Xanadu Mansion (Dupont House)

The mansion's history is fascinating. Built in the late 1920s, Xanadu Mansion belonged to the DuPont family, who founded the American chemical empire, before the Cuban Revolution led to the Cuban government taking it over. Walking through, you can imagine how grand it must have been in its early days. It already had an elevator then, and the basement wine cellar is impressive. It's set on a hilltop with stunning views of the beautiful beach just steps away. Varadero Golf Club is right next door. The mix of history, luxury and scenery makes Xanadu Mansion a unique place and a must-visit in Varadero.

The meal was fantastic, and the restaurant felt Michelin-star quality. This beautiful historic house was one of the best parts of our trip. It's about halfway along the Varadero Peninsula, facing the sea with the magnificent Varadero Golf Course behind it. The house has been historically maintained, with cliff-top views over both the water and the course.

A dress-code hotel, and in my view the best in Varadero. There are only four rooms. Dupont House is inside a golf course, with none in sight, so take care when choosing where to stay in Varadero. The quoted room rate is for half board, with dinner ordered à la carte, and the food is high quality.

The Mansion itself still looks fantastic, and the view from our room was mesmerizing. I can see how it must have been wonderful in its glory days. We stayed two nights, though the rooms are another matter: the ceiling still looks great, but the walls and cupboards don't. I could overlook that, but the food was disappointing. Breakfast was horrible, and dinner was only okay, nowhere near great. They also overcharged tourists for mediocre wine and water. The staff weren't very friendly either. We still appreciated the place, but there's work to do to bring Mansion Xanadu back to its former glory. They should start by motivating the staff.