20 February 2008

Got home from the Blau Arenal on the 17th. Fabulous time.

Keep in mind that this property offers the tourists Cuba with the sun, ocean, culture/Cuban people, a safe place to stay, plenty of food/drink/activity --- plus a free shuttle into Havana to experience the history, art, and architecture.

For under $1100. I was able to experience a major world city plus a major sun destination all at once. This would not be possible in New York, Las Vegas, Paris, Rome, etc. I must say however that as in all tourist areas and major cities, tipping and hand outs became tiresome. But then again, they have so much less than we do at home.

Cubans are a proud people. They are healthy (free medical system) and well educated (free education). They do not have the material things we have back home. But I saw a certain contentment in their eyes and smiles, with fewer expectations and therefore no 'entitlement syndrome'. Perhaps we are spoiled. In any case, it was refreshing not to be inundated with advertising, billboards, neon signs, chain restaurants etc.

The '50s Chevy cars etc. were priceless. They have been handed down through the generations with pride and the people somehow keep them going. This made me wonder why we have such a disposable society in North America.

It was always nice to return to the peacefulness of The Blau Arenal after a seemingly hectic day in Havana. Obviously, the countryside and towns revealed a more laid back life than Havana. People were accepting of us riding or walking through their towns and beaches as they carried on with their everyday lives. The crime rate is very low in Cuba.

Keep your expectations realistic. Go with an open mind. This is Cuba after all. This may be a 3rd world country but the people are healthy, clean, well educated and extremely proud. Mixing with the culture and people is paramount.

The Blau Arenal property is in some disrepair. We found things comfortable and clean for the most part. The staff was precious. Renovations will begin May to December. Hopefully, it will be more than just cosmetic. Structure and plumbing has to be addressed. I wonder if prices will rise once renovated.

This resort offers an airy open feel. This type of vacation is not for those who are looking for a five star high rise hotel overlooking the ocean with little else to do than to soak up the sun, eat/drink and catch up on R& R.

We walked for miles and miles. It was a healthy holiday all the way around. I found exactly what I was looking for ---- a sun destination, lots of activity with culture/history thrown in the mix. What a wonderful opportunity the Blau Club Arenal had to offer me.

We just arrived back from a blissful week at the Blau Arenal near Havana this morning. Ignore all other reviews with negative things to say, this hotel was great! It definitely needs some upgrading and repairs (it will be closed in March for just that reason), but we had absolutely no complaints.

We had a junior suite in the 200 block on the second level. The room was huge, well equipped, and the bathroom was in great condition and very large. The decor is dated, but the beds were comfortable and the room was clean.

The grounds of the hotel were beautiful and the pool is great. Ignore any poor reviews of the pool - it looked sparkling clean and fresh with an abundance of lounge chairs. The staff were incredibly friendly - say hi to Alex and Osmany in the dining room - they provided incredible service. The bartenders mixed wonderful drinks and we spent many afternoons lounging on the upper patio outside the lobby bar sipping Mojitos, Ron Collins, Cerveza, etc.

The beach is absolutely gorgeous. It stretches for miles and miles, as far as the eye can see. There were plenty of lounge chairs here too. While there aren't that many umbrellas, people seem to come and go from the beach, so we were always lucky to get one shortly after arriving at the beach. There are also plenty of palm trees, so if there isn't an umbrella, you can find shade under these. The water was blue-green and clear and the bottom is sandy. It truly was a beautiful beach.

You can walk down the beach or along the beach road into the town of Guanabo - about a 45 minute walk. This is a must. We had drinks at La Cocinita (great mojitos) on the main street and then had dinner at an Italian restaurant where ate amazing fire brick oven pizza for $5 CUCs. It was great to experience the local culture in a town outside of the big city.

The food at the resort was plentiful and good. Cuba is not known for gourmet cuisine, so if this is what you are looking for, go to Paris. Having said that, there was always plenty to eat - lots of fresh fish, pasta that they would prepare for you, omelettes in the morning, an abundance of fruit, lots of salad (there was little salad on my last trip to Cuba so this was great to see). We never went hungry and didn't once complain about the food. The pool bar also offers hamburgers, hotdogs, sandwiches and french fries if you'd like a break from the buffet. There is an a-la-carte restaurant that we did not try (we wish we had!!) but we did see inside and it is very nice. The menu looks superb. we will definitely check it out next time we go.

Shuttles to Havana twice a day on new, modern air conditioned buses. Only about a 25-30 minute ride. Proximity to the city is what we were after, so this hotel was perfect. Havana is a must see. The culture, the buildings, the history, the people are incredible. My favourite place was Plaza Vieja (Old Square) where we went to Taberna de la Muralle and had our own 3L beer tap right at the table. A live Cuban band played in the background and this truly was an enjoyable way to spend a few hours.

The resort caters more to couples and families. It is not a singles type of place, but I truly believe anyone looking for a relaxing vacation close to Havana would enjoy this hotel.

As I said, ignore negative reviews unless of course you are looking for a 5 star palatial hotel. The Blau Arenal was more than adequate in every way and we will definitely be visiting again! I wish we were still there, it was a truly wonderful vacation!

We first stayed here in about 1983. We specificly asked the agent to put us her. she had never herad of it. Welll---- Alot has changed.

Staff is rude. The resort is dirty. The rooms smell. The "cleaning" staff has too much to do and not even real mops-- They spray the rooms with bug killer-- they spray the beds and the curtains and the towels (and your toothbrush...) We finally just told them to stop coming in to clean and put a sign on the door. We had to buy cleaner to clean the place. grung grows fast in a tropical climate. Don't stay here.

Dull food. Dirty dining room. Drinks are too strong. Not clean. Rude buffet -- PLEASE-- the meat is not cooked.

The buildings are rundown. The staff told us Cuba is directing tourists away from the Santa- Maria beach area. -- to resorts further from the towns or stuck on the restrictive Veradero pennisula. Tourism corrupts the people and makes them dependant upon gifts and illegal $. Find another place.

Most guest are old men-- really. European guys-- Italians and a few Belge. Fat. Old. Dyed hair. Old wives back home, I bet. Staff said they are the usual guests. They were there for "beach treasures"-- the live kind you pay for. They were searching for prostitutes. They found them. The guards at the little bridge enterance takes $.

Osman, the waiter is a prince. Put your comments in the book at the main desk, by the lobby phone. The gov' t really reads it. He speaks several languages; gave us top info; is spotlessly clean and caring. Take little gifts for he and his family. Head ache pills; school supplies; plastic dish scrub; Try to slip them to him secretly-- off resort. Staff must share tips and few do any work.

Casanova is the local tour rep. He does nothing. I mean... nothing. Write that in the lobby book. Don't stay here.

There is garbage on the beach-- cans and plastic. Again, Cuba doesn't clean it because they don't want tourists in Havana area.

Havana is great. Alot to do. Safe; cheap and beautiful. Many buildings are in very poor repair. People are very poor. Yet-- people are real. There is alot to learn.

Very bad experience. The food is repetitive (pork-chiken-pork-chiken) some fruits always the same - no towels for the beach and pool, some days no wine, no beer, no butter, no toilet paper,
no towels in room,
The place is dirtty with garbage all around.
To be closed in may therefor personnel leaving and not beeing replaced