Re: Charmainiac & Zephie are back!

[Jammyisme]

oh and when you reply charm could ya do me a favour and attach the you are the man thingy? I love it!    :rof:

[MCB]

Hello BJ and Jammy,
 
 We were told ..last November when there..that "new management" had come on board a month ago (that would be Oct'06)and their priority was maintenance and hygiene in the resort.
 The new manager is like "everywhere"..even pitching in to do manual labour at Villa Cuba.
 Sounds like "micro management" has arrived.
 May actually be a blessing..this resort does need attention..it is getting a little older (like the rest of us) and needs to be competitive with other hotels in the area.
 
   :cool:

[BJ]

Hey Jammy, your pics are great and I can't wait to see Charmainiac's hint hint...Looks like the weather was nice and warm.  Today we are in a deep freeze -19 with a windchill of -32, windy and a little snow..
 Hey MCB, what's happening in your world..How is hubby's back?

[Jammyisme]

Thanks I managed to post a few more last night  :)  Damn its cold this week

[BJ]

Jammy was this your first visit to Villa Cuba?
 and if so, did you get to meet any of the staff..What did you guys do for excitement, any excursions? Did you go to the mall or the market.  One of our favorite things to do is go to Varadero and stop at the corner store for a cold cervasa (?) at least a couple of times, we would just sit for awhile and watch all of the sites around us...There's nothing like a cold bottle of Crystal on a hot afternoon...82 more sleeps......

[Jammyisme]

Hey BJ.
 
 This was our second trip to Varadero, and to Villa Cuba. The first time we came, it was go go go. Went shopping. Did two tours ( Havana and Catamaran) And numerous trips to Varadero. It was so hot and busy.  
 This time we went down for the specific purpose of R and R and thats exactly what we got. Im still in my happy daze   :eek:   LOL   :rof:

[Bigjohn]

Originally posted by MCB:
  does need attention..it is getting a little older (like the rest of us) and needs to be competitive with other hotels in the area.
 
    :cool:  

That is fine if it wants to compete with the others in the area.
 What if this resort is aging gracefully and not chasing after the latest fashion, won't resort to the latest craze for radical physical change, is comfortable with the way things have settled, doesn't care if the colouring on the roof has faded, the grass on top has gotten a little sparse, there are a few more lines in the visible areas and the internal workers take breaks more often?
 
 Why is competition so important?
     
 Bigjohn.

[MCB]

Hello Bigjohn,
 
 It is unfortunately..the name of the game in Cuba..is to attract tourists at all times.
 When we started going to Villa Cuba in the eighties..the manager who has since deceased..said Villa Cuba use to be the "Queen" of all the resorts in Veradero during the sixties and seventies..alas even with the additional extension of a proper hotel along with the villas..repairs are required.
 Find that maintenance is critical in Cuba ..and overlooked at times ..painting only goes so far.
 We do love this resort..but sitting inside the lobby bar (during November) with rain falling on us (major cracks in the ceiling) does point out that some major TLC is badly needed.
   :)

[Charmainiac]

Originally posted by BJ:
  I can't wait to see Charmainiac's hint hint...

I'm ready to post some pics, if I could only find the space to put them in???
 
 And although I've been absent from the conversation, I do have much to say (as usual). I've been keeping quiet because, quite frankly, since returning, I haven't had more than 2 minutes to myself to compose any kind of reasonable response to all of your comments.
 
 At the moment, all I can say, is that the hotel is under new management: "El Jefe", Manager of Food Services, Manager of Maintenance and Manager of Grounds/ Gardens.
 The hotel, despite it's "not keeping up with the Jones's" approach (as Big John was pointing out), is still needing some serious work. The elevators would be a great start, along with the leaky roof, the undersiding that's falling off, and replacement of all the broken loungers at the beach!
 My "Cuban Grandmother", as I call her...who has lived & worked in Varadero since before the revolution...was telling us, last week, that The Internacional, Kawama, Villa Cuba and Oasis were the first hotels built in Varadero. And yes, Villa Cuba was the "Queen" of them all!
 At this point, I think the tired old queen has a few tarnished spots on her crown. Once polished, she'll be as stately as ever!   ;)  
 If Jammy doesn't mind, I'll post the pic of the 4 of us just before he & "The Missus" left.   :confused:  Let me know Jammy...

[Bigjohn]

Sorry M & Char,
 
 I was quoting out of context. The line MCB wrote about it "getting a little older, like the rest of us" was my twisted take on " the rest of us".
 
 What I wrote about the grass getting a little sparse, more lines in the visible areas, the way things have settled, the internal workers taking breaks etc. was referring to a human body, (mine), not a resort that I have not stayed at.
 
 Personally, I'd rather be comfortable than chase the latest fashions and compete with others in the same area.
 
 Sorry. Night shift does that to me.
 
 Bigjohn.

[Jammyisme]

Hey Charm! I thought you were too busy. Nah sure go for it. And as far as keeping up the resort, in this day of client service, this just looks good. It shows that they really care and want us to return. That was one of the selling points of villa cuba, was the faithful clientelle who keep coming back. Ps. I hate that elevator .  lol   :eek:

[MCB]

Hello Bigjohn,
 
 Have done nightshift at the oilplants up here ..so know where "you're coming from"..always wondered .."Do I feel like breakfast or supper?" when I got home.
 Back to Cuba..we've always gone back to the "same stretch of beach" (running from Solymar to Villa Cuba)for the past twenty years since it does have, in my opinion, the best ocean/sand layout for us (we're beach people).
 After establishing ourselves in Villa Cuba ( I call it our winter camp) we don't look at other resorts when booking.
 However,every year, upon request from the PR person there..I do mention what needs improvement or refurbishing at the resort..since I feel it has become "my second home" and would like to see it maintained as well as possible (what they can afford to do..knowing this is a business..so there's always a "bottom line").
 
 Hope to get back there this year..will see how Cuba , in general, changes in the next few months (that's another topic)...I'll be optomistic.
 
 
   :)

[Charmainiac]

Hey guys!
 I also did night shift for many years - that's how I paid for University! I "get it" too!
 Anyway, I actually liked what I thought your intention was Big John...the idea that those that are a little more "worn" don't have to be made "shiny & new" to compete with the younger, more spry in the crowd because they've aleady stood the test of time! That notion speaks volumes to me! Whether it's about myself or hotels in Varadero!    ;)    :p  
 Here's the REAL deal:
   
 From left: Charmainiac, Jammy, Zephie & "The Missus"

[Charmainiac]

I really wanted to post the pics of those animals! I was thinking of that thread over at Debbie's about the "Monkey's in Cuba" when I came across that little guy!
 And well, to stand around holding a real, live Croc! Holy Alligators Batman! BLAM!

[Bulldog]

Great pic's   :D