The resort was ok. Smell of gas from the oil refinery was constant and the sewer smell was evident. It was only 3 stars so we didn't expect much but my goodness did we ever feel pressured for tips. I think we were pressured because of our age. We noticed the college students and young people were not pressured at all and really didn't tip often. Almost everyone is angling for a tip. Bring a lot of money because there are no cash machines in Cuba. Eat at Al Capones it is excellent and just up the street from Kawama. We were treated very rude by one of the servers at the lobby bar, he was a real #$@!. Pretty good time overall but would probably go somewhere else. If you go find Jesus the maint/gardner. He is a great guy and very helpful.

My husband and I have just returned from our fifth annual trip to Kawama (Jan 29 - Feb 6) There have been a number fo changes over the year, new lobby furniture, new coffee cafe, Fernando has moved to a beach bar, new beach and pool chairs. Yes this is the oldest resort in Varadero and it is a 3*** so stop and think of what your expectations are!
The resort holds a "repeaters dinner" I believe every week for the repeat vacationers. The evening we went there were 29 of us and the week before there were 70 people....now that should say something.
The staff are the best and doing their best to understand English. Never once in 5 years has anyone asked me for a tip, however saying that I have never not tipped. The ladies at the front desk are busy but yet will take a minute to laugh with you. They love chocolates! Vivian will take care you, just ask for her. Leida who is the lady looking after your reservations for the alcartes will do anything she can to help you. Just remember that this women is someone's wife, mother, and grandmother and deserves the respect that your family members derseve.
The rooms are older but clean,
The pool is beautiful,
Numerous bars on the large resort, don't forget Fernando as he makes a mean Banana Mama.
Coffee cafe - you can added anything you want to your coffee, Carem will help
The food - remember you are in Cuba, breakfast omlettes are fantastic
lunch at the buffett and the main pool bar - you will not starve
dinner - we had turkey one night and it was great.- When you enter the buffett look/ask for Leo .
the entertainment is limited but the evening show is good
Beach - heavenly
Take a minute to stop and talk to the staff as they are wonderful people.
We will be back next January!!

I don't know where other people stayed, our experience at Kawama was horrible. I understand that Cuba is a 3rd world country, you still have to to everything reasonable to ensure your guests have a great time. To eat lunch and dinner off the resort it just unacceptable to me. The room was absolutely terrible, however our maid did everything she could.with what she had. The bartender asked me for my swim trunks to give to her son????? We are not 5* travelers and we have stayed at many 3-4 star resorts, in Cuba. This was the worst stay by far and was the worst 2 week winter vacation we have ever experienced in fact we have never booked a 2 week vacation since!!!! Believe me folks, spend the extra $$$ and stay somewhere else. Cuba is a great country, beautiful beaches and the people are amazing, Just don't stay at Kawama and you will be all good.

it is an old resort and shows its age but it is clean and the staff r very helpful. however should a person go in with a bad attitude(and body language says alot) then you would be ignored until u calmed down.the staff live off of the tips we give them...hint hint. i found kawama to be under staffed. the staff that were working , worked very long hours , so being patient with grumpy insulting people would be a challange. should you take the time to talk to your maid, the security guards, the doorman the gardener, you would find out how very freindly and eager to please these wonderful cuban people are.
we took 3 tours, the jeep safari -awesome ! the trip to havana- very good ,but i'd nix the tropicana cabaret, just a bunch of naked dancing . the rest of havana was cool. the best tour for me was the catamaran boat tour. the bar on the boat is inclusive, the staff on the boat were incredable ! there was snorkleing ,fun in the sun on a small island i cant remember the name of, lunch was included which was a bbq'd yummy! and then we went to see and be kissed by the dolphins !
always make sure to have lots of pesos to give to all the wonderful staff u meeet.
one last thing... kawama is central to so much! havana was the farthest away and it took 1 1/2 hours , varadero is just around the corner from kawama and easy to walk thru. you can feel safe here. the cubans love their tourists , they want you to be happy and comfortable.