Sol Rio de Luna & Mares Resort - Holguin, Cuba 

Let me start by saying I read the reviews before I went to this resort and the good reviews were correct. I just return yesterday 18 July, 2008. I booked through Air Transat holidays. I have no complaints except that our flight was late coming back at 4:30 am. There was a problem with the plane being delayed in Toronto. This was the only glitch we expereinced in this vacation. The food at this resort was the best we have had in Cuba. We have been to Cuba 5 times in different parts from 3 stars to 5 stars. The management at this resort really tries to listen to their customer. This is the first time at a Cuban resort that there were Jalapeno and chili peppers to spice up your meal. One night we had Sushi that was as good as you get at home. There is a flaming banana station for dessert that is out of this world. The mangos were incredible!!!. The food does get repetative by have fish one night chicken the other etc. YOu can get grilled fish, chicken, beef, pork and shrimp done the way you like it. One important thing I would like to mention is if you want something and you do not see it, whatever it is, ASK! They are great at trying to accomodate you. We had a girl who was allergic to nuts and they made her special meals every day that were delicious. We also had several vegetarians at the resort for the week and they always found something to eat. Cubans in general are very accomodating people as long as you ask in a respectful friendly way. Do not expect lettuce at any resort in Cuba as it is hard to grow here but they use cabbage instead. You will see complaints on here about food but people just do not think before they complain. If you just look around the ground people would see it is an arid time of year and some fruits, veggies etc will not grow. If you do not like the way they have cooked something ask the chef to make it the way you like it and he will. Several important things to know: -the main buffet area is open for dinner and then closes, however if you walk through the main doors and find the chef in the back from 11:00pm- 7:00 am you can ask him to make you anything you want. Mostly be reasonable and ask for frenchfried, hamburger, hot dog etc...Ask the guys at the bar and they will direct you. Say hello to Jose for us! -ask the bartender for a Suzanne! I made up a special drink with pineapple juice, pineapple liquor, fresh banana and ice all blended together Amazingly refreshing and cannot taste the alcohol. Just walk up to Jose with a banana and ask for a Suzanne. He will laugh! I think he is the head bartender. -Tipping is not manditory so do not complain about it. BUt, tip the bartender that you like at the beginning of the week maybe 5 CUC and you will have drinks as you sit down. Give anothe 5CUC mid week to keep it going. -The club sandwich in the upstairs snack bar is wonderful and tasty -The ala cart restaraunts have good food. The romantica restaraunt gives you 5 courses one after another -Check the Cuban/Carabean al acart menu. My husband rewrote it for them as it was not correctly translated. The food is great. The pork rib starter is advised..Yummy -ADVICE: This resort has a lot of stairs and is not advised for anyone with knee problems or mobility problems. Pay attention to this as it is very true. -Horseback riding is included an you can go once a day. You have to walk out the front of the resort down the road. Ask and they will direct you. It was really fun and very safe! -The catemaran is included also and it is amazing. The guy who takes you out will give you as much fun as you can handle. Just ask to go fast etc...Tip him on your first ride for the week. Remember that in Cuba they make equivalent to $20 Canadian a month so giving them a $5 tip in CUC is very much appreciated but do not feel you always have to do this -They have snorkles, masks and fins to borrow for free but there is very few areas to go and do this on the beach The beach is really wonderful. It is very large, white sand, lots of shade and not shallow. The only downfall is it seems to be always wavy and rough but no undertows. You do share the beach with local Cubans and they do not bother you at all. If you are a sovenier person forget Cuba. There is not much to buy except seed bracelets, necklaces etc. which are cheap. Buy them at the resort vendors that set up in the lobby or on the beach. They are the cheapest and you can bargain. GO to the Disco that starts at 11:00 and get everyone else to go. You make your own fun and it is fun for all ages. You room will have satellite TV that has a good movie channel. The airconditioning is strong so bring something warmer to sleep in if you get cold. SOme of the rooms are renovated and some are not. The renovated rooms are on the 3rd floor. The view from the rooms are amazing. Mountains and beautif;ul ocean. If there is a problem with your room tell them immediately and they will send a repair guy quickly. The place where you get your beach towels has a board that lists the excursions put on by the animation staff. Do as many of them as you can as most of them are free. One is 6 CUC and takes you to a school, farm, and stops in Guadelavaca to get soveigners. There is nothing in Guadelavaca except a beautiful beach, resort and the craft sellers. If you want to go to Guadelevaca on your own order a taxi for 5CUC each way. Cuba is a very safe country and people are friendly. We left our stuff on the beach no problem. The consequences of theft from a tourist is very high so it is rare to have your stuff stolen but be sensible. Have a great trip! Remember you are not in Canada anymore but the warmth of the people and sun is to be enjoyed!!!

My husband and I loved the Beach and everything about it. We are the kind of people who want to be on and around the sea. Every morning we would find our place under one of the palm shades where the beach attendant would place our lounge chairs. There is a magnificent reef just to the right of the hotel. We saw the most beautiful and colorful sea life that you can imagine. It was as if we were part of this sea world. We swam around and through the coral and sea plants. The fish would come around us and were not timid of humans. Catamarans from other hotels would dock here for the scuba and snorkeling experience. If you have your own snorkeling gear bring it. The equipment on the beach is not always available. We were taken for a ride on the hobby cat and took a day excursion on the Catameran. There are kayaks and pedal aqua bikes to use by the guests. Our room was an ocean view (highly recommend this) My husband and I would have coffe in the morning and late afternoon drinks on the balcony overlooking a spectacular view of the sea and vegetation. We could hear the rhythum of the waves as we sat and relaxed. There was a casset player in our room with a radio. We found a local station with local music to listen to. The food was the best ever, very tastey and lots of variety. I especially liked the fresh fruit and stuffed peppers. Fish was prepared to order as was the pasta and omlets. Every evening there was a women playing soothing tunes on the grand piano in the lobby. One night there was a magician who involved the children in the act. The mariachi band entertained and serenaded the folks. The aquatic ballet was beautiful and well executed. The dancers were professional. (My husband won the dance contest with one very attractive dancer. An unforgetable memory and a story to tell his buddies for the rest of his life. ) The spa has 2 jet pools (adults only) with zen type music playing in the back ground. Our daily routine included a workout with the stationary bike and weights (him) Aerobic class with a top notch instsructor (me) followed by a relaxing soak (both) Towels and water provided. The staff made us feel at home in this wonderful resort. Everyone was very informative and accomodating. Most spoke english fluently. TIPS. Bring clothes, soaps, candy and other articles that the staff can bring home to their families to use. Although we felt no pressure to tip please do so when you can. Most staff rely on them. Lastly, My husband and I have been married for 30 years and this was the beginning of our retirement and new life (with the kids out on their own). We felt like newly weds!