Re: Guardalavca v Varadero

[JJay]

I've just learnt that by bringing my holiday forward a week I will be able to go to Guardalavca which is alot cheaper than Varadero.  Varadero costing around £1000 for 2 weeks and Guardalavca £800.  Obviously pricewise Guardalavca sounds great but is it a good place to stay?  Does anyone have any hotel recommendations for Guaradalavca?

[YHZ]

JJay - have been to both and we are returning to Guardalavaca in April.  While we loved both locations - we found Varadero to be to "touristy" for us and prefer the more quiet, laid back area of Guardalavaca.  As for a hotel suggestion we have stayed at Playa Costa Verde and highly recommend that resort!

[bellagio]

JJay:
 
 One of the main reasons I have never been to Varadero is because of the price.    It is consistently over the £1000 mark which I feel is a little on the high side.
 
 I love Guardalavaca.  The three resorts on Pesquero beach are excellent namely the Playa Pesquero, Playa Costa Verde and Blau Costa Verde.   Not far away is the Occidental Grand Playa Turquesa, which is the newest hotel to be built in the Guardalavaca area.
 
 Moving closer to the town of Guardalavaca you have the 5 star Paradisus Rio de Oro, arguably the best hotel in Cuba.  Next door to this hotel is the Sol Rio Lunes y Mares (two hotels).
 
 In Playa Guardalavaca itself you have Brisas and also Club Amigio/Atlantico.
 
 If it were me, and money was no object I would definitely go for the Paradisus, otherwise I would go for one of the three hotels on Pesquero beach.

[bellagio]

Incidentally this may help you as it shows the location of all the hotels I mentioned in my previous post.
 
 This is Gambitt's excellent satellite image of the area.    The distance, by road, from Pesquero beach to Playa Guardalavaca is 18 kilometres.
 
   

[JJay]

Thanks everyone.  I agree Bellagio over £1000 is to much to pay especially as this is my tester holiday to see if I like Cuba.
 
 The online travel agents are proving to be a bit of a nightmare.  They are now saying nothing available for Sat 6th and quoting prices for the Cayos on the 8th, which I could do, and the prices again are around the £750 mark.  My booked holiday is actually from the 13th but I don't have £2000 to spare so I will definitely have to re-arrange my holidays.  Its going to be a case of checking the sites daily from now on because one minute flights are available and then there not.  So at the moment its looking like Guardalavca, if it comes up again, on the 6th or the Cayos on the 8th.  Alternatively I'll throw my teddy out the window and go back to good old Mexico!!!
 
 My tick list for Guardalavca was Occidental Grand Playa Turquesa or Playa Costa Verde (Playa Pesquero wasn't showing) and for the Cayos, Iberostar Daiquiri or El Senador.

[bellagio]

Which month are you talking about?
 
 BTW: It's not called El Senador any longer and I would steer well clear of it.  A Canadian friend of mine, whom I met at the Pesquero in December, has just returned from there and said it was awful and the staff were impolite too.   It's not only her view I have heard it from other people also.

[JJay]

I'm talking about the month of May, nothing like missing the vital part out!!  First Choice/Eclipse Direct are still calling the hotel El Senador!!  But I'll avoid that one if you've heard bad reports.  The reviews for the Iberostar all sound favourable.
 
 I've just noticed the time.  I must go and have some tea.  I'm home alone so it'll be something quite boring.  Back soon.

[bellagio]

Eclipse Direct's website at 19.40 hours Monday Feb 6th
 
 
  Sat 06 May 2006  
 
  Manchester to Cuba  
 
  2 Weeks  
 
  2 Adults  
 
 
  Manchester Holguin  (10hrs )    
  Sat 06 May 2006 Sat 20 May 2006  
  Departs: 10:20 Departs: 17:20  
  Arrives:  15:05  Arrives:  07:00 on Sun  
  Airline: First Choice Airline: First Choice  
 
  In-Flight Meals included    
 
  20kg Baggage Allowance    
   
  Playa Costa Verde in Guardalavaca, Cuba View Details  
 
  1 x Double Room
 Balcony Or Terrace, Garden View, Private Bath, Shower, Toilet
   
  All Inclusive - Cost  £1560.00

[bellagio]

Mon 08 May 2006  
 
  Manchester to Cuba  
 
  2 Weeks  
 
  2 Adults  
 
  Manchester Cayo Coco  (10hrs )    
  Mon 08 May 2006 Mon 22 May 2006  
  Departs: 10:35 Departs: 16:40  
  Arrives:  15:10  Arrives:  06:10 on Tue  
  Airline: First Choice Airline: First Choice  
 
   In-Flight Meals included    
 
  20kg Baggage Allowance  
 
  Iberostar Daiquiri in Cayo Guillermo, Cuba View Details  
 
  1 x Double Room
 Balcony Or Terrace, Shower, Toilet
   
 
  All Inclusive Cost  -  £1468.00

[JJay]

Thanks for that Bellagio.  I can get the Iberostar one but its still telling me nothing available on the 6th!!  Can't do anything for the moment until hubby and I change our hols.  I'll carry on reading the reviews though.
 
 One good thing about my new job is there's only a few staff so holidays are much more flexible.  As far as I'm aware no one else is off in May so I have the whole month to play with as far as getting a fortnight off is concerned.

[JJay]

The travel agents are playing fair today and now I have too much choice.  P Pesquero is even coming up but that is a rather expensive £2000.
 
 I'm struggling now between Playa Costa Verde and Occidental Grand Playa Turquesa.  Both of which look nice and both get very good reviews.  I think PCV may win as its not quite as remote.  This way I'll have £400 spends all within a £2K budget.