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Sol Cayo Santa Maria 03/26/2004
Reviewers Rating:  Excellent
We travelled to Sol Cayo Santa Maria with Sunquest - March 14-21 2004. Skyservice is exactly what everyone says... Seating is brutally tight, box lunch/dinner is exactly that, cold sandwich, water, crackers and cheeze, in a cardboard box. Very disappointing.
However, the flight left on time, arrived on time and departed Santa Maria on time, so that part was to my expectations. We had a police excort from the airport, and this was to speed up the travel time to the resort, everyone moved well of the road way and we went non stop all the way out!... Comming back was the same, but it was late afternoon, and all the towns people came out to wave at the 5 buses on the way back to the airport. (I actually wondered who was the tourist attraction, me or them!) but it was fun to wave back to everyone on the streets.
The Hotel was incrediable!! lush tropical vegatation, beautiful landscaping, clean, neat, tidy, picture perfect! The beach was not to my expectation, but that is not to say that it to wasn't beautiful. I was expecting the sand to be white and soft as is on Cayo Guillermo, and it wasn't... it was more a beige colour, and course in texture.... It wasn't consistant up and down the beach, course in some places, and soft in others... It was extremly windy, and the ocean was unsuitable for swimming three out of 7 days. The food was very very good for Cuba! infact the best lasagna I've ever tasted was at the Italian Restaurant. The Buffet has a very wide range to offer... Grilled pork, chicken, steak on a daily basis, a pasta bar, salads, breads, etc. The Ice Cream is authentic Cubian... So So good!!! We could take a lesson on making ice cream from Cuba!! I hate to think my taste buds will have to wait a full year until I have it again.
Elie's is Great!! Fun Bar!! a must for everyone!! The Hotel room was clean and fresh!... we were in 4301 and 4302.... nice location with a view of the ocean... single story unit...Everything was in working order, and the chambermaid did a great job... In fact the entire staff know there business inside out which makes for no surprizes...
We took the excursion into Santa Clara, for anyone who wants to see "The real thing" take the trip!... it's an experience!... and I had a great time, and have some wonderful memories of the day!.. I even learned a lot about Cuba and its people... We also took the full day catamaran trip!... It's a must folks!.. Beautiful ship that holds 20 people, good snorkling, a trip to a deserted island for some sun and fun on the beach, and then lunch, the off to the open sea for sailing under wind power to another snokelling site... I saw a ray this trip out!... another person pulled up at least a 4 lb lobster (The assistant to the ship's captain had him for dinner that night)....What a trip! What can I say, fun filled, fantastic, picture perfect, place!! Would I go back? "In a heart beat" the answer is YES! Do I recommend the Sol Cayo Santa Maria - Yes!! indeed!! If your looking for sun, fun, relaxing, remote destination this is the place.... If your looking for "party city" - go some place else!! I did venture off to the New Melia next door - first impression of the resort and grounds "Thanks but no thanks!" The landscaping hasn't had time to grow in so it's quite baron, the pool area had no shade, and the rooms other that being painted in fresh bright colours to me I would discribe them as Jail Cell Block Barracks.... Block style with 8 rooms per floor / two story units... the Sol were more like Cottage / Villa units of 2 or 4 units each.
Feel Free to email me if you have anything specific you would like to know
Ta
Leanne
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