|
Maritim LTI Costa Verde 02/18/2004
Reviewers Rating:  Excellent
We stayed at the maritim lti costa verde resort from january 26th for two weeks. The one word I would use to describe the resort is, "fantastic!" This was our third trip to cuba, and while we had very positive experiences at our other 4 1/2 star resorts in varadero, this one was by far the best. I'll try and cover most of it. We are a married couple in our late forties.
Food
The food was superior when it comes to ai cuban resorts. The food manager is michel from montreal and he really takes pride in the preparation and variety. There were lots of fresh vegetables, a large variety actually. There is no way that anyone should complain about the food. It's delicious. We ate at the two a la carte restaurants and found we preferred the cuban over the italian. Both were good but the cuban was excellent. Don't forget the four o'clock teatime over at the pool. Best ham and cheese sandwiches you could ask for!
Rooms
We were in the number two block on the fourth floor facing towards the mangrove. Our room stayed nice and cool as we only got the sun beating directly on the sliding door in the mornings. Our friends were in number five block facing the pool and their room was much warmer then ours as the sun beat on it all day. The rooms are spacious and kept very clean by the staff. I loved the blanket swans and hearts we would come back to each day. The beds are firm and very comfortable. My husband and I were without our normal morning sore backs for the whole two weeks we were there. We must buy a firmer mattress!! Don't leave dirty glasses from drinks on your dresser or in the bathroom or you will be inviting little wee ants to come and visit. Other than a cricket, that was the only bugs we saw. Just put your glasses outside of your door and you won't have a problem. Tv was great with movie channels and the history channel that my husband enjoyed very much.
Staff
I had read on a couple of reviews that the staff were lazy and indifferent. How far from the truth that is! We were made to feel so at home by the staff. They are an amazing group of people who take a lot of pride in their work. Especially....Hector in the main dining room. He was so friendly, attentive, and just a super hard worker. He would just go out of his way to show us a great time. The other waiter that we really liked was dixan. Another man who you could tell was proud of what he did and did and did an excellent job at it. At the pool bar, dayami was a wonderful character who will have you laughing every time you see her. She did an excellent job. Sonelly at the bar was a real sweetheart and we enjoyed talking to her whenever we could. Mindrey was a lovely person too, another real hard worker but very friendly. At the main bar, jennis and eduardo were fantastic. They always had big smiles on their faces and worked their tails off. Of course, we can't not mention julieth. She was so sweet, hardworking and friendly. We would have loved to have taken her home with us but I think her husband might have minded. There are many more people's names I would like to mention but there just isn't the room. Go and see for yourself, just how wonderful these people are.
Beach
The beach could get a little crowded at time but there was plenty of shade both under sombris and trees. There were rocks (coral) that you had to be careful about stubbing your toe on while walking out through the water but that made the snorkelling fantastic. You didn't have to go out very far at all and you could see many varieties of fish. Take some buns from the buffet with you and they will eat out of your hand. Of course the water was that gorgeous turquoise blue and the sand was white.
Trips
We took three trips while we were there. An all day one to santiago which was very long. We got to see the country which was a plus but didn't like the way the people waited outside our tour bus so they could beg. The tour guide leo said those people were lazy and was not happy with them at all. We did see a lot of the country which was our main reason for going. The next trip we took was called the locomoteur. That was excellent! You took a bus to where a sugar mill had just closed down and then took and train out through the country to a farm. The farmer and your guide show you around the farm and the various crops. After you take the train back to where you started from, the bus takes you to a park where you are taken by horse and carriage to where christopher columbus landed. They have a show which was very good. Lunch was included also. I recommend this trip. Our last trip was to holguin city. We really enjoyed this one too. Our guide was urli and he was fantastic. He took us to cross on the hill and pointed out all different places in the city. We went to morro castle, and a lovely restaurant overlooking the city. Excellent trip also. I totally recommend this one. The city was very clean and we did not encounter any beggars even though we spent a lot of time on the street.
There is one thing that everyone should know, and that is that men must wear long pants at dinner. Big deal, so you have to dress up. You would not believe how many men turned up for dinner in shorts and then made a big deal about having to go and change. Good heavens, there was even signs up saying there was a dress code and they acted like they were being asked to do something harmful to themselves. The poor waiters and waitresses that had to stand at the door were so polite but some of the tourists just treated them awfully. Shame on you! Excuse my tirade but it was just so frustrating to see these wonderful people being treated rudely by very rude tourists.
We would go back to maritim lti in a heartbeat and the service was fantastic, and the people wonderful. I would highly recommend it to anyone wanting a great vacation.
Diana from Vancouver Island
DIana
|
