Four major resorts dot the Playa Pilar beach - often heralded as one of the world's best - on the Cayo Guillermo key in northern Cuba. They all share the same idyllic location, three of them boast four-star ratings and two of them are projects of Spanish hotel giant Sol Melia. With so much competition, standards are definitely held in check.
That said, there are a number of ubiquitous expectations most tourists have of a Cuban resort that make the country a favourite amongst travelling Westerners. The Iberostar Daiquiri exceeds these expectations and definitely stands out as the premier resort of Cayo Guillermo.
Price
One of the reasons Cuba is such a popular tourist destination is because its resorts consistently offer lower all-inclusive rates than other Caribbean countries. The Daiquiri is no exception. Averaging a daily rate that's second lowest on the Playa Pilar strip, it has to be considered as one of the best-valued hotels available at four stars. It's very affordable, and not in the "you get what you pay for" way.
The Beach
Outstanding. Spectacular. Incredible. Any complimenting adjective will suffice. Pristine white sand stretches along the entire key, maintained daily by Iberostar's groundskeepers. It's the envy of the entire Caribbean and probably the main reason Cayo Guillermo has emerged as one of Cuba's tourist hot spots. In addition, a 400-km chain of stunning coral reef winds along the ocean floor just a few kilometres off the coast.
Food
The knock on Cuban resorts is that the food is often below par. Maybe, but definitely not at the Iberostar Daiquiri. Everything is prepared fresh daily for two breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets located at opposite ends of the resort. Items are rarely out of stock and the 24-hour snack bar is well-equipped to satisfy any late night desires.
Staff
The Iberostar staff is outstanding and truly care about customer satisfaction. They'll play volleyball with guests one minute and handle personal requests the next. Friendly, attentive and eccentric, they consistently go above and beyond to fulfill every need one may have. Just one small-talk conversation with an Iberostar staff members can enliven one's appreciation of the Cuban spirit.
Special Activies
The resort is fully equipped with amenities: Tennis court, gym, volleyball court, billiards, etc. But the real experience of Cuba comes through extra curricular activities organized by private parties that offer their services openly to hotel guests. Highly recommended are the Catamaran excursion, coral reef snorkelling adventure and day trip to Santiago de Cuba. These mini-trips will cost a little extra, but are definitely worth it.
There's a reason TripAdvisor.com has ranked the Iberostar Daiquiri as the top resort in Cayo Guillermo. It fulfills every expectation and exceeds most, setting a high standard not only amongst Cuban resorts, but all resorts in the Caribbean.
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