GRAND Aston Varadero Beach Resort

My first trip to Cuba was a fun experience, and I’d happily go back. The beach was breathtaking, the beach bar was adorable, and staff came over to ask what we wanted and brought drinks right to us. The grounds were clean and nicely decorated with an island feel. The pool and swim-up bar looked gorgeous day and night, though swimming wasn’t allowed after 6 pm. That didn’t bother us since the nights were quite cool. The animators and daily activities were lots of fun. The rooms were spacious and clean, each with a private balcony facing either the ocean or the garden. I’d been warned about the food, and it wasn’t terrible, but the buffet was very repetitive. The 24-hour snack bar ran out of food, and the lobby bar ran out of vodka, the only thing I drink, which was a real disappointment. Most of the staff were nice, except for one woman at the coffee bar who looked like she hated her job.

I’ve been to Varadero many times, and this was the worst beach I’ve seen there. It’s one of the first hotels near the airport, so the sand isn’t especially white or soft and there’s a lot of seaweed. If you care more about pools, I’d recommend the resort. I’d give it 7 out of 10 because the beach was so disappointing. The food was great, with no shortages, and there was lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, including apples, pears, papaya, and pineapple. No limes, though. I had a very nice ocean-view room, but it was extremely humid and the floor always seemed wet. It had screen doors, so we could leave the AC off and get a fresh breeze. January nights were cool because of a cold front. The first three days were sunny and warm, then it turned overcast with spells of rain. No mosquitoes! The entertainment was great, and talented violinists played almost every night before the show.

I’ve been to Cuba four times and Varadero twice. We still had a relaxing week here, and the price was very reasonable, but I probably wouldn’t return because of the cleanliness problems. It definitely isn’t a five-star hotel, though you do get what you pay for. The worst of it was the room. It looked modern, had good water pressure, and the AC worked, but the bedding and towels didn’t feel clean even though housekeeping came every day and brought fresh towels. The sheets and pillows smelled bad, and the spare blanket in the closet smelled used, as if it hadn’t been changed between guests. Small ants were in the room for the first few days. There was a strong sewage smell in the bathroom from the moment we arrived. The AC cooled the room but didn’t clear the humidity, so everything felt damp. The pillows, bedding, and upholstered furniture had visible mold damage and smelled bad. With no ventilation, the bathroom mirror stayed foggy for hours and the whole room smelled moist and unpleasant. Some lights didn’t work either, making it quite dark. Other hotel features were better. The newer, modern-looking property is about a 20-minute drive from the airport. The grounds and amenities were generally clean and well kept. Wi-Fi worked in the rooms, restaurants, lobby, and near the pool, but not on the beach, and it cut out occasionally. The Varadero hop-on hop-off bus stops right outside. It costs $5 USD for the day and is a good way to explore on your own. There’s no ATM on site, and the one at the neighbouring hotel wasn’t working during our stay. Card payments were unreliable because the machines often had connectivity problems, so bring extra cash for tips, shopping, or going off the resort. Mosquitoes were still a problem in December, so bring bug spray. Service was good overall, and most of the staff were friendly. The beach was beautiful, with warm, clear water and nice sand, especially if you walked a bit to the left. The pool was clean and pleasant but shallow, with little shade. Many pool and beach loungers were broken or uncomfortable. There wasn’t regular drink service on the beach, only an occasional staff member walking around. The beach bar is nearby, but not right on the beach. Replacing beach towels was difficult, so we used the same ones for the whole trip. Food and drinks were decent by Cuba standards. There wasn’t much variety, the menu was the same every day, and many dishes were bland, but there was always something okay to eat. There’s a 24/7 snack bar and four à la carte restaurants, which were decent. The food was better than at other Cuban resorts I’ve tried, and you won’t go hungry. Drinks were great when available, with quick service at the coffee, beach, sports, pool, and lobby bars. They had Piña coladas, espresso martinis, and plenty more. The nightly shows were fun, and the entertainment team was excellent. Randy and Enrique stood out, with activities planned throughout the day and evening. The sports bar stays open until 11 pm, the snack bar is open around the clock, and the lobby bar until 1 am. There’s a disco off the resort, but nightlife is otherwise limited.

We had a pleasant stay over Christmas 2025. The staff were lovely, the room service was excellent, and we never needed to call for anything. Our ocean-view room was huge and very clean. The food was decent by Cuban standards, though it was almost the same every day. If you like stronger flavours, bring hot sauce. The beach was okay, but the water was pretty rough, and the wind made it rougher while we were there. The loungers were a bit gross and should be replaced.