Resort Report for Nov 06
I think we have reported how Judy and I managed to get 2 weeks instead of 1 week at the Blau and so I will leave that for now.
Flight
Judy and I need lessons in packing. It is always frightening to walk up
to the check in desk and wait to see what the weight is going to be and
how we will fare. We did not go to the same check in but we were beside
each other and could hear what was going on. At least I could, as Judy
seems to tune out the entire world and lose her mind in these
situations. I was overweight, news flash, and I quickly said but what
about my sports bag? She said I will allow 15 lbs for that and so once i
have deducted that it is going to cost you $100.00 and Judy is being
told it is going to cost her $450.00 for excess weight. Time I stepped
in and said "what about the sports bag and then she remembered, oh ya,
one of those is my sports bag and he was even nicer and allowed the
whole bag to go with no charge. She was charged $100.00 as well and we
trundeled off to the plane a few dollars short.
We flew to Cuba with Sun Wing. It was our first flight with this
airline. We picked up our tickets at the airport and received our
tourist cards as well. There was a separate line for pre-booked seats,
so we did not have to line up. We were, of course, overweight. They
allowed 15 kilos for sports equipment only. Therefore, we were only
charged for 10 kilos over. As of May 2006, the rate per kilo went to
$10.00 and so we got our boarding pass once we had paid $100.00.
Flight was on time and we settled in to our seats, aisle and window, no
one in the center, and were treated to champagne. They handed out free
head seats and asked everyone to keep them for the return flight as they
did not have enough for everyone on the way home.
They served a full meal. A choice of teriyaki chicken or pasta, a salad,
and a brownie with white chocolate pieces. Cheese and crackers were
included. Also included were white or red wine and tea or coffee.
We dropped off people in Varadero and continued on the Cayo Coco. There
was not a long wait as they did not service the plane till Cayo Coco.
Customs and luggage were a breeze and I was able to get money changed quickly. Buses were waiting and we were off in no time.
Arrived 10sh and got checked in and went for a walk to see whom we could
find. It was everyone’s night off and so we went off to our rooms in
building 15.
Arrival - Check in:
The Blau still requires you to line up to check in and so there is
always a rush when you get off the bus to get to the desk and receive
your room assignment , your luggage tags, towel voucher and safe key. It
is a slow process as they do have extra staff on hand to deal with a
lot of people. Also, there is a delay when someone is not happy with the
room they were assigned. Since they cannot make changes until the room
manager arrives in the morning there is no real point unless it is a
dire emergency to even ask. You need to have the clerk make a note and
come back to the front desk in the morning.
There was also only one bell hop and that means you either take your own
luggage or you wait till he gets to you. Since we were assigned a room
on the 3rd floor, we were not willing to carry all of our bags
ourselves.
Further to the check in issue, when we had been there for 6 days we were
asked to attend at the front desk and bring our Hotel Voucher from
Signature for the 2nd week of our stay. WE took our travel envelopes to
Jackie at the front desk and we both looked through it all several times
and there was not a hotel voucher to be found. We thought it was weird
but Jackie assured us that if we went to the Signature rep (Yunior) he
would take care of the problem.
Since we had to see him anyway to inform him that we were already at the
resort with Sunwing and therefore would not be arriving at the airport
but would be going home with Signature the following week.
He assured us it was no problem, that he would write up a voucher and we
need not worry about the flight home. He would get on the computer and
confer with Signature in Toronto.
The next day, Sat, we went to see Jackie and she informed us that the
check in the night before was total chaos. Everyone arrived in the
pouring rain and it was very late, like 1 or 2 am. They lined up at the
desk and were asked to provide their hotel voucher. No one had a
voucher. The front desk was insisting that they were required to provide
one or they could not be assigned a room. You can imagine what that
couple of hours was like. The next day Signature was contacted and the
reservations folks were informed, well after the fact, that Signature
was no longer using the voucher system, it would all be done by
computer, as they do with other resorts. This will allow them to do the
check-in in advance and explains why some resorts are able to do it on
the bus, or arrive at the airport with the complete package and room
assignment as in Santa Maria.
Both the staff and the guests would have appreciated knowing this in
advance, I'm sure. I am so glad we were not one of the people arriving
in that downpour to be faced with the problem of no voucher no room, and
the suitcases sitting in the rain with nowhere to go.
Be sure to check with your agent in the future. A good reason to always use an agent.
Resort:
We went to check out the Seafood bar and met Leber’s replacement. He
appeared to have everything under control. He informed us that Leber was
on a months vacation but would be returning on the 1st of Nov. Since
this was the 29tth we knew it would not be long before he was back where
he belongs.
Monday am and we took a walk around. The Churro stand has not only been
moved, there is a brand new beautiful teak wood stand built at the north
end of the buffet beside the ponds. They have also taken some of the
tables and chairs from the courtyard and put them in that area. A very
nice place to sit quietly and read or watch the birds and the people
come and go.
We attended the orientation to see what, if anything was new. Henry is
the Sun Wing representative. They have re-introduced the towel deposit.
The safe key does not require a deposit.
They have provided permanent stalls for the venders. It means they no
longer have to tote the rather precarious tables to display their wares.
The venders change daily, for the most part, but there are some who
were there every day. They are located around the corner from the main
lobby on the north side of the building.
The a la cartes were not all open every night. The El Fontanella and the
piano bar was open every night but the seafood, El Dorado, and the
Cuban (Yarey) was not. When one was open the other was not. Menus have
not changed in the a la carte’s but Judy and I found a marked
improvement in the buffet.
The bread supply was very limited. Regular sliced and baguettes were all
that was available most day. A few days they had sliced whole wheat. We
were very surprised. They did however have great meat selections. We
were especially pleased on turkey nights. Also large pork roasts with
crackling. Beautiful hams and BBQ’d pork ribs. We never went to the a la
carte until we had checked out the buffet and often it was our 1st
choice.
There were students working throughout the resort and we found them to
be a delight. Judy wanted to take one of the young women home, she was
so adorable.
The beach bar now has hot food every day. Fries, triangles of pizza and
various tidbits. They were not the same every day and I didn’t check
very often. They seemed to be popular.
Rooms:
We were booked into a room on the 3rd floor. Now I know where all of the
king size beds are. I wonder why that is. Nothing has changed. I was
able to sleep with the door open and listen to the ocean. There were no
mossies (at least in my room). It rained very hard in the night and woke
me but it was not long before the sound of the rain lulled me back to
sleep.
Carnival:
On Wednesday evening there was a carnival held in the town square. It
was available to guests from all of the resorts. Guests from the other
resorts paid a entry fee (12 cuc) and that entitled them to all drinks
and food for the evening.
There were bars and food tables set up around the square and seating for everyone.
There was a mixture of presentations. There was a group from Moron that
performed amazing acrobatic feats on stilts. We enjoyed that event very
much and there were a lot of oohs and aahs from the large crowd.
There was a small theatre group who performed and they were awesome
The resident dancers (more later) performed several numbers and they were spectacular.
There was an older dance group from Moron who performed traditional
Cuban dances in traditional Cuban dress. They were very good and
incredibly energetic for a group that was obviously of a certain age.
Let’s just say we had a lot in common age wise.
There was also a live band that played for the groups as well as playing
some dance music. There was a jazz band that really got your toes
tapping.
Once the show was over, the disco was open for dancing and the performers were there and available for dancing.
The carnival is a weekly event. It was held indoors the 2nd week as it
was raining out. The Cuban dancers were not there but perhaps it is a
variety of performers. Judy and I have lots of photos but neither of us
have put them up.
Entertainment:
Previously, Derek and I have said we have seen all of the shows that the
animation team perform and so do not attend the shows anymore (actually
the real reason is , Derek can’t stay awake) but Judy like to attend
and so I will go with her and will stay if I am enjoying the show.
We were blown away by the caliber of dancing and the choreography was
new, innovative and varied. There are 3 men and 4 women with one woman
being the principal dancer who performed a solo. There was modern dance,
ballet, contemporary, suggestive and progressive. I mentioned it to
several of the staff and they informed us that the resort had hired a
new choreographer 6 weeks previous and he had worked with the new
dancers every day. The dancers were young (I swear they did not look a
day over 12) talented and energetic. They were fresh out of the dance
academy and were not required to do the regular duties of the animation
team. The previous animation team was still there and did the daily fun
on the beach and in the pool as well as the Spanish and dance lessons
and the pros (dancers) rehearsed every day. I have not seen such talent
since we were at the Mayonaba in Camaguay, where Derek and I watched the
talent every night. They also were only required to put on the evening
show and they rehearsed every day. It makes for a very professional show
and we were delighted every night.
Beach:
We have always loved the beach at Cayo Coco and especially in front of
the Blau. It was very disappointing to find on the 1st day, a sea of
weeds on the beach that was not cleaned up. Day 2 the weeds were still
there and although the 4 men were trying to get it cleaned up it was a
bigger job than they could handle.
I went to speak to the PR person, (Dayani) and suggested that a resort
that bills itself as a 5 star (and charge 5 star prices) needs to have a
clean beach and must be prepared to hire more people to clean the beach
if that is what is required. It was explained to us that the job of
cleaning the beach is contracted out to an outside company. I suggested
that the resort is still responsible to the guests and perhaps a word to
the contractor was in order. I do realize they have to do it by hand
and it is not an easy job. I also realize it is much too big a job for 4
men.
The next day there were several more beach cleaners and the beach was
cleared. Part of the problem is they start at the Tryp and by the time
they reach the Blau the work shift is over and they leave. Once that was
sorted we had a clean beach for the duration of our vacation.
Food:
Judy and I were impressed with the improvement of the food at the
buffet. They had huge roasted turkey on more that 1 occasion, roast
pork, a big glazed ham. We enjoyed several meals at the buffet. I was
disappointed as I said with the lack of variety of the bread. We are
used to such great bread at every meal and it was not available this
trip.
Churros stand
The stand is now to be found at the end of the buffet building. If you
go past the doors and look to the right you will see it. The tables and
chairs are set up there and it is a nice quiet place to sit and have a
drink or a churro. It is next to the pools and before the bridge which
is at the end of the buffet.
The West end:
There has been no movement whatsoever at the west end of the resort.
There are security guards and some gardeners but that is it> No
activity at all.
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Balu (as it was) Colonial Cayo Coco 2007
Blau Nov '07:
There is good news and bad to share with you. There are many new ideas and improvements and the same wonderful staff and there are some things that really need work.
Flight:
We traveled with Air Transat and all went well. The flight was on time except for the luggage. One suitcase was too overweight and so I had to open it and transfer stuff from one to the other. We always travel Club Class and really enjoy it. It is worth the additional cost. Boarding when you want, extra luggage allowance (double) champagne and orange juice, (good at any time of the day). The meal is usually good and all drinks are included. A decent wine is served and there is no line-up for the washroom.
Customs:
We were one of the first off the plane and so no long wait. Got through and to the money exchange immediately. 91 CUCs for $100.00. All but 1 piece of luggage came quickly and then the 4rth one came out with a customs agent accompanying it. It was a young woman who did not speak English well. She asked me to fill out a customs declaration and I said I had nothing to declare and I had received one on the plane and read it and had nothing to declare. She asked me to come and speak to another agent, who did speak English and who I knew from our many previous trips. He asked if I had a DVD player and I responded I did but it was for my own use at the resort. He asked what else I was importing and I responded nothing. He commented that I had a lot of clothes and I must be leaving some in Cuba. We discussed at great length what I had brought. I explained that I did bring many small gifts for tips, but nothing that I was going to sell in Cuba. He wanted me to pay duty on the DVD and we kept showing me the declaration form. I pointed out to him that the form allows $50.00 duty free and I had the receipt for the DVD player and it was $49.99 and therefore I did not have to claim it or pay duty on it.
He then asked if they could weigh our luggage. I wanted to know why. At this point Derek was getting a little panicky, wanting to just give them what they wanted and get out of there. The agent then explained to us that we were allowed 30 kilos of luggage each and any more than that we could be charged duty at the rate of $10.00 a kilo. At that point Derek worked out (he’s very quick with the math) that we would be paying over $400.00. At that point he decided to let me continue to DISCUSS the issue with customs. They did weigh all of our luggage, including the dive bag. He was not interested in the fact that we were allowed the weight according to the airline and was not interested in the dive bag exemption.
Sooooo, they weighed each bag and wrote down the weight of each one and had both Derek and I confirm the weight. He then punched the numbers into a calculator and had us both confirm each one again. He added up the total and guess what. 101 kilos. (and that did not include either of our carry-ons, where all my shoes were, or my purse, that I could barely lift). After much discussion and my repeated requests for them to show me where in the declaration form it had any weight restrictions or where it said we could not bring in small gifts for tips.
Finally, he asked me if it was a portable DVD player and took the receipt and said on this occasion they were not going to charge us for the additional weight but suggested when we returned home we should check the Cuban website to confirm the weight limit per person. I thanked him and we were on our way.
We spoke with 3 other people who just happened to have DVDs or a Play Station and they were each charged $50.00 duty. I guess I am just stubborn and/or contrary enough or perhaps even charming enough to avoid that.
I mentioned that we were frequent travelers to Cayo Coco and other areas of Cuba and had never run into this before. He said he was aware of that and recognized us from many trips.
We were not the last people on the bus so others were being looked at.
Funny thing happened on the bus. There were a few people who had enjoyed a few drinks on the way down and at the airport in Cuba and one of the women kept coming to the bus and asking why we were not leaving yet. She asked the representative
Several times and the representative said they were waiting for one couple. Finally the representative
came onto the bus and asked if anyone knew a certain couple that they were waiting for as they had not picked up the package with the check in info and sign in card. Well, guess what, the woman who was complaining was the one who had not picked up her package and was holding up the bus. That was good for a bit of ribbing.
Trip to the hotel was fast and we were the only ones going to the Blau. We walked into the lobby and there was Leber at the new lobby bar to greet us. It was like coming home and having the family there to meet you. Derek checked in while I took on the important task of getting drinks for us. It was a bit rainy but warm. Suitcases were delivered to our room and were waiting for us when we got there. WE were in Bldg #14 on the second floor with a king size bed, a view of the ocean if there were not such large tall trees, but we could hear the ocean and we were able to sleep with the windows open the whole time. I love to be lulled to sleep by the sound of the waves crashing onto the shore.
Arrival at Blau / Room / Resort:
We had a great vacation and were happy to see all of our friends in CC.
The rain stopped when we arrived Thursday evening and never came back. It was windy and the roar of the ocean could be heard throughout the resort.
We were greeted by Leber and Alexander, both of whom were working the NEW lobby bar that night. We had a drink while our luggage was taken to our room. We were very impressed with the new bar and lobby. New paint job and recovered furniture. I must warn you, the beveled glass topped coffee tables are dangerous. Derek cut his leg as did several others. The glass protrudes out from the table top and they are quite low and so just out of sight. We noted there were a few bleeding legs. I did not use the couches much because they were also very low and hard to get out of. They recovered them but did not re-stuff them.
They have moved the pool table from the disco to the other end of the lobby, (near the bank) and it is much brighter and surrounded by couches for viewers. The cues are kept at the pool during the day as there is another pool table there for daytime use. If you have your own I would bring it along with chalk. There is no charge and the balls are kept at the front desk.
We were in building 14 on the 2nd floor. A very nice room with a king size bed and a view of full grown trees. You would be able to see the ocean but for the trees. They are having difficulty providing ocean view rooms as the vegetation is so mature. They made a decision not to cut down trees and I support that. The balcony was L shaped and so we also had a view of the walkway to our room. On the stairs up to our room we noted (you will see photos ) of plants growing under and up the stairs and the wall. I loved it. The second week we were there the gardener chopped it all down. It looked naked. I asked him why and he said the boss ordered it.
A group of workers spent more than a week working on the pipes leading to building 14 and 15 and after a few days we could really notice the difference in both temperature and force of the water. Judy had her shower head cleaned and said the shower could knock her backwards. It is certainly an improvement over the way the water has been for several years.
There is a lot of repair work that needs doing at the Blau. There are broken chairs, the steps leading to the beach are in very bad shape. They are dangerous and someone is going to seriously hurt themselves if they don’t get some attention soon. The steps and ramp leading from the beach bar have been closed completely as they are treacherous. The ones to the west of the bar are also in poor repair and the bottom step is so far off the sand you must jump to the beach. The ones near bldg 15 are also problematic. The rails are wobbly and if you actually use them for support they break. Someone comes along and bangs the one nail holding it together back in the same hole until the next person tries to use it for support. The paths further east are safe as they are a gentle incline and do not require a walkway or steps. Au Natural. However it would be very difficult if not impossible to get a wheelchair to the beach.
There was a team of builders erecting new palapas along the beach. It was very interesting watching them work with little or no tools. There is now a steady row of palapas from one end of the beach to the other. They are putting a roof on them so they will provide complete shade rather than slatted shade as before.
There are all new lounge chairs (see photos) at the beach and the pool and there are lots of them. They are a much softer plastic and seem sturdier but that may be the newness.
The ocean was wild when we arrived but it got less and less each day until the day we were to leave and it was perfectly calm. There aught to be a law.
The beach was dirty for several days as the storm had just ended. The Blau and the other resorts along the beach have a contract with an outside company to clean the beach. As I have mentioned previously the beach in front of the Blau (unlike the other beaches) is very soft and therefore the tractor cannot clear the weeds. It must be done by hand and since it is the most difficult area it is left to the last. The company (there is only one) does not provide additional staff after a storm. The lifeguards and chair personal cleared us a path to the beach and day 4 they raked all of the weeds into piles for the crew to pick up We really appreciated that. It was not their job to do and they spent an entire day raking.
The Hemingway BBQ Grill is a work in progress. They are aware that a lot of loyal return guests miss the old Hemingway Grill and so are working toward having it available again. They are doing BBQ lunch, (didn't try it but friends said it was fine) (hamburgers etc) and hope to expand the evening but at the moment it is just for the VIP guests as a special treat for those who have either paid for the VIP package or been offered it as a multi return guest.
We know things change from one visit to the next but I can tell you that they have managed to have a BBQ set up and it is unlikely it will go away. It will at least be there for lunch.
There was no beach animation at this time but they were at the pool. They had a Cuban feast one day at the pool, where the animation staff built a fire, cleaned and cut up vegetables and made a giant pot of soup (Cuban style) for all to enjoy.
Wednesday night was beach party night. Although we did not attend we heard it loud and clear. Sounded like a good time. It was the only night we closed our windows.
There is a new gym with new equipment. It is located at the pool in what used to be the children’s center. They have machines as well as free weights and an attendant. On the stage beside the gym is a pool table and ping pong table.
The new facilities for the children is currently being built at the east end of the pool in the building that is in front of the seafood restaurant, on the ground floor and it looks good. There is also an outdoor playground with a slide, swings and rocking horses and other bouncy things, etc. It is behind building 16.
As to the salt water section, the news is that they expect to reopen both that section and the other buildings not currently in use by March /April. We did not see a lot of work going on over there but "they" say the government has made a commitment to the Blau and so it will be done. We did mention to the new Director General, Ernesto Dominguez, that many Happy Faces were looking forward to the salt water section opening again.
Yareys has a new menu as do all of the restaurants.
Leber introduced Judy and I to the new Director General and he had heard about us, ie: Happy Faces who have been to visit many times. He was very gracious and welcomed us and offered his services 24/7. He said he lives at the resort and works everyday and we would be welcome in his office at any time to discuss the resort improvements or problems. He appears to be very popular with the staff, who believe he will improve many things.
VIP Package for returning guests:
One of the things he has approved and that is the VIP package for guests who have been to the resort many times. I was not aware but there is a VIP package available at the resort for approx $50.00 a day. The VIP package was posted late in the second week and I'm sorry I didn't write it down but it was for the week and not a day. I don't know how it would work for 1 day but you can always talk to public relations.
It includes:
1 massage per guest in the room, (that is a full 1 hour massage),
continental breakfast (juice, tea/coffee, breads, yogurt, toast, croissants and jam) in the room (ordered the previous day),
unlimited a la carte restaurants (booked the day before)
special shrimp and lobster meals (requested the previous day)
VIP dinner on Tuesday evening at the new steakhouse (beach grill)
ocean view rooms
slippers and robe
a welcome bottle of rum
and late checkout (5:00 pm) on the day of departure.
We were given the package as a thank you for our many stays at the Blau and our yellow bracelets were replace with clear plastic ones.
I enjoyed the massage very much. I also enjoyed Derek’s massage very much. I had one each week.
We had the breakfast in the room and it was lovely to sit on the balcony and have breakfast.
The seafood restaurant is closed for renos. They are hoping to enclose it somewhat so it is more comfortable in inclement weather. If you have ever been caught in a heavy rain you will understand. So the bar is also closed. The seafood restaurant is currently in the 2nd buffet building. I have always love this room with it’s frescos and beautiful décor. There is a lounge area with a bar, on one side and the tables on the other.
The 24 hour bar has all new tables and chairs in the open area and wicker chairs with cushions under the eaves of the Piano Bar. The Italian restaurant and the piano bar are still running smoothly.
The bank is now open 24 hours. He does however, have to have meals and so it is occasionally closed for short periods.
We saw a wedding while we were there. They have not perfected that as they have at other resorts but it was beautiful. It was held over by the ponds, across the bridge and to the right. There was a 4 piece band, some flowers and balloons. The wedding party was all in white and the bride was in red. It was quite striking. They had the dinner at the Italian restaurant. We could have gone there as well so it was not closed off to the public. We chose to not share the occasion.
The street party did not happen while we were there this time. We didn't ask about it. Shows were very good. The entertainment staff are really polished now. Recall last year they were very new and had only rehearsed for 1 month. You could see the difference in the polish as all of the routines were the same. They were however a much more serious group than they were last year. It was all fun and happy then and now they are serious entertainers.
I will tell you about our day excursions soon. Time for Judy to kick in here.
EXCURSIONS by Derek:
Delayed muchly, but here's our 'Out and about on and off (some of) the Cayos' report from our most recent trip to CC.
We had a couple of excuses to get off campus this trip.
First was Judy’s birthday party in Pina.
To get there we had to drive through a small flood across the main road into Moron. For those who know the drive, it was just at the south end of the large Z turn just before the fish farms on the west side of the road. Even though the last of the storm was a week or more in the past at that point, the road was still awash in mebbe 10-15cm of water.
Pina is a small town (perhaps 5,000 people if you include the surrounding rural bits) roughly 30km (from memory) from the end of the causeway out to Cayo Coco.
As you can see from the photos, the party was great. I also have a set of photos I took while on a short walk around the block. I can’t add much to the photos I think. Nice people, everyone smiling and nodding to me.
Our hosts have a de Soto in their yard. It’s slowly being brought back to (original) working condition. Mechanics are done, bodywork and interior still to come.
I took some photos of people and just did the usual request for permission before shooting and everyone I snapped was happy to pose…which is a problem. But the advent of digital cameras means you can ask permission, take one photo with the subject posing for you, wait until they return to doing what you want a snap of, and then shoot the ‘real’ photo.
Judy and a friend acting as guide and I drove from Pina into Ciego d’Avilla. It’s always fun to drive about in another country just for the anthropological experience of things like bus stops etc. On the way back we visited the site of an important battle during the War of Independence against the Spanish. No other stops though as the party was waiting.
Judy may wish to detail what happened on the visit to Ciego d'Avilla per se.
On another day we rented a car and again with a guide wandered around Cayos Coco, Guillermo and Paredon. Judy hasn’t ever really been off-campus save for a trip to the nude beach and then on to the wild boar caverns.
Headed east we managed to get out onto Paredon, despite a rather dilapidated bridge. Holes that were rather large and which went through the bridge so that we could peer down and look at the rather quickly (or so it seemed) rushing water. Our friend had to guide me over and around them.
Judy was so confident in my skills as a driver that she refused to be in the car going over the bridge and walked both coming and going.
At the bridge, which is also a fishing dock, is a small coast guard station. The staff has a pet bird that was a hoot. If you look closely at the photos you can see it eating a rather large fish in one go. And no, it’s not a pelican. Dunno what it is really.
Hungry perhaps?
The roadway to Paredon is chained, you must ask at the Coast Guard station to have it (very graciously and without any promise of a gift or tip in return) opened for you.
Out on Paredon is a cast-iron lighthouse almost 100 years old. Much fun climbing up it and the mechanism, apparently original, was interesting. A large counterweighted clockwork system for rotating the light.
Great views.
Long drive getting there though as the road is rather rough (not to mention the holes in the bridge) and this slows things down a fair bit.
We also hit Playa Flamingo for lunch (very nice) and beer (even nicer). Lunch was lobster and rice done on a BBQ. The grill has gotten quite a bit fancier since we were last there. There are flush toilets and something that looks like it might be a band shell.
Sigh. I must be getting old. As with the grill at the nude beach, I can remember when it was a bunch of stumps sticking out of the sand, a thatched closet with a cooler full of beer and a BBQ pit scooped out of the sand.
Say, I AM getting old. I can remember when that would describe what is not the Sol Cayo Coco! J
As well, the sand dunes between the nude beach and the caverns (impressive, great views, no cars allowed any more as it has just been declared a reserve, but you can walk to them), and Playa Pilar of course.
The grill at Pilar is being rebuilt, but the beach is as spectacular as I remembered.
After that we had to zip back to the hotel as it was close to 18:00.
Photos here: Wandering Cayos Coco, Guillermo, Paredon.
There is good news and bad to share with you. There are many new ideas and improvements and the same wonderful staff and there are some things that really need work.
Flight:
We traveled with Air Transat and all went well. The flight was on time except for the luggage. One suitcase was too overweight and so I had to open it and transfer stuff from one to the other. We always travel Club Class and really enjoy it. It is worth the additional cost. Boarding when you want, extra luggage allowance (double) champagne and orange juice, (good at any time of the day). The meal is usually good and all drinks are included. A decent wine is served and there is no line-up for the washroom.
Customs:
We were one of the first off the plane and so no long wait. Got through and to the money exchange immediately. 91 CUCs for $100.00. All but 1 piece of luggage came quickly and then the 4rth one came out with a customs agent accompanying it. It was a young woman who did not speak English well. She asked me to fill out a customs declaration and I said I had nothing to declare and I had received one on the plane and read it and had nothing to declare. She asked me to come and speak to another agent, who did speak English and who I knew from our many previous trips. He asked if I had a DVD player and I responded I did but it was for my own use at the resort. He asked what else I was importing and I responded nothing. He commented that I had a lot of clothes and I must be leaving some in Cuba. We discussed at great length what I had brought. I explained that I did bring many small gifts for tips, but nothing that I was going to sell in Cuba. He wanted me to pay duty on the DVD and we kept showing me the declaration form. I pointed out to him that the form allows $50.00 duty free and I had the receipt for the DVD player and it was $49.99 and therefore I did not have to claim it or pay duty on it.
He then asked if they could weigh our luggage. I wanted to know why. At this point Derek was getting a little panicky, wanting to just give them what they wanted and get out of there. The agent then explained to us that we were allowed 30 kilos of luggage each and any more than that we could be charged duty at the rate of $10.00 a kilo. At that point Derek worked out (he’s very quick with the math) that we would be paying over $400.00. At that point he decided to let me continue to DISCUSS the issue with customs. They did weigh all of our luggage, including the dive bag. He was not interested in the fact that we were allowed the weight according to the airline and was not interested in the dive bag exemption.
Sooooo, they weighed each bag and wrote down the weight of each one and had both Derek and I confirm the weight. He then punched the numbers into a calculator and had us both confirm each one again. He added up the total and guess what. 101 kilos. (and that did not include either of our carry-ons, where all my shoes were, or my purse, that I could barely lift). After much discussion and my repeated requests for them to show me where in the declaration form it had any weight restrictions or where it said we could not bring in small gifts for tips.
Finally, he asked me if it was a portable DVD player and took the receipt and said on this occasion they were not going to charge us for the additional weight but suggested when we returned home we should check the Cuban website to confirm the weight limit per person. I thanked him and we were on our way.
We spoke with 3 other people who just happened to have DVDs or a Play Station and they were each charged $50.00 duty. I guess I am just stubborn and/or contrary enough or perhaps even charming enough to avoid that.
I mentioned that we were frequent travelers to Cayo Coco and other areas of Cuba and had never run into this before. He said he was aware of that and recognized us from many trips.
We were not the last people on the bus so others were being looked at.
Funny thing happened on the bus. There were a few people who had enjoyed a few drinks on the way down and at the airport in Cuba and one of the women kept coming to the bus and asking why we were not leaving yet. She asked the representative
Several times and the representative said they were waiting for one couple. Finally the representative
came onto the bus and asked if anyone knew a certain couple that they were waiting for as they had not picked up the package with the check in info and sign in card. Well, guess what, the woman who was complaining was the one who had not picked up her package and was holding up the bus. That was good for a bit of ribbing.
Trip to the hotel was fast and we were the only ones going to the Blau. We walked into the lobby and there was Leber at the new lobby bar to greet us. It was like coming home and having the family there to meet you. Derek checked in while I took on the important task of getting drinks for us. It was a bit rainy but warm. Suitcases were delivered to our room and were waiting for us when we got there. WE were in Bldg #14 on the second floor with a king size bed, a view of the ocean if there were not such large tall trees, but we could hear the ocean and we were able to sleep with the windows open the whole time. I love to be lulled to sleep by the sound of the waves crashing onto the shore.
Arrival at Blau / Room / Resort:
We had a great vacation and were happy to see all of our friends in CC.
The rain stopped when we arrived Thursday evening and never came back. It was windy and the roar of the ocean could be heard throughout the resort.
We were greeted by Leber and Alexander, both of whom were working the NEW lobby bar that night. We had a drink while our luggage was taken to our room. We were very impressed with the new bar and lobby. New paint job and recovered furniture. I must warn you, the beveled glass topped coffee tables are dangerous. Derek cut his leg as did several others. The glass protrudes out from the table top and they are quite low and so just out of sight. We noted there were a few bleeding legs. I did not use the couches much because they were also very low and hard to get out of. They recovered them but did not re-stuff them.
They have moved the pool table from the disco to the other end of the lobby, (near the bank) and it is much brighter and surrounded by couches for viewers. The cues are kept at the pool during the day as there is another pool table there for daytime use. If you have your own I would bring it along with chalk. There is no charge and the balls are kept at the front desk.
We were in building 14 on the 2nd floor. A very nice room with a king size bed and a view of full grown trees. You would be able to see the ocean but for the trees. They are having difficulty providing ocean view rooms as the vegetation is so mature. They made a decision not to cut down trees and I support that. The balcony was L shaped and so we also had a view of the walkway to our room. On the stairs up to our room we noted (you will see photos ) of plants growing under and up the stairs and the wall. I loved it. The second week we were there the gardener chopped it all down. It looked naked. I asked him why and he said the boss ordered it.
A group of workers spent more than a week working on the pipes leading to building 14 and 15 and after a few days we could really notice the difference in both temperature and force of the water. Judy had her shower head cleaned and said the shower could knock her backwards. It is certainly an improvement over the way the water has been for several years.
There is a lot of repair work that needs doing at the Blau. There are broken chairs, the steps leading to the beach are in very bad shape. They are dangerous and someone is going to seriously hurt themselves if they don’t get some attention soon. The steps and ramp leading from the beach bar have been closed completely as they are treacherous. The ones to the west of the bar are also in poor repair and the bottom step is so far off the sand you must jump to the beach. The ones near bldg 15 are also problematic. The rails are wobbly and if you actually use them for support they break. Someone comes along and bangs the one nail holding it together back in the same hole until the next person tries to use it for support. The paths further east are safe as they are a gentle incline and do not require a walkway or steps. Au Natural. However it would be very difficult if not impossible to get a wheelchair to the beach.
There was a team of builders erecting new palapas along the beach. It was very interesting watching them work with little or no tools. There is now a steady row of palapas from one end of the beach to the other. They are putting a roof on them so they will provide complete shade rather than slatted shade as before.
There are all new lounge chairs (see photos) at the beach and the pool and there are lots of them. They are a much softer plastic and seem sturdier but that may be the newness.
The ocean was wild when we arrived but it got less and less each day until the day we were to leave and it was perfectly calm. There aught to be a law.
The beach was dirty for several days as the storm had just ended. The Blau and the other resorts along the beach have a contract with an outside company to clean the beach. As I have mentioned previously the beach in front of the Blau (unlike the other beaches) is very soft and therefore the tractor cannot clear the weeds. It must be done by hand and since it is the most difficult area it is left to the last. The company (there is only one) does not provide additional staff after a storm. The lifeguards and chair personal cleared us a path to the beach and day 4 they raked all of the weeds into piles for the crew to pick up We really appreciated that. It was not their job to do and they spent an entire day raking.
The Hemingway BBQ Grill is a work in progress. They are aware that a lot of loyal return guests miss the old Hemingway Grill and so are working toward having it available again. They are doing BBQ lunch, (didn't try it but friends said it was fine) (hamburgers etc) and hope to expand the evening but at the moment it is just for the VIP guests as a special treat for those who have either paid for the VIP package or been offered it as a multi return guest.
We know things change from one visit to the next but I can tell you that they have managed to have a BBQ set up and it is unlikely it will go away. It will at least be there for lunch.
There was no beach animation at this time but they were at the pool. They had a Cuban feast one day at the pool, where the animation staff built a fire, cleaned and cut up vegetables and made a giant pot of soup (Cuban style) for all to enjoy.
Wednesday night was beach party night. Although we did not attend we heard it loud and clear. Sounded like a good time. It was the only night we closed our windows.
There is a new gym with new equipment. It is located at the pool in what used to be the children’s center. They have machines as well as free weights and an attendant. On the stage beside the gym is a pool table and ping pong table.
The new facilities for the children is currently being built at the east end of the pool in the building that is in front of the seafood restaurant, on the ground floor and it looks good. There is also an outdoor playground with a slide, swings and rocking horses and other bouncy things, etc. It is behind building 16.
As to the salt water section, the news is that they expect to reopen both that section and the other buildings not currently in use by March /April. We did not see a lot of work going on over there but "they" say the government has made a commitment to the Blau and so it will be done. We did mention to the new Director General, Ernesto Dominguez, that many Happy Faces were looking forward to the salt water section opening again.
Yareys has a new menu as do all of the restaurants.
Leber introduced Judy and I to the new Director General and he had heard about us, ie: Happy Faces who have been to visit many times. He was very gracious and welcomed us and offered his services 24/7. He said he lives at the resort and works everyday and we would be welcome in his office at any time to discuss the resort improvements or problems. He appears to be very popular with the staff, who believe he will improve many things.
VIP Package for returning guests:
One of the things he has approved and that is the VIP package for guests who have been to the resort many times. I was not aware but there is a VIP package available at the resort for approx $50.00 a day. The VIP package was posted late in the second week and I'm sorry I didn't write it down but it was for the week and not a day. I don't know how it would work for 1 day but you can always talk to public relations.
It includes:
1 massage per guest in the room, (that is a full 1 hour massage),
continental breakfast (juice, tea/coffee, breads, yogurt, toast, croissants and jam) in the room (ordered the previous day),
unlimited a la carte restaurants (booked the day before)
special shrimp and lobster meals (requested the previous day)
VIP dinner on Tuesday evening at the new steakhouse (beach grill)
ocean view rooms
slippers and robe
a welcome bottle of rum
and late checkout (5:00 pm) on the day of departure.
We were given the package as a thank you for our many stays at the Blau and our yellow bracelets were replace with clear plastic ones.
I enjoyed the massage very much. I also enjoyed Derek’s massage very much. I had one each week.
We had the breakfast in the room and it was lovely to sit on the balcony and have breakfast.
The seafood restaurant is closed for renos. They are hoping to enclose it somewhat so it is more comfortable in inclement weather. If you have ever been caught in a heavy rain you will understand. So the bar is also closed. The seafood restaurant is currently in the 2nd buffet building. I have always love this room with it’s frescos and beautiful décor. There is a lounge area with a bar, on one side and the tables on the other.
The 24 hour bar has all new tables and chairs in the open area and wicker chairs with cushions under the eaves of the Piano Bar. The Italian restaurant and the piano bar are still running smoothly.
The bank is now open 24 hours. He does however, have to have meals and so it is occasionally closed for short periods.
We saw a wedding while we were there. They have not perfected that as they have at other resorts but it was beautiful. It was held over by the ponds, across the bridge and to the right. There was a 4 piece band, some flowers and balloons. The wedding party was all in white and the bride was in red. It was quite striking. They had the dinner at the Italian restaurant. We could have gone there as well so it was not closed off to the public. We chose to not share the occasion.
The street party did not happen while we were there this time. We didn't ask about it. Shows were very good. The entertainment staff are really polished now. Recall last year they were very new and had only rehearsed for 1 month. You could see the difference in the polish as all of the routines were the same. They were however a much more serious group than they were last year. It was all fun and happy then and now they are serious entertainers.
I will tell you about our day excursions soon. Time for Judy to kick in here.
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EXCURSIONS by Derek:
Delayed muchly, but here's our 'Out and about on and off (some of) the Cayos' report from our most recent trip to CC.
We had a couple of excuses to get off campus this trip.
First was Judy’s birthday party in Pina.
To get there we had to drive through a small flood across the main road into Moron. For those who know the drive, it was just at the south end of the large Z turn just before the fish farms on the west side of the road. Even though the last of the storm was a week or more in the past at that point, the road was still awash in mebbe 10-15cm of water.
Pina is a small town (perhaps 5,000 people if you include the surrounding rural bits) roughly 30km (from memory) from the end of the causeway out to Cayo Coco.
As you can see from the photos, the party was great. I also have a set of photos I took while on a short walk around the block. I can’t add much to the photos I think. Nice people, everyone smiling and nodding to me.
Our hosts have a de Soto in their yard. It’s slowly being brought back to (original) working condition. Mechanics are done, bodywork and interior still to come.
I took some photos of people and just did the usual request for permission before shooting and everyone I snapped was happy to pose…which is a problem. But the advent of digital cameras means you can ask permission, take one photo with the subject posing for you, wait until they return to doing what you want a snap of, and then shoot the ‘real’ photo.
Judy and a friend acting as guide and I drove from Pina into Ciego d’Avilla. It’s always fun to drive about in another country just for the anthropological experience of things like bus stops etc. On the way back we visited the site of an important battle during the War of Independence against the Spanish. No other stops though as the party was waiting.
Judy may wish to detail what happened on the visit to Ciego d'Avilla per se.
On another day we rented a car and again with a guide wandered around Cayos Coco, Guillermo and Paredon. Judy hasn’t ever really been off-campus save for a trip to the nude beach and then on to the wild boar caverns.
Headed east we managed to get out onto Paredon, despite a rather dilapidated bridge. Holes that were rather large and which went through the bridge so that we could peer down and look at the rather quickly (or so it seemed) rushing water. Our friend had to guide me over and around them.
Judy was so confident in my skills as a driver that she refused to be in the car going over the bridge and walked both coming and going.
At the bridge, which is also a fishing dock, is a small coast guard station. The staff has a pet bird that was a hoot. If you look closely at the photos you can see it eating a rather large fish in one go. And no, it’s not a pelican. Dunno what it is really.
Hungry perhaps?
The roadway to Paredon is chained, you must ask at the Coast Guard station to have it (very graciously and without any promise of a gift or tip in return) opened for you.
Out on Paredon is a cast-iron lighthouse almost 100 years old. Much fun climbing up it and the mechanism, apparently original, was interesting. A large counterweighted clockwork system for rotating the light.
Great views.
Long drive getting there though as the road is rather rough (not to mention the holes in the bridge) and this slows things down a fair bit.
We also hit Playa Flamingo for lunch (very nice) and beer (even nicer). Lunch was lobster and rice done on a BBQ. The grill has gotten quite a bit fancier since we were last there. There are flush toilets and something that looks like it might be a band shell.
Sigh. I must be getting old. As with the grill at the nude beach, I can remember when it was a bunch of stumps sticking out of the sand, a thatched closet with a cooler full of beer and a BBQ pit scooped out of the sand.
Say, I AM getting old. I can remember when that would describe what is not the Sol Cayo Coco! J
As well, the sand dunes between the nude beach and the caverns (impressive, great views, no cars allowed any more as it has just been declared a reserve, but you can walk to them), and Playa Pilar of course.
The grill at Pilar is being rebuilt, but the beach is as spectacular as I remembered.
After that we had to zip back to the hotel as it was close to 18:00.
Photos here: Wandering Cayos Coco, Guillermo, Paredon.
Blau (as it was) Colonial Cayo Coco 2010
We flew Sun Wing and had a good check –in. We convinced the ticket agent
that we wanted window and aisle seats. We were very happy to see that
the middle seat was not allocated.
NOTE!!!! Our bags were underweight. We had one carry-on.
We were impressed with Sun Wing. They actually served a meal.
Customs and immigration went well. No one checked our bags or asked us any questions. Quick trip to the Blau. Arrived about 11:00am.
Checked in and were told we had a VIP room in the salt-water section on the 3rd floor of building 32, room 61. The room was not ready and so we said hello to several friends and had a few cocktails. Our room was ready before noon and we went to check it out.
The front entrance faced the Tower and the Suites building was on the right. The building was fenced off and there were several workers working everyday on this building. I saw them carry wheelbarrows of cement up 3 flights of stairs.
Observations
The lagoon pedal boats are in operation again. There is a notice that children must have animation staff in attendance. Guess they got tired of kids getting stuck in the lagoon.
The saltwater pool is as beautiful as we remembered. They have new statues near the bridges. The swim up bar is in operation but they have removed the island that used to be in that area. Remember, with the palm trees in it?
The buffet that was open was the one near the saltwater area. The larger one was closed. They had tables outside on the veranda as well as some on the grass.
Derek took several pictures of the new children’s play area. It is quite nice. It has a clubhouse, a pool and sand play area. It is well situated to the right of the area between the buffets. You can see it when you come across the bridge where the turtles and ducks are housed. They have cleaned up all of the pools in that area and the fountains are working and it is very pretty. One of the pools that had been dormant for a while has been made into the kid’s pool. For further directions, it behind the disco and near the north end of building 14 and very close to the Hemingway beach grill.
The kids liked the ducks and fish and turtles. The fountains were all working. It really looks beautiful.
The artisans were found in front of the 1st buffet, where the outdoor tables were previously. Likely, will find a new home when the buffet reopens.
The stores in the square were also open. The end shop now houses the gym but is poorly equipped, with no airflow at all.
The fresh water section is now under construction. The crews were working 2 x 12 hour shifts in order to get the buildings prepared for a group coming in the following week. We spoke with Eduardo and he was hoping to have the pool painted and filled by Monday, but it seemed very unlikely. They were concentrating on the buildings to the right as you entered the resort, between the bridge and the old seafood restaurant. We did notice there were guests there before we left. On the other side of the pool they are doing major infrastructure work. The area has been dug up and pipes and electrical are all being replaced. Building 15 is closed and it is all dug up in front. Derek also took some pictures of the work being done. Eduardo said there is work being done in the rooms and they will all be the same in both sections of the resort.
There is a change in the tennis court area. There are still 2 tennis courts but the other courts are now a beach volleyball court, a soccer pitch, and a basketball court. A very good idea, as the tennis courts were not getting much use. Now there are options.
Restaurants
Buffet for breakfast lunch and dinner. The usual food but I really like the way it is laid out. It is very easy to get around and there are no clumps of people. We never found a line up and the resort was quite full, at least in the saltwater area.
Saltwater pool grill was open fro breakfast and that was very pleasant. It opened at 9:30 am, so great for late sleepers. Real coffee available, a bread basket with every meal, and bacon and eggs sausage, fruit, cereal, yogurt, juice, coffee and tea, all table service.
Several friends were working there so it was always a pleasure to have a meal or a coffee. It was also open for lunch and they had a grill as well as the kitchen. I was able to get some fresh fish (10 minutes out of the ocean) cooked to perfection with grilled vegetables. The staff treats us so well, it is no wonder we all keep going back and back. The chef is always willing to cook fish for you if you are able to get any. They do a very nice job and always add grilled veggies.
At lunch hamburgers, hot dogs, veggies were available from the grill and pasta, pizza from the kitchen. Of course, at all times Papa Fritas. They know how we all love French fries and they were plentiful.
The churro stand is back in the square. It was quite busy. Kids loved them.
In the evening the Grill became the Cuban Restaurant. It is very nice and well protected from the wind.
After the 1st day it was quite windy at the beach and so the pool area was very busy. There were always chairs available and it did not seem crowded as the pool is so well laid out. Three was a volleyball net in one of the pools and the staff did play some other games as well as aquafit each day.
They have sun umbrellas around the pool and they are set in concrete. They are quite large and we enjoyed them. Chairs are the same as the beach.
In one area of the pool there were 5 massage tents. Curtains are hung completely around the table but are pulled back to catch a breeze. Several lounge chairs that surround the tents require, for some at least, to keep their bathing suits on. I require bare back for an effective massage.
All Transat guests got a free massage per week as did VIP guests. You had to book at the Public relations office and they were very busy. I would have preferred the massage therapist who has been there for years but she was fully booked the days I tried to get an appointment. The massages provided at the pool were “relaxation” massages and were really nothing more than rubbing oil into your skin. Much like someone putting sunscreen on for you. There was no therapeutic value whatsoever. Nice but Derek could have done it better. Too bad, but I guess when it is free--------------
Observations
I must comment on the General Manager, Eduardo. He is everywhere on the resort. He attends the show every night with his wife and takes a bow at the end of the show. I am very impressed with the way he runs the resort. It is also evident that the staff all respects him and are happy to have him as a boss. He is in constant motion and you do see him everywhere. He is very approachable, very friendly and happy to listen to any ideas that guests put forward. He meets the staff bus when the workers arrive. He compliments the staff and they work very hard for him. He seems able to get things done that were not possible before. He really seems to be on top of it all. He was working with the crews who were working so hard to get the buildings ready for the guests that were arriving in a few days. He makes an appearance in the square before dinner to greet people and at the buffet and all of the a la cartes.
I complimented him on all of the changes and he immediately credited the staff. Classy!
There were many families with small and school age children. More kids than I have ever seen at the Blau. It seemed like a lot of kids were missing school.
New furniture in the lobby was quite comfortable.
Bit of a problem with kids on the pool table in the lobby. Parents allowing kids free rein with pool cues and no instructions regarding the felt on the table. Kids didn’t seem to know the balls don’t bounce of the floor. There were actually some balls with chips in them. There was no chalk and only 2 cues, one without a tip on it. Makes for fun game of pool. Derek and I like to have a glass of wine and a game of pool before dinner and we usually bring our own cues and chalk but we packed so light this time we had to make do.
There is new lobby patio furniture, looks like wicker but is actually durable plastic. Also beautiful new furniture in the square. Very comfortable. Finally, that uncomfortable wrought iron tables and chairs are gone. Who cares where?
The piano bar has also set up tables on the south side of the bar. Didn’t see much use of them but a good idea for when it is busy and people want a quieter place than the square.
Resort was nearly full on the salt-water side. More guests expected but for the fresh water side. Staff still working all out to get the buildings ready for the Monday.
On the Friday they decorated the Pool grill area and had a Cuban party with a live band. It barely started and the rain came pouring down and the wind blew in. We were already in our room so we missed the wet party. Eduardo was of course in attendance.
Up until the Friday we had great weather. We woke up to see huge white caps and a warm but strong wind. Slept in and then set up at the pool, did some aquafit and some dance routines? Pool was quite warm and enjoyable. Sun disappeared about 3:00 pm and so we decided to head home and have a nap. There was an umbrella in the room and so we had no problem getting to dinner.
The wind and the rain were awesome. Giant white caps. It rained hard and it was coming in the front set of widows, even though they were closed. There was a crack at the bottom of one set of windows. Had a bit of a flood but towels saved the day. A lot of mopping up and wringing out but once it was cleaned up we used towels to dam the flow. Once the wind slowed down or maybe changed direction we were fine
The wind was so strong it was snapping the clothespins off the line on the balcony. Brought the clothes in and saved the day. Our towels were dry when we put them out but were soaked in minutes. So much for freshening up the towels. We then didn’t have them to mop up the flood as they were so wet, but we managed. We used a metro shopping bag to get the sopping towels from the window to the bathroom to wring out and use again. I felt Cuban. I looked around for a solution of sopping wet towels and spotted the bag and the light went on. It worked like a charm. I left the bag there thinking it would be put to very good use by the staff.
We hung around the room till dinner. The square was out of the question. We started to think we were in Costa Rica again.
Rooms
The rooms were the same as the other section with new canopies over the bed. TV offered T.S.N., BBC news, HBO and a few new stations. The balconies are L shaped, there were front windows as usual and 2 side windows, one with a Juliet balcony. Everything else was the same. I love the rooms with the large windows. We were able to sleep with the windows open and hear to the ocean. I love to sleep to that sound.
The wind stayed pretty fierce on Sat and Sunday and only the very brave were in the water. Anyone on the beach was using chairs to block the wind. Looked like little forts all along the beach.
New
Near building 14 and 15 they are building a new Grill and restaurant. It is a huge outdoor and indoor building. The current beach bar and grill will be just a bar when it is completed. It will block the ocean view for a good part of building 15.
The area in front of bldgs 14 and 15 was all dug up and all new wiring and plumbing was being installed.
Yareys was not open and the pool was still empty and waiting for the last coat of paint.
The old seafood restaurant is posted as dangerous. It will never be fixed. It will need to be dismantled, as it is a hazard. I doubt they could afford to do the necessary work to get it back.
Building 22 and 14 were in use before we left. They managed to get them done.
The 2nd buffet, on the way to the salt-water pool will become the Nolitour’s only buffet when the 1st one reopens.
All the palapas on the beach were gone and they are in the process of rebuilding them. It must get discouraging when the keep getting blown away,
The entertainment was excellent. The young dancers are very professional and we enjoyed all of the shows. They work very hard every day and it shows.
There was an excellent band at the piano bar each evening (guitar, keyboard sax and clarinet) that we also enjoyed. We also enjoyed the family band with the young woman who plays the flute. She is growing up and I feel that I have watched her become a young woman. They played at the buffet as well as at the disco before the show.
VIP Lounge
There have been some changes to the VIP Lounge. The large room that used to serve as the smoking lounge is now a regular seating area. The smoking room is a very small area off the main lounge. They took down a wall and opened up a room that used to be off to the side and then partitioned off a small area. It has a window looking out onto the tarmac. You can watch the planes arrive. Service is still excellent and now has 3 staff members.
I still love the VIP check in. That alone is worth the cost.
I think that is it for now. Any questions I am happy to answer
NOTE!!!! Our bags were underweight. We had one carry-on.
We were impressed with Sun Wing. They actually served a meal.
Customs and immigration went well. No one checked our bags or asked us any questions. Quick trip to the Blau. Arrived about 11:00am.
Checked in and were told we had a VIP room in the salt-water section on the 3rd floor of building 32, room 61. The room was not ready and so we said hello to several friends and had a few cocktails. Our room was ready before noon and we went to check it out.
The front entrance faced the Tower and the Suites building was on the right. The building was fenced off and there were several workers working everyday on this building. I saw them carry wheelbarrows of cement up 3 flights of stairs.
Observations
The lagoon pedal boats are in operation again. There is a notice that children must have animation staff in attendance. Guess they got tired of kids getting stuck in the lagoon.
The saltwater pool is as beautiful as we remembered. They have new statues near the bridges. The swim up bar is in operation but they have removed the island that used to be in that area. Remember, with the palm trees in it?
The buffet that was open was the one near the saltwater area. The larger one was closed. They had tables outside on the veranda as well as some on the grass.
Derek took several pictures of the new children’s play area. It is quite nice. It has a clubhouse, a pool and sand play area. It is well situated to the right of the area between the buffets. You can see it when you come across the bridge where the turtles and ducks are housed. They have cleaned up all of the pools in that area and the fountains are working and it is very pretty. One of the pools that had been dormant for a while has been made into the kid’s pool. For further directions, it behind the disco and near the north end of building 14 and very close to the Hemingway beach grill.
The kids liked the ducks and fish and turtles. The fountains were all working. It really looks beautiful.
The artisans were found in front of the 1st buffet, where the outdoor tables were previously. Likely, will find a new home when the buffet reopens.
The stores in the square were also open. The end shop now houses the gym but is poorly equipped, with no airflow at all.
The fresh water section is now under construction. The crews were working 2 x 12 hour shifts in order to get the buildings prepared for a group coming in the following week. We spoke with Eduardo and he was hoping to have the pool painted and filled by Monday, but it seemed very unlikely. They were concentrating on the buildings to the right as you entered the resort, between the bridge and the old seafood restaurant. We did notice there were guests there before we left. On the other side of the pool they are doing major infrastructure work. The area has been dug up and pipes and electrical are all being replaced. Building 15 is closed and it is all dug up in front. Derek also took some pictures of the work being done. Eduardo said there is work being done in the rooms and they will all be the same in both sections of the resort.
There is a change in the tennis court area. There are still 2 tennis courts but the other courts are now a beach volleyball court, a soccer pitch, and a basketball court. A very good idea, as the tennis courts were not getting much use. Now there are options.
Restaurants
Buffet for breakfast lunch and dinner. The usual food but I really like the way it is laid out. It is very easy to get around and there are no clumps of people. We never found a line up and the resort was quite full, at least in the saltwater area.
Saltwater pool grill was open fro breakfast and that was very pleasant. It opened at 9:30 am, so great for late sleepers. Real coffee available, a bread basket with every meal, and bacon and eggs sausage, fruit, cereal, yogurt, juice, coffee and tea, all table service.
Several friends were working there so it was always a pleasure to have a meal or a coffee. It was also open for lunch and they had a grill as well as the kitchen. I was able to get some fresh fish (10 minutes out of the ocean) cooked to perfection with grilled vegetables. The staff treats us so well, it is no wonder we all keep going back and back. The chef is always willing to cook fish for you if you are able to get any. They do a very nice job and always add grilled veggies.
At lunch hamburgers, hot dogs, veggies were available from the grill and pasta, pizza from the kitchen. Of course, at all times Papa Fritas. They know how we all love French fries and they were plentiful.
The churro stand is back in the square. It was quite busy. Kids loved them.
In the evening the Grill became the Cuban Restaurant. It is very nice and well protected from the wind.
After the 1st day it was quite windy at the beach and so the pool area was very busy. There were always chairs available and it did not seem crowded as the pool is so well laid out. Three was a volleyball net in one of the pools and the staff did play some other games as well as aquafit each day.
They have sun umbrellas around the pool and they are set in concrete. They are quite large and we enjoyed them. Chairs are the same as the beach.
In one area of the pool there were 5 massage tents. Curtains are hung completely around the table but are pulled back to catch a breeze. Several lounge chairs that surround the tents require, for some at least, to keep their bathing suits on. I require bare back for an effective massage.
All Transat guests got a free massage per week as did VIP guests. You had to book at the Public relations office and they were very busy. I would have preferred the massage therapist who has been there for years but she was fully booked the days I tried to get an appointment. The massages provided at the pool were “relaxation” massages and were really nothing more than rubbing oil into your skin. Much like someone putting sunscreen on for you. There was no therapeutic value whatsoever. Nice but Derek could have done it better. Too bad, but I guess when it is free--------------
Observations
I must comment on the General Manager, Eduardo. He is everywhere on the resort. He attends the show every night with his wife and takes a bow at the end of the show. I am very impressed with the way he runs the resort. It is also evident that the staff all respects him and are happy to have him as a boss. He is in constant motion and you do see him everywhere. He is very approachable, very friendly and happy to listen to any ideas that guests put forward. He meets the staff bus when the workers arrive. He compliments the staff and they work very hard for him. He seems able to get things done that were not possible before. He really seems to be on top of it all. He was working with the crews who were working so hard to get the buildings ready for the guests that were arriving in a few days. He makes an appearance in the square before dinner to greet people and at the buffet and all of the a la cartes.
I complimented him on all of the changes and he immediately credited the staff. Classy!
There were many families with small and school age children. More kids than I have ever seen at the Blau. It seemed like a lot of kids were missing school.
New furniture in the lobby was quite comfortable.
Bit of a problem with kids on the pool table in the lobby. Parents allowing kids free rein with pool cues and no instructions regarding the felt on the table. Kids didn’t seem to know the balls don’t bounce of the floor. There were actually some balls with chips in them. There was no chalk and only 2 cues, one without a tip on it. Makes for fun game of pool. Derek and I like to have a glass of wine and a game of pool before dinner and we usually bring our own cues and chalk but we packed so light this time we had to make do.
There is new lobby patio furniture, looks like wicker but is actually durable plastic. Also beautiful new furniture in the square. Very comfortable. Finally, that uncomfortable wrought iron tables and chairs are gone. Who cares where?
The piano bar has also set up tables on the south side of the bar. Didn’t see much use of them but a good idea for when it is busy and people want a quieter place than the square.
Resort was nearly full on the salt-water side. More guests expected but for the fresh water side. Staff still working all out to get the buildings ready for the Monday.
On the Friday they decorated the Pool grill area and had a Cuban party with a live band. It barely started and the rain came pouring down and the wind blew in. We were already in our room so we missed the wet party. Eduardo was of course in attendance.
Up until the Friday we had great weather. We woke up to see huge white caps and a warm but strong wind. Slept in and then set up at the pool, did some aquafit and some dance routines? Pool was quite warm and enjoyable. Sun disappeared about 3:00 pm and so we decided to head home and have a nap. There was an umbrella in the room and so we had no problem getting to dinner.
The wind and the rain were awesome. Giant white caps. It rained hard and it was coming in the front set of widows, even though they were closed. There was a crack at the bottom of one set of windows. Had a bit of a flood but towels saved the day. A lot of mopping up and wringing out but once it was cleaned up we used towels to dam the flow. Once the wind slowed down or maybe changed direction we were fine
The wind was so strong it was snapping the clothespins off the line on the balcony. Brought the clothes in and saved the day. Our towels were dry when we put them out but were soaked in minutes. So much for freshening up the towels. We then didn’t have them to mop up the flood as they were so wet, but we managed. We used a metro shopping bag to get the sopping towels from the window to the bathroom to wring out and use again. I felt Cuban. I looked around for a solution of sopping wet towels and spotted the bag and the light went on. It worked like a charm. I left the bag there thinking it would be put to very good use by the staff.
We hung around the room till dinner. The square was out of the question. We started to think we were in Costa Rica again.
Rooms
The rooms were the same as the other section with new canopies over the bed. TV offered T.S.N., BBC news, HBO and a few new stations. The balconies are L shaped, there were front windows as usual and 2 side windows, one with a Juliet balcony. Everything else was the same. I love the rooms with the large windows. We were able to sleep with the windows open and hear to the ocean. I love to sleep to that sound.
The wind stayed pretty fierce on Sat and Sunday and only the very brave were in the water. Anyone on the beach was using chairs to block the wind. Looked like little forts all along the beach.
New
Near building 14 and 15 they are building a new Grill and restaurant. It is a huge outdoor and indoor building. The current beach bar and grill will be just a bar when it is completed. It will block the ocean view for a good part of building 15.
The area in front of bldgs 14 and 15 was all dug up and all new wiring and plumbing was being installed.
Yareys was not open and the pool was still empty and waiting for the last coat of paint.
The old seafood restaurant is posted as dangerous. It will never be fixed. It will need to be dismantled, as it is a hazard. I doubt they could afford to do the necessary work to get it back.
Building 22 and 14 were in use before we left. They managed to get them done.
The 2nd buffet, on the way to the salt-water pool will become the Nolitour’s only buffet when the 1st one reopens.
All the palapas on the beach were gone and they are in the process of rebuilding them. It must get discouraging when the keep getting blown away,
The entertainment was excellent. The young dancers are very professional and we enjoyed all of the shows. They work very hard every day and it shows.
There was an excellent band at the piano bar each evening (guitar, keyboard sax and clarinet) that we also enjoyed. We also enjoyed the family band with the young woman who plays the flute. She is growing up and I feel that I have watched her become a young woman. They played at the buffet as well as at the disco before the show.
VIP Lounge
There have been some changes to the VIP Lounge. The large room that used to serve as the smoking lounge is now a regular seating area. The smoking room is a very small area off the main lounge. They took down a wall and opened up a room that used to be off to the side and then partitioned off a small area. It has a window looking out onto the tarmac. You can watch the planes arrive. Service is still excellent and now has 3 staff members.
I still love the VIP check in. That alone is worth the cost.
I think that is it for now. Any questions I am happy to answer
Sol Cayo Santa Maria 2004
Since this will be the third review we’ve done of the Sol CSM, it’ll be
brief. But I will cover those things I think are of importance to
people (i.e. of importance to me!) again where I think it’s justified.
Where I don’t cover something (as with a description of the beach or the wonderful bathrooms) it’s because I have already done so and not much has changed.
Speaking of the beach, the clothing-optional section is still in operation. An unusual and much-appreciated option!
A general comment first: this spot is our current favourite. After 15+ years and 30+ trips to Cuba, most to the Jardines del Rey region, we find our ‘fave’ changes every few years for a variety of reasons (sometimes nothing to do with the resort itself, just our need for a change). But we have walked away from places that have deteriorated, so we’re not mindlessly attached to any particular resort.
Now some slightly more focused comments…but not very.
STAFF
The staff, as always, are great. No need to expand on that for those who have been to any Cuban resort, so I won’t. I’d just like to single out for special mention Elsa, the bartender (off Weds.) at La Picua, the beach grill. Great pina coladas from scratch, and it’s nice to see somebody about my age working a resort. Young is energetic perhaps, but a little older is better to talk to. Or should I say it's easier to talk when one isn't possessed by a perceived need to suck up one's gut???
Eli, the former bartender at the Cuban Club has been (temporarily) demoted to bussing at the buffet restaurant. Rumour has it the weekly ‘salute/goodbye’ parties he used to host got a little out of hand (in a nice way…they just ran late etc.). Too bad as they were a hoot. His parrots are safe and sound and awaiting their return from his home.
The Sunquest/Alba rep is Jose Carlos. He was our rep when we traveled here via Air Canada Vacations a couple of years ago. Always helpful, a great fixer, and he used to be staff at the Sol, so he knows it inside and out. Happy to arrange things well beyond his job description too, so use him for car rentals etc.
A RANT
I always say this and wish I didn’t have to: I’m continually amazed by the number of people who don’t tip (‘gifts’ or cash). Even just a little something at the end of a visit. And from the reaction to the odd baseball cap or toothpaste I would say the gardeners and maintenance staff hardly ever see a thing.
Soap, toothpaste and even things like insulated coffee mugs got big responses this year. Pens were also popular.
THE RESORT
The resort has received two face-lifts of differing kinds since we were last there.
First is a minor bit of painting, re-decorating etc. A freshening. Nothing major, but the place looks new after 5 years in service, so a good thing all around. The most major change is the addition of more roller windscreens here and there.
The nice thing about the age of the place is that the vegetation is mature. The place feels cozier than it did. There’s so much veg around it’s almost as if you’re out in the country rather than walking between buildings.
Second is an upgrade to the service. Not that it was ever bad, but you’ll notice, if you’ve been before, more formal presentations of food and drink, fancier dress for the serving staff, better and new linen on the tables, that kind of thing. More notes and fancier towel sculptures from the room cleaners. Grounds keeping that looks like former manicurists are doing it.
The food is a tad fancier at the a la carte restaurants as well, and the presentation has been upgraded a bit too I think. We’re not fans of Cuban food (too bland) so we only ate at the Creole place twice in two weeks.
We much preferred La Fontanella (due for a name change we understand). It’s no longer Italian, but now international. Very nice food indeed. And when not full happy to accept walk-in guests.
The staff there, especially Ramon the Captain, were wonderful. They arranged, on very short notice, a special birthday dinner for both halves of one of the couples we were traveling with. Much fun.
If there’s a problem with La Fontanella it’s that the staff will bring a second helping of cheesecake if asked…
An upgraded wine list is available, though you will be asked to sign for an extra charge to your room. Ditto certain premiums brands of booze (Moet&Chandon, single-malts of various kinds etc.) at both the restaurants and at the lobby bar.
The beach grill was great. They use a real BBQ so there’s none of the greasy fried stuff we’ve started to see at some resorts.
The Cuban Club now serves single-serving pizza along with the usual burgers etc. (which we didn’t try). They rank up there with endless cheesecake as a good bad idea, if you get my drift.
The bars now have both Cristal (a standard) and Buccanero (my fave) on tap. Down with Carribeano!!!
The evening shows - Readers of my previous reviews and comments on Geri’s reviews (dare I call you our readers??? Ahh…a little ego goes a long, long way…) will know I am not a fan of the evening shows. I’d rather read, talk, drink, walk or swim at night. And on those occasions when I feel like tripping the light fantastic, the disco doesn’t open until the show is done and by then age and sunstroke have overtaken me and I am usually abed.
But I must say that with the exception of one silly attempt at juvenile ‘relationship’ quizzes for audience participants, that kind of thing, all vaguely off-colour and embarrassing more than funny, they were much improved over past efforts.
Stick to the song and dance routines; forget the attempts at titillation would be my advice.
On the other hand, many seemed to enjoy it, so who am I to say?
Oops. I had forgotten: I am right, they are wrong. Away with the tasteless titillation, in with another evening of music and dance…or mebbe a night off with an early disco opening???
Actually, the latter not a bad idea. 'Disco for Foggies' night or some such thing. Understandably the dancers need an evening or two a week off...a chance for Grandpa Derek to pogo like he usta...
The same musicians who performed in the evenings also cruised the restaurants in the evening. Very nice, and discrete, as always.
The buffet - We ate breakfast at the buffet and it was as always, with the upgraded service etc. mentioned above thrown in.
Dinner there once or twice, usually after a snorkeling day. Service noticeably and pleasantly more formal. Food improved as well, with a substantial pasta station (replacing the Italian menu at La Fontanella???), a roast meat station with ham one night, roast beef (including rare!!!) another, chickens on a third.
Steak pork chops etc. cooked to order at the grill stations. Deserts? I set a personal record of nine (9) pieces of cheesecake one night. We’d have been happy to eat there more often, but were having too much fun with the staff, more intimate atmosphere at La Fontanella.
Our best buffet review remains that for the Sol CG. But this was fine. The Sol CG had one advantage: proscuitto and smoked salmon at Christmas…
One small note: the ‘mansion’ at the west end of the beach (clothing-optional bit) is now up and running. $360 CUC if booked in Canada, $600 if you walk in looking for 2 bedrooms, dining room for 12, living room with all mod cons, cook and butler, private pool, great views, etc., etc.
That’s per day of course. If you’d like a review, perhaps we could pass the hat and have a Happy Face-off to choose one lucky soul to represent us all for a couple of days.
MINOR BAD NEWS
On the down side, the rooms inexplicably were built and remain without screens on the doors and windows. Regular fogging keeps the mosquitoes down, but it’s hard to sleep with the windows and doors open (though we did). And unpleasant if they’re open in the morning when the fogger zips past upwind of your room. A problem for us one morning as we were on the second floor for the first time (and loved it-the view not the pesticide).
Many guests seem to run their a/c just so they can avoid the mosquitoes. A retrofit might pay for itself in a year or two.
It is a continuing source of wonder to me that with 75% of the guests coming from Canada one can find every news channel there is save one from this country. It’s especially weird to find CNN. All delivered by Bell Expressvu, just to round out the lunacy of it.
If you speak French, you can get RDI headline news on TV5 in the morning around 8am I think. I stumbled on it on our last day (of course) and sat there for 30 minutes just soaking it up…yummy!
All in all, a resort we were happy to spend weeks at has gotten better.
EXCURSIONS
The only excursion we took was the daylong catamaran snorkeling trip. And we took it twice. Need I say more? Many fish of many varieties. Some new to us, especially a small bottom-feeding shark our guide called a ‘cat shark’.
We actually saw so many parrotfish we were quite blasé about them by the end of the first day.
Highly recommended and comes with the usual lobster lunch. Baseball caps much appreciated by the crew.
THAT'S IT
If I’ve missed anything I’ll just have to go back and get the info needed, so don’t hesitate to ask questions…
==================================================================
"My update to our previous reports is minimal and is mostly about the Melia next door, so here goes...
As we had access to the Melia I used the gym there. I've posted some photos of the gym (and others of the spa etc. to go with Geri's report) on my photoblog at Flickr.com/dblackadder
the best hotel gym I've seen anywhere, bar none. I include in that comparison all the hotels I stay at for work purposes here in Canada.
Some will have noted (passed over might be a better way of describing it!) my complaints about most other resorts gyms. On doctor's orders I started attending gyms regularly some years ago and have found myself addicted. Don't feel up to par anymore unless I get to one at least a few times a week. So gyms are something I notice, even if they aren't the determining factor in a decision to go somewhere in particular.
The new Melia CSM gym has lots of cardio equipment, alll TechnoGym stuff, brand new. Lots of space between the machines. Treadmills, bicycles, rowing machine and two of the best stairclimbers I've ever used.
The weight room has top-of-the-line machines (TechnoGym again). Some of the stuff beats anything I've seen before and very little would be missing if you were to compare it to my YMCA or a commercial health club. And again, lots of space between stations.
And really big windows too, making for a steady breeze.
There's a central courtyard. Washrooms.
Roman bath theme to the place.
Outside there's more of the Roman effect with a statue in a colonnaded seating area.
Some spectacular tennis courts that include a ball launcher, shaded benches and even small bleachers for an audience.
Most unusual feature is the climbing wall. I didn't get a chance to try it out as I never had the time (you must get a safety harness first, get basic instruction), but there will definitely be a note on the experience after our next visit.
Back at the SOL, the only update I have to add is to the effect that all the fish pools have been re-stocked. So whomever visits between now and 3 February, please feed them (grab some bread after breakfast) and pass long my best!
One perennial complaint: there's still no Canadian news channel,
despite the fact that 75% of the guests must be Canadian. If you work
at it you can get the RDI feed to TV5 at 07:00 (as I recall), but that's
it."
By Geri - Comments on general entertainment at SOL: (as reply to Justin)
"You will arrive on the Sat if you are going to the Melia and so you will have to wait until the following Friday night to get to go to the beach party at the Sol, but it is good fun and not to be missed. It immediately follows the show and the dancers lead you down to the beach for a big party at the beach Grill and dancing in the sand.
Also be sure to make your way over to the Flamingo bar at the far end of the Sol. It can be a lively place and has a hot tub and serves pizza and fries etc. There have been some good parties there.
have fun and get to know the entertainment staff. They will assure you have a great time and they are always looking to meet up with young people for fun.
Do not miss the volleyball in the pool. It's a hoot and the play will stop while you get a drink or take a sip. And you don't even have to be good."
Where I don’t cover something (as with a description of the beach or the wonderful bathrooms) it’s because I have already done so and not much has changed.
Speaking of the beach, the clothing-optional section is still in operation. An unusual and much-appreciated option!
A general comment first: this spot is our current favourite. After 15+ years and 30+ trips to Cuba, most to the Jardines del Rey region, we find our ‘fave’ changes every few years for a variety of reasons (sometimes nothing to do with the resort itself, just our need for a change). But we have walked away from places that have deteriorated, so we’re not mindlessly attached to any particular resort.
Now some slightly more focused comments…but not very.
STAFF
The staff, as always, are great. No need to expand on that for those who have been to any Cuban resort, so I won’t. I’d just like to single out for special mention Elsa, the bartender (off Weds.) at La Picua, the beach grill. Great pina coladas from scratch, and it’s nice to see somebody about my age working a resort. Young is energetic perhaps, but a little older is better to talk to. Or should I say it's easier to talk when one isn't possessed by a perceived need to suck up one's gut???
Eli, the former bartender at the Cuban Club has been (temporarily) demoted to bussing at the buffet restaurant. Rumour has it the weekly ‘salute/goodbye’ parties he used to host got a little out of hand (in a nice way…they just ran late etc.). Too bad as they were a hoot. His parrots are safe and sound and awaiting their return from his home.
The Sunquest/Alba rep is Jose Carlos. He was our rep when we traveled here via Air Canada Vacations a couple of years ago. Always helpful, a great fixer, and he used to be staff at the Sol, so he knows it inside and out. Happy to arrange things well beyond his job description too, so use him for car rentals etc.
A RANT
I always say this and wish I didn’t have to: I’m continually amazed by the number of people who don’t tip (‘gifts’ or cash). Even just a little something at the end of a visit. And from the reaction to the odd baseball cap or toothpaste I would say the gardeners and maintenance staff hardly ever see a thing.
Soap, toothpaste and even things like insulated coffee mugs got big responses this year. Pens were also popular.
THE RESORT
The resort has received two face-lifts of differing kinds since we were last there.
First is a minor bit of painting, re-decorating etc. A freshening. Nothing major, but the place looks new after 5 years in service, so a good thing all around. The most major change is the addition of more roller windscreens here and there.
The nice thing about the age of the place is that the vegetation is mature. The place feels cozier than it did. There’s so much veg around it’s almost as if you’re out in the country rather than walking between buildings.
Second is an upgrade to the service. Not that it was ever bad, but you’ll notice, if you’ve been before, more formal presentations of food and drink, fancier dress for the serving staff, better and new linen on the tables, that kind of thing. More notes and fancier towel sculptures from the room cleaners. Grounds keeping that looks like former manicurists are doing it.
The food is a tad fancier at the a la carte restaurants as well, and the presentation has been upgraded a bit too I think. We’re not fans of Cuban food (too bland) so we only ate at the Creole place twice in two weeks.
We much preferred La Fontanella (due for a name change we understand). It’s no longer Italian, but now international. Very nice food indeed. And when not full happy to accept walk-in guests.
The staff there, especially Ramon the Captain, were wonderful. They arranged, on very short notice, a special birthday dinner for both halves of one of the couples we were traveling with. Much fun.
If there’s a problem with La Fontanella it’s that the staff will bring a second helping of cheesecake if asked…
An upgraded wine list is available, though you will be asked to sign for an extra charge to your room. Ditto certain premiums brands of booze (Moet&Chandon, single-malts of various kinds etc.) at both the restaurants and at the lobby bar.
The beach grill was great. They use a real BBQ so there’s none of the greasy fried stuff we’ve started to see at some resorts.
The Cuban Club now serves single-serving pizza along with the usual burgers etc. (which we didn’t try). They rank up there with endless cheesecake as a good bad idea, if you get my drift.
The bars now have both Cristal (a standard) and Buccanero (my fave) on tap. Down with Carribeano!!!
The evening shows - Readers of my previous reviews and comments on Geri’s reviews (dare I call you our readers??? Ahh…a little ego goes a long, long way…) will know I am not a fan of the evening shows. I’d rather read, talk, drink, walk or swim at night. And on those occasions when I feel like tripping the light fantastic, the disco doesn’t open until the show is done and by then age and sunstroke have overtaken me and I am usually abed.
But I must say that with the exception of one silly attempt at juvenile ‘relationship’ quizzes for audience participants, that kind of thing, all vaguely off-colour and embarrassing more than funny, they were much improved over past efforts.
Stick to the song and dance routines; forget the attempts at titillation would be my advice.
On the other hand, many seemed to enjoy it, so who am I to say?
Oops. I had forgotten: I am right, they are wrong. Away with the tasteless titillation, in with another evening of music and dance…or mebbe a night off with an early disco opening???
Actually, the latter not a bad idea. 'Disco for Foggies' night or some such thing. Understandably the dancers need an evening or two a week off...a chance for Grandpa Derek to pogo like he usta...
The same musicians who performed in the evenings also cruised the restaurants in the evening. Very nice, and discrete, as always.
The buffet - We ate breakfast at the buffet and it was as always, with the upgraded service etc. mentioned above thrown in.
Dinner there once or twice, usually after a snorkeling day. Service noticeably and pleasantly more formal. Food improved as well, with a substantial pasta station (replacing the Italian menu at La Fontanella???), a roast meat station with ham one night, roast beef (including rare!!!) another, chickens on a third.
Steak pork chops etc. cooked to order at the grill stations. Deserts? I set a personal record of nine (9) pieces of cheesecake one night. We’d have been happy to eat there more often, but were having too much fun with the staff, more intimate atmosphere at La Fontanella.
Our best buffet review remains that for the Sol CG. But this was fine. The Sol CG had one advantage: proscuitto and smoked salmon at Christmas…
One small note: the ‘mansion’ at the west end of the beach (clothing-optional bit) is now up and running. $360 CUC if booked in Canada, $600 if you walk in looking for 2 bedrooms, dining room for 12, living room with all mod cons, cook and butler, private pool, great views, etc., etc.
That’s per day of course. If you’d like a review, perhaps we could pass the hat and have a Happy Face-off to choose one lucky soul to represent us all for a couple of days.
MINOR BAD NEWS
On the down side, the rooms inexplicably were built and remain without screens on the doors and windows. Regular fogging keeps the mosquitoes down, but it’s hard to sleep with the windows and doors open (though we did). And unpleasant if they’re open in the morning when the fogger zips past upwind of your room. A problem for us one morning as we were on the second floor for the first time (and loved it-the view not the pesticide).
Many guests seem to run their a/c just so they can avoid the mosquitoes. A retrofit might pay for itself in a year or two.
It is a continuing source of wonder to me that with 75% of the guests coming from Canada one can find every news channel there is save one from this country. It’s especially weird to find CNN. All delivered by Bell Expressvu, just to round out the lunacy of it.
If you speak French, you can get RDI headline news on TV5 in the morning around 8am I think. I stumbled on it on our last day (of course) and sat there for 30 minutes just soaking it up…yummy!
All in all, a resort we were happy to spend weeks at has gotten better.
EXCURSIONS
The only excursion we took was the daylong catamaran snorkeling trip. And we took it twice. Need I say more? Many fish of many varieties. Some new to us, especially a small bottom-feeding shark our guide called a ‘cat shark’.
We actually saw so many parrotfish we were quite blasé about them by the end of the first day.
Highly recommended and comes with the usual lobster lunch. Baseball caps much appreciated by the crew.
THAT'S IT
If I’ve missed anything I’ll just have to go back and get the info needed, so don’t hesitate to ask questions…
==================================================================
"My update to our previous reports is minimal and is mostly about the Melia next door, so here goes...
As we had access to the Melia I used the gym there. I've posted some photos of the gym (and others of the spa etc. to go with Geri's report) on my photoblog at Flickr.com/dblackadder
the best hotel gym I've seen anywhere, bar none. I include in that comparison all the hotels I stay at for work purposes here in Canada.
Some will have noted (passed over might be a better way of describing it!) my complaints about most other resorts gyms. On doctor's orders I started attending gyms regularly some years ago and have found myself addicted. Don't feel up to par anymore unless I get to one at least a few times a week. So gyms are something I notice, even if they aren't the determining factor in a decision to go somewhere in particular.
The new Melia CSM gym has lots of cardio equipment, alll TechnoGym stuff, brand new. Lots of space between the machines. Treadmills, bicycles, rowing machine and two of the best stairclimbers I've ever used.
The weight room has top-of-the-line machines (TechnoGym again). Some of the stuff beats anything I've seen before and very little would be missing if you were to compare it to my YMCA or a commercial health club. And again, lots of space between stations.
And really big windows too, making for a steady breeze.
There's a central courtyard. Washrooms.
Roman bath theme to the place.
Outside there's more of the Roman effect with a statue in a colonnaded seating area.
Some spectacular tennis courts that include a ball launcher, shaded benches and even small bleachers for an audience.
Most unusual feature is the climbing wall. I didn't get a chance to try it out as I never had the time (you must get a safety harness first, get basic instruction), but there will definitely be a note on the experience after our next visit.
Back at the SOL, the only update I have to add is to the effect that all the fish pools have been re-stocked. So whomever visits between now and 3 February, please feed them (grab some bread after breakfast) and pass long my best!
One perennial complaint: there's still no Canadian news channel,
despite the fact that 75% of the guests must be Canadian. If you work
at it you can get the RDI feed to TV5 at 07:00 (as I recall), but that's
it."By Geri - Comments on general entertainment at SOL: (as reply to Justin)
"You will arrive on the Sat if you are going to the Melia and so you will have to wait until the following Friday night to get to go to the beach party at the Sol, but it is good fun and not to be missed. It immediately follows the show and the dancers lead you down to the beach for a big party at the beach Grill and dancing in the sand.
Also be sure to make your way over to the Flamingo bar at the far end of the Sol. It can be a lively place and has a hot tub and serves pizza and fries etc. There have been some good parties there.
have fun and get to know the entertainment staff. They will assure you have a great time and they are always looking to meet up with young people for fun.
Do not miss the volleyball in the pool. It's a hoot and the play will stop while you get a drink or take a sip. And you don't even have to be good."
Sol Cayo Santa Maria 2002
Part 1: Getting There!
As I mentioned yesterday we would deal with the flight 1st and then get on to the good stuff.
[Derek: I should add that I almost wish we could do this backwards. The flight bits were/are the worst. The resort experience itself was very positive, to the point where Geri and I are already talking about returning next year (our February trip is already booked elsewhere). DO NOT LET THE NASTY BITS BELOW TURN YOU OFF CAYO SANTA MARIA!! Read the whole report before making up your minds.]
FLIGHT:
We arrived at the airport about 4:20 am. The info provided contradictory information. It mentioned in one area that we should be at the airport 3 hours in advance of departure but in another part of the info provided it mentioned that the Air Canada ticket agents would be on the desks at 5:00 am. The desks were opened when we arrived and since we had prebooked our seats we were in no rush to get through the line. We had heard on the radio on the way to the airport that the 21st of Dec would be the busiest day of the year. We were very pleased to see that the lineups were not extensive and moved along quite quickly. The ticket agents were wearing buttons (I managed to get one) that read WELCOME Aboard our Inaugural Flight Winter 2002-03 Air Canada Vacations. Someone in the line said the flight was delayed by one hour and so would be leaving at 7:30 instead of 6:30 am. I confirmed that with the agent and she said yes, they had to tow a different plane over to our terminal as the scheduled plane had mechanical problems.
[Derek: I had checked with Air Canada the day prior to the flight about 15:00 and there was no word of any delay at that point]
We waited in the departure lounge until 9:15 when our flight finally took off. There was no offer of food or coffee and the lounge got quite crowded as other flights were leaving from the same area.
[Derek: I have always preferred Air Canada flights to just about anything with the possible exception of Air Transat’s first class. The seats give you far more room than any standard charter airline’s seats. The service is better and the food superior. And, unlike AT’s first class, it doesn’t seem to cost anything extra. On this flight the booze was free on the way down, perhaps because of the delay. I couldn’t say if that was true on the trip back as I wasn’t interested and forgot to ask for report purposes.]
It was an uneventful flight and we arrived in Santa Clara by 12:30 pm. It is a very small airport and certainly not equipped to deal with a large group of people. We got through customs and went to get our luggage and realized very quickly what a nightmare it was going to be.
There was one person unloading luggage and there was no carousal. Suitcases came out one at a time. There was a customs agent checking the bags behind the curtain and if there was a bag he wanted to check everything shut down, he came out front and waited until the person to claim the bag and then took him away to check through the bag. In the meantime no more luggage came out because he was not there to see it go through the x-ray machine. When he would finish with that bag he would go back outside and the bags would start again. It was very frustrating, because at the beginning, he was checking 1 out of every 5, or so it seemed. It was 2 ½ hours for all to get the luggage. You could not go outside in the meantime and for those who did go out they could not get back in. It was a very small area and so the one man who was taking the luggage off, had to line it up and people were stumbling and tripping over luggage to get to their own and then struggle to get it out past the other bags and the people still waiting for theirs.
There was no where that one could get a drink of water or use the facilities. They had set up a beer tent thing outside but we were unable to go out until you had all of your luggage.
[Derek: I had the sense that everyone was new with the exception of the Customs officer who was checking the incoming luggage. The Customs officer who wanted to look at my carry-on (I had a magnum of champers in it) was certainly just out of school as he was being checked by another officer and told what to ask me for etc.]
[Frankly, it was a terribly frustrating experience. Had we known in advance one of us could have stayed and waited for the luggage, the other (also known as the winner of the coin-toss!) could have gone outside and read a book, (from start to finish!) and had a beer in the sun. That would be my advice for any couple or groups travelling to CSM. Have a designated luggage-catcher and the rest of you head out to the beer tent.]
[A little advance warning would have made it a much more pleasant, or at least less annoying, experience.]
[And, to be fair, there are plans both to expand the existing airport’s facilities (it is designed for domestic flights to and from a medium-sized Cuban city) and to give CSM access to the airport at Cayo Coco...more on that later.]
Another solution that I would consider, especially if going for one week, is to have only carry on luggage. You are allowed one carry on and one piece of personal baggage. That could be a carry on that fits under the larger Air Canada seats as well as a nap sack. You would not then have to wait for luggage and could be outside and get a front seat on the bus. You would still have to wait for everyone else but at least you could have a beer and get a seat on the bus with the toilet.
There were 3 or 4 buses waiting to take us to the resort and only one of them had a toilet.
The authorities had arranged for a police escort for the trip to the resort. They went in front of the bus with sirens going and ordering all other vehicles over to the side so the busses could pass without slowing down.
[Derek: the escort was more important than you might think since the roads you travel on go through several small villages where the bus needs to be routed through side streets so that it can avoid corners impossible for a vehicle of that size. As well, the traffic on the main roads was fairly heavy and had we not had the escort, we’d have spent a great deal of time in line behind the odd horsecart waiting for the opposing traffic to let up enough for us to pass.]
[Perhaps most importantly, unless Cuban motorcycle cops are in some fundamental fashion different from motorcycle cops everywhere else in the world, the escort gives them all a chance to exercise their sirens and authority over the road! :-)]
The trip is 11/2 hours to the resort and it is an interesting ride. It goes through several towns and the causeway. We arrived at the resort about 4:30 and there was a welcome committee but not too many happy faces in the crowd. It made for a very long day. 12 hours from start to end.
[Derek: I felt sorry for the welcoming committee (a band and many of the staff) since all I wanted at that point was access to a toilet. I think I was no more than the third off the bus and I zipped right past the welcome. I don’t think there were many who stopped to enjoy the music and the greetings. There was a race to the toilets and those not lucky in that headed right for the front desk. I had a chance to see the welcome later and for another arrival, and in a better mood and with a less insistent bladder I would have found it warm and charming. I just hope that the look on my face when I arrived wasn’t as intense as the looks on the faces of those who came while I was watching. Kinda scarey to have those faces in a herd heading in your direction, to tell the truth!]
They served drinks and some food as well. I spoke with the Public relations the next day and she said it is quite discouraging when people arrive and they are so unhappy. I explained to her the delay and the lack of facilities and that people were concerned to get to the room and deal with the discomfort. She did ask what they could do to im prove but I said unless they could convince the airport authorities to increase the staff for the tourist flights, it would remain a problem until the airport grew into the tourist industry.
The flight home was less eventful as well as less stressful. The size of the airport is problematic because there is not room for everyone to wait once they are through customs and waiting for the flight. We were lucky that we were in the 1st bus and at the front of the line and able to get a seat outside on the patio. There were 8 tables outside and some standing room. At the small bar there were no tables and perhaps 8 stools. In the main lounge there were seats to accommodate perhaps 50 or 60 people.
There was a bathroom with 2 stalls and no toilet seats.
[Derek: On the up side, the snack bar had cans of Buccanero (not available at any resorts these days, but my favourite Cuban beer) at 70 cents a can (Cubans know how to price alcohol: cheaper at the airports where you need it more!). On the down side the ‘shop’ was more of a small counter. One couple we knew had deferred their planned purchase of 2 bottles of premium Havana Club to the airport and discovered the ‘shop’ had only one bottle of Mulatta Silver on sale. I advise buying your rum etc. at the hotel.]
The flight was about 1 hour late leaving but a good flight home. When we arrived at customs there were lineups to the door. It took more than an hour to get through customs. The good news was that our luggage was waiting for us when we got to the carousal. We managed to cause a delay however by forgetting one of our bags and had to wait for someone from customs to escort Derek back into the area to retrieve it.
[Derek: Ahem. Geri’s being kind. I was the one who forgot the bag. In my defence, it was the bag with the dirty laundry in it.]
[Yes, it seems that this trip, though thoroughly enjoyable in between flights, was doomed to be the trip from hell when it came to the travelling bit. In retrospect I am extremely happy we decided to defer any excursions until our next, longer, visit to CSM. Had we taken a bus tour I am sure we would have spent an afternoon in a ditch. Had we, as planned, rented a car to visit Santa Clara, I’m fairly confident we’d have come home in boxes. Our executor could have had the pleasure of dealing with Pearson’s luggage ‘system’ (I use the term loosely). :-)]
We were home by 4:30, another long day.
General layout,
Rooms are contained in 1 and 2 story buildings spread out from either side of the main lobby and administrative building. As you get of the bus and enter the lobby the front desk is to the right and the admin offices are behind it. The PR desk is right beside the front desk.
The lobby is quite long and has a sunken area with couches and wicker chairs with cushions. They are quite comfortable. At the end of the sunken area which is to the left of the entrance there is a waterfall that cascades down decorative tiles. At the end of the lobby is the Air Canada desk, then a walkway to the rooms.
[Derek: the lobby is quite comfortable and has what I call 'wind blinds' that keep the breeze out on the windiest of days. It's one of the few lobbies I found handy and comfortable for sitting around in with a coffee, the other being the TCC's 'Club side' lobby (but only on calm days).]
If you walk through the lobby toward the ocean the lobby bar would be to the left. It has tables and chairs as well as bar stools and is open 24 hours a day and drinks, water, coffee and snacks are available. It is called the Santa Maria Patio Bar.
To the right is the store with rum and soft drinks a few choices of crackers, and biscuits, as well as chocolate bars and coffee. They have some cigars but not a large choice. There are also some t-shirts and bathing suits and cover-ups.
Next is the beauty parlour, never saw anyone in there including anyone working, but didn’t ask.
Next to that was the disco. It is quite small but more than large enough for the size of the resort. It has a bar and tables and a dance floor. It also has a pool table. We never made it that late, as it doesn’t open till after the night show about eleven. We did talk to some people who attended and they said it was fun and they had dance contests.
Next in that direction was the buffet. Las Taguascos, more later.
From there, there are paths to the rooms.
In front of all these buildings was the meandering pool. It is similar to the pools at the Tryp. There is a pool bar in the centre but it is not a swim up. You must get out of the water to get to the bar. There are stools at the bar if you want to sit. There are deep and shallow areas in the pool. IT is quite large and there are many, many chairs. There were always chairs available no matter what time of the day you went to the pool. No one left towels in the morning as there was no need.
[Derek: there is one section of the pool whih is extremely shallow and which has a little 'island' in the middle with chairs on it. It's directly in front of the buffet restaurant - I know because I used it one day to cool off when for some reason the a/c in the buffet was off during breakfast!]
NOTE: towels were available from the activity centre, which is located across the pool from the buffet. The give you the towels with a voucher and you could change them daily. At the end of the week you turned in the towels and got a receipt to use at checkout.
Going straight ahead from the lobby with the pool on the right, the pool bar kinda overlooks the band shell where the nightly shows are held. It is a large area with a permanent stage and permanent light standards. There are rows of chairs set out to watch the show and you could watch it from the pool bar as well.
Walking to the left of the lobby bar the 1st bldg is the Piano Bar. It is a beautiful room with a bar and tables and comfy, whicker chairs. The orientation is held there and in the evenings a woman plays the piano. She is a great pianist and we enjoyed her each evening before dinner. Drinks, including wine are available. The building is surrounded by a pool with stones and flowers in it as well as a few gold fish. It is very pretty as well as relaxing.
[Derek: the thing I liked most about this room was that it was glass on three sides, though quite large. And the chairs were comfie enough to sit around in and read, enjoying the music at the same time.]
A little past the Piano Bar and to the right of the path is the baby club, well appointed with many colourful toys etc.
Next to that is the gym, which includes the massage room. The gym has a treadmill (not working) Derek went everyday and so I will let him describe the gym.
[Derek: It was better than the TCC's as most of the equipment was not only fairly new, but worked well enough. The more complicated (why do they buy these???!!!) mahines were predictably broken and not likely to be fixed for some time. But the simple (who needs more?) stair climber, the bikes and the weight machines all worked fine. There are lockers with keys and shower rooms. All clean and in good shape. One problem for those who like going to the gym mid-day: no a/.]
I had a massage on the Sunday to help me over the trip. It was fine. A cover was not provided and the massuesse was male. I do not have a modesty problem and he was professional but some may find it a problem. I was actually asked by someone if he covered you while he did the massage. It can be disconcerting if you are having a full massage. I would bring my towel and just use it if I were to have a full massage.
Across from the gym is the Italian Restaurant, La Fontanella. More later.
Behind the restaurant are the tennis courts, available for night use as well.
Then you are into the area of the rooms. There are paths to all of the areas of the resort and they are very comfortable to walk on even in bare feet. There are raised wooden walkways to the beach throughout the resort. There is a large stretch of natural vegetation between the rooms and the beach. It is quite a long but pleasant walk. For ecological reasons the area has not been disturbed during construction and will continue to be protected. There are no rooms on the beach but there are some with a view of the beach and the ocean. The entire resort is much less manicured and deliberate than the Cayo Coco sites. There are flowers that have been planted but it is a much wider look for the most part and it was deliberate.
There are a few more buildings I will mention for location purposes only at this time.
At the very east end of the resort on the beach is the dive centre. It is at the end of the rooms in the east and is reached via a wooden walkway. (More later)
East of the pool and situated on one of the walkways is the Los Cocos, Creole restaurant. (More later)
North of the pool and on the beach is the La Picua beach grill. It is very much like the Hemmingway’s Grill at the Tryp, that we loved so well. (more later)
Near the west end of the resort and towards the beach but actually amidst the rooms is the Los Flamencos Cuban Club. It is a fun bar with high tables and stool, a grill, a hot tub, lounge chairs, shade and sun.
The rooms are all 1 and 2 storey buildings built on pilings and so there are no rooms on the ground. This prevents any musty smell. The rooms are the nicest we have seen. The beds are very firm and comfortable. The rooms are decorated with a tropical theme. The wall to wall window allows maximum sunlight but the 3 layers of curtain allow you to choose the amount of light you want. It can be as dark as night if you wish a nap during the day.
Sliding glass doors lead to a large balcony with decorative wood framing around the perimeter. Our’s looked into a group of trees and shrubs that afforded us complete privacy from anyone walking on the paths. It was adjacent to the balcony for the room next door and was a bit of a problem given there was no privacy curtain between the balconies and if we were sitting on our balcony, we could not only see into theirs but into their room as well. I solved that problem by hanging our travelling clothesline from one side to the other and hanging the bedspread from it with safety pins. It worked very well and the maid left it there.
The room had a desk with 2 drawers, and a chair, a very large bench for the suitcase, a table and 2 rocking chairs. They were cushioned and very comfortable. There were also 2 bedside tables with 2 drawers each. It was a very comfortable large room and we loved it. It was well lit with several options. A ceiling light with a fan. 2 bedside laights, 2 lights above the desk and a floor lamp. There’s a large closet with 4 drawers built-in, plus a safe (no charge).
[Derek: the short hall from the bedroom to the bathroom continues past the bathroom and leads to a connecting door to the room next door. From talking to other guests I gather this is standard feature and a nice touch for those travelling either with kids or in a group. At other Cayo hotels you have to work at getting assigned some of the scarce connecting rooms.]
[I must say that I liked these rooms better than any other in the Cayos, even those on the ‘Colonial side’ of the TCC.. Geri didn’t mention this, but she has pretty severe allergies and inevitably in the tropics has had to put up with a reaction as part of the deal when we get the ground-floor rooms she prefers. The pilings on which these buildings sit give pretty much the best of both worlds.]
There was a fridge, that worked very well, in a cupboard with a TV on top.
[Derek: the fridge worked VERY well. The TV was more of an enigma than usual. There are no guests who are not flying in from either Montreal or Toronto. But still there’s no Canadian news channel available (in either language). Even more odd is that fact that the news channels we did get, indeed ALL the channels the rooms were provided with, were feeds from Bell ExpressVu! Drives me nuts! But on the up side, it’s a chance for the Happy Faces to flex their muscles again - when you go don’t forget to request Newsworld on your guest comment car!]
The bathroom was fabulous. Quite large with counter space. There was a tub and shower with a ledge around both sides. The unique feature was the picture window beside the tub. Wait till you see the pictures. You could see into the bathroom from our balcony but no one else had a view, due to the bushes and trees. Some of the rooms, though, had the balcony and bathroom facing the path. Thankfully there is a blind to pull down that offers full privacy.
[Derek: not that the blind was used all that often. As Geri has mentioned, we had a room which looked straight into a large clump of tress and bushes. Showering in the morning we were doing so basically in the middle of a picture window. Great way to check out the weather!!]
Towels are large and absorbent, (unlike in London England) and there were 3 sizes. No face cloth, so continue to take your own. No kleenex in the room. Maid service was as always excellent. We received notes from her wishing us a happy stay and a merry xmas. Our room was always done by noon. They are very thorough and we looked forward each day to see what she would do with the towels or the bedspreads. Sometimes she used a combination and she even did sailboat-on-ocean scenes and a house for us. An extra pillow was supplied, which I always appreciate. There were also 2 extra soft cuddly blankets in the closet.
[Derek: Geri’s shot at London hotel towels is due to almost a week we spent there as I had some meetings to attend about a week prior to us leaving for Cuba. The room we were in cost about $300 per day, wasn’t bigger than the bathroom we had at SCCSM, and towels which clearly made quite an impression on her! :-)]
The closet was off the bedroom in the hallway to get to the bathroom. It contained 4 drawers with a safe on top, (included) and lots of hanging space and 12 hangers. It was adequate for all of my stuff and that is saying a lot. Floors were tiled as was the balcony.
Excursions:
Snorkelling: there was an excursion available. Catarmaran for a day with 2 sites and lunch as well as a virgin beach. We didn’t do it.
We went and asked the dive center staff to take us out to the reef that was approx 1 mile down the beach and he told us we could book for the next day and if it was not rough he would take as many as 4 people out to the reef and guide us. We did that on Christmas Eve morning. It was a very good excursion. We were out for almost 2 hours. We followed him and he guided us through the reef. There were many fish and many channels and a lot to see. We saw a very large grouper, lobster, parrot fish and all the regular ones. He then allowed us to just look around ourselves.
[Derek: George (I think he was anglicizing Jorge for us) was the guide. Limited English but very helpful. I think the best snorkelling trip of its kind I’ve been on - and we’ve taken them all at least twice I think. Mostly because George/Jorge know the habits of the fish and lobsters on the piece of the reef he took us to and could point them out to us. I’d have missed several hiding in caves as well as one large cruising grouper. Oh, and one of the parrot fish Geri mentions was a Queen Parrotfish I think, a whopper and amazingly colourful.]
There was a Christmas Eve excursion to a nearby town that celebrates an historical battle between one side of the town and the other and it is only done every Dec 24th. There would be fireworks and a staged battle. We chose not to attend. Those that went said there were thousands of people there including many children who were free to run everywhere.
[Derek: we didn’t take any of the excursions. For my part I think by the second full day there I was starting to think we were enjoying the resort enough that we’d be back. I had arrived thinking I definitely wanted to rent a car and spend a day in Santa Clara, see the Che Guevara Museum and Mausoleum etc., but once we had decided to return, being there for only week made tanning and sleeping and reading our priorities.]
[Oddly, for reasons I won’t go into, it falls to me to say a few words about the daycare centre. It looked wonderful. Quite the best equipped I think I have seen with lots of climbing things an large toys that moved around and that sort of thing. It is well-situated with both an indoor area an a grassy outdoor bit and patio area for the toy cars etc to be ridden on. The staff seemed what you would expect and what I could never be in their jobs: cheerful, energetic, kind and unarmed. That’s the review for the purposes of you parents out there. For my purposes, what’s important is that the centre had a sturdy fence surrounding it and no toys equipped with sirens or other noise-makers. :-)]
Bits and Pieces:
New Resort:
They are in the process of constructing a Melia next door and they have many plans for future resorts in the area. We biked over to the Melia site and it is going to be quite large. 1700 rooms I think. We went the other way as well and there what looks like an old hotel site that is now accommodation for construction workers for the resort underway. They work for 20 days straight and then go home for 6 days. They expect many hotels to be built over the next few years. I would recommend anyone to go and see this idyllic spot prior to the rest of the world arriving. We quite enjoyed being at the Tryp the 1st year and watching all the changes and the new places being built. Everyone we spoke with was very happy with the resort. It was also a nice change to be at a small resort.
[Derek: Two bits I’d like to throw in. First is the Jacuzzi. There are about a half-dozen scattered around the resort. One as part of our favourite bar/grill, the one Geri describes. It was nice to grab a jacuzzi instead of a table, stretch out in the tub. A very nice touch I thought. The ones not in or very near bars are in more secluded, dare I say it romantic spots.]
[I’d also suggest that the place reminds me of nothing more than the TCC from 1993 on through say 1997 or 8. There’s a huge beach with very few rooms on it. There’s a down side to that (see our comments re the baggage capacity of the local airport!), but there’s also a big up side. The beach is scarcely populated, the reef has many more fish and fewer divers on it, the facilities are l new, the staff al fresh an enthused, and the guests who go there all have the feeling that they’re sharing a little secret amongst themselves.
Anniversary:
On the Sunday there was a celebration of the one year anniversary of the opening of the resort. There were presentations to staff for recognition of the special efforts for the previous year. Our Air Canada rep Jose, who previously was in sales received an award and I was there to take his picture. The entire staff as well as all of the bus drivers were invited to the event. There was punch and lots of food for everyone and a large cake to celebrate one year in business. The general manager spoke and Jose translated for him. Jose introduced me to the general manager, the VP, the sales manager and the security manager. I also met the Doctor who was in attendance. They had live music and put on a show as well. The band was internationally known and I have to apologize because I have forgotten the name but I do have a picture. We already have our pictures developed and we got them on disc so as soon as Derek figures out how to either set them up and post them or decide to e-mail them to D&B to post you will be able to see the resort as well as a lot of the staff and the band.
Entertainment:
The shows were well liked by everyone. The costumes were very good and they had some terrific dancers. A lot of them are very young, as are the staff. I did not see near as many animation staff as I am used to but they were playing volley ball in an area just off the beach and I noticed a net in the pool as well as a basketball net.
The activity centre had a pool table, a ping pong table and a couple of foozball (?) tables that seemed to be very busy. It was where the young adult kids seemed to hang out. As I mentioned it is just south east of the pool.
Tomorrow we will do the bars and restaurants and answer any questions. Oh yes, they now know all about happy faces and the front end staff have happy face key chains.
Bars and Restaurants
Our favorite restaurant was La Fontanella, the Italian restaurant. It is much like the one at the Tryp in the early years. It serves fabulous pasta, the same great pizza, (crust a little thicker) same great taste. There are also a choice of appetizers. And for the mail entre there is a choice of beef, pork and fish. There is a desert cart and from the ohhs and ahhs from other guests and Derek’s reaction they are very good. The cart is brought to your table so you can see what you are choosing.
There is a limit of 1 visit and reservations are required. Reservations must be made between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm at the activity center beside the pool. You must bring your passport to make your reservations and they make a note on the passport of the date of the reservation. Hours are 18:30 pm to 10:30 pm. The staff are efficient, friendly and attentive.
It is a fairly small space with approx 15 tables that the staff are happy to arrange for groups.
Your check in envelope contain a guest “Passport” which contains a map of the resort and all of the buildings numbered (other than the rooms). It contains hours of operation for the various restaurants and the “Hotel’s Regulations”. It also has a map of the area including the mainland.
[Derek: the passport Geri refers to above is the one which she describes below, not your real passport!
The Buffet restaurant was quite large and was never full. It is a very similar set up to the Sol at Guillermo. There are smoking and non smoking areas. It is bright and beautifully decorated. The staff are as usual very helpful, friendly and warm. They are well staffed and most of the staff speak at least 3 languages.
There is a station where staff made fresh juices each morning. (Derek’s favorite) There were a variety of juices available.
A bread station where they have discovered the miracle of making toast quickly.
A crepe/pancake station with various sauces and fruits to fill them or add to them. Cereal etc also found here.
There are 2 stations with chefs at the grills, for omelettes or your choice of eggs. A great time saver is the lack of long buffet where line ups happen. In front of each grill are 8 containers, kept warm and replenished frequently, of the usual breakfast food. Bacon, fries, various italian type meats, boiled eggs etc. It appeared to me that it was an efficient way to get everything you needed quickly.
2 coffee areas. Teas were also available.
Cheese stations with the usual variety.
All in all it was a very good set up and there was always good food available.
We did not do lunch at the buffet. We walked around one day as we wanted to report but didn’t stay. Derek?
Derek: overall I would rate this buffet as better than the Tryp, not quite as good as the SCCG
We did have dinner at the buffet and Christmas Eve was special. There was a large ham being carved to order. Lamb was available and lots of shrimp. The shrimp was not cleaned and so the usual feeding frenzy did not happen. I guess those little eyes put people off. They were quite large and very tasty. Champagne was offered to everyone at the door and you could also have it at your table. Very nice.
At night the crepe station becomes the pasta bar. It is very good with the choice of pasta, sauce as well as various ingredients to choose from.
The grills would do meat and fish to your request.
The juice station became the desert bar and that of course includes the choice of ice cream with sauces to add. Yummmmmm
Wine is available and it is the same as the a la carte restaurant. It did not appear there was a choice regarding the wine, but it was certainly pleasant.
Derek: the red was OK. I still would like a little better quality, not an expensive improvement I think, and a little variety.]
Creole Restaurant is located to the east of the pool and near one of the walkways to the beach and appeared to be a thoroughfare for guests to make their way from the rooms at the east end of the resort to the center of the resort.
It is a large space and has 3 levels and gives the sense of open air although it is covered and there are walls. It does have open wall areas and on a windy night you notice it. There is a bar where you can have a drink before taking your table or wait for friends. It has a BBQ grill , a salad bar and a desert bar. It is a self serve set up with servers for wine. It was not busy any evening we wandered by nor the evening we dined there. We also noted that since it was not busy there were some guests who arrived without a reservation and were allowed to sit. Very sensible of the staff.
Derek: I didn’t find the regular offerings at the Creole restaurant all that enticing. I think most Cuban food, unless done very plainly (like BBQ chicken etc.), needs a hefty dose of a good hot sauce. Cuban cuisine must be the only national cuisine of the Caribbean that doesn’t have a hot and spicy side to it. The plain pork was great, as was the lamb, but the sauces were on the bland side and not worth the effect they have in disguising the taste of the meat without adding anything to it.]
[Whew! I’ve been watching the Food Channel © can you tell?]
There was lamb, pork, rice and beans and plain rice available.
On the Friday evening there is a special lobster dinner. It is a 5 course meal and the cost is $20.00 per person. We were fortunate enough to be invited to attend the dinner by the Miriam Maite Alonso, Public Relations Manager and General Manager Krister Esteban, whom I was also delighted to meet at the anniversary party on the Sunday. It was a wonderful meal. It apparently is usually held the evening prior to departure and so it was held the Saturday the week before as the Quebec guests were leaving on the Sunday. It was changed to accommodate our flight and we were very happy it was.
There was punch, champagne, wine, red and white as well as coffee and liquors available. !st course was salad, 2nd lobster bisque soup, 3rd shrimp, 4th lobster, large, delicious and served with wonderful melted butter and thick with garlic, 5th desert and coffee. Derek? The lobster was so large I was unable to finish it. Derek checked with the chef and discovered they precook the lobster and then put it on the grill with a special sauce. There were 4 chefs on hand and they were all eager to cook for everyone. One of the P.R. staff came to check that we were enjoying our meal. The invitation was a wonderful gesture from the management of the resort and both Derek and I truly appreciated it.
[Derek: all very good. The lobsters were not small either.]
Is your mouth watering yet?
La Picua, beach grill is the restaurant that is closest to the beach. It is very much like the Hemmingway’s grill was at the Tryp before it became new and improved and much more “formal” It is a thatched building with a bar and a salad bar on the main floor so to speak. There is also a pasta bar with a variety of cooked pasta, kids seemed to enjoy. There is a BBQ grill built separately from the main building where 2 chefs bbq chicken and fish. There is also table service for drinks and fries as well as burgers and hot dogs. The treat with this restaurant is the tables in the sand. If you like the feel of the sand on your feet and would prefer not to put on your shoes to do lunch there are tables and chairs in the sand that have umbrellas over the tables to protect you from that midday sun. We enjoyed this spot very much. It is pretty well in the middle of the resort so easy to make your way to from where ever you are on the beach.
[Derek: what I appreciated most was the fact that they really BBQ’d everything. Unlike the large beach grill at the Tryp where everything is fried especially in the heat. Yech!
Los Flamencos, called the Cuban Club is located at the west end of the resort placed on the most western path to the beach. It si open form 10:00 am to 5:00 pm unless the manager decides to have “Happy Hour” from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. This appears to happen fairly often. The night we arrived there was a going away party for the Quebec group going on and it really sounded like a lot of fun. This is the bar if you are looking for cray people to have a party with.
There is a grill and they do burgers and hot dogs with fries. It is covered but open on 3 sides. High tables and stools. This is one of the areas with a hot tub and around the tub, out in the sun, there are lounge chairs. A well used bar and grill and a lot of fun.
When the manager decides to have happy hour it is time to party. Drinks are on the house and he ensures everyone has plenty. He also puts on quite a show as the pictures will show. He does a variety of acts and stunts that entertain sn well as creates a dance floor and does a dance routine. Be sure to check it out. He will announce during the day when there is going to be a happy hour or you can ask for a date.
Now some observations:
There must be something in the Cuban water, which is piped to the island and is totally drinkable, that makes for such patient warm and friendly people. We are always so happy to make new friends and the staff are so ready with their friendship.
Jose (air canada rep) introduced Odaisy (public Relations)at the orientation and so I introduced myself at the end of the meeting and explained that I was part of a group of people who travelled to the Cayos and participated in a forum on the internet reporting on the forum and that Derek and I were the 1st members of the group to come to Sol Santa Maria. I explained the filosophy to her and she immediatly appreciated the attitude. She did comment that they had prepared a great welcome for the 1st Air cananda flight from Toronto, with music, dancing, drinks and was quite surprised when everyone moved off to their rooms so quickly. I explained to her that the delay at home and the airport experience was too much for people and they just needed time to adjust and rest.
later in the day when I attended the celebration for the 1st anniverary of the resorrrt opening Jose approached me and confirmed I was a happy face. He said they were waiting for the happy face arrival and although we had spoken on the bus on the way to the hotel I did not mention the Happy Face Club. He was very happy to discover we had actually arrived and wanted to know if we knew D&B. He introduced me to many of the staff including the General Manager, the VP and others. They were all pleased to meet guests who were familiar with the Cayos and who were frequent travellers to Cuba. the entertainment was excellant for the celebration.
The General Manager spoke and thanked the many staff who were in attendance for the many sacrifices they had made over the year to make the resort's 1st year a success. I mentioned the award ceremony where many of the staff received special awards for outstanding service. Jose (air Canada vacations rep) received an award for his past service in the sales dept. He also transalated the gen Manager's speech into english. Time out for sleep. More tomorrow.
Now some observations:
There must be something in the Cuban water, which is piped to the island and is totally drinkable, that makes for such patient warm and friendly people. We are always so happy to make new friends and the staff are so ready with their friendship.
Jose (air canada rep) introduced Odaisy (public Relations)at the orientation and so I introduced myself at the end of the meeting and explained that I was part of a group of people who travelled to the Cayos and participated in a forum on the internet reporting on the forum and that Derek and I were the 1st members of the group to come to Sol Santa Maria. I explained the filosophy to her and she immediatly appreciated the attitude. She did comment that they had prepared a great welcome for the 1st Air Cananda flight from Toronto, with music, dancing, drinks and was quite surprised when everyone moved off to their rooms so quickly. I explained to her that the delay at home and the airport experience was too much for people and they just needed time to adjust and rest.
later in the day when I attended the celebration for the 1st anniverary of the resorrrt opening Jose approached me and confirmed I was a happy face. He said they were waiting for the happy face arrival and although we had spoken on the bus on the way to the hotel I did not mention the Happy Face Club. He was very happy to discover we had actually arrived and wanted to know if we knew D&B. He introduced me to many of the staff including the General Manager, the VP and others. They were all pleased to meet guests who were familiar with the Cayos and who were frequent travellers to Cuba. the entertainment was excellant for the celebration.
The General Manager spoke and thanked the many staff who were in attendance for the many sacrifices they had made over the year to make the resort's 1st year a success. I mentioned the award ceremony where many of the staff received special awards for outstanding service. Jose (air Canada vacations rep) received an award for his past service in the sales dept. He also transalated the gen Manager's speech into english. Time out for sleep. More tomorrow.
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