Coralia Club Playa De Oro Cuba
September 10th, 2004 | Published in travel | 2 Comments
Coralia Club Playa De Oro Pictures, Reviews, Travel Tips. Playa de Oro all inclusive resort. We stayed in Varadero, and the vacation was perfect! Click the links below for the Resort Photos, and Coralia Club Playa De Oro reviews from each day. We saw some digital signage equipment while we played billiards Enjoy!
Coralia Club Playa De Oro Resort Review and Varadero Travel Tips. Update – This place was not as good as the place we went to in 2007 – Gran Bahia Principe Wedding.
Intro and Flight:
My boyfriend and I just returned from a wonderful week at the Coralia Club Playa De Oro resort in Varadero. This was our fourth time to Cuba and we’ve always stayed at 4 star hotels…Coralia Club Playa De Oro is one of the best I’ve stayed at. Also, because I’ve been to Cuba so many times it’s easy to see in some reviews that what one gives as a complaint about the resort, is actually really just a general norm for the country itself. We left Halifax February 21 (instead of February 19 due to blizzard delay!), and even though the vacation was shorter than normal, we had a great time. One tip, anyone checking for delays or flight schedules flying with Air Transat Holidays should call the 1-877 number instead of checking the website, which isn’t updated as regularly as it should be! Long story short, we got off the ground, and were on the way! Varadero Ho! Speaking of Varadero and night clubs, you’ll probably want to check out the Varadero Dance Club Pirates Cave. Only 5 minutes away.
Coralia Club Playa de Oro – Varadero
We had six full days of sunshine. Do not get scared if it rains. This is normal and it only lasts about an hour and when it rains it pours! Luckily the rainstorm we had was in the evening. Here are some useful points to keep in mind:
Coralia Club Playa De Oro – Varadero Cuba.
- If you arrive at the Coralia Club Playa De Oro resort very early in the morning (like we did at 5 a.m.)
don’t be upset or afraid that they put you in a a room that is not ready. They will switch you to a newer room around 9:30 as soon as the maids come into town. This happened to us and we were put in a room that was designed for staff…really gross and nasty, and I was upset thinking this is what all the rooms looked like. We got transferred quickly like the front desk had promised and we had a gorgeous room and balcony. Now remember: this is a communist country, so don’t expect the Hilton hotel, but the rooms are kept very clean and the beds are comfortable. When you get there, resist the urget to spend time unpacking, and just head outside! You’ll want to be inside later in the day, afer you have had too much heat! Unpack then. - Food: the food in Cuba is very bland. Honestly though, this resort had the best food I’ve ever had in Cuba. With no trading with the US they try their best to prepare foods that we like. Here is what we were told was the travel tip of all Varadero travel tips – If you are very picky, I suggest taking little salt and pepper packets or your own spice. This is what I did but actually didn’t even use them b/c I found the resort’s food to be very good. People that get sick have to be aware that their choices may play a big part in their chance of stomach problems. The food here is very good and very fresh. If you make smart choices just like you would at home, then you won’t have any troubles! (of course bring Immodium in case). Do not eat things like mayonaise that is sitting in the sun. Go easy on dishes that contain lots of meat. The bread is amazing! Cheese is good. Lots of HOT cooked fish, meat and vegetables. Go to the buffet when it opens, that is when the food is the freshest and hottest. Avoid
the deli meats that sit out for a long time, or fish dishes that are cold and sit at the salad bar…these are breeding grounds for bacteria in the heat. The food preparation is beautiful. Deserts taste very
similar to each other. Omlettes are great in the morning! Be creative: make toasted sandwiches, add onions, green peppers, etc to pasta if you want more flavor. The outside grill opens everyday for lunch…go there everyday! They have fresh bbq’d chicken, pork, ribs etc, lots of good rice that has flavor. You will not starve at all. Don’t expect Canadian food, but you will be pleased if you have an open mind! Lots of fresh fruit. International a la carte is very good…get the chicken! - Drinks: okay ladies, go easy on the pina coladas! anything made with milk products is another thing you have to be careful with. These drinks are good but limit them to maybe two a day. I did this and I
felt great all week. The coke is not coca-cola its their own version called “tukola”. Its sweeter and some may find it doesn’t have the best carbonatio - Service: Front desk aren’t always that friendly but I think its more of a language barrier problem that rudeness. This resort is French owned and I found that the staff were very friendly to the French but only because they simply had more staff that spoke better French than English. If you are polite and say please and thank-you, they are very
- polite back. The bartenders get tips but don’t feel obligated to do so. I didn’t find the service improved for those who did, so if you don’t want to, don’t feel that you have to. The entertainment staff are very friendly, talk to them and they will make friends with you. Maid service: they take good care of your rooms so treat them well. I left things from the dollar store like crayons, barbies, etc for their children since they always gets soaps, and shampoos from most other guests.
- Rent the mopeds! Best thing we did. They’re easy to drive and we took them all over Varadero and even checked out the new hotels being built at the tip of the peninsula. 25 dollars for 24 hours, is a good deal!
- Catamaran tour is a guaranteed good time!
- Jeep Safari Tour is also very good and worth the money! You will see a lot of the real Cuban countryside and see how locals live. You will visit local villages and see how Cubans really live.
- The Pirate’s Cave bar Varadero is down the road. Go there! Its a 2 dollar cab ride or 10 min walk. Its bar with a live dance show and then turns into a nightclub all inside a real cave! (you can view pictures of the pirates cave bar)
- Havana Club also another good nightclub off the resort (by the Palma Real hotel). Just tell the cabbie and he’ll take you there.
- The disco at the hotel is nice inside but isn’t very busy. So go off the resort if you want more nightlife. Cabs park right outside the lobby and will take you to the bars. 10 dollars cover for admission and unlimited drinks. Havana Club is a great one with a mix of American and Cuban Music.
- The night time synchronized swimming show at the hotel is a must see! I was extremely impressed and entertained.
- Put your towel out early at the beach. By 10 a.m. there are no more lounge chairs.
- Beach is gorgeous. Go on the pedal boats, catamarans, banana boat.
- Bring toilet paper if you leave the resort!!!!! anywhere you go you have to pay a dollar for two squares. I’m not kidding! even at the airport! So just bring a roll or buy kleenex packs and you’ll be fine.
- Go to the meeting that your rep has scheduled the day you arrive. You’ll get a time on the bus ride from the airport to meet him/her in the lobby. They will answer questions about the hotel (things to do, locations of things, how to get around, information and prices on tours). I always go to this, and it makes your stay so much better. You don’t end up wasting days wondering about certain things.
- 25 dollars departure tax to get out of country. Make sure you have a 20 and a 5, because they do not make change at the airport. They will just take whatever is left over!
- Enjoy your stay! the weather is unpredictable but generally very good. You will have a wonderful vacation if you keep these tips in mind!
- For more Caribbean Travel Tips, check out the article.
November 8th, 2009 at 10:41 am (#)
Will be going in june to iberostar suites, can you tell me if you need electric adapator to run blow drys or camera rechargers.
November 9th, 2009 at 6:20 am (#)
[…] stayed in varadero at Coralia Club Playa De Oro. […]