Nov. 17, 2007
Hotel Tropicoco is the place that we go every year to have good time and to charge our batteries.
Eventhough is only a three star hotel it gives us a fealing that we
spent our time in 6 star one.
We don't know how to start, from the maintenance people to the
management there all excellent and professionals.
The reception always staffed with smiling faces and eager to help you even save the newspaper for you every day.
The food is always tasty and plantiful. there is fish, chicken, beef
and pork almost daily.
Once a week they have a theme night with Cuban food, camarones, frijoles, lechon asado with the chicharones that make finger licking good. The wine or beer always accompany the dinner. The soups are very noutricious and the bread made in the premises is tasty, crunchy and even in crocodile shape.
Almost I forgot about the dessert, delicious even Flan and Arroz con Leche.
In the kichen and restaurant you find the most amazing and friendly people, to name a few Consuelo, Faustina, Ester, Ruben, Albertico, the funny Pedro and the rest.
The rooms are clean. The maides are very professionals and ready to help you with every need. if you need extra towel, blanket
or coat hangers you only have to ask them and you got them.
Who can forget the beautiful Meyelin the Public Relations Super Woman always ready to help and with the smile.
Funny another star of the office people.
All these positive things are the fruit of the one and only Director General who wants to offer the best to his guests.
We highly recommend this hotel.

At the time of my stay , there were Sports Team from Venezuela , about 200 people. They were very loud, forget about sleeping in or having a nap.They scream on the hall ways early morning and late at night.
Make sure you go to the restaurant as soon as they open or you will hardly find any food left, table, and a a clean place to eat. There is not variety on the menu, always the same food.
90 % of the front desk staff, very rud , not concerned if they see you waiting there. If somebody call you and leave a message, you won't know , they won't tell you.
There is only an small area at the beach assigned for the guests with a couple of umbrellas and beach bed, remind me a concentration camp.
Not remote control for the TV or A/C, at least not in all the rooms. Never mind for the A/C , but for the TV you needed if you are on vacation.
Bring your own towell for the room, the one they have are in bad conditions, sometimes dirty and smell bad.
Entretainers and maids are nice.
Free Bus shuttle twice a day to Havana, very nice and useful.

First of all let me say that I found this a great hotel for the price. I jokingly commented after a day that the worst thing i found so far was that there was no remote for the TV in my room (was for AC though, and it worked for AC once i put batteries in), and I may have to admit that was almost as bad as it got.
The hotel is mostly used by Cuban families, something I'd experienced at the Villa La Mar in Varadero, with only about 10% of guests tourists - this may bother some people, who like to interact with their fellow tourists more. At time I was there, there were about 20-30 young adults and teenagers there for a sports event, coming mostly from Cuba, Argentina, Brazil and Venezuela who were a bit pushy at times when the dining room opened.(but only to the degree that it was noticeable but not bothersome).
Checkin went fast, and I found the reception folks to be friendly and quite good with their English.
Room was quite adequate, though nothing special. Everything worked fine. Daily cleaning was ok too.
Wasn't expecting anything fancy in the buffet, and thats about where it was at. Food was good though. Usually 3 of fish, chicken, beef or pork dishes. Plenty of different salads etc. Evening white or red wine was offerred with meal.
All 4 bars were included in the AI package - including a 24 hr bar (tested it once by coming down at 3am). Tap beer (crystal) ran out duing second week so replaced by cans of beer. Rum based drinks but nothing fancy (no mojitos for example). No pay bar on site for fancier drinks.
Beach is about 100m from hotel. Clean and paddle boats etc. UNfortunately, because of Storm Noel waves were rough the whole time and red flags were up.
Public used beaches to left and right of hotel beach were quite packed on weekends with busloads arriving from Halifax, gave it a nice atmosphere.
During ther week, there were about 4 or 5 police patrolling streets and beach. On weekend many many more.
It was about a 5 km walk to next town of Guanabo, one can walk along the beach.
Hotel supplied shuttle bus (free) ran every day I was there - inbound at 0930 and 1430; return 1300 and 1800. Dropped of just outside of old Havana.
For anyone wanting a somewhat fancier hotel, I would recommend the Club Atlantico down the road. (went there to use the internet, since internet at Tropicoco had been down for 2 months).
For someone wanting a resort atmosphere wanting to enjoy with their fellow tourists, I don't think this hotel is ideally suited.
However for someone looking for budget quarters , a base to explore Havana from (local bus 400 runs 24 hrs a day from about bus stop 20 min walk) or wanting to interact with Cubans, this hotel is very well suited. I definitely plan on using it again.

There is nothing wrong with this hotel! I was a bit worried after reading some reviews, but I adored my 10 day stay. The rooms were clean, the staff was kind, food and drink were more than adequate and plentiful, and I had no complants about the pool, lobby, or restaurant. I travelled during low season when the hotel was not fully booked, which may have helped matters.

Other than the beautiful beach in front of the hotel and the very basic hotel entertainment, there wasn't much to do around the hotel (or so it seemed). There were, however, reliable free shuttles to and from Old Havana (a morning and afternoon departure, and an afternoon and early evening return). A taxi from Old Havana was about 14 CUCs. Havana is amazing, and the beach outside the hotel was stunning, so the location was a perfect mix of beach and culture.