I didn't have high expectations going to Cuba to begin with, and was warned it wasn't the same as most of the place we travelled (Mexico & Punta Cana) but really this was the first time I've been on a winter vacation and was happy to come home.
We arrived on Feb 5, my husband and I booked a suite which was very well situated from the beach and the main entrance of the hotel, close and convenient to all the locations Room 2304, however we were travelling with two others and when we checked in and inquired about getting a little closer to each other, the girl at the front desk who was already bombarded with complaints from other guests - she didn't even check to if it was possible. She just said "no, not possible"

Instead writing a book about what was wrong with this place it's best just to number them:

1) Rooms are dirty - we had 3 rooms and all three were in need of a really good clean
2) Sheets were changed but the blankets were so gross that you didn't want to touch them, in one room 3108 it was very apparent that someone had sex on the comforter and didn't bother to clean up after themselves and the maids left it like that for my Aunt put her bags on.....we took it off and threw in the corner on the floor and it stayed there for 3 days before someone finally took it away.
3) In room 3108 the air conditioning didn't work and still didn't work right up until the day we left - Feb 12
4) We were given clean towels, sometimes, so we put them on the floor, because this is how your suppose let the maids know that you want new towels however, we were only given hand towels as replacements.
5) My watch went missing from the dresser one day, I wrote a message and left it with the trinkets that I had left on the bed that I was looking for it, the following day it was still missing, finally the next day I had all 3 maids in my room asking them where my watch was and low and behold the next day I found it in the middle of my makeup bag by the bathroom sink! I definitely didn't put it there but was thankful that it just reappeared.
6) We were able to get beach towels the first day, but tried to get them replaced with clean ones and that didn't happen until the 5th day, after the towel woman ignored us while she took two phone calls and finished her conversation - about 10 mins. The fact that there was a line up didn't rush her.
7) Beach was littered with cigarette butts, straws and plastic cups. I've never seen such a dirty beach, such a shame.
8) Only one beach restaurant and it's only open from 12:30 -2:30 daily, and the food is just as gross as it is at the buffet in the main lobby.
9) Almost all the bathroom doors do not lock, there seems to be a shortage of toilet paper in them most and they all stink like urine.
10) Okay, now the food, like the comments from others they're not exaggerating, the food is gross. By day 3 we were already off the resort looking for other places to eat. Not sure why it's has to be like this way, they have everything to jazz it up, even a little, I think that they just don't care anymore. The staff were only friendly when they were looking at you. You could really tell that they were just as happy as we were to get out of there.
11) They put plastic table clothes on their buffet tables, they wipe them were you put your plate but they never clean the corners of them and there is food, and grime that is just caked on and it makes you sick looking at it as your eating your food.
12) There is little to no personal hygiene when they bring out the food for the buffets so it's no wonder by day 3 people are getting sick. There is no care in the handling of food, for example: boiled eggs are left in a warming tray covered in water and people are forced to stick thier hands into the water to retrieve them - disgusting.
13) They use the wrong utensils for serving food so guests are forced to cross contaminant the utensils with other foods. Example: Spaghetti tongs does not work for scooping out Strawberry Jam
14) Serving areas are very dirty, they are never cleaned them down, they are just wiped them with dry clothes. I seen the same food splatter smeared along a food station the whole week I was there.
15) Butter was sour one day and it was served in a big bowl.
16) A La Carte's - were good better than the food at the buffet but we were limited to 3, we went to the first two and when it came to the 3rd one we opted to go into Varedaro instead.

Highlights - and there were some - unfortunately they all seem to be off the resort.
1) We managed to find a place right next day off the resort called Barbacoa that served beef that actually tasted like beef and was prepared to perfection. We had the Lobster that wasn't overcooked, the Barcelo had a Seafood Grill that they all recommended to eat and have their special Lobster, which came out cold and rubbery.
2) We went on a Catamaran excursion and had a blast, because the staff loved what they do and made sure that we all had a great time. And they made our drinks they way we wanted them, not overflowing with booze with a dash of mix.
3) Havana Day trip, had a great day however was not impressed that the guide kept taking us to the places where he was being paid off by the owners for bringing a bus load of tourist to their establishments. If he eliminated at least two of those stops would have had more time to explore Havana a little more.
4) The beach in front of the resort is beautiful, if the staff were encouraged to clean it up from time to time instead of laying beside you in the beach loungers it would be one of the best beaches we've had the pleasure to visit.

I know that the Barcelo staff read these reviews because I seen them reading them, so I don't understand why they're not acting on these complaints from their customers. Their front line staff are getting these complaints and they are doing nothing about it.
Cuba is beautiful, I really enjoyed Varadero but if this is what they have to offer as a 4 1/2 star, I'm sorry I won't be returning.

My wife and i travelled Jan 24- Jan 31 to this hotel worried about the mixed reviews. We were lokking for a hotel which caters to a younger party crowd and a location to access all the things we wanted to do.

Hotel
Hotel was nice and updated a bit with new beds and flat screen tvs. The location is excellent as you can walk right into town. The elevators need to be repaired as only 2 out of 6 were working which was the only the only thing that really bothered us.

Staff
All the staff were polite and really tried to make our stay awesome, any issues i had were addressed politley and as quick as possible.
When staff were rude to other people it was usually because they were being screamed at by some idiot who thinks the world is at their beck and call. They try to do the best they can with so many complaints and the limited amount of resources they have. I didnt find that i had to tip like crazy to recieve great service but i tipped well when i felt it was deserved. Just remember to treat people as you want to be treated.

Beach/Pool
very clean and the most beautiful ive ever seen. never had to fight for chairs.lots of room for everyone.

Food
lets be honest, you dont go to cuba for the food but we found something to eat all the time, we found that timing is everything, if you are early you will always find the good stuff and if you want something cooked longer just ask the cooks, the a lacarts were good but half empty and when you reserve they say they are always full which made no sense. we at a couple times off the resort which made it alot more better than repetitive food all week.

Overall
We didnt see the party resort we thought we would and there was a 50/50 mix in ages the disco was empty which i found odd at such a big resort. The Russian and French tourists were the most rudest and disrespectful that i have ever seen, the snack bar had great fries and never seen a shortage of booze as some people say. The only downfall is that there is no swim up bar that would be a huge plus for this resort. The location is the best plus for this resort. I would definatly return and reccommend this resort. just go with an open mind and relax and treat the staff as you wish to be treated.

Was at the Barcelo Solymar from jan 28 - feb 4. Clean room (facing the street) and quiet. Service very good from reception to maid, bar and restaurants. Tiped little but smiled and a bit of spanish words here & there did go a long way with personnel. Beach absolutely FABULOUS , no seaweeds and looooong stretch up and down to walk. The only reason I gave 3 out of 5 star is the ''food''. I will not go in details but enough to say they need cooks!!. Does'nt matter if certain kind of meat or veggies are not available, the ones that are should be well prepared and tasty. Voila!
P.S. Still would go back again, but diner outside the hotel.

The buffet food was terrible nothing in the buffet was edible and everyone that we had talked to agreed no flavor and no taste and I can eat almost anything and at the pool they served raw hotdogs and hamburgs and greecy fries, now you were allowed two lacarte dinners if you could find the place that gave you a ticket to get in because no one seemed to know anything about it .it's a big secret and when you get there it might be sold out ,but they were exellent, the steak house and the itilian but that is only two meals a week ,a great place to go to if you on a crash diet ,a lot of rude staff and the cabs never have change and even the bank would not give you back canadian money ,so now your stuck with pecos you don't need ,in the room you are only allowed one roll of toilet paper a day and only if the roll is gone which after eating at the buffett ,you will need alot of paper ,not even a 3 star ,and I will never go again or recommend anyone to go especially when you pay $1125.00 canadian,