Hotel Barcelo Solymar Beach Resort

I travelled alone ,as a single woman and stayed 7 days, Xmas week 2010 . I payed 1000 $ for a last minute deal and it was worth every cent. I met lots of people leaving before or staying after me that felt equally lucky. I say lucky because that's how one likes to feel when vacationing. Privileged, favoured , charmed, in the groove or on the roll. I truly hit the jack pot when I choose the Barcelo.
I arrived at 11pm to understand that the hotel really never sleeps. 24 hour guarded entrance , reception and bar, surrounded with great discotheques open till 4am. No real disco in the hotel but that was alright because some people come to rest and don't want to hear the loud beat all night long. Classy marble decor, vine leave ivy climbing on wall and relaxing lit waterfalls, spiral stairways leading to the rooms (also elevators) and bistro tables and leather couches set in different places in the majestic lobby for comfort, meeting or intimacy. 24H Internet booths and phones. Pristine landscaping and structured internal roads leading to 2 or 3 different pools and activity areas. Impeccably clean. Spotless. Smells fresh.

Staff is friendly with few exceptions. Bilingual.

Breakfast buffet was lavish and tasty. Egg whites and fruit smoothies are common orders. Lunch areas serve grab-and-go treats and snacks at the beach bar and fresh casual foods like grilled cheese at the poolside café. I saw teens pile up 3 burger steaks and giant hotdogs on their plate and run to the beach with fries and sodas. Evening buffet is colourful, varied and tasty. All day, you can enjoy a world of culinary delights ,eat fish, poultry and meats . The À la carte restaurants (4)were all deliciously refined and presented except for the Italian that was not very different than the buffet pasta or pizza. I, for instance, managed to eat lobster and drink champagne almost every night. The Spanish, the creole, the seafood restaurant serve it on their menu. The Xmas buffet was incredible. I showed my pictures to other vacationers at the airport and they screamed injustice to see what was offered. No one got close to this quality and generosity. Giant mounted pieces of prawns on skewers, stuffed salmon, grilled lobsters, lamb chops and desserts to feel sinful. Exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey. One complaint? Maybe the buffet table wine but I fell on one good vino tinto Xmas eve.

Barcelo provides with sauna and work out room. I hear the quality is checked regularly by mystery guesting of an external inspection service. The staff is mostly bilingual which is appreciated and we get personalized greeting in the rooms with beautiful towel art. The ambiance is worldly, friendly and joyful, the piano bar is a real treat and the lobby bar has talented violinists accompanying your evening espresso or Bailey's Irish cream. All Cubans are talented and educated. It is a pleasure to converse with them. My taxi driver was reading Kierkegaard and we enjoyed exchanging views on just about everything.
The noise level is respected but I must say that a group of 20 year old Canadians (Toronto) allowed themselves to get off track one night and sang real loud with the help of a dozen bottles of Gray Goose vodka they purchased and the open bars all day. They were asked to take the drunken party on the beach which they did immediately after. Don't mess with Cuban authority.
The shows were all amazing. Cubans have talent and discipline. Never seen anything like it. All of them gave me chills, specially Mr. P. , the choreographer and dancer. Next best thing after Michael Jackson. Need I say more? Yes. I had the privilege to meet an exceptional professional, the new manager of Barcelo Solymar and Arenas Blancas, Mr. Gustavo C., who suavely brings with him the European flare of Spain . He is what Cuban resorts need. Passion. Energy. Style and accent on service with class. It’s all there now. Good job!
What is great about Barcelo Solymar is that the amenities are numerous and easy access. Havana, Varadero city, the clubs, the salsa, the grocery stores, the taxis, the flea market,colourful outdoor bazaars. the bus stops. Everything is 5 pesos away. Nice. Very nice.
Other ++ are *Disabled Access ramps, *Sports room*Child program, kid club (u never see the kids) and babysitting,*tennis Courts on Site, Beach &Private Beach,Golfing,Beach volleyball, powdery beach ,boating,catamaran, Ecological Tourism,Fishing,Golf Driving Range, Golfing, Horseback Riding,Jogging & Running, Scuba Diving, Shopping.
I would not hesitate to highly recommend this fabulous resort to anybody who wishes to feel like they struck gold. The perfect get away for no money at all! This hotel offers something for everyone and is unlike anything you’ve ever experienced. You get the picture?

The rooms: Very spacious, good mattress, mini fridge, balcony with views, clean and neat. My room was red and black, not what I would choose but kind of exotic, héhé. Bathroom equipped with functioning shower and bath, toilet and bidet.
I woke up every morning to the far away sounds of horses hoofs which was wonderful and whimsical.