Just got back Dec 1 from one week at Breezes Jibicoa We travel one to two times a year to islands or Mexico for about 10 years now. We have stayed at a couple of 4 star before in St Martin, and San Andres. We stayed at Sandals Veradero when it was about 6 months old so I belive I can make an informed comparison. Our experience in all 5 stars was excellence in everything (food, service, beach, pool & bars) In the two previous 4 stars also no faults, but as expected a bit less in some areas. We felt that variety of food or number of restaruants, or number of bars or again variety in alcoholic drinks, number or size of pools etc was the difference in 4 - 5 star. Never did service seem less as that is one thing all staff can control. We were a group of 24 down for a wedding and so this was a group oppinion. BEACH, 4, chairs hard plastic, some papalas in need of repair, a bit stoney along water edge, pretty good for snorkling. POOL, 3 - more then 1/2 only 3 feet deep, and 4 foot part was divided by volley ball net, lots of missing tiles to catch a toe on, chairs were better then beach and some nice sun shade but only a few. BARS- 4 1/2 one each at pool, beach, lobby and piano. Faster to self serve, pretty good on variety, quality and close to some point. Did often run out of some mix. All bartenders were friendly and provided quick service. FOOD - 3 - Very limited in choice and variety in buffet for all meals. The Mexican Theme was a joke, it was the same food with few taco chips, and the seafood night only added 1/2 lobsters. The lobster and Shrimp cocktail (in Martinos) were both over cooked beyond rubbery, they were like dried rubber,
Ice cream was only availble on some lunch times. The beach bar did serve a nice homestyle hamburger and single size pizza, but I don't go away for burgers and pizza. SERVICE - 3 - this is a bit tough as most staff did work with a pleasant attitude, smiled etc, but that is a minimum expectation. In the buffet for any meal it was hit or miss to get glass of water, wine, or coffee and a second one was a contest to get someone's eye, without having to wave. They seemed to be in a hurry to clear your table, but no rush to replace utensils, glasses, etc. Also Service includes keeping enough soup bowls, plates etc availble for the line up ( they ran out 15 minutes after opening 3 times) The design of the buffet creates one line to go by all the stations, there should be a better placement of the serving stations so you can enter one of several smaller lines. Lobster night took 40 minutes to get through.. We ate as a group in Martino's ( Italian) and gave it a 5 but the Cuban (also as a group, had mostly the same dishes and we were in two long tables, one table got their soup and the other table got none. 3 star
So as a group we gave this Hotel an overall THREE STAR, and most of the group are extensive travelers.

All the staff are top drawer. Lots to do, see, and drink/eat for a relatively isolated all inclusive.
Scooter shop is great (thanks Osmin), and bikes are available for free.
Do pack some benadryl tabs in your bag along with some topical corticosteroid cream, as you may get bites/stings in all caribean beaches.
I'd go back in a heartbeat.

My wife and I have just returned (28 November) from spending 13 days at what I can only call a fab resort. The weather was cloudy but v.hot (middle 80's) and no kids.
The resort is clean and tidy and I would agree that the meals in the buffet were warm as opposed to hot. The beach staff were to my mind the cream of the resort, more so if you liked a laugh and a drink (rum of course) The beach could do with some clearing up (seaweed) but otherwise sandy.
No one bothers you to join in any of the activities, whilst you laze away the day.
Can recommend the trip to Havana which takes in the Tropicana. This makes along day 9:30 until about 1:00 in the morning, but is value for money. Guide, lunch, dinner (buffet style), room to shower and change plus the show. The ladies are given a rose/carnation and the men a cigar. Plus a 1/4 bottle of rum, although this is dependant on how many at your table, e.g 4 persons equals 1 bottle. The mixer (coke) is very sweet not like the Coke we get in the UK. Would we go back

Have just returned from a week at this hotel booked following trip advisor reviews. Here are my thoughts:

Location:
Beautiful location very quiet and scenic, loved the fact that you were never bothered by anybody either in the resort or on the beach. Only 1 1/2 hours from Havana. Downside is that it is an effort to go anywhere else from here you need a taxi and distances add to the cost.

Resort:
The staff work extremely hard to keep this place clean and spotless the gardens are beautiful and they clean up the sand every day. The room was cleaned and I never saw any kind of bug crab or any other insect for the whole week.

Staff:
Some reviews have mentioned staff being miserable, I never came across
this at all during my stay. They were all friendly smiley and willing to please from the front desk to the the buffet to the beach bar, no problem at all. When I arrived there were only 11 of us checking in so had no problems with hanging around at all..

Entertainment:
I am not really into this but I have to say that it was not in your face all the time they did not pester you to join in and given the type of people who stay here I think they made a huge effort as most of it during the time I stayed nobody could really be bothered but they carried on anyway. Did not see much of the evening entertainment but others enjoyed it. The piano bar is quite nice for a change. May get a bit too much if here for 2 weeks. Overall their enthusiamsm is to be appluaded.

Weather and Sea:
Cannot blame them for the fact that it was cloudly and very windy for most of my stay. This meant that the red flag was up on the beach nearly for the whole week. On the few occasions that you could go into
the sea jelly fish were a problem and some people had some really nasty injurys - but they were given great service by the staff and doctors for this. Have to say found it very off putting and did not go
into the water for the whole week so very dissapointed in that. I was very impressed that there was a lifegaurd patrolling the beach on all the days that I was there.

Food:
Before I went I knew you do not go to Cuba for the food and so in that respect I was not dissapointed. Buffet was as good as could be expected and I certainly have had worse in the world- they made a real effort and plenty of fresh fruit. Could do with being a bit hotter temperature wise though. The omlettes are great in the morning and the beach bar is the best place for lunch if somewhat limited. Do not get too excited by the 2 other restaurants as the food is basically the same as the buffet but served to you and hotter.

Sunlongers and Pool:
No problem getting a bed especaily at the sea but have to say these are really uncomfortable as no cushions on them so bring your own if you can. The pool was really cold which probably would not be a problem if the sun had been out but when cloudy not inviting as can not dry off.

Excursions:
Only went on 1 to Havana for the day arranged with Virgin. In all honesty you would be better off getting a taxi who will wait for you and show you some of the better sights or stay in Havana for a night and see it for yourself. Went on the morning hike which involved a steep climb up a hill which was very slippery and then a view point which was nice enough but the rest was spent on a farm looking at pigs and sheep etc. which you could do at home - overall not much walking and a bit dissapointing.

Getting Sick:
Had no problems until the last night before I was due to fly home and then became violently ill in the early hours of the morning. I phoned reception and they got a doctor to me within 15mins- very impressive. The same doctor visited me every 2 hours until I had to leave and I had numerous medications and the overall cost was less than £30. The staff sent bottles of water to my rooom and generally looked after me. I do not know if anybody else was ill as I manged to fly home due to their great efforts 12 hours later.

I travelled on my own to this resort and felt really safe although I was extremely lucky to meet some really lovely people to share my holiday with. I think there were a lot of people on there own and it was not a place where you felt out of place if single. Overall a lovely hotel in a great setting perfect if you want to just chill out and relax (weather providing of course) and not be too fussed about seeing much else without spending some money.