Even despite the costly and lengthy flight, a vacation in Cuba continues to gain popularity among tourists from Russia. At the same time, they are interested not only in sunny Havana, but also beach resorts, for example, Varadero. Travelers prefer to stay in trusted hotels, which are part of large hotel chains. For example, they consider the Iberostar Tainos complex in Cuba a good accommodation option. It is described in detail in our article.
Where is this hotel located?
Varadero is a respectable beach resort in Cuba. Getting to this island is not easy and not cheap. The fact is that the flight Moscow - Cuba takes at least 15 hours if you fly directly from the Russian capital to Havana. In Varadero, you can only get with transfers in European countries. Travel time is about 22 hours. The hotel itself is 150 km from Havana. Therefore, tourists arriving there will have to spend a few more hours on the road to the vacation spot. Varadero Airport is 40 km from the hotel, which means that the journey to it will take about 1-2 hours.
The hotel itself, according to guests, has a rather favorable location. It is built on the first line of the sea, that is, right on the coast. On the other side of the complex is a motor road, but no noise is heard from it, as the hotel is surrounded by a lush tropical garden. The central part of Varadero is 13 km away. Other beachfront hotels are nearby, and a dolphinarium and golf course are nearby. Unfortunately, there are no other infrastructure facilities nearby.
Important information for future guests
The Iberostar Tainos complex belongs to the large hotel chain of the same name that organizes leisure not only in Cuba, but also in other famous resorts. It was built in 1999, and the last update of the number of rooms was carried out in 2007. The hotel has its own territory, the area of which is 60,000 square meters. m. On it is the main four-story residential building, as well as 17 bungalows. The hotel is decorated in a traditional Caribbean style, and most of its territory is occupied by a lush tropical garden. The complex offers 272 rooms. Russian-speaking staff also works here.
Hotel accommodation rules are standard. The hotel is allowed to come with children of any age, including newborns. But it is better to leave pets at home, as tourists will not be allowed to settle with them. In order to more conveniently transfer the road after the flight Moscow - Cuba, guests can additionally pay for the transfer. Then a comfortable bus will be waiting for them at the airport, which will take them to the hotel. Accommodation in rooms starts here from 15:00. It is also worth noting that the hotel does not accept cards of US banks.
Hotel Residential Fund
The room category at Iberostar Tainos will depend on its location. Standard apartments are located in the main residential building. They do not differ in exquisite decoration and consist of two rooms - a bedroom and a bathroom. There are rooms with a normal or French balcony. Rooms with double or single beds are also available. This apartment can accommodate 2-3 people. Their area is 35 square meters. m. Windows and balconies overlook the garden or pool.
Apartments located in the bungalow, as a rule, differ from the previous accommodation option only in size. They are also one-room, while the bedroom has 2 single beds. The bungalows are located next to the pools, and their windows and balconies overlook the tropical garden. Rooms are 40 square meters. m
For additional equipment, rooms of both categories do not differ from each other. All buildings have central air conditioning. In the living rooms you can find a TV, telephone, minibar. It is replenished once every 2 days, the price includes not only soft drinks, but also local beer. A safe is available for a fee. Tourists are given a set of hygiene products, which includes not only shampoo and soap, but also a shower cap.
Maids clean all hotel rooms every day. Bed linen and towels are subject to change every 2 days.
Service Features
By Cuban standards, the Iberostar Tainos complex in Varadero has a small territory, but this does not affect the quality of local services. For tourists, all the necessary infrastructure has been created here. We list the main objects and services included in it:
- 24-hour reception, which also has a currency exchange and car rental;
- public parking near the hotel;
- wedding party service;
- convenience store, tobacco and gift shops;
- Internet corner
- therapist's office.
Food concept, restaurants and bars.
When buying a ticket to the Iberostar Tainos Hotel in Varadero, tourists also pay for all-inclusive meals. It includes breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as light snacks throughout the day, soft drinks and spirits, including imported ones. For basic meals, a buffet is served in the hotel's main restaurant. However, there are two more evening establishments at the hotel, where tourists are served à la carte. It serves Cuban and Japanese dishes. To visit these restaurants, a preliminary reservation is required with the administrator. They also have a dress code.
There are also bars on site. There are five of them, and they are located in the lobby, by the pool and on the beach. The main restaurant also has an outdoor terrace.
What kind of entertainment does the Iberostar Tainos Hotel offer?
The hotel does not have its own beach, so tourists visit the coastal area for free. An underground passage separates it from the complex. The beach has all the necessary infrastructure for recreation. There are sun loungers and sun protection umbrellas, beach towels are provided. In the center of water entertainment, tourists can ride a canoe or a water bike. The beach next to the hotel is completely sandy. Its length is approximately 300 meters and a width of 20.
The Iberostar Tainos complex in Varadero also has a spacious outdoor freshwater pool. Its area is 813 square meters. m. Next to it is a platform for tanning.
The tourists are entertained by a team of animators, consisting of 19 employees. They hold discos, as well as afternoon and evening sports and themed events.
The following leisure options are also offered to guests:
- playgrounds for playing volleyball, basketball, futsal and mini-golf;
- billiard room;
- Jacuzzi, sauna and massage room;
- aerobics lessons;
- gym.
Accommodation with small children
The Iberostar Tainos Hotel in Varadero is located in a picturesque and calm place, therefore it is well suited for tourists with small children. Moreover, the complex provides a standard set of amenities and services for such guests. We list the main ones:
- cradles for babies under two years old;
- high chairs for feeding in a restaurant;
- the ability to call a nanny in the room;
- separate shallow pool;
- outdoor play area;
- mini club for children from 4 to 12 years old.
Positive feedback on Iberostar Tainos
The hotel has a good reputation among tourists, so most often after a vacation they leave positive reviews about it. In their opinion, this complex deserves attention because of its following advantages:
- if there are free rooms, check-in occurs immediately after the arrival of tourists at the hotel;
- after a hurricane in Cuba, the bungalow complex was completely renovated, so the rooms there are equipped with new furniture and fixtures;
- good-natured and hospitable staff who always listen to the opinions of tourists and try to solve their problems;
- thorough cleaning of the room, the maids also stack various figures from towels;
- a varied menu in the main restaurant, meat and fish dishes were served every day, and the chef often personally interested visitors about the cooked food.
Negative reviews
But not all tourists were satisfied with the rest in this place. In the reviews, they indicate both minor and serious flaws that can spoil the vacation experience. Former guests recommend paying attention to the following disadvantages of this complex before buying a ticket:
- a large number of mosquitoes on the territory, so it is better to buy a means of protection against them in advance;
- in the outdoor pool, too much bleach is added to the water;
- abandoned plastic glasses and cigarette butts can be seen on the beach in the sand;
- Breakfast at the restaurant does not serve cereals and yoghurts;
- bartenders often ask tourists for tips and begin to be rude if they are refused.
Having examined in more detail the description of the hotel, its location and distance from the Varadero airport, as well as reviews of tourists, we can conclude that this hotel will be a good place to stay in Cuba. Yes, it has its drawbacks, but they are usually justified by the relatively low cost of living.