6 Best Hotels in Eastern Cuba, Cuba
Santiago de Cuba has a few extraordinary lodgings, from the historic, well-situated Hotel Casa Granda to the postmodern Hotel Meliá Santiago de Cuba. Hidden in the decaying elegance of Vista Alegre are some fine casas particulares, as well as more conventional lodgings. Other cities in the region have only one or two acceptable hotels each.
Top-notch resorts line this sector of the coast. Most of them charge flat, all-inclusive rates. The prices are economical, and the quality of the service and the food is better than average. To the north, Guardalavaca is becoming a haven for Europeans and Canadians. It has a handful of mostly all-inclusive resorts and a few free-standing restaurants and discos. This area offers the perfect beach vacation, and it's a convenient place from which to explore Santiago and Baracoa.
Paradisus Río de Oro Resort & Spa
Located on the Bahía de Naranjo inlet 3 km (2 miles) west of Guardalavaca, this adults-only resort benefits from the luxurious sands of Playa Esmeralda. The setting and the many amenities are the real draws here, as is the five-star service that includes a spa and health center. Activities include a wide variety of nonmotorized sporting facilities and a scuba-diving facility 100 meters from the hotel.
Blau Costa Verde Beach Resort
If you seek a fun-loving, contemporary beach vacation, don't pass up this resort operated by the Canadian Blau chain. By day you can take a dip in one of several lovely swimming pools or follow the boardwalk past protected marshlands to the beach, with its gleaming white sand and clear, shallow waters that are good for snorkeling. At night you can sample daiquiris of any flavor at one of six bars or spend some time dancing at the disco before retiring to your spacious, modern guest quarters. All rooms have a balcony or terrace, with sea or garden views. Ample buffets are included in your rates; there are also two à la carte restaurants.
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Brisas Sierra Mar
High-quality food and service are among this resort's hallmarks. It sits on a bluff overlooking a beach 10 km (6 miles) east of Chivirico. Rooms have top-flight amenities, including air-conditioning and satellite TV. Open terraces and the pool deck overlook the beach and the mountains. In the off-season, discounts are as much as 50%. The resort is undergoing a modeling at this writing; try to snag one of the rooms that are completed.
Hotel Brisas Guardalavaca
Easy access to a white-sand beach, wide-open public spaces, and elegant swimming pools make this resort a solid choice for a relaxing vacation. Rooms—in the original five-story building or in the newer, breezier villas—have tile work and fairly new furnishings. Older rooms in the main building are undergoing renovation at this writing. Nonguests can pay a day charge to use the facilities.