One such change is a growing desire for luxury experiences in a destination better known for low priced getaways. Still, many travelers are asking: Is Cuba is ready to deliver a luxury vacation on par with 5 star hotels around the world? While only time will tell, I was able to discover for myself what the current version of Cuban “luxury” is really like.
Cuban Beaches
Luxury Hotels in Cuba?
All hotels in Cuba are 51% owned by the Cuban government, in partnership with (primarily) European and Mexican hotel chains. Melia International (based in Spain) offers nearly 15,000 beds in hotels and resorts across the island. Most recently, the chain has been promoting a new luxury option with their “Royal Service” and “The Level,” including private butlers, concierge service and upgraded amenities for a premium price. In the past, governmental restrictions and supply limitations made it difficult for hotels to deliver a luxury-style experience. It is understandable then that some wonder if times have indeed changed.
My wife and I stayed in the Royal Service area at the Paradisus Princesa Del Mar (opened in 2014), located on the famous beach strip of Varadero. Our room was a generously sized swim-up junior suite that overlooked a sprawling pool that circled eight buildings.
Luxury Rooms and Suites
Unfortunately, the air conditioning thermostat did not work, leaving us with a choice of simply on or off, but without automatic temperature control. It was a small detail, but not the sort of thing a well-established luxury resort would overlook. The bathroom was quite large with a modern Jacuzzi tub along with a separate area for the toilet and shower. However, there was no light in the shower, which meant cleaning up in the dark. Again, it’s a small thing but luxury is all about those many small things.
Royal Service
Overall, the service was good, but not what I would classify as exceptional, at least not when compared to other luxury experiences. Yes, we did have a butler (a nice touch) who was very kind when we interacted with him. He was only available from 3:00 PM to 11:00 PM, leaving things like dinner reservations up to one of his fellow colleagues. My other experiences in past with butler service were more engaged and proactive. Most of them check in several times throughout the day to ensure all is well with their guests. This was not the case here.
Fine dining
For dining the Royal Service guests were offered a separate area for buffet breakfasts and lunch along with two exclusive bars. Our buffet was never crowded, and there was a respectable effort to create an upscale dining presentation. Sadly, the food was essentially the same as served in the general section of the hotel. The variety was adequate but I noticed many disappointing inconsistencies.
Entertainment in Cuba
Cuba shines here since the island is famous for artistic talent, and we truly appreciated the high caliber of musicians and dancers. All were quite professional. In fact, I would love to see more live music offered throughout the resort more frequently. It seems a missed opportunity to overcome other areas that were lacking. With all the challenges, there is one area in which a vacation in Cuba still shines above all. Its people are famously warm and welcoming and always offer smiles to all.
Excursions
Conclusion
So, to answer the question: is Cuba is ready to deliver a luxury vacation on par with 5 star hotels around the world? I have to say: not quite. That does not mean that you cannot have a wonderful, culturally rich and enjoyable vacation experience. But, perhaps instead of comparing it to others, we should simply appreciate it for what it is. After all, it was the “authentic Cuba” parts of our trip that we enjoyed the most. With the growing demand from cruise lines to American tour packages the island will surely change. Why not discover an authentic vacation in Cuba while you can? I’m certainly glad we did.