, just soft sand. It's a nice walk up and down the beach...great views of other hotels. We never had a problem finding a palapa, or a lounge chair. Sure, lots of people still "save" chairs with towels, shoes, etc., but we always found something.
Room: 8/10
We usually stay in the hotel rooms, on the higher floors. We've stayed on the lower floors, but found it a little too noisy, especially if you are situated above the disco. The disco is on the ground level, so we always try to get the 3rd or 4th floor rooms. The standard hotel room is pretty basic; either 1 king size bed or 2 double beds. We had a mini bar in our room (not stocked), but our cleaning lady left 2 litres of water every day. The bathroom is a good size, with a tub/shower and a toilet. The sink is just outside the bathroom area. The standard rooms are far from fancy, but they are clean and bright. We are just there to shower and sleep, so it doesn't have to be a palace suite to make us happy. From the balcony we got some amazing photos of sunsets, and the resort grounds. I recommend the oceanview rooms, because the view is amazing. You can't have a bad view from the ocean-side of the Solymar.
Staff: 10/10
We were always greeted by the lobby staff, and the bartenders and waitresses are amazing. After 1 night, both of the bartenders at the lobby bar knew exactly what we drank and would have it delivered to the table before we even ordered. In the restaurants, we were always greeted with a smile. Cubans are such friendly people! We've been to the hotel a few times, so we know some of the staff by name, and always try to sit in their section. Great service!!! We can't say enough about the cleaning people. They work so hard for their money, and do super work. Our room was always spotless. You will notice that the floors in the lobby are constantly being mopped and swept.
Entertainment: 9/10
The nightly entertainment consists of a lot of dance routines with many costume changes. The shows repeat after one week. Lots of singing, salsa dancing, etc. It's quite nice to see the wonderful costumes and talented performers. The shows last for approx. 1 hour, then the room serves as the disco. I can't comment on this, because I have never gone to the Solymar's discotheque.
In my opinion, you can't go wrong with the Barcelo Solymar. I know that some people have posted really negative reviews about this hotel, but don't let that cloud your judgment. Go with an open mind, and keep in "vacation mode" while you are there. Things in Cuba are a little more laid back that Canada, so if it takes 10 minutes to get a drink, don't let it ruin your day. You are on vacation!!
Molly, Fredericton NB
Molly
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