By far the nicest property on Cayo Largo, this Sol Meliá-managed hotel outshines the neighboring and similarly priced Sol Pelícano by a mile. The lovely aesthetic of pastel-toned Caribbean-style wooden structures with plantation rails is enhanced by thoughtful landscaping that makes clever use of the natural eroded limestone and foliage.

The 5-star Barceló Cayo Libertad Hotel is best seen as an exclusive adjunct to its much larger twin the Barceló Marina Palace which is connected by golf buggies and to whose facilities you may also use.
It is located on a small exclusive Cayo Libertad Royal Island (the exclusive area of Barceló Marina Palace) and was opened in February 2006. It features 80 spacious junior suites, 4 large suites and 1 exclusive garden villa.

Perhaps our favorite all-inclusive beach resort hotel in the country, this beauty knocked us out the second it opened in December 2005. As if hinting at its exclusivity, it commands the very tip of the Hicacos Peninsula—a superb breeze-swept location just minutes from the Gaviota marina. Here the winds have kicked up sand dunes along the beach, sheltering the hotel grounds and adding a touch of drama to the local coastline.

Just a few minutes stroll from the heart of the action in Varadero, this contemporary hotel is a perfectly adequate four-star all-inclusive establishment that is advantageous for its proximity to central Varadero. Some people might find the rich tropical-fruit color schemes a tad too overripe, and much of the infrastructure and furnishings are dated.

This hotel was renovated in January 2007 and re-opened under Iberostar management. It is located towards the end of the Hicacos Peninsula and occupies some prime beach real estate. There are 391 rooms including 4 junior suites and 40 connecting rooms.

Initially opened in 2006 as an all-inclusive run by Jamaica´s Sandals hotel chain, today this gorgeous property is now managed by Spain´s Sol Meliá group. It´s an all-round winner, from its sensational location at Punta Hicacos and its low-key colonial-inspired architecture to its sophisticated guestroom decor—as upscale as any in Cuba. We have no hesitation in recommending this 434-room, all-suite hotel. It is billed as five-star.

Spain´s Sol Meliá group has its formula well rehearsed by now and the opening of the Paradisus, in late 2005, proves the point. Take a gorgeous beachfront (in this case Playa Rincón Francés), add low-rise units tucked below the palms, grace said units with plantation rails and a sprinkling of thatch, and decorate throughout with Meliá´s trademark sponge-washed Robin´s-eggs blues and tropical fruit pastels with blinding whites for clinical counterpoint.

If we were honeymooners seeking an upscale romantic resort in Cuba, this all-suite all-inclusive at Playa Rincón Francés would be our top choice. It opened in 2005 after protracted negotiations between Jamaica´s Sandals hotel chain and the Cuban government, producing a unique result—profit-sharing for staff (Sandals does not permit tipping). Combined with Sandals´ renowned staff training programs, the result is a level of service a notch above normal for Cuba.

A lovely property, this is one of our favorite all-inclusive hotels on the island, and ranks well against the nearby Sandals and even many similar properties on neighboring islands. Launched in 2005 at the far eastern extreme of the peninsula, this sprawling and gracious resort is centered on a huge irregular swimming pool framed by a faux Spanish castle. There´s nothing outdated here, though.

Here´s a hotel that stole our hearts the moment we entered the lobby of this mammoth and architecturally-inspired hotel, which opened in 2005. The sloping, Mayan ziggurat-style structure—“Wow!”—is approached via a sweeping elevated drive framed by international flags. The cavernous, albeit sparsely furnished, atrium lobby speaks to the hip contemporary vogue, such as brushed stainless steel rails, that infuses this property throughout.