Gran Caribe Club Puntarena

In Veradero, we stayed at...

by mitchk

In Varadero, we stayed at Superclubs Puntarena. This is not a new hotel but is extremely well maintained and spotless. We couldn't imagine friendlier staff anywhere. The resort is comprised of two 'towers', one called Puntarena and the other Paradiso. They are situated at either end of the property with all the amenities located in between. The food is excellent with a choice of a buffet restaurant in each tower, an a la carte restaurant in each tower, an outdoor grill, an ice cream bar and a snack bar with a surprisingly North American menu (pizza, fries, BLT, hot dogs, subs and burgers). There are seven bars with two that are open 24hrs. There are a large number of organized activities (optional of course) plus many water oriented activities from paddle boats to catamarans etc. that are included. Any motorized recreation devices are by fee. All in all an extremely comfortable and friendly place. Book an oceanview room and wake up every morning to the golden glow of the sun on the beach outside your window. The rooms are not elaborate but very nice just the same. Ceramic tile floors and cool colours seem to be very popular. Each room has a safe, although anything left out was never touched. There are gift shops and beachwear shops. Cigars and rum are also sold in the stores in the resort. An exercise gym is well equipped and handy when trying to burn off some of the exotic food and drinks that are available.

Puntarena, Definately BETTER than a 3 Plus star Hotel!!

by A TripAdvisor Member

Well, it's been quite a few years since I've been to Cuba so my boyfriend and I decided to take a little holiday. We booked last minute - less than 2 weeks, and I did my surfing on the internet to find great deals and stumbled on The Puntarena in Varadero. I read what people had written on their experience in their stay in the hotel, before I decided to book, which I found very helpful!!
First major bonus, was that the hotel was under a half hour by bus from Varadero airport. The last thing I wanted was to sit on a bus for a great length of time to get to my hotel. Bus ride was short, under a half hour, and we arrived at our hotel. We got checked in fairly quickly. I had read some horror stories on the elevators, that only one out of the three were working. Well, upon arrival, only ONE was working haha! but the next day they soon had a second one fixed. No problems. Stairs, if you choose to use them, are located on outter ends of the hotel, no interrior stairs, if you want to get your excercise. We arrived to our canal room, which was bright, clean with a king-size bed, TV, and view of the canal. We didn't care about having an ocean view (for an extra $100/week) keeping in mind we only slept, showered, and changed in our room anyways! There's an oil refinery which you can see, and we had the pleasure of smelling it briefly twice during our stay. Not a problem at all! Our maid was very friendly, always smiling. I went to the dollar store and bought hair elastics, toothbrushes, toothpaste, some skipping ropes, and little toys which I gave her as I asked her if she had kids, and she did. This was our tip to her upon leaving, and she was very greatful! We were there for rest and relaxation and that's exactly what this hotel provided us. It's located right and the end of the hotel chains, on Varadero beach, so if you're looking for a larger group of people, and hotels rubbing elbows with each other, then this is not your place to relax! There is a wonderful large swimming pool, which used to join the other hotel next to ours, when they were one super club type hotel. It's divided in the middle, but still extremely nice, not heavily chlorinated which was great - there are showers at the beach and by the pool, so you can shower after your swim. We decided on taking the day catamaran trip - this was for $85 cuban convertible pesos - the one in the little pamphlet they gave us at our orientation the first morning, showed $75 pesos, but that was for taking a catamaran, seeing a dolphin show, snorkelling off the catamaran, and getting to Cayo Blanco beach, for a lobster/chicken lunch. For the $85 pesos, (I highly recommend this one for 10 extra pesos) you do exactly the same thing as I described except you don't see a dolphin show, you SWIM with the dolphins!!!! We left at 8am from our hotel, got to the catamaran, ventured out and swam with the dolphins which were in the middle of the ocean in their own pen. This was surreal!! Then after our swim with the dolphins, we set out and stopped at a reef, to snorkel for about half hour 45 mins - they provided mask, snorkel, fins so you don't need to bring your own. After our snorkel, we set off to Cayo Blanco. This beach is absolutely breathtaking with white sand, and we had our lobster lunch, and spent about 2 hours at the beach and then headed back, sail up on the catamaran and everything!. All in all, WELL worth $85 pesos, as we left at 8am, and arrived back around 5:30pm. The food at the hotel was good, I never complained - excellent meats, pork, beef, chicken fish - a pasta bar too, for the last 3-4 nights of our stay, where he made fresh in front of you. I was never hungry! Also, Alex at the beachbar makes the best pina coladas!! One tip I found helpful, bring your own thermal mug, or big tumbler to take to the beach or anywhere - they have small plastic cups they put the drinks in, so they will fill & refill your own glass! Water they will refill at any of the bars. I never got sick and I drank the water in our hotel room, it's safe to drink. I have to admit, that I had an awesome trip - very relaxing and the beach was wonderful - pleanty of chairs, and covered little huts, should you need the shade! If you're looking for a party-party type hotel, keep on surfing the net. We were looking for rest and relaxation and that's exactly what we found! We would definately go back to the Puntarena hotel - as for the price we paid, it was well worth it. People/hotel staff were extremely friendly and the hotel was clean and we never had any problems!

had a great time on vacation

by A TripAdvisor Member

we went to varadero march 10-17/06 had a really good time in the hotel puntarena. weather was great, staff was great and the people we met were great. the beach bars pinas where the best thanks to alex the bartender.the food at the beach bar was also good. the buffet food was so so, the international a la carte was pretty good but the italian one wasn't great. the hotel was nice and the grounds kept neat and clean. although there was a smell a couple times, from the type of drilling that they do. the smell seemed to be around early in the mornings glad to say it didn't last long nor did i smell it during the day. the nightly intertainment was very well done and the dancers were very talented. the only thing i can complain about is the fact that the water is rough and the caution flags were flying most of the time.

april 23- may 1

by A TripAdvisor Member

Just got back from this resort , and as a first time down south we were very happy with what we got and our trip. The resort is older but very very clean , and the staff is really nice. There are 3 elevators , and for most of the week 2 of the 3 of them were regulary working . The food was not great , but it is Cuba , and we always found something to eat. The spagetti was real good burgers and hot dogs also very good. The beach is unreal .... that is the only way to describe it ... the best beach i have ever seen . The staff was nice , and very extra nice if you gave the a tip. There is a 24 hour bar which is nice ,

First time to Cuba

by nofear75

"Club Puntarena"

Club Puntarena is a 3.5 star all inclusive located 20 minutes from the airport. The room I stayed in was clean and comfortable. Threre was an in room safe (no extra charge) and a mini fridge - not stocked. My maid, Nilda, was a great woman and daily made up different towel arrangements. The pool was nice and I never had a problem getting a chair; the pool does not have a swim up bar, but there is a bar in the pool area. Daily activities are listed, but some days the staff did not seem interested in holding the activities, but then again the vactioners did not seem to want to participate. There is a 24 hour bar located on the first floor of the hotel.

"The food"

Well I tried to eat the buffet, but it did not agree with me. I am not a picky eater, but by the third day I was living off french fries and I stayed far away from the buffet.

"The art"

I was wowed by the art available at the markets. The wood statues were amazing and reasonablly priced.