I can't believe that this is the same resort that I read the reviews about. After staying in Havana and Trinidad, we booked our last night in Varadero prior to our flight home. The only good things that I can point out are the staff. Most were very friendly and helpful. However, our room was run down, the AC was too loud to run, the shower hose leaked so much that we had to sit in the tub and just try our best to spray down. The "entertainment" at the pool started around 5 and continued noisily until after midnight. The food was simply bad. Watered down juices, unappealing eggs, etc etc. Thank goodness for the freshly cooked omelets and crepes. They were very good. And although we got used to the smoking in Cuba, this place was over the top. Even the staff were smoking while they worked. Oh, and we were charged the extra 10% for US exchanges even though we used a Canadian bank credit card...a first during our stay in Cuba. You can certainly do better for the money.

My mother and I stayed at Be Live Las Morlas from January 1st- 8th. This being my 3rd time going to Cuba I had low expectations but was pleasantly surprised. No it does not compare to a 5* in Jamaica or Dominican but if this is what you want you shouldn't be going to Cuba.

The hotel itself is very small compared to other places I have been but you get to know the people who work there as well as other guests from the hotel. If you are going to party and stay up all night - this is NOT the place for you.

The rooms were cozy and very clean. Only complaint I had about the room was that you can hear everything that was going on outside unless you turned on the a/c (which was extremely loud LOL) not sure the walls were very thick. They only give you one free water bottle after that you either have to refill it or buy another one (no big deal 1 CUC).

Food was good - fish & chicken were our favorites.
Beach is amazing.

Overall good stay at this hotel, would go back if the price was right.

We just got back from a week at the Be Live Hotel, Las Morlas in Varadera, Cuba. We went with low expectations to Cuba in the Ist place because of comments from various people. What we GOT was the most friendly, beautiful people I have met on an Island ! The staff here is incredible, like coming home. The rooms are cozy, very European in style, I esp liked the removable shower head. Very clean, maid Olga was so sweet. The food was delicious!!! We weren't expecting so much flavor - and were so pleasantly surprised. We loved it! Meat wise, everything from chicken, beef, pork (esp good), lots of seafood, and some of the best pasta sauce I've had:) Absolutely LOVED the local musicians who serenade you at your tables!! Beautiful music!!

If you want small, quiet and clean, this is the place We have been to many resorts in Dominican, Costa Rica etc and this is the most quiet place we've been to. The rooms have air conditioners which totally block out any outside noise. Because it's such a small resort, you get to know the staff, the other patrons and everything is in close proximity, including the beach, so anyone with any handicaps would be able to navigate very easily here. The pool area is lovely, with lots of shade umbrella's. The beach also has lots of shade. The only thing I disliked were the hard chairs on he beach. Next time I would bring one of those blow up mattress's you use on the beach, to put on the chairs. Other than that this resort is fantastic!

Oh and the cappuccino's are mmmmmmmmmmm good:)

We would definately go back !!!!!

Hola! Okay, I need to provide a frame of reference here because your expectations and normal travel requirements will greatly affect how much you enjoy yourself here.

When I travel I stay in the very best hotels I can afford. Now, I can't afford $300+ a night unless I splurge but I usually stay in the top 90%. Also, I am a foodie and am very picky with cuisine so I also write from that viewpoint. I also have never been to Cuba so have no reference point.

I went with pretty low expectations but even with that I arrived pretty disappointed. The rooms are pretty much exactly how they look in the photos but it's the little things you don't see. Like there was no lamp shade on my lamp the wicker drawers on the dresser were crooked and broken. The linens are really crap and the pillows smell so bad it literally kept me awake. The a/c works well but is loud. Shower is hot, roomy and nice. Cleanliness was great though there was a whole in the door frame where ants were constantly coming through. Not sure why they didn't just plug it up.

One of the reasons I chose Las Morlas was that most people said they enjoyed the food. I did not. I have to say they did a very good job with what they had, in that the flavours were lovely. But there was just such limited selection of fruits and vegetables and all the meat was overcooked (which I would gladly take over under-cooked in a Carribean locale). I also didn't eat any of the salad bar because of the risk of Hep A (which is low, but nonetheless). It did look okay though. In any case it was far below my already low expectations. Most other people seemed to be enjoying it though, and again, I have nothing to compare it too. The bread was good...I ate a lot of rice, bread and cabbage. :-)

To comment on the issue of the overrun with Italians...first of all, who cares? Second of all, I only met one Italian the whole trip - one of the concierge. Another reviewer said they stop coming in December so maybe that's why but again, I don't see what difference it would make.

The anamacion (entertainment) was nightly at 9:45 and LOUD. Very loud. Some days it was mildly entertaining and some days it was pretty bad. Some great singers, some bad dancers. Again, depends on what your level of interest is in this type of thing. I'd suggest paying the extra $ and going to a real show.

Which brings me to the issue of very limited entertainment/activities here. Keep that in mind if you are the type that is always wanting to be entertained. There isn't much going on. Also, the hotel only seemed about 20% full so there was that awkward feeling of being the only people there. The 'disco' wasn't open most nights and when it was there were no more than 10 people in it. I can see this place having a much better vibe if it was at capacity.

"Las Olas" - the a la carte restaurant - was not open once while I was there. Plus it was really confusing to figure out what was being served where. Sometimes lunch was at the 'Grill' (beach) and sometimes only at the buffet and sometimes both but you never knew.

This is my biggest complaint - I had to PAY for my bottled water. I never drank a drop of alcohol yet I had to pay for my water. That is absolutely, completely, ridiculous and reason alone for me never to come back.

On the good side, it's true what everyone says about the staff, they are gracious and amazing - loved every single one of them. But I didn't meet a Cuban I didn't like so I assume the staff is probably great everywhere.

Location is great....10-15 walk into town or 3 min on the bus. Note that the pollution is horrendous in downtown Varadero. Shocking, I know....but people were gagging everywhere and I got a massive headache.

My recommendation is pay for the best hotel you can afford if you care about comfort and food. There are only about 3 that are 'good'. If you're not picky about either and just care about the beach and staff, this place is fantastic.