Me and my family went to the Barcelo Solymar in Varadero, Cuba sometime ago, in June/July 2006 and found it a truly enjoyable and memorable experience. We travelled with over 40 other guests as we were attending a family wedding. We booked the holiday through Virgin Holidays in November 2005 and found them extremely attentive and helpful. Anyway, on to... more

Just returned from a 10 day stay at the Barcelo Solymar - honeymoon vacation. We booked our stay through Virgin holidays. On arrival,we were upgraded to a suite as a honeymoon couple on the 4th floor - also received a bottle of champagne - so our first impressions and encounters were excellent. WE had a massive room cleaned immaculately every... more

[Background] This was the first trip ever for me and my b/f both in our mid 20's and I had did a lot of research and decided on Solymar based on many reviews. We booked though travel cuts because they have the cheapest insurance (which we didn't need and probably wouldn't get again because to use it, is actually pretty... more

We had a fabulous time at this hotel/resort, the hotel is clean ( we stayed in one of the Bungalow rooms)..there was no musty smell...no 'creepy crawlies'...we left the maid a 'gift' ( ie toothbrushes/ bic pens/writing paper etc) most days or/and a 1 peso tip. We tipped between 1 and 3 pesos in the restaurants/bars each time we visited...although... more

Travelled here in May with some friends(all in our mid 20s) and we had the time of our lives. Two of us stayed in a bungalow and two in the main building. I was part of the unfortunate two that stayed in the bungalows. The hotel rooms are cleaner and cooler than the bungalows. Our air conditioning wasn't strong at... more

I have stayed at the Barcelo Solymar 19 times , so I think I know a bit about this hotel and Cuba.I been travelling to Cuba for more than 20 yrs,Cuba is a third world country ,the people struggle each day to survive , but these people are always happy,and work long hours 10 to 15 hour days . So... more

We stayed in the the hotel from 5 June to 19 June. As soon as we got there we were upgraded to a bungalow appartment - which we were suprised about! The reception was quite quick in processing us as we were a group of 7 so they dealth with us all together. First impression on reception area WOW!!! what... more

We had been a bit concerned about some of the comments made about this hotel, so much so that I rang the travel agent and requested a quiet room. We had a room on the 3rd floor and it was fine. No slamming doors, arguing couples or unacceptable behaviour. We did hear a few late night revellers returning from the... more

Just come back from a week vacation in the Barcelo Resort ( June 1 to June 8 ) arrived around 3.00 pm and the check in was very quick and the girls in the recepcion were pleasant and well manered we tried to speak a little spanish because there languase is not English, but they try really hard, even in... more