I have been hankering after a trip to Cuba for years and, after visiting several other Caribbean islands overprevious years, my wife finally gave in and agreed.
If you want a typical Caribbean beach holiday then there are definitely better places to go (Grenada, St Lucia, Barbados....) but you don't go to Cuba just for that - or at least you shouldn't. Cuba has a history and culture all of its own and what you get when you visit there reflects that. Varadero is not the 'real Cuba' - it is their attempt to provide a Caribbean sun and sand holiday. I have to say that actually they do it pretty well..... given the limitations. This is a destination popular with Canadians; I guess its a bit like their equivalent of the Canary Islands to the UK, beingonly a 3 to 4 hour flight. Many of the people at the hotel were Canadian and really seemed to only want a sun and sand holiday. I do have to say that many of the Canadian guests at the hotel did their country no favours, many being loud, rude an arrogant. Much of that attitude seems to be borne out in some of the reviews on here.
We found the hotel staff and the Cuban people as a whole to be friendly, helpful, welcoming, upbeat and cheerful. They bent over backwards to help and to provide good service - and certainly did not expect a tip in order to do so. We did tip, but not all the time and then only one or, at the most, two pesos. It was not expected, it was gratefully received and service did not differ when we did not tip. Bear in mind that the average monthly salary is equivalent to $25US.
The food in the hotel was very good, on occasions first class. We ate in the a la carte restaurants most nights, not because the food in the buffet restaurant was unsatisfactory but simply because we did not like the ambience. The buffet restaurant is very large and sound echoes all around. It is not conducive to a nice quiet evening meal. The food however is of good quality with plenty of variety and choice. I simply do not know where some people are coming from who have made complaints about the food.
Each of the a la carte restaurants has its own character and its a matter of personal taste what you like and don't like. One big advantage that I found of eating a la carte was that it took away the temptation of loading my plate and then going back for seconds with the result that I only put on 2 pounds in 10 days!
One review mentioned the lack of potatoes. When we went to Havana we were told by a waitress at the restaurant we went to (NB La Guarida - highly recommended, you HAVE to go there) that potatoes had not been available in Cuba for 2 months. Remember this is still a command economy with rationing. As a tourist you are getting the very best that they can provide but sometimes that may fall short of what we have back home.
As another reviewer said, check your money when exchanging at reception. My wife changed £40 but was given pesos for £35 and I changed £70 but was given pesos for £65. When we pointed ot the 'mistakes' they were very apologetic and rectified them immediately. As with all things it is a case of buyer beware.
The watersports were a disappointment. We had been warned in advance that motorised sports were no longer available but this is first place I have been to where I needed to be accompanied just to sail a HobieCat. The watersports staff were also the only sullen and difficult staff that I met anywhere.
Note, the hotel is not 'on' the beach. Where I have stayed on other islands the sea has been in view and we have either stepped from or room onto the beach or been within a few metres. Sandals is separated from the beach by a wide grassy area and some trees - it is probably a couple of hundred meters to the beach.
All that said, Sandals is at least as good as any of the other 5 star hotels in Varadero and if you are coming to Cuba and want some sun and sand I have no hesitatio in recommending it.
Finally - if you are flying from the UK only Virgin Atalantic fly direct to Cuba and they fly to Havana, which is well over a 2 hour transfer (closer to 3 hours). Don't let that put you off, just make sure you take the opportunity to spend some time in Havana. It has to be done, the place is something else.

Well, this was our second trip to Sandals Hicacos. The first trip was 8 months ago. This trip departed January 25th, 2012 and returned February 1, 2012. I must say, 8 months is too long to wait to return back to this beautiful resort with the best staff that we've met on any all inclusive vacation. We've been to other parts of Cuba and we've been to Punta Cana. First off the beach is unbelieveable in Varadero. The staff will blow your mind how they can remember your name and what you order. They are so attentive. They leave their home problems at home and I must say, that is a great feat all in itself. There was the one server who's 3 year old boy was in an out of the hospital the week that we were at the resort. He has a really severe case of asthma and he couldn't breath. The mom came to work everyday, smiling and not a sense that anything was wrong until you talked to her. The whole staff is the same. Everyone with smiles and waiting on hand and foot. It's an unbelieveable site to see. The staff all work as a remarkable team to ensure that you have everything that you need. THere are tourists that go out to complain, and they make the workers days harder than they really should be. But the workers go one about their days politely and with smiles. THey are better people than I could ever be. Please remember that when you are on vacation, away from work and stress free ... these people are doing their job to work for you. At least be courteous enough to smile and say thank you.
SO ... the people are GREAT.
The beach ..... where do I start?? It's a good distance to walk. SOme days when the water is rough, shells, pebbles and coral wash ashore. Sandals does clear the beach in the morning for their stretch, but if the water is rough, throughout the day, somedays you may encounter a 'slightly rocky' start to get in the water. But most days, the water is blue and calm and clear. It is warm (obvioulsy warmer in May), and it is a gradual decline into the water. My husband normally doesn't go into the ocean, but here ... I can't get him out of the water.
On the beach, there are people that can attract pelicans and if you pass them a peso, they will pass you a few fish to feed the pelicans. They are so Awesome. So make sure to have your camera ready. They eat fast.
And towels can be exchanged for fresh clean ones at the pool area anytime during the day. So you don't have to bring a sandy towel back to your room! I'm a bit of a clean freak.
The Food.
Well, I was impressed the first time that I came to this resort, and even more so this time. I found that they had more seafood selection this time around. There is quite the selection of food that even the pickiest of eaters can find something. We have made friends with many of the workers, and we must say a very animated and comical pizza maker tends to draw us back to this resort. In the morning, everyone knows the 'omelette guy'. Everyone that goes to this resort knows of this man. It is quite the scene to watch. The food is great and the service and entertainment provided is an added bonus.
I have never gotten sick at this resort, and I know that they test their food at a lab to make sure that everything is good and that no one is going to get sick. I eat their salads and have no concern of getting sick (and i have a very sensitive belly back in Canada). I have never had a problem at this resort.
The sun. Please use sunscreen and don't fall asleep drunk on the beach. I see it happen to people on all my trips. Please remember that the sun is MUCH stronger than where we live in Canada. SO SPF 45, you'll still get that bronze tan and need to reapply so not to burn.
Our room.
We stayed in room 1114. The sound of the water from the lobby was so relaxing to go to sleep to every night. THe room was kept immaculately clean. We had a great view of the resort and I like to be up on the 3rd floor. Please note - stairs required to get up to your rooms. Most rooms can't see the ocean as there is a row of trees that separate the beach from the resort. But from our room, there is a sliver of ocean view.
Last year we stayed in 1411. Another great room, much quieter and a very private balcony to have some quiet time with your very special travelling partner. Again, a sliver of an ocean view and again on the third floor.
NO WORK, NO CELL, NO COMPUTER, NO KIDS, NO LAUNDRY, NO CLEANING OR COOKING. These alone are a great vacation. But to have all the luxuries that we had provided, you get alot for your money at this resort. The food, the sun, the beach, the staff, the relaxing room, the pool area (that has a massaging waterfall) .... how can anyone complain????
PLEASE BRING ITEMS TO GIVE OUT:
I know airlines are getting strict with their baggage. SO I elected to only bring 2 pairs of heels and asked my hubby to downsize his luggage as well so that we can bring items to give away. Trust me, these people will put a smile on your face because you've made their day. ANything from soap, razors, children's advil is a big one, I just learned that black shoe polish is another item that is almost impossible to get, but that they need, balloons (what parent doesn't want to give a party to their kids with balloons??), toys, clothes for kids, shoes for kids. Please make sure that items that you are giving aren't decrepid and destroyed. Gently used and in to date fashion is appreciated. NOT used stained play clothes. IF travelling in the 'winter months', believe it or not, but long sleeved t-shirts and jeans are appreciated as this is 'cold' weather for them. Also, mens underwear can be hard to get. PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE NEW!!! I went down with stuff in my suitcase, stuffin my husbands suitcase, we both had a carry on and even brought an extra suitcase. We came back with our 2 deflated suitcases and the biggest smiles on our faces wanting to go back. By the end of my trip I was giving away my own personal items - my purse and whatever else I was willing to part with. These people are fantastic and don't have the luxuries that we have at our homeland. We have made some really great friends and have even attempted grocery shopping for the one family that we visit. My husband and I were stumped. It was so difficult to get things. We had to keep goign to different stores. We went to the one store but it is geared to tourists -so cookies and chocolates don't exactly count as groceries. We came back to their house with a backpack full of 'groceries'. The daughter's reaction alone identified that they don't shop the way that we do. I fill a buggy and go back a few days later at home. In Cuba, they buy the absolute minimum that they need for the immediate future. THat's all that they have. The absolute minimum. SO look in your suitcase adn give up a few things that in a few months you won't even miss. But will mean alot to them. There was a couple that gave away their watch to one of the workers and the watch was no big deal to them and it was well used. But the recipient was very excited about the new to him watch. Don't live in a bubble. Read the internet before you travel to CUba. Bring a few items. Enjoy the sun, the food is amazing at this particular resort, it is clean and the entertainment is great. How anyone can be disappointed blow my mind. The bathtub size alone gets me excited. We've been back for almost 2 weeks and are already frazzled at when we can try to escape back to this paradise. The crepes make me so happy at the bistro. If you get them in the buffet and the omelet guy is making them for you, he makes a beautiful picture inside your crepe (butterflies or hearts or whatever), no one takes that much care about my food at home. It is just a wonderment at this resort. I could live on the beach, butthe room is too nice not to go to. And I already mentioned the massive bathtub.
Oh and the pina coladas - they add cinnamon!!! Oh my goodness ....... I will go to this resort if only for their pina coladas. I don't drink much alcohol so most of mine are the virigin sort. But I could most definitely drink a gallon worth in a day.
My husband loves the thin crust pizzas.
Take a trip to Varadero and roam around, or pay a worker to take you to Havana for the day on their day off. Well worth it. Get to know Cuba. Get to know Cubans.
THe sunsets are beautiful. You'll take a million pics of those. Thank goodness for digital cameras.
Oh and Games:
Play the games at the pool area. THe staff are so cute and hilarious. Also if you don't win, they give you these tickets that once you collect enough, you can go to the gift shop and exchange them for something. BONUS: Act like a drunk fool and even when you lose, you still win. Only on vacation.
I know that my review is scattered, but seriously, I just want to go back I could talk forever on how beautiful and relaxing it is to go to this resort.
We always said that no matter how perfect a resort is, there are just too many places to try than to return to the same resort. But this resort is like returning home. IT is welcoming and comfortable and a getaway all in the same moment. It is too perfect not to return. And with the friends that we have made, we will definitely be returning. I look forward to the pina coladas in the giant bath tub after a long day strolling the beach, feeding pelicans and getting a nice glow. All before I go out for a nice dinner with my lover, some entertainment, and a relaxing stroll back to the room for my night cap. Life is luxurious. Stressful and busy at home. But savour every moment at this resort. You'll be sad to leave and talking about booking another trip upon your departure.

here are the issues we had at the Sandals Hicacos:

1- My son could not reach us when calling from Vancouver Canada nor could the Sandals Head office get through to them. My Mom had a heart attack and they didn’t seem to care at all.
2- No offer of compensation for having to call home from Cuba and pay their outrageous rates for the calls
3- Food issues.
Meat ie steak was inedible
No steak knives to cut this incredibly tough meat.
Salads, fish cheese sushi – none of these items were placed on ice or on cold tables just out in the open with flies all over them.
No flavouring on the food at all.
One al la carte appetizer was four shrimp on a bead of ketchup( tomato sauce)
4- Stairwells were poorly lit.
5- Beds were too high in the room.
6- Front desk very disorganized.

We do not recommend this hotel to anyone and when we go back we will not be staying there. We were very disappointed.

Couldn't really find anything to complain about here... Fantastic, super friendly staff (we tipped well because of this); beautiful, uncrowded beaches (complete with guys who would get a chair for you); nice cigar bar to spend the evening in; spacious rooms (with extra over-sized tubs)... I could go on, but anything you might want in a resort was here. We'd definitely stay there again and recommend it to anyone else.
It's a quick $20 cab ride into Varadero if you want to take a stroll through town (or there is the $5 - I think - bus with a stop just outside the resort). It was $35 from the airport to the hotel (we opted out of the shuttle so we could get there faster).