We still have that holliday feeling and we have been back home for allmost a week now. Its been the usual nightmare at work but all we do is remember the great hol we had at the Sol Cayo resort and are troubles fade away.
We would be more than happy to go back. I would say though. Take advantage of the tours away from the resort. This breaks up the time of which would all be spent there. Its a great place but it would be such a waste to go to Cuba and not see their real life, the houses and of course the fantastic old American cars. But when your on a tour, do make sure you take some toilet paper and some hand wash.

My husband and I stayed at Sol Cayo Santa Maria the week of Sept. 10-17th, 2005, leaving just before Hurricane Rita arrived. We have never spent such a relaxing time at any resort. The room staff, waiters and bartenders could not have done more for us during our stay. Here are some comments which I hope will help you plan your trip.
FLIGHT:We flew Air Canada from Montreal and had a most enjoyable flight. Plenty of sitting room, great movies and the food (roast beef) was excellent.
AIRPORT: The Santa Maria airport is very small...a few quick steps from the plane and we were at Customs. Did not take long to get through when we were off to claim our luggage. There is a Cristal tent set up on the tarmac for a quick cold Cuban cerveza before boarding the very comfortable bus for the 1-1/2 hour trip to Sol Cayo.
BUS RIDE: The 1-1/2 hour trip went by very quickly, even though it was dark and we were unable to see any of the Cuban countryside. All check-in for the hotel was done on the bus so that we could head straight to our room when we arrived. Keys were given and food/beverage bracelets were put on during the trip.
HOTEL ARRIVAL: Because there was quite a downpour on the day we arrived, the hotel management decided to set up the evening's entertainment in the hotel lobby. As we got off the bus, a huge group of guests applauded us...they were waiting for the show to start (we were not aware of this..we thought this was the welcoming committee)!! As soon as we stepped off the bus, we were given a delicious ice cold bottle of a rum based cooler! We proceeded to our room only to have our luggage follow us no more than 1/2 hour later!
ROOM: Beautiful! Very large and spacious. The bathroom is awesome. The shower wall is completely made of glass, but totally private. You could shower and look out at the palm trees and beautiful flowers on the trees!!! Water was a bit slow but there was always plenty for showers. Very clean and bright. Beautiful secluded balcony with 2 chairs and a small table. There is a small bar fridge; ask for water daily. Please, please tip the room staff. They work so hard and really appreciate the gesture. Always ask for extra water. Hotel claims water is safe to drink, but don't take the chance. Always use bottled water, which you can get at the restaurants and bars. The waitstaff is more than willing to offer bottled water.
BEACH: Absolutely one of the most beautiful beaches we have ever seen. We stayed in Playa Coco in April and the beach there did not compare. Water beautiful turquoise Caribbean, white soft sand and enough chairs and palapas (grass umbrellas) to go around. The hotel was 1/2 full the week we were there, so lots of space to spread out...at the beach and pool as well. Snorkelling was alright; there is a small reef right near the main beach area (and near the lifeguard stand) but further down the beach (to the left) there was quite a bit of snorkelling...lots of different fish to see! As you walk over the main bridge to the beach, turn left and walk past another bridge...to the au naturel beach. Very quiet and secluded. The best beach bar/restaurant awaits you just over the last bridge...pool table, hot tub (actually cool water...) and the BEST pizza, burgers and papas fritas (fries) this side of heaven! The staff at the Flamenco bar (I think that's the name) is awesome. As we would arrive for lunch, our cervezas were almost waiting for us and they just knew what we wanted on our pizza!!! Great music (soca, Cuban, reggae, North American favorites)!
POOL: Beautiful, relaxing about 5 pm as the sun starts to set. Great ham and cheese pressed sandwiches and again, great cervezas.
RESTAURANTS: The buffet restaurant was nice, food alright and always something for everyone. There could have been a few more choices at dinner. Waitstaff at the buffet restaurant could not do enough for us. One night one of the waiters made a beautiful rose out of a paper napkin and gave it to my husband to give to me. They would always know what we wanted to drink; as we'd arrive, our table was ready and our drinks were brought to us immediately. We never went for lunch, as the Flamenco beach bar was the ONLY place we wanted to be. The Italian restaurant was excellent and the atmosphere was out of this world, as was the service. The Creole restaurant was nice but being on the beach, there were LOTS of mosquitos!!! Service was excellent throughout! The Piano Bar was very relaxing after a day of sun and sand. Have a mojito -- the best we've tasted!!!
All in all, a truly spectacular vacation. Bring lots of books, lots of suntan lotion, lots of mosquito repellent (unfortunately) and don't forget the Benadryl. I was eaten alive but luckily met someone who had Benadryl and gave me some...2 pills later I was back to normal. Although the mosquitos are bad, if you pack a full first aid kit, you'll be fine.
A very laid back and relaxing vacation. Didn't go on any excursions; this was strictly a "chill-out and recharge the batteries" type of vacation...we each read 3 BOOKS!! We are planning to return to our spot on the beach and our table at the beach bar next September!!! Can't wait!!

We stayed at the Sol Cayo Santa Maria from Oct 9th to Oct 15th.

Flight:
The flight from westjet was really good, the plane had lots of space, service was excellent, and the food was not bad.

Arrival: Santa Clara airport is very small, but the security is intense, we were checked twice, others were heavily searched, and the drug dogs were intimidating. It took us a while to get on the bus.

Hotel:
The hotel is nice, lots of bars, pools, very unique its like a tropical jungle with plants everywhere, our room was good, very big, clean.

Food:
Not bad, what I expected, food had a lot of oil and some dishes were strange. but I always found somethign I like.
Lots of variety to chose from, and the a la cartes dinners were good.

Beach: The is one of the most beautifull beaches. It was very long, light blue /turqouise water. Very private ( mind you we came in low season).
lots of beds, white sand...amazing.

Weather: The weather forcast before I got their said rain/thunderstorms...
BUT it never really rained ..strange. the weather was hot!

Staff:
They were nice most of the time, a language barrier was their.

Overall: Very good place to stay, I was happy and I miss it and would go back BUT the Mosquitos really ruined things for me.

Lots of Mosquitos!!! my only strong negative comment.

Have just returned from Sol Cayo Santa Maria and had the most fantastic time. If you want to get away from the hussle and bussle of working life, then this is the place to visit as you will return completely chilled out and relaxed. We loved everything about the hotel - the grounds, the pools, the bars, the restaurants and yes the beach and ocean really are that colour. The Cubans are the friendliest people I have ever come into contact with and they work so hard to please and entertain people. We were lucky enough to have a ground floor beach facing room and it was amazing to wake up in the morning and listen to the waves.
The mosquitos did cause a bit of a problem for us but we didn't let it ruin our holiday. I would highly recommend this hotel to anyone but the only thing I will say is that if you want Britian abroad, like many of those that visited at the same times as us did, then do not visit Cuba or this hotel.