Cuba - Long Weekend - February 2018

I went to Cuba for the Family Day weekend in 2018. I try to go to at least one new place every year, along with visiting old favourites, and I thought Cuba might be an inexpensive new experience.

I went through Sunwing Vacations. To be fair, this is a good discount vacation company, but if I had to do it over again, I'd have been less concerned with expense, and more concerned with comfort. For one thing: that flute of champagne they show you in the commercials is an exaggeration: it's a plastic glass of sparkling wine, and you get one. Also, I had a dickens of a time getting them to sell me a second drink. For me, it's not a very relaxing way to start a vacation, although I have talked to several people who have had positive experiences. I suspect I'm just not used to charter flights anymore. I bought the "Premium Package", but the priority boarding was not honoured in Cuba.

I did also opt for the private transfers to and from the resort. This was definitely worth it. Since I arrived at night, I didn't get to see much of the resort then, but I did see that I beat the other passengers there by about an exhausting hour.

The next day, I got to start looking at the resort.

I'm always happy to see resort cats

There was  lots of seating

The Beach was lovely

The resort itself, I have to give mixed reviews to. The beach was lovely, and the service was impeccable. But, the pool was not heated, and neither was any of the water in my room, ever. The ocean was also too cold to swim in, for me, so that was a disappointment as well. But, the food was good, especially after I learned that you could have lobster every night, and the drinks were delicious and plentiful. In fact, it was the usual vacation situation where I had to request weaker drinks than the bartenders wanted to provide because I like to remember my vacations so I can make these reports.

The pool was freezing

Interesting Layout for the room

The room had two beds laid head to head with a concrete half wall between them. It was kind of odd. Also, the plumbing was extremely problematic. Under the circumstances, I'm not sure I was paying the price for there not being a single supplement, or if this is just the correct expectation for this resort.

Broken bidet, no heated water

Pina Colada!

The birds seemed to enjoy the beach

Sun on the water

For the most part, I enjoyed this trip. The resort was beautiful, and everyone was extremely friendly. And I try to always be mindful that standards vary, throughout the world. And it was educational.

Lots of shady seating

Parts of the resort seemed historic

Sunset

Illuminated Path to Main Building

Cuba by Starlight

The Pool

I had mixed feelings about this trip, to be honest. Every Cuban national I spoke to seemed to be in need of something. That doesn't say much for the way things are. I have gone to places where the people don't have much, and I try to do my bit by putting money back into the local economy, but it is awkward in Cuba because the tourists have a different currency from the citizens. And, while certain things are provided for locals, there are a lot of things that seem to be largely unavailable to them. It's depressing.

Dinner by the Pool

Dining Al Fresco

Morning Cafe con Leche

The Coffee Terrace

Path to the Beach at Night

When it was time to go, I spent the time waiting for my flight in the VIP lounge. It seems these days, even if your flight and/or credit card doesn't include lounge access, you can pay for a lounge just about anywhere. The lounge was nice. It had wifi, and nice drinks, and comfy seating, and what else do you need?

The Airport Lounge

Bottom line, it was good to go, and, as advertised, I saw many classic cars. The people are wonderful, and it was very beautiful. And the food was much better than I had heard.

Next - A Quick Trip To England