Hotel Acuazul

In the heart of a small town of Varadero, about 15 miles from the international airport (30 minutes), the Acuazul is a two building complex that is named after its azure blue colour. It has ten floors and is 500 metres from the beach, along a main road.

This hotel doesn't provide the all-inclusive formula. Guests are primarily German, Italian, Spanish, French and Canadian.

Built in 1991, the Acuazul looks older than it is. This building isn't very esthetic but owes its charm to the good atmosphere. It combines both the advantages and disadvantages of the town. Curious people can discover Cuban life on the Varadera streets whereas people who are just looking for peace, quiet and nature don't have to go anywhere.

The hotel's 257 rooms lack a bit of "warmth" but are decent. They have simple amenities: bath, television, air conditioning, safe (extra charge) and 110 volt plugs. You telephone from the reception desk. The top floors have a beautiful panoramic view over Varadero.

Relatively small, the restaurant serves food morning and evening only, with not much selection. You can have lunch at the pool's snack bar. It is cramped and the food isn't very good. There is another snack bar on the beach and a lobby bar in the entrance hall of the hotel.

The large beach is great for beach sports such as beach volley. Unfortunately, it isn't just at the foot of the hotel and its sand is neither very fine nor very clean.