Take a taxi from the airport to the hotel, it's only 2 pesos a person, and beats that crowd of people trying to cram themselves and their luggage into the buses.

Our room was great. Most people don't seem to enjoy the main building, but we have stayed in it for 3 out of our 4 times there. I specifically asked for a quiet room, & were so pleased that we were given a suite on the third floor, which faced the outside of the building. It was the best room we ever had, as we want a quiet holiday as possible, & do not need to be entertained by the pool staff. Our maid was exceptionally friendly, and cleaned our room thoroughly each day. We are also used to a noisy air conditioner, and it blocked out any other sounds in the building!

We have always found the food at the Buffet to be good - there is lots of variety, and pasta, eggs, fresh fish, pizza etc. can be made right there at the food stations. Because I eat a lot of vegetables, I am always pleased to find a large quantity and variety of raw vegetables, and fruit. The desserts look good, but we usually stick with wine and cheese and then head off to the Daiquiri for a cappuccino

We were at Playa Blanca last October and noticed that the beach was disappearing, but we were always able to find a place to sit, even if one has to perch themselves on the rocks with the iguanas! Less sand. But the beach is definitely not an area for people with small children, and the boardwalks can be somewhat treacherous especially if you have some difficulties with mobility. When the beach has washed away, the tide comes right up to the rocks, and it can be rough, with a rather stiff undertow. You have to be a good swimmer and use common sense when at the beach, also in the rockier areas. I did notice people swimming when the red flags were flying --- the surf was high and the waves were rough, and it was better to enjoy it by watching and listening to it, rather than being in the water. However there were quite a few days when we were able to swim and enjoy the ocean also.

There are very private areas along the east side of the beach and one can get away from some of the loud friend/family groups that concentrate in the pool areas and in the sandier parts of the beach. We also took the tram to the "virgin beaches" twice, but take the taxi back - only 2 pesos each! These beaches are paradise.......long expanses of sand with the most azure water anywhere.....well worth going. Make sure to bring sunscreen........in case the little pool huts are occupied, and take a blanket because there are not many loungers in these beach areas. We also take our own umbrella.......

Certainly we have noticed that the resorts on Cayo Largo are experiencing some sort of difficulties, and that the ones we have stayed at Sol Pelicano (3X) and Playa Blanca (4X) are in need of continuing maintenance. Our toilet ran on for days, but as long as it flushed, I really didn't care --- even though it would have been a quick fix.

We definitely are going to look into getting a cell phone service for the next time we go to Cuba. The internet is not reliable, & very slow. This is all well & fine, if you are going on vacation with no one at home, but we already had a situation back home in which we needed to keep contact. One night our internet time ran out right in the middle of a critical time, & the guest service rep at the desk "told" us to "come back in 20 minutes." She did not give us a reason and there were no other guests at the desk. This was extremely upsetting to us & that reason I would now give this resort a 3 star rating. After calming down I went back & bought another internet card (10 pesos per hour use), had to establish another internet address, & I was able to communicate with my family using the "subject line" of our message only, as neither "hotmail" or "google" allowed us to get into our messages. I don't think the slow internet is a problem unique to this resort, as I have read this criticism of other resorts in Cuba, including the Sol Pelicano. I actually don't think this issue is being addressed at all by those "powers at be" who own the resort, & I wonder if they understand the "instant telecommunication" which makes up so much of our Northern way of life, and how we need to be in touch with our families, even when we are on vacation.

We did refer this & another incident when another front desk staff "told" us to come back in "25 minutes" when we asked to exchange our money. Again no reason was given. The customer service representative from the hotel is a very gracious lady, and gave us free courtesy late checkout.........except when I went to confirm the "free late checkout" on the day we left, I was "told to come back at 730!" I just couldn't address that (!) again because one wants a vacation to be a time of relaxation not of vexation, so we just stayed at the beach until late afternoon. Sure enough, our room was locked and we had to go back to the front desk and inform desk staff of courtesy free late check out........which was given us, and we are going to graciously think that this was just a case of misunderstanding of the front desk staff.

The staff at the desk are very courteous, but if they don't exchange my cash to CUC's, I won't be able to spend any money in Cuba. This is a country which needs tourism.....so I would suggest that front desk staff who, as desk staff in every hotel anywhere, give a guest the first impression of the hotel! As a person who deals with "client relations", I certainly understand that perhaps they may have some guest who are unreasonable, very demanding or otherwise obnoxious. However, their job is to remain polite and courteous at all times, and to give explanations if a guest asks a question as to why she cannot exchange her money now but has to do it in 25 minutes. If they cannot answer that question, then it should be addressed by someone with more authority within a reasonable time frame, so that guests are not left fuming and upset.

Like other reviewers I would have to agree that the staff at the Daiquiri bar are some of the least friendliest bartenders I have ever encountered, sometimes ignoring me and going over to their "favorite" patrons, or talk among each other. Unfortunately they often don't acknowledge that you are there, or if they are even making you the beverage you asked them to. Perhaps I should have resorted to low cut, mini dresses in order to get the attention! I have decided that I would "tip for service", just as I tip for service in Canada. The service at this bar did not deserve tipping, except for the gentleman who made me a few cappuccinos at 0400! Buffet staff, taxi drivers, & our maid was deserving of tips......
We are very glad that there is no disco at this hotel and that a bus takes the party goers to the small town for this activity! One of the reasons we don't go to Varadero was the constant partying, and the inability to sleep. I often get up in the night and sit outside on the balcony and the quiet is so beautiful..........
I would have to mention that we got very good value for the money that we paid for our trip - $2500 (total) for 2 people for 2 weeks! Obviously we did not spend a huge amount of money on the experience and so are able to withstand some of the minor inconveniences because of this.
We come to this island for the beach, the weather, the ability to "get away from it all". There are other advantages - there are no beach vendors (!), there is no gambling casino and all the other elements that go with that. We have always found this island to be safe, but were surprised to read a review which stated that the security manager had been breaking into the safes in the room!

I went with a friend and i knew in advance that this was not a party resort which is okay with me becuase loud crazy resorts would probably drive me crazy. The room (we had a bungalow) was very clean and our air, fridge and water worked perfect we alwasy had fresh waterbottles and beautiful towel art from our maid she even left us a note our last day there.

The beaches..amazing..i twisted my kneee dancing sop i never made it to sirenas but next time i will..not alot of chairs so we put our stuff ona rock and went swimming or walk 5 mins to the right and there are chairs and more sand it was beautiful so relaxing.

The shows each nightw ere very different and very good amazing dancers and animation team..they will also take you to the disco off the resort each night (some nights are busier than others) but its very fun and everyones very welcoming and friendly there

The food was good seleciton starts to get limited near the end of the week but the quality overall is good the pizza, stirfry and pasta stations at dinner were enough to keep me happy and we only had one a la cart at the ranchon but it was delicious!
They also do not skimp on alcohol in your drinks, very good bartenders here!

The staff was by far my favourite they are so fun and speak very good english and really try to get to know you. Overall i really have nothing to complain aobut it was a clean beautiful place with the perfect combination of fun and relaxation!

We spent another wonderful week at Playa Blanca over this past Christmas break (Dec.30-Jan.6). The staff are so friendly and accommodating, and to our delight we learned that return guests are treated to a wonderful mulit-course feast of lobster, fish, and steak. The food was super - plenty of choices at all mealtimes - both buffet and a la carte, and service was always quick for drinks. The room was clean and comfortable, and our bathroom had plenty of hot water with good water pressure. The tides and wind dictate the condition of the beach, as we've learned. So, although the beach was not wide/deep enough to accommodate chairs and umbellas directly below the resort, it's a short walk to end of the resort property to a lovely beach. Pure white sand and turquoise water, plenty of lounge chairs. Stunning! The beach staff were amazing for reserving chairs for us each morning. There was a little beach bar with a good selection of drinks. It was windy, but the waves were lots of fun to play in. One suggestion would be to bring mosquito repellent. The mosquitoes tend to come out at dusk. They are small and fiesty, so a good spray before venturing out in the evening should do the trick. We've recommended this hotel to several friends who have also had wonderful stays and intend to return next winter. We plan to return to Playa Blanca again next year!

This is our 2nd trip to the Grand Caribe Playa Blanca. Once again it was all we expected it to be. The room was always clean. The food wonderful with plenty of choices. The staff are some of the best we have come across in 18 years of traveling Cuba. Weather was as expected sunny and hot. Our trip this year was for complete relaxation and that's what we got. Thanks to all the bartenders for keeping our Bubba's full and for the great friendships we developed. The staff at the front desk are alway friendly and helpful..Thanks Carlos!! We can't wait until our next trip. Always remember you only get happiness out of a holiday if you are willing to inject some into it. Thanks Playa Blanca