Blau Varadero Resort in Cuba?

Question

I'm travelling to Cuba for the first time and I just had a few questions in regards to this hotel in particular if anyone could help me.

When tipping the housekeeping staff/maids, what do you leave or how much money? Do you leave them a note? In english or Spanish?

Does anyone know what time the pool is open?

Is it safe to be out on the beach at night?

What kind of activities, shows or day trips are available?

If anyone has any other advice, or if you can answer any of these questions I would really appreciate it! Thank you in advance for you help :)

Answer 1

what i do with the housekeeper's there is I tell the lady, "anything on this table (random table in the room) is yours to keep."  then I put stuff there every day before i leave the room.  I rarely leave money, good stuff to leave is clothes, hair clips, gum, razors, nail polish.  just look in your house or goto the dollar store.  day trips: jeep safari (good trip), Deep Sea Fishing (good if you like fishing) it's 4 people to a boat you have to rent out the whole boat $290.  the Catameran is the best trip it cost 100 but you go on a big catameran boat drink and party on the boat, you go snorkleing the you swin with dolphines then they take you to a private island and you party the sand is like flower you have lobster lunch (or chicken if you don't like lobster) then party on the boat and go back home,  really good trip.  there also the topicana show you can see it in varadero or havana, havana is better, you can do a trip which includes staying over night in havana.  It's safe to be anywhere at night, the beach the town, the night club. HAVE FUN!!!

Answer 2

I stayed at the Blau Varadero resort in January and had a wonderful time.

Two days before we left the maid wrote us a note in English saying if we had anything we didn't need that she could use it...we wrote back thanking her and left toiletries and things like that, which most of our friends did as well. We didn't leave any money but I'm sure even a few peso's would be greatly appreciated.

I think i recall the pool opening at 7am.

I wouldn't go to the beach too late at night...it is very dark and there are no lights...it's also a public beach.

They list all the acivities they will be holding on the walls by the elevators (which are very slow if it is busy so you will have lots of time to read up haha) I didn't really do any of that but I know they had dance and yoga classes, water areobics, spanish lessons, magic shows etc. On the beach they have paddle boats, kayaks for free! Those were my favorite.

The trips i went on were swimming with the dolphins and the catamaran snorkeling trip to cayo blanco. I would recommend both. The Delfinario and the marina were VERY close to the Blau which i found great (short travel time).  I really loved the catamaran trip, they provide you with snorkeling gear, and lunch on the beautiful white sandy island. They also have free drinks and offer amazing lobster tail for 10 pesos (i think) on the boat. The punch was delicious. Definitely worth the money which i recall only being around 80$.

They also offered jeep safari's, day and overnight trips to havana, deep sea fishing(expensive) and some others. The morning after you arrive your vacation company holds a little get together in the piano bar and tells you all about them and pretty much anything else you need to know.

Other advice :BRING SNACKS!!haha. The food is not too bad. I really liked the pasta they made for you with your sauce and noodle of choice. But if you get hungry between meals your only option is a rather bland grilled sandwich at the beach bar which is open 24/7.

Maybe bring your own beach towels..they only allow you one clean one a day. and don't lose one or your little piece of paper because you'll get charged.

The cigars at the hotel shop are acutally cheaper than the ones we found in town...go figure. The ones at the airport were even cheaper!

I would also reccomend bringing a battery powered alarm clock! There are no clocks anywhere and I was always losing track of time because i left my watch at home for safekeeping.

Try the miami vice drink! It was my favorite.

If you have any other questions I'd be glad to answer them. I really hope you have as much fun as I did at the Blau!!! Good luck.

**We went to a club called La Rumba on New Years Eve and it was awesome. It was only about a 7 peso cab ride away.