Author Topic: Re: Melia Hotel in Santa Maria (Read 8213 times)

lukefisher · « **on:** June 02, 2005, 12:39:00 PM »

Hi Has anybody stayed at the Melia in Cayo Santa Maria that opened in Dec '03 (and if so would anybody have an email address to contact them on) I cannot find an email address on any websites and I was hoping to ask for an ocean view room as it's my first holiday with my girlfriend and I'm trying to make it romantic - but i'm quite hopeless at these things.

Would love to here what people thought of the place and what the best excursions are as i've never been to Cuba before and was looking forward to swimming with dolphins.

Thanks guys

flopnfly · « **Reply #1 on:** June 02, 2005, 12:51:00 PM »

Hi Luke and welcome to the board.

Bellagio just returned from the Melia Cayo Santa Maria.

You can read his review here.

You can view his photos here

I'm sure he'll be along shortly to answer any questions that you have.

Heather

bellagio · « **Reply #2 on:** June 02, 2005, 04:32:00 PM »

Hi LukeF:

Welcome to the board. Flopnfly has passed on the links to my review and photos but here are a couple of other links that you might find useful:

The email address of the hotel is:

reservas1.msm@solmeliacuba.com

You may have to email several times before you get a reply - it took me four emails before I received a response. If you are looking for a ocean view room I would suggest bungalow 7 to 10 and make sure you request a second floor room. Ground floor room views to the ocean are obscured by foliage.

Another site you might find useful is:

http://www.cayosantamaria.info/melia.htm

If I can help in any further way, please let me know.

sunluvr · « **Reply #3 on:** June 04, 2005, 10:17:00 AM »

Hi Bellagio! I emailed them after you posted the address. I requested an ocean view on the second floor, 2 seperate beds. I included my itinerary information...what are my chances they'll actually honour the request??

bellagio · « **Reply #4 on:** June 04, 2005, 10:31:00 AM »

Well this is the reply I received back:

Dear Mr Holmes

It's a pleasure to have clients as you who find in Sol Meliá the perfect destination for their vacation.

We' ve taken your request and we will do all posible to fulfill it. We will make of your holidays a memorable experience .
In Sta María you find all you need........!!!

At your disposal
Yusimi
Booking Manager

It took me four emails to get this response and I am a MAS cardholder are you?

I would suggest if you do not get a reply you send another email on Monday during their working hours.

I had almost given up hope of hearing from them I must admit. I did get my ocean view room in Bungalow 7 on the second floor - no kingsized bed though, but that was unimportant. A small plate of fruits and my a la cartes were booked just as I requested.

sunluvr · « **Reply #5 on:** June 04, 2005, 07:02:00 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by bellagio:
I am a MAS cardholder are you?

Afraid not, do you think my SSG membership will work??

LMAO :D

bellagio · « **Reply #6 on:** June 04, 2005, 07:15:00 PM »

Sunluvr:

You've lost me with your SSG membership, obviously humourous hence the :rof: but I just can't work that one out.

Now the Melia has the following:

358 rooms comprising 18 bungalows of 16 rooms plus 9 bungalows of 8 rooms.

176 rooms with king size bed, 177 rooms with twin size bed.

20 ocean view rooms with king size bed

Now my room 0723 would have suited you down to the ground, that had twin beds.

Be persistent, I'm sure you will get through to them in the end. Be sure to let me know though when you do, as I have to admit their response was not anywhere near so swift as that of the Playa Pesquero.

flopnfly · « **Reply #7 on:** June 04, 2005, 07:19:00 PM »

Mr B

SSG stands for Sandals Signature Guest membership. You collect points for every stay at a Sandals/Beaches resort, and after 70 paid nights you get a free week at Sandals. The Cuba resorts don't count towards your free nights, but you do get points which can be cashed in against the cost of your trip.

I am still waiting on a response from Playa Pesquero re my email. They obviously received it because I got everything I asked for, but they didn't reply to me.

bellagio · « **Reply #8 on:** June 04, 2005, 07:36:00 PM »

Heather:

OIC - well never having stayed at a Sandals resort, and never likely too either - (I suppose they are still couples only resorts, are they not?) I wouldn't be knowing that.

That's something new I've learned again tonight - you people are a mine of information I must say.

bellagio · « **Reply #9 on:** June 04, 2005, 07:40:00 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by flopnfly:

I am still waiting on a response from Playa Pesquero re my email. They obviously received it because I got everything I asked for, but they didn't reply to me.

That's surprising Heather. I had a reply inside two days, so I emailed them back and thanked them for their speedy response.

Maybe because you only booked a week before you flew (I was away at the time but I know you left it very late indeed before you booked) that may have been the reason they didn't get back to you.

flopnfly · « **Reply #10 on:** June 04, 2005, 07:43:00 PM »

Sandals is couples only. They did change their policy to allow same sex couples now. I think they were being pressured.

Beaches is for families, except in Varadero where it is adults only. I can't honestly recommend it to anyone though. :(

I'm trying to think if there are any other adults only resorts in Varadero? Maybe Breezes. ?

sunluvr · « **Reply #11 on:** June 04, 2005, 10:05:00 PM »

Thanks Heather, for coming to the rescue with the explanation!! I hear you about Beaches Varadero. I think the Breezes Varadero is 16+ and Jibacoa is 14+, or is that vice versa??

My friend was at Paradisus Varadero, and while it's not adults only, he said there were hardly any children there...if Bellagio is looking for more upscale places with fewer little darlings, that might be an option for him (or yourself!)

After this trip in Oct. we'll have 3 more weeks before we're up for our free week. It's a shame the Cuba properties don't apply, cuz we could be going for free this time!!

millybess · « **Reply #12 on:** June 04, 2005, 10:21:00 PM »

With Paradisus and the MAS program, isn't it the case that you have to book the hotel directly with them in order to get the points? That's my understanding, but I could be all wet :hotub: on that one.

But at Sandals/Breezes you don't have to book directly with the hotel?

bellagio · « **Reply #13 on:** June 05, 2005, 07:24:00 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by millybess:
With Paradisus and the MAS program, isn't it the case that you have to book the hotel directly with them in order to get the points? That's my understanding, but I could be all wet.

No you are quite right on that millybess, you can only get the points by booking direct with them, but the hotel prices are far too expensive to do it that way. Also with the flight, transfer and package deals we all get it would be totally uneconomic to go down that route I would think.

However being a MAS member does give you the opportunity for a free late check out up to 4pm and also it helps IMHO when emailing ahead for a room - plus fruit bowl and bottle of wine or rum in your room on arrival. Just a few little perks that's all, Personally I'm not bothered about the points.

millybess · « **Reply #14 on:** June 05, 2005, 04:38:00 PM »

I agree with you bellagio (hooray!) that the points aren't of much use.

We were able to use our MAS card for a free, late check-out 'til 6:00, which was a nice surprise.

We didn't get a free bottle of rum, etc. in our room. :( However, by the time we got to the hotel (after our airport fiasco) the night auditors were on the desk. Night auditors are notoriously unfriendly and I think we got the wrong room. There was supposed to be a welcome letter with our a la carte and anniversary dinner details, etc., which we never did get.