We got to Hotel Tropicoco and we knew we were in trouble. The first room that was given to us had no electricity . On to room 2 and it was the worst room that I had ever seen. The floors were dirty and the beds were not made. We had arrived at the end of a storm and had very cold weather for the majority of our stay. The food was horrible and we were glad to leave the hotel to see Havana and look for some decent food to eat. I travel every year and have never stayed at a hotel that the pool water was like a block of ice. Nobody was in the pool all week long. The beach that we went to was full of prostitutes that were trying to pick up the men that were there on holidays. I would not recemmend this hotel to anyone!!!! We call this the hotel tropicacca!([--]). Take my advice and stay far, far, away from this place.

We (me, my mom and SIL) went to the Tropicoco from December 28th-January 3.
Firstly, we were supposed to leave Montreal around 5:30 on December 27th. The flight was delayed by almost five hours. We had to de-ice twice and had to leave the plane before takeoff because of some mechanical error (better that they found it before we took off!) A note to Sunwing...If people are delayed, tired and cranky, it's not a good idea to try and placate them with frozen muffins and warm water!
We were supposed to arrive at the Tropicoco around 11:00 PM on the 27th, but didn't get in until 5:00AM on the 28th. I really felt that we were shortchanged a whole day because of this, but anyway, we were just so glad to get to the hotel.

I've been to Cuba five other times, but this was my first time in the Havana area. In my opinion, the major differences in star ratings is the food...For this reason, I feel the Tropicoco deserves it's two star rating. I normally stay in 3*, and the difference in food is astonishing. I'm a pretty easy to please person, but really, to only have grapefruit and oranges available for fruit? It's Cuba, I'm sure they could have found some bananas somewhere! Pretty much the same thing day in and day out, although the bread/rolls were very fresh. The New Year's Eve bash was wonderful though, they really put on a spread for that! One other complaint was that there really is no a la carte (they do have one at lunch, but it was only open on the last day we were there, so we didn't get to try it). Also, no real snack bar, although the bar by the pool will make you a ham and cheese sandwich if you ask (it wasn't very good)

The hotel itself is older, but that's Cuba! We were on the third floor- we only used the elevators the first day, I was too scared after that, so we just took the stairs. The bartenders were increadibly friendly to us, we had two in particular who were phenomenal. We also had no problems with the desk staff (which was nice for a change!) The first five days, the weather was fantastic, it got very windy and cold the last two days. The pool at the hotel is absolutely freezing- it's partially covered, so it doesn't get heated up by the sun, that's for sure!

The shuttle to Havana is hard to get on. We went in three times, and only took the shuttle once, since you have to book the day before (and early, I went at 10:00 AM one morning and the shuttle was already full for the next day!) A cab ride into the city is only 15 CUC though. Havana was wonderful, we ate the Paris Cafe, wandered around a lot, and had ice cream at the Copellia. The hotel is only a 15 minute cab ride to the old city, so for that reason alone, it was worth it!

One other thing I like and disliked at the same time was the mix of people at the hotel...Lots of Cubans, Italians, Germans and Canadians. That being said, it seems to be a place to go and meet a "friend" for the week. We were quite turned off by the few older gentlemen with their significantly younger Cuban girlfriends (their behaviour was not discreet!)

Our hotel transfer was two hours late in picking us up as well, and we had to deal with a sick drunk guy on the bus, but the Sunwing rep was very professional with him- I had to bite my tongue, especially after the old guy threw up!

I'd stay at the Tropicoco again, but only if it was a fantastic deal. The proximity to Havana really is the reason to stay here.

The hotel clean? You have got to be kidding! I have never stayed in a place so execrably filthy. Not once was the floor swept, let alone washed. The place was falling apart; baseboards missing, louvered windows and doors mouldy and missing slats, curtains falling off the rails, dead bugs in the window wells, in corners and under the beds that remained, untouched for the duration of our stay. One of the two elevators juddered from floor to floor with such a shaking and wobbling that I was terrified. On the day we left, neither of the elevators arrived at the fourth floor and after a five-minute wait, we were obliged to hump our suitcases down the four flights of stairs.
The floor of the shower was so badly designed that one could only shower for a few seconds before the water (on the few occasions during the week when there actually WAS hot water) built up and began to flow across the bathroom floor. No soap, no facecloths (the maid explained that they were waiting for them, hah) and beds so old and uncomfortable that sleep was impossible.
On our first day, the girl at the front desk, whilst we were checking in, was so rude and unpleasant, telling us, "No food until 2.30!" (We had not eaten since 8.00 A.M.and there are no restaurants in the area), that I was amazed.
The food was, in a word, disgusting. Stale bread and rolls, daily-recycled rice dishes, tough fatty chicken and interminable little cut up hotdogs masquerading as ham.
My husband and I are frequent travellers and are used to budget hotels but to call the Tropicoco a two-star place is to call a sewer a spring fed pool. I would not recommend the hotel to my worst enemy.

We were absolutely disappointed with this hotel from the very first day. Dated (e.g. a/c falling apart), dirty (e.g. stained linen), staff usually snotty (with a few wonderful exceptions), terrible food (cafeteria style, diluted drinks, servers decide how much cheese you'll get!!!)... Barbarita never introduced herself to us, and even turned off her cell phone when we tried to reach her. Upon check in, the receptionist only gave us the key, and I had to ask her about all the basic information that a new guest is to receive automatically -- meal times, shows, facilities etc. For example, reading one of the reviews on this site, I am surprised to find out that there was a la carte lunch. Nobody ever told us about that. The excursions person (was that Barbarita's responsibility as well?) was never around, so it was impossible to arrange anything through the hotel.
The receptionists in general have penchant for giving contradictory information. If you end up staying here, avoid a few particularly snotty receptionists (you'll find out soon who they are), and try to deal with the same person at all times (if possible).
Free shuttle bus was ok, but keep in mind that there are only two a day -- leaving hotel at 9:30 and 2:30, and returning at 1:30 and 6:30 p.m. They tend to overbook them sometimes, so make sure you always book a day ahead, get outside the hotel at least 10 minutes earlier, and be somewhat aggressive. This hotel seems to attract quite specific crowd... Hm... read more reviews....
I would not recommend this place even to my worst enemy. Do yourself a favour, and book your stay somewhere else...