We didnt find the staff very friendly, but really enjoyed our room. We had a fridge, but nothing to cook with, Im thinking you had to ask for it, but the food in the area was cheap anyways.

There is a bus you can take to Havana, its pretty quick, has a good schedule, and is super cheap as well.

The beach is a short walk away, and its a very nice beach as well. Waves were pretty big while we were there so it was alot of fun.

I just want to say that I have been travelling to Havana for several years 3-4 times a year. I have spent many days in Santa Maria and have stayed 1 night at Tropicoco and a few stays at Club Atlantico. Most of the time I visit my husbands family in Havana and stay in a casa. This time we decided to book at Las Terrazas and have a central point at the beach. Check in was easy. Stayed in room #313 on the third floor farthest north. The room was very basic standard. Completely tiled bathroom (clean) with hot water. Bedroom had air conditioning and two single beds which we put together. Sitting area room with kitchen. (sink, fridge,clothes washing area, TV, couch, chair and balcony overlooking the ocean). My only suggestion to the hotel as a Sunwing booking client is that maybe they should update the curtains and the mattresses. This would add a lot to the room and would make a big difference to travellers who are booking through an agency. I have stayed in many casas but a as a hotel standard it needs minor updating. Linens, curtains etc. The location is great and the bus takes you to Havana every half hour for 3CUC and that allows you to travel as many times as you like in a day. The front reception staff were great. Absolutely accommodating. English was also impressive with the ladies at the front. Hotel is filled with both Cubans and international travellers. Front reception always has juice, water, pop and beer and is air conditoned with a VERY clean bathroom and sitting area with TV. Entrance in controlled with a bracelet and there was always someone manning the area. Breakfast was good with fresh eggs, fruit and many breads. I have to say that for the price it is very well priced for Cuba. Our package was $285.00 plus tax each including flight, hotel, transfer. You can't beat this place if you are a seasoned Cuba traveller who is looking for a great beach and easy access to the city. :-)

We stayed in Las Terrazas Sept.7-14, 2011. reception: (53) 797-1636, 797-1315, or 797-1317.
ROOMS: As noted elsewhere in TripAdvisor, these apartments are not housekeeping - there is no stove, nor kitchen supplies - I am surprised to see mention in one review that someone found kitchen supplies. Perhaps they were left by an earlier tourist. Some apartments have a large fridge, some have only a bar fridge. They are spacious apartments by Cuban terms - excellent if you want to have a few people over for drinks. The rooms have air conditioning but ours had no fan -- which would have been more comfortable and is the usual Cuban solution to the heat. Reception was more than 100 meters from our room, and there were narrow stairs and no elevators to our third floor room, and because we had brought a lot of stuff (for Cubans) it was quite a journey to the room but 3 Cuban staff helped us.
POOL and BEACH: The swimming pool is open to the public so was busy on the weekend,but was closed (and drained empty) during the week, in this off-peak time of year. The beach is great but the waves can be rough and therefore unsafe for young children and non-swimmers - hence the popularity of a pool just meters from the ocean.
FOOD: Breakfast: the coffee was bad but the food was bearable. The ambience - beside the pool - is very pleasant but not quite as sociable as down the road at the Tropicoco. The independent restaurant found right on the hotel property charges only 2-4CUC for acceptable pizza and 1CUC for a beer. If you want really decent food, go to Havana and take a flight to Mexico because you're in the wrong country.
NIGHTLIFE: Taxi to nearby Guanabo is about 5CUC, 10 minutes, and there are 2 discotecas. Walk 300 meters west to the Tropicoco hotel to catch the tourist bus (3CUC) to central Havana (parque Central), a taxi is expensive (15-20CUC). If you speak Spanish enough to understand detailed instructions you can take the #405 bus to the main highway, then the #400 to Havana. Cost is 2 cents/ride = 4 cents total but the buses are very crowded.
PRECAUTIONS: The mosquitoes were numerous because of stagnant water next to the hotel, so **bring insect repellent** as mosquitoes in Cuba can carry denge fever. Do not bribe the guard to bring in a unknown Cuban, as you can legally register a Cuban guest for only 15CUC and they can stay for breakfast and to use the pool (that is, they receive a guest bracelet) and both you and the guest will be far more secure as everything will be legal and documented. Be aware that other guests are bribing guards to bring in Cubans, and your valuables are at risk accordingly. Door locks might politely be described as "Mickey Mouse".
OUR PERSONAL EXPERIENCE: This hotel was quite satisfactory. I went with a friend who enjoyed the room to herself while I spent most of the week in Havana. We ate out for less than the additional cost that an all-inclusive would have charged. We enjoyed having *trusted* *long-term* Cuban friends (known from previous visits) to our apartment - some we signed in, and others came to know the security guards and could come and go freely. We had no theft problems but I would be more cautious in future given some of the reports in the reviews of this hotel.

first of all to clear this up this is a series of appartments(not a hotel) across the beach at playa del este which is kinda like a suburb of havana ,, old havana is a 20 min cab ride..for cuban stadards these apartments a good , satelite tv,, balcony , kitchen area ,sitting area ,seperate beadroom,and swimming pool downstaires...if you know cuba this is a good place as a home base to go visit family and friends if your not planning to stay in the appartment 24 hours a day..i say this because the apartments are spread out and you don't realy have entertainment or daily activities set up, like a hotel does, or not much socialising with other guest because there is not a lobby bar or common area.....but you will meet a lot of locals at the beach because you will use the public beach across the street ....there is a red air conditioned touristy bus that goes to old havana every 30 min it cost only 3 cuc and it includes returne.....las terazzas has one resturant this is where you will eat you buffet breakfast which is included with the price,,,,there is also a pizza and pasta resturant around the courner and you can take out pizza and bring it to the pool sitting area if you want ... no real night clubs in this area but the town of guanabo is a big town 5 minutes away by cab and has a very good disco busy on weekends,,,, or havana clubs are always busy with popular local bands ......overall i feel this place was fine as long as you understand what it is ...