7DaysinParadise
Cuba => Cuba => Topic started by: That Woman on December 27, 2006, 01:06:00 AM
-
We're lookg at the Sol Luna Y Mares in Holgion Jan 21st, great price $666 + taxes. Anyone been there, and if so your opinions please.
Thanks,
Lauren
-
Excellent choice, Lauren! I have not stayed there, but have been on the property many times, when we stayed next door at PRDO.
It has a great beach and from all reports of ppl I know who have gone, its great.
I love that price!!
tempting...
go for it!
Karen and Marty :)
( we have always liked the Melia chain.)
-
I have been to Luna Mares 3 times and will be returning in February with a group of 35 for my wedding. It is a beautiful beach and as I age, I realize the importance of an abundance of trees on the beach which Luna Mares has. There is no fighting for shade or chairs.
The resort itself as it was once 2 separate resorts has 2 main buffet restaurants and then 4 a la cartes which are open at lunch for anyone and then in the evenings by reservation. (2 reservations allowable/week) As well I like the fact that it is a medium size resort but still feels like a small resort and rarely feels crowded or busy. And for the price that you want to book for, it's a real deal. Enjoy. :7:
-
Never been, but I've seen plenty of good reports, and at that price, it's a steak, go for it before it disappears
-
Well, no, it's not a steak, it's a steal. :D :D :D
-
Originally posted by PastorAsh:
Well, no, it's not a steak, it's a steal. :D :D :D
I have heard that the steak is good there as well Pastorashe ;)
-
I'm looking at this resort as well for January 12th (although a little better pricing for me) :p was it through Transat? its a little cheaper is you can fly on the Friday as well
Its right beside the Paradisus and I could get day passes to finally do my site inspections there.
I've been fence sitting for so long now for this time that we want to go and I haven't seen any spectacular deals recently ...
-
Shine, this resort is definitely on my list of places to stay in Cuba. Playa Esmeralda is the most beautiful beach in the Guardalavaca area (my opinion only of course, but I think there are many here who would agree with me)
That's a great price for this resort. It doesn't often come up that cheap. I say GO FOR IT :)
-
Well I've booked it. We're leaving on the 21st.
Can't wait :6:
-
:dan: :dan: :dan:
Can't wait to go!!!!
:dan: :dan: :dan:
-
Congratulations on booking I'm sure you will have a whale or should that be shark ;) of a time
-
Well you have made an excellent choice! We really enjoyed this property when we were there in November, we would not hesitate to return! The beach is great, the food was very good and the proximity to Guardalavaca is excellent (4 pesos by cab). There is an ecological park beside the hotel with lots of trails to explore. Are you taking Logan? What side of the resort are you staying in? Are you interested in eating at a palador ?? So many questions and we're not even going!! :D
Cheers.....F&T
-
Ah too bad :( you should have called me???
I was going to say ANYONE who wants to travel with us, January 12 from Toronto I will offer you MY price of $625+taxes for this hotel !!!
Any takers ?!?!?!?!
If so, email me ASAP at: shine@thetravelnetwork.com
We're going !!! (I'm booking it tomorrow, if not tonight)
-
I am looking at those prices and trying to work out how to get to Canada on the cheap and blag some extra leave :D what a fantastic way to kick start 2007 hope you all have a great trip
-
Sorry Shine there was no way we could go on the 12th, I don't have holidays until the 21st.
Fred & Tracy
We are staying on the Mares side, which we have heard is the better side. Going Air Transat, which gives us to pre booked ala cartes and a few other extras. Logan isn't going with us this trip, the inlaws want to take him in Feb when they go. So a win win situation for me. A week away without Logan and a week at home without Logan. As much as I love him, I do need a break from him.
Lauren
-
Thanks Garin, we hope to have a very relaxing trip, maybe you will join us ;)
-
We were there from Nov. 9th to 16th and it was great. You can see a few pics in the photo gallery under Cuba. There is one album entitled Sol Rio Mares and two sub-albums. The beach is spectacular with plenty of loungers and palapas or trees for shade. We ate well, we had room 3026 with a lovely oceanview and balcony. We would return in a heartbeat. Enjoy!!!
-
Thanks Linda. We are looking forward to getting away (again), but it is nice to know people who have been and can recommend the resort.
-
Thanks to Everyone !
:)
-
What Company did you guys book threw..?
-
Sell Off Vacations...booked on line, you coming ?
-
I am thinking about it :D
-
Well really think about it, we'd love to have your company
-
(http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/4/4_12_12.gif) will do !
-
Looks like we'll miss out on a "party" by a few weeks ;) no worries ... enjoy ...
I'm still fence sitting even though I think this is the best deal I've seen lately ... I'm also working behind the scenes with the Sol people here in Toronto so there are a few things in the go, its just hard to wait ...
-
Shine,
We haven't booked anything yet.
I'm not sure if we can do the Sol Luna because we're taking kids with us and they don't seem to have rooms that will accomodate??
I've got 2 adults and 2 kids (2 and 4) in one room if possible, 2 adults in another room and 2, maybe 3 adults in another room.
If Lauren and Eric hadn't already booked, we might have qualified for a group rate. :D
-
Hey Heather, are you planning on going at the same time, Jan 21st? or perhaps earlier, say like Jan 12th ;)
-
I can't get away before Jan 20th, so unfortunately, can't join you on the 12th ;)
-
Hmmmm ... maybe we should wait a week and leave on the 19th (found out it was the same rate as the 12th and I prefer to fly on a Friday)
-
One of our kids is flying in from Vancouver on the 19th so that he can fly from Toronto with us.
Shine, have a look at some deals for us and let me know if anything screams out at you.
-
Congrats on booking Lauren and Eric.
Lauren, enjoy your time off from your job (Mom, that is) ;)
That's definitely a 2 week vacation :rof:
Heather, does this mean you've convinced SIL that he won't get an orange tan in Cuba :rof:
-
Originally posted by mojitomiss_cuba:
Heather, does this mean you've convinced SIL that he won't get an orange tan in Cuba :roll:
He still refuses to go to Mexico. As he says...he can live with being orange, but if he goes to Mexico he'll get murdered and therefore he won't be living. *sigh*
Now we just have to wait for their passports to come.
-
Here is the view from our room at the Sol Luna Mares, this is the Mares side! Enjoy Eric and Lauren! :D There are some steps to go down to get to the beach!
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y44/fredtracie/DSC01775.jpg)
-
Great choice. Was there Dec 2003 on the mares side. Great beach. Your just a bike ride away from Guadalavaca. Spectacular beach.
-
FrednTracie (or anyone)
Do the have mopeds/scooters at SRLyM? My bicycle days left with my knees, but It would be a great way to deliver my NJT.
Thanks
Eric
-
Originally posted by Gambitt:
FrednTracie (or anyone)
My bicycle days left with my knees, but
Thanks
Eric
Go for the HTO. It's worth it.
I'm doing 15 km per day with no problems. As good as new!
WOW.
Bigjohn.
-
Glad to hear it Big John, but anyone who has the nerve to show up at a Dubois Packing in the SNOW, in Shorts (and a brace and crutches) , must be a very brave soul!!!
-
Well I JUST booked the Sol Rio Lunes y Mares (via Transat, which I'm told is the Mares side, I wanted the Luna, oh well).
I'm such a procrastinator !!
Sorry we can't meet up with the Gambitt's ... we couldn't really go any further into January because of DH's work commitments.
SO ... we leave Sunday, talk about last minute ... and as soon as I hung up from booking it went DOWN, so I called right back and got the further discount ... I'm pretty happy !
-
Good for you Shine, have a great trip :)
It sure is a great deal...
Tour Operator: Transat Holidays (Rules & Restrictions)
Travel Agency: YOUR TRAVEL TICKETS.COM
Airline: Air Transat (TS)
Departing From: Toronto (YYZ) to Holguin (HOG)
Departure Time: 17:15 January 07, 2007 (Flight#: TS 754)
Returning To: Holguin (HOG) to Toronto (YYZ)
Return Time: 22:20 January 14, 2007 (Flight#: TS 755)
Hotel/Resort: 4*SOL R LUNA MARES RM AI
Occupancy: D (DOUBLE OCCUPANCY)
Adults(2): 2 x $602.90
Taxes: $418.40
Total Price: $1624.22
And you as a TA would have been able to get a even better price ;)
-
:) That is a great deal for a very nice resort in a beautiful setting. The beach is second to none and you are not far from Guardalavaca. I am glad I am not living in TO as I might be very tempted :roll:
-
Temptation is the root of all evil...
But if you went ahead and booked it, then you would no longer be tempted!!
:) :) :)
-
Question for those that have been:
What is the bedding situation? Two doubles, one double etc?
We've already discovered that we can't book 2 kids into a room with 2 adults.
If we split the booking and book one child with each couple, is it possible to have the two kids with their parents once we get there?
-
Not sure if this helps, there is a picture of a standard room, there could be enough room depending on the age of the kids
http://www.casasparticulares.com/hotel-view.asp?lID=1&hID=152 (http://www.casasparticulares.com/hotel-view.asp?lID=1&hID=152)
-
thanks Garin,
It looks like the rooms are big enough to accomodate two kids in one bed. I'm not sure why they won't book them?? :confused:
John has sent an email to the travel agent to find out if it's possible.
-
Heather
How old are the kids? I think I can find the definitive answer for you!
-
The kids are 4 and 2, and they don't take up much room in the bed. :D
Adjoining rooms would be great as John and I are the designated babysitters while the rest party all night. :rof:
-
Heather
I have sent an E-Mail and hopefully will have an answer for you soon?
Fred
-
thanks Fred!!! :D
-
We had asked whether we could book 2 kids into a room and this is the reply we received from the travel agent regarding room occupancy at the Sol Luna y Mares.
---------------------------------------------
They will not allow 4 people in a room, therefore only 2 adults and 1 child per room. This is always a problem with Cuba unfortunately. We can request adjoining rooms and at least rooms next to each other if that helps. If you have any other problems, let us know.
The best way to find out what rooms can take 4 is to do what you have been doing... enter in 2 adults and 2 children, if it gives you an error, you can try 4 adults (sometimes just as cheap) and leave the room type as double, so that it gives you 2 rooms.
Hope that helps.
Thanks For Your Business
----------------------------------------------
-
One more question:
Is there a seperate kids pool or at least a shallow area of the main pool?
-
There is a kiddy pool next to the pools on both the Luna and Mares side.
For those who haven't checked out this site, you will find many, many pics of the resort. Unfortunately the commentaries are all in French, but a picture is worth a million words and if you want me to translate, don't be shy. Go to:
www.voyagesarabais.com (http://www.voyagesarabais.com)
Click on VAR in French (if you click on English you will still get the description in French).
Click at the bottom of the page on Videotheque. then Holguin, then Sol Rio.
Near the top, you can click on several categories, such as Site, Plage(Beach), Piscine (Pool), Chambre (Room), Restaurant, Bar, Animation (Activities). You will see many pics of all areas that will give you a great idea of the set-up. Hope this helps.
-
Heather
Just received this reply about about your question re:2 adults with 2 young children at Sol Luna y Mares!
Here is the answer.
F&T
I just found out about your friends that are coming with the children ( 2 and 4 yrs old). It is possible to spend a holiday in our hotel with the agency Vacance s Air Transat Agency , you should request a crib and an extra bed.
Bye,
-
Thanks F&T, but it looks like we won't be going to Cuba.
They won't be able to get their passports in time. :(
-
Heather:
Ouch.. But the last minute deals (really last minute) are very ...very good! At least for the next bit! Some great deals for the Dominican as well !!
Cheers...F&T
-
F&T, there are some great last minute deals. I saw the one you posted in Selloffs!!! :D
Club Covarrubias is on for $258 this weekend, it's a nice little 3 star resort.
-
Gambitt, and That Woman you must be getting excited eh..?
-
Well Gambitt is, out buying new batteries today for the cameras and MP3 players. I just take it one day at a time and won't get too excited about it until my behind is on the plane.
-
Well 1 week from now you be arriving in Paradise :D
-
We should be just getting to the resort about now, next week.
Unfortunately right now This week, I have to get ready for night shift!
-
Well I'm back ! Crawled into OUR bed at 4:57am this morning.
About the rooming situations, that was unfortunate because I would definitely say two small children could share a room with their parents, in fact I saw as much.
Weather was iffy, it rained ALOT ! and very windy (didn't get a chance to even snorkel) ! And met up with eeeefarm, didn't even realize she was there ;)
Still catching up on the over 400 emails from last week ... yawn.
-
Welcome home Shine
Sounds like an interesting week for you. Did you get a chance to tour the Paradisus?
Can't wait to hear what you thought about the Sol. Let me know. ;)
-
What side did you stay on Shine..? and what tour Company did you go threw..?
BD :s:
-
We stayed on the Mares side, and travelled Transat Holidays.
We definitely did visit the PRDO, and tried pretty much ALL week to be transferred over but it was WAY too expensive to do so (even for me), we absolutely LOVED it ... we also visited Guardalavaca and again, I was tremendously impressed.
We found we compared it to the Daiquiri all week ... and now can't wait to return to the Daiquiri as we definitely preferred our stays there.
-
Eric And Lauren, guess who is coming to dinner ?
That's right Baby I'm Booked :D
See you at the airport on Sunday ;)
Bulldog :s:
-
WAAAAA HOOOOO!!!!
:dan: :dan: :dan:
This will be great!!! Can you Yahoo?
-
Yes give me a minute...
:b:
-
That's great Bulldog, can't wait to see you!!!
-
We will have a GREAT time, the three amigo's :D
-
Good for you Bulldog! Busy time for 7Days aficionados.
-
Thanks Linda :D
-
OK, so you lost me, what are F&Bs?
I'm starting to get excited too. I leave on the 25th.
-
F& B's are fake n bakes
-
That Woman is right F&B are Fake and Bake (tanning Beds)
Lauren have you been going.?
-
I've been going about twice a week since mid December. Hope to get a few more in this week.
-
Gambitt, are you going to bring Bubba..?
-
Gambitt has gone to work, but yes his Bubba is alrady packed :D
-
Congrats on booking BD :)
Have a super time with the Gambitts - I take it you and Lauren will be beach bumming/swim-up pool barring while Gambitt's underwater :)
I came THIS close to booking the PCV for this saturday (an amazing deal came up last saturday). Good thing I didn't though - the BIT has exams next week :rof:
Oh well, have a mojito for me okay?
-
Will Do Wendy :D
I'm sure you will get away soon ;)
BD :s:
-
1 F&B down AND 2-3 MORE TO GO ;)
-
I just received my eticket via email :D
I also look at some last minute deals :eek: wow !!
-
Well is there anyone who want to come along it's going pretty cheap :D
$567.00 + Taxes :eek:
:6:
-
I know we really shouldn't look at the travel sites after we have booked but I did anyway. We booked on January 6th at a very good price for departure January 25th. I never thought it would drop any lower. After all we paid less than what we paid last minute for February 2005 for a lesser resort and the taxes were less then.
But I'm happy anyway because if we had waited, no telling if the package would still have been available more last minute.
I have noticed a LOT of great deals this January, don't know why and I don't think it's usual at this time.
-
Yes to go Very last minute it's a crap shoot, and you really can't be picky ;) If you find a place you like that's the time to book, even if the price fluctuates you never know when it's going to be that cheap again.
It's hard not to look though :rof:
-
There was an article in today's Toronto Star, in the Food section about the Sol Luna y Mares. The food critic wasn't too impressed with the food.
I've rarely had a complaint about the food in Cuba, and Logan has been 3 times and never leaves the table hungry. But then again, we aren't food critics.
-
I never liked food critics, they can go get a real job :D
-
Food critics are like Pampers... Completely disposable, and full of you-know-what!! ;) )
-
When we were there in November, we found there was a nice variety of food and it was good. We are not fussy and like to try things. What I especially liked was that the restaurants at the pool and the beach (on the Mares side and most probably also on the Luna side) have menus for lunch. It is not extensive, but I liked it better than having a buffet style lunch. Everything is made fresh for you. I really liked the fried calamari. Once I asked them to leave out the ham from my sandwich because I wanted a grilled cheese sandwich. We ate at the Romantico à la carte on the beach one night, the steak was delicious.
-
Also, must mention that the beer on tap when we were there was Bucanero, which I personally prefer to Cristal. Just asked Hubby and he also doesn't remember there being any Cristal. Don't know if the brand of beer changes from week to week, but any beer you can enjoy sitting on the beach is a good beer by me.
-
To the Three Amigos!
Bon Voyage from Marty and I!
Have a great time....and forget all about the ice that is coating everything right now. :)
Gambitt, can you check out the diving for Marty? We were last there in 2004, and there was some improvements to be made as far as getting their own dive boat etc. He did a few dives and loved it. We are aiming for June 1 for two wks. at PRDO, for our ( yikes) 30th anniversary. He wants so much to get back in the water. They cancelled his dive at the Royal Hideaway, in October and he was very disappointed.
You will love Playa Esmeralda, its gorgeous. Snorkelling is good for Lauren and BD. if they so choose..
and we can catch up at Mambo night!
Karen and Marty :7:
-
Don't worry Guys. I will be giving the dive shop a Very Thorough investigation! ;) ;) THe camera is all loaded, so I'll have lots of pics too!
-
Gambitt, don't get too "loaded" untill you get to Cuba :eek:
:b: :b: :b: :b:
-
Only 2 more now BD, and one more day of work :b: :b:
-
Enjoy you three, hopefully you'll have better weather ;)
I've been trying to upload my pictures, but it just keeps stalling on me, so I gave up :roll:
Have fun
-
Thanks Shine :)
And just in time for your holiday Lauren..
Member of the Moment
That Woman - Member # 299
Sun Worshipper
Location: lounge chair at the pool
Male / Female: female
:b: :b:
-
Gambitt, Bulldog B, and That Woman online ;)
I guess we are ready to go... :rof:
-
You betcha pal :6: :7:
-
Have a great time you guys!! Bulldog - make sure you wait on That Woman hand and foot while Gambitt is diving!!! Maybe you could buy her a few drinks?? ;) ;)
-
Hope you guys have a fabulous time. I believe your flight is tomorrow evening. What time do you expect to get to the resort?
-
We should be at the resort by about10:30pm
Our flight is at 5:15 ...Arrive Holguin at 9pm
Edit: just checked our flight time and No Changes.
-
Hasta la vista!
Karen and Marty :b:
-
Thanks everyone :D
in 24 hours or so we will be at the Airport ;)
-
Bien Viaje!
Have a few cool ones for us you guys!
Charmaine & Zephie
-
I have everything together, but for some reason I feel I'm already missing something :(
I guess most people feel that way ?
-
Not your Bubba, I hope!
:bubba:
Though, I here at the SLM they have Buccanero, which is good too!
-
Different bars had different beers! Haven't tasted a bad one yet! :D Also we sat on the beach at the Paridisus end and enjoyed being served cocktails on the beach!! At the Mediterranean A- la Carte We enjoyed some of the best beef tenderloin that I have ever had Cuba or Canada and I generally would never have beef in Cuba, but this was excellent!!
Enjoy.... F&T
-
Originally posted by FredTracie:
Also we sat on the beach at the Paridisus end and enjoyed being served cocktails on the beach!!
Wasn't that right before the Monsoon hit Fred :cool:
Lauren, Gambitt, Bulldog have a great time at Sol Luna. I hope all the bad weather is behind you so that you can enjoy that beautiful beach. :1:
-
Well it was fun... as we enjoyed Dinner at the Paradisus... it was an awesome adventure!!!
-
Thanks Milli, So do we :)
:7: :7: :7: :7: :7:
-
Been checking the weather it's looking good.
BD are you all packed and ready to go??? I just have a few "last minute" thing to throw in my carry on tomorrow, but otherwise I'm good to go.
So excited, not just about the trip but seeing BD again as well. :6:
-
Yes almost 100% ready to go, like you just a few things to throw in the case and then I'm all set.
It will be great to see Lauren and Eric again, and the weather is looking great !!
BD :s:
-
I'm signing off now, be good to each other :D
Bulldog OUT !!
:rof:
-
Guess I'm too late, but have a fabulous time you three. I will be leaving while you are gone, so speak to you when I get back on Feb.1st.
-
Thanks Linda
We're sitting in the departure lounge right now!!
-
Won't be long now. Have fun.
-
I managed to get a few pictures uploaded ;) and sent in my review.
-
Well, were back!(dammit)!
It was a great week, with only 1 overcast day, that even cleared by late afternoon.
Lots of pictures to share, once I get them off the camera.