Re: PLAYA COCO

[flopnfly]

This is another one that we are looking at for May.  I've read some horrible reviews but others say that it's ok if you're prepared for a new resort.
 
 Anybody have opinions they want to share about Playa Coco?
 
 Thanks,
 Heather

[bellagio]

flopnfly:
 
 Both Kimber19 and I have been to this resort (unfortunately not at the same time though!!!)
 
 I was only there last December and though I had an excellent time I would be very dubious about giving this hotel my recommendation.
 
 The food was good, the rooms are excellent and the staff are fine.  The landscaping is virtually non existent.  My son, when he viewed my photos said he thought it looked like a prison camp.  The hotel is on it's own about 10 miles away from the main Hotel Zone of Cayo Coco where all the remainder of the resort hotels have been built and is on the road out to Cayo Guillermo.
 
 I know it is only one year old (opened February 2004) but the gardeners have as much idea about gardening as me, and that is zero.    They were setting shrubs and plants that were already dead and then attemting to resuscitate them with water.  All around the resort shrubs were either dead or dying.
     
 Construction is due to start on a sister hotel adjacent to the property around May I believe so that is another downside to booking this hotel.  In the evenings the lobby bar always ran out of Millwoods (no good for you then Heather)- I think they were allocated one bottle per day, they even ran out of orange, tonic and even beer during the course of one evening.
 
 Then there is the mosquito or black fly problem - and sister is that a problem or what. They have 2 heated jacuzzis at the property.   One wasn't working at all during my stay and the other one ceased to function also.   No one bothered to fix them.  
 
 Hey I could go on and on and on.    I got a great deal to go there and it WAS good value for money.   I would also return IF the price was right.   To give this hotel the same  4 star plus rating as the Playa Pesquero (both are Gaviota hotels owned by the Army) is a JOKE.
 
 Heather unless this hotel is dirt cheap just forget it!

[flopnfly]

thanks Mr B
 
 that info is exactly what I'm looking for.  Add the fact that they ran out of Millwood, and it's scratched off my list right away.     :)
 
 
 Heather

[bellagio]

I might recommend it to some people like rdwright and YVRick over on the other forum, but to a valued friend - no way.
 
 It will be interesting to hear Kimber's view though.  I wouldn't want to come over that I was strongly criticising the hotel because, despite it's many faults, I had a wonderful time there.
 
 However, as you can imagine, I get around and talk and mix with a lot of people whilst I'm on holiday and MANY people had complaints about the hotel.   General concensus of opinion was that it was NEVER a 4 star plus resort hotel.
 
 I believe the ratings are based on the facilities that are provided in the room and to that end it met the criteria required to be deemed a 4 star plus hotel.   It was managed very poorly though IMHO and that landscaping - what landscaping!!!

[flopnfly]

We spend very little time in the room so the amenities that the room provides means very little to us.  I'm up early in the morning, and out walking around talking to the gardeners and such.  I do insist on a balcony because I like to sit outside in the morning and have a coffee and write in my journal, and again at night.

[Shine]

This was very interesting to read.
 We stopped at this hotel on the way to Moron to pick up some guests. It is rated as a 4+ starred resort. My kids started laughing when they saw the entranceway and the grounds, they said the same thing, looked like a prison camp and no vegetation (their words) ... and I wondered what it was really like all around, again interested to hear kimbers thoughts

[Kimber19]

Alright, I just spent five minutes typing my thoughts and the infamous internet explorer has an error problem surfaces...darn everything I just typed is gone cause of course, the program is no longer responding   :mad:  
 
 So I will promise to jot down some more notes and reply a little later...don't you just love technology!

[Kimber19]

Ok here goes... my five cents worth. I'll try to keep it short and sweet, but probably wont be successful.
 
 Things to keep in mind. The trip was for our 20th wedding anniversary. First time to Cuba. We had an idea of the time frame we wanted, so we were planning for a last minute deal. And I might add, this is exactly what we got. Excellent price, ocean view room, VIP upgrade package.  New resort in Feb 2004, we were there in April 2004.
 
 So for a month and half prior to the trip I am watching all the travel sites and I am reading the travel brochures, pictures etc.
 
 Come across the deal to Cayo Coco but couldn't find any information on the hotel. I called a TA and they said, the resort is new, gave me a URL and I went from there. Pictures looked ok, and I thought, for the price, plus it's a 4+ * resort, go for it.
 
 It wasn't until after I booked that I stumbled on to the Debbie's Resort Reviews. Read the few that were posted and was almost ill.
 
 I do agree with pretty much everything Mr B says, but for us, it was our first time, we didn't know any better and had nothing to compare with. We went in hopes of making it a memorable vacation. It was exactly that. In fact we were pleased with everything, and had no negative issues except that in my opinion the fruit was horrible. The food was ok, the a'la cartes were not bad, although we did enjoy the Japanese.
 
 The beach was awesome, walk for miles and miles, there is really nothing else around. They are building next door I understand. Yes there are some rocks in parts, but you can see directly to the ocean floor, so it's not like you can't walk around them. The tides allowed us to walk out so far it was amazing. We didn't experience tides like this in Varadero this year.
 
 The unfortunate thing is the landscaping. Until this past March, really didn't have anything to compare it to, mind you we did visit the Tryp via scooters, and the landscaping there is awesome. So from that perspective you will not find shade at the pools. They were building the little beach umbrellas (i know there is a proper word for this starts with a p I think) daily and installing on a regular basis as well.
 
 There is something to be said for a brand new hotel, the rooms are sparkling new, some plastic from the furniture had to be removed. We had an ocean view room on the third floor, with a balcony. It was terrific. Sitting outside at night watching the sunset, and listening to the waves is something I will not forget. No bugs at all, didn't see any.
 
 Anyway, we would go back but proabably not for another three years or so. I would recommend it if the deal is right. It can only get better I think. Also had no problems getting service at the bars, and we met some fantastic people, which also added to the great time we had.
 
 Not sure if this helps, but at least I can share my thoughts as well.
 
 Now, this year, having a comparison to the resort in Varadero sure there are some difference. The Barcelo is a premium resort, and you do get excellent service (contrary to some reviews). In fact, getting a drink was probably easier at this resort than the previous. You didn't have to go to the bar, you sit down and get served. Yes you can stand at the bar if you like, but in all honesty you will be served quicker, if you sit and place your order.
 
 You didn't ask about my Varadero trip, so why go into all that excess detail. You can read my review, which is posted here I might add.
 Long story longer... as my husband would say.
 Kimber

[flopnfly]

Thanks for all your comments guys.
 
 This looks like it will be a really nice resort in a few years.  I think we'll take it off our list for now.
 
 Heather