This was formerly known as the Gran Hotel and with its lurid pinks, yellows and greens is somewhat difficult to miss. This is part of the Cubanacán chain, although since January 2009 has been managed by the Spanish group Hoteles C. It is a reasonable mid-range offering, which we are not convinced lives up to a 4 star billing.

This three-star property a ten-minute taxi ride from the heart of Varadero is one of the few large-scale beach properties to offer a non-all-inclusive option. And we think the rates are fair, too. For these reasons we like this 316-room hotel (managed by Cuba´s Gran Caribe chain), which also offers a modicum of comfort and amenities. It´s a short walk from the dolphin show and from Marina Chapelin, with its excursion boats and rentable sailcraft.

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.

Hotel Barcelo Cayo Santa Maria Beach resort has a privileged location in one of most beautiful islands in Cuba.
This property will eventually be the largest hotel complex in Cuba, with a total of 4 hotels each named after a different Cuban city. The complex will be opened in 4 stages. First hotel – Barcelo Matanzas that offers 624 guestrooms is already opened.

Formerly a Spanish-run Iberostar property, the administration of this hotel has recently been taken over by the Spanish group Hoteles C. Toward the west end of Varadero, by the bridge linking the peninsula to the mainland, it has a fantastic location for guests seeking to get off property, with plenty of restaurants and services nearby.

Probably the best quality beach location in Playas del Este, this hotel has a lovely location next to one of the best stretches of beach which is reached via a wooden footbridge over the lagoon (around 150 meters).
Italian groups form the majority of the clientele here.

This hotel backs the platinum sands of Playa Flamingo. It originated as part of the former Tryp Colonial Village and was spun off in 2003, when it was partially renovated, reopening under management by Spain´s Blau hotel group. Architecture here plays on a colonial theme, with red-tile roofs, wrought-iron lanterns and grills, shady arched terraces, Moorish tilework, and walls painted in calming tropical ice-cream pastels.

This Spanish-managed hotel nestles up to Playa Pesquero, a stunning beach with gorgeous turquoise waters. Run in conjunction with Cuba´s Gaviota chain, this all-inclusive is supposedly a four-star, but barely edges up to three-star status in our view and stands in stark contrast to the nearby Paradisus Río de Oro. Let´s begin with its monstrous facade—an architectural blight painted in deep blues and peach.