Hotel Club Atlantico

The staff were wonderful, and the hotel was clean. I also liked the decent drink selection and the classy little restaurant where you can book dinner. The buffet food wasn't great, though, and our room felt old with a bathroom in rough shape. There’s a great beach just steps away and an outdoor bar with a stunning view. Lots of friendly local Cubans stay here, and Havana is about 20 minutes away by car or bus. I enjoyed most of my stay.

The beach was gorgeous, and the Vinales excursion made for a full, informative day with great food and a comfortable bus. Getting into Havana was easy too, with inexpensive buses that came often. I had a great time at the hotel: the staff were kind and patient and did what they could, though strict monitoring limits the extras they can provide. There was always enough food, including meat and cheese at every meal, even if the menu repeated day after day. Cuban citizens get only four pieces of chicken a month, so I found the complaints about having enough to eat unfair. I packed 100 pounds of luggage and came back with less than 20 pounds of things. Seeing how hard people work to get by made me realize how much North Americans have and waste. For staff, I found useful goods more helpful than cash. They can’t easily get Ibuprofen or Tylenol, and those items sell for a dollar each on the black market. When workers earn 40 a month, a bottle of Tylenol can feel like winning the lottery, and may even change or save a life. Bring cash and credit cards on outings, since many places take one or the other, rarely both. If you like condiments, pack little servings of things like soya sauce, jam, and ketchup. They may make a big difference to a meal, and the hotel doesn't have them to give out. Rum and beer were easy to find, while other kinds of alcohol were hit and miss, so it depends how picky you are. The hot water comes from tanks on the roof heated by sunlight, and I quickly learned that mid-afternoon was the best time to shower or rinse laundry in the sink. I don't need much pampering, but the on-site masseuse was wonderful. An hour cost 15 bucks, and after doing that more than once, I slept like a baby each night. The hotel isn't for anyone seeking luxury. I'm going back, and I can't wait.

The beach was great, and the staff offered free catamaran sailing. I also enjoyed the Cuban performers at the buffet, though they rely on tips for their living. After two visits, I still come for the location and the free shuttle downtown. Our remodeled room was very clean, but the shower flooded the bathroom. There were no face cloths, reading lights, shower caps, or clocks, and the hotel ran out of clean towels, as did other hotels. Housekeeping were friendly and pleasant. The buffet was fresh and quite good, but empty dishes weren't refilled, clean silverware, cups, and dishes kept running out, and the dining room was understaffed. If you want good service, bring gifts or tip. Items like calculators, pens, reading glasses, and things from a dollar store are appreciated. The dining room itself was a very good experience, with a lovely meal and excellent service from our waiter. We gave him gifts for his wife and daughter, which he appreciated. Later, when I asked for tea, I was told no because there were no clean cups, and I wasn't allowed to get one from the dining room. The Spanish red wine was excellent, as was the ice cream. Mixed drinks were very cheap and came in small plastic cups, so bring a mug. The front desk staff were efficient, patient, and courteous. The pool area, though, was dirty, loud, and in poor repair.

We felt unwelcome every day, and my family was glad to leave on our last day. Asking for basics like water or toilet paper felt like a struggle, and the staff gave us attitude. The place had necessities, but a depressing atmosphere, like nobody wanted to work there. I knew it wasn't a five-star hotel and expected to spend our time at the beach and in Havana. Run-down facilities don't bother me much, since I've stayed in plenty of hostels, but even those had better customer service. If you're making the trip to Cuba, I'd look for somewhere with better energy. It matters.