Paradisus Varadero Resort & Spa

“Paradisus Varadero Review (Long Version)”

My good friend and I stayed at Paradisus Varadero mid April 2024. We stayed in the top level “Royal Service” section. I had previously stayed once before with my wife at Paradisus in the same oceanview Royal Service villa. When we arrived at the Juan Gomez airport, outside I always find our ... more

My good friend and I stayed at Paradisus Varadero mid April 2024. We stayed in the top level “Royal Service” section. I had previously stayed once before with my wife at Paradisus in the same oceanview Royal Service villa. When we arrived at the Juan Gomez airport, outside I always find our travel rep to let them know we will not be taking the included bus ride with the other travellers to our resort...I always prefer to pay for a taxi. About 40 minutes later we arrived at the Royal Service entrance. David took care of our check-in swiftly. Because we arrived after 9PM the private restaurant was closed, but my friend Mannie who is a manager surprised us with a delicious dinner on the veranda including scampi, sea bass, veggies and wine. Once we settled in to our villas, we took a quick 90 second shuttle over to the main resort, which we frequent most evenings after dinner. The resort lobby is expansive with numerous large comfy couches and sofa tables. A large bar is set in the middle of the lobby, offering a variety of liquors including vodka, gin, tequila, blended scotch, rums, and sweet liqueurs as well. One thing missing for mixed drinks - no sprite/7-Up, just cola and juices. A variety of coffees are also available. Each night to the left of the bar is the theatre with plenty of seating. The resort animation team work double duty as entertainers for each nights’ themed shows, they do a terrific job! Also the resort will once or twice per week feature a special appearance such as magicians and touring groups. These shows are well received and enjoyed by resort patrons. Following the theatre shows party people will go over to the nearby disco for the thumping beats, flashing lights, flowing drinks and late night fun. For our first morning we opted for the Royal Service private restaurant. The restaurant is modernly appointed and comfortable. The Eggs Benedict I use to love ordering with champagne during my first Royal Service stay years ago were no longer offered. Also, the proper menus we use to be handed are now replaced with the menu being recited by your waitress. Regardless, we still enjoyed a delicious omelette with toast and pineapple juice. That morning the usual sides of bacon or sausages were also unavailable. You also have your choice of a variety of breads and pastries to choose from. For any meal sittings throughout the day we never found this restaurant more than half full. Following breakfast we would gather our sunscreen, water and towels and take the shuttle over to the main resort to be dropped off right at the beach, where we chose to spend the day (we aren’t pool people, we have dozens of pools available back home, zero Caribbean Sea and beach back home). As most would expect, the beach is gorgeous. Plenty of palm trees and palapas. From where most beach goers stay at the palapas and palm trees, the walk straight out to the sea is deep with pure white beautiful sand. All kinds of round coral and sea shells to choose from at the water’s edge, with a smooth easy slope into the amazing Caribbean sea. The walk into the sea is comfortable with soft sand bottom and slow shallow slope. Wet your whistle at the nearby beach bar shack. For lunch we would walk up to the main buffet. It is large with plenty of seating to accommodate the many patrons. So many items to choose from, cheeses, breads, lunch meats, fruits, pastries, desserts. Mains include pastas, fresh chicken and fish grilled right in front of you, pizza and much more. Tea, coffee, juices, cola, beer, water. We fill our bellies then back to the amazing beach for some sun, sea, sand and a few Cuban cigars my friend and I indulge in. Around 5PM we would head back to Royal Service, head to the large round 6 person inground jacuzzi tub, and slide in with a glass of champagne and Cuban cigar. The jacuzzi is located just past the Royal Service private swimming pool; the pool is lined with numerous loungers and roofed Bali beds. Pool bar is at the top of the pool area. Our 2 oceanview Villas were steps away from the pool area. From morning until night the entire pool area enjoyed by patrons was always tranquil and quiet, no loud drunk rowdies whatsoever. Following the relaxing jacuzzi, a few steps to our Villa, time to enjoy the glorious outdoor shower, relax and get ready for dinner. For dinner we could choose between our private Royal Reserve restaurant or the a la carte restaurants which include Italian, Cuban, International, Mediterranean, Tex-Mex, Asian-fusion, Japanese (which was closed for repairs). We often opted for our Bellman Royal Service restaurant, but we also tried the Italian and fusion restaurants, all of which were quite good. As seafood lovers we often ate the fish dishes or chicken with a variety of sides. Desserts always good with scrumptious ice creams (try the orange & pineapple!). Following dinner a quick aperitif at our nearby Royal Service bar, then off to the main resort for a theatre show followed by a couple bevies where we would often make new friends while watching live bands ranging from latin salsa to rock classics which had the entire lobby singing and hopping! When most would call it a day, my friend and I opted for a glass of our own single malt scotch from back home along with our final Cuban cigar. Armed with flashlights and long sleeve jerseys we left our Villas and walked one minute to our private beach where we placed our things on a table between us. We attempted to solve the world’s problems usually until 3AM as we watched the beautiful half moon sink into the Caribbean sea, listening to the waves crashing into the breakwater 50 feet in front of us. The excursions we chose included snorkelling at Cayo Coral, amazing day on the sea with catamaran trip to Cayo Blanco, and an all day private guided trip to Havana for some serious cigar shopping and sight-seeing. Our private all day to Havana in a large comfy ’57 Chevy air-conditioned was $180US. We were picked up at 8AM and returned at 7PM in time for a cocktail and dinner. At the end of our very last day, we headed back to the airport on the included large comfy bus along with other tourists. We spent the $50US each for airport VIP which includes a quicker check-in, but specifically access to the private VIP room which includes numerous leather chairs and sofas, free snacks, free adult drinks and closed in glass smoking room. I find it a worthwhile way to spend my last 2 hours in Cuba versus upstairs in the airport’s main area with not so comfortable shoulder-to-shoulder rows of chairs, noise and babies crying with poor air-conditioning. This was my eleventh trip to Varadero, I love Cuba and will indeed return. Yes post covid I’ve noticed a few food items missing, but by far the people, staff, property, beach and sea are still incredible.

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