Santa Maria Strand

Barbara is absolutely fantastic! The resort's food and staff are incredible. The beach area is spacious and the water is crystal clear. There are also numerous water activities available. The overall experience exceeded our expectations.

I had a fantastic time at Dhawa during my vacation. The staff made me feel right at home, and the food was incredibly delicious and diverse. I have absolutely no complaints about this resort. I will definitely return because of the high quality of the beach, the various activities available, and the exceptional service.

Positives: - This beach is absolutely stunning with its crystal-clear blue waters and pristine white sand. - The architecture of the resort is breathtaking, giving off a luxurious vibe. The large pools and beautiful greenery make it feel like a paradise. I want to give a special shoutout to the kind and hardworking elderly gardeners who keep this place looking so amazing. They truly deserve blessings. - The majority of the staff are friendly and attentive, providing excellent service. - I highly recommend booking the Jeep Safari excursion for an unforgettable experience. Negatives: - The wifi here is extremely unreliable, constantly going in and out. - The staff could benefit from more English language training in order to better assist guests. - Unfortunately, the toilet in our room was heavily stained and had flushing issues. However, the maid was very sweet and did her best to accommodate us. It's disappointing to encounter such issues in a supposed "5-star" hotel. - We experienced difficulties with our room key card multiple times. - The food lacked flavor and variety for the most part. - The nightly entertainment was quite underwhelming, resembling an elementary school talent show. However, the karaoke was decent. It seems like they made an effort, but it fell short. Overall, despite the resort's beauty, I wouldn't consider it a true 5-star hotel. There are numerous areas that need improvement.

Cayo Santa Maria: Sun, Sand... and a Stomach Bug (Fingers Crossed it's Isolated) Okay, let's be real, 18 trips to Cuba means I've seen a thing or two. So, venturing to Cayo Santa Maria was like checking out a new chapter in my Cuban adventure book. Here's the lowdown: Beach: Picture-perfect! White sand, turquoise water, a total postcard come to life. I could have planted myself there and soaked up the rays forever (if it weren't for the... you'll see). Pool: Gorgeous, too. But here's the thing: towel bandits. Tourists staking out their spots before the sun even peeks over the horizon, leaving towels unattended for hours on end. It's a common beachside annoyance, but this was next-level frustrating. Come on, folks, share the sunshine! Rooms: Modern, comfy, and bug-free, hallelujah! Hot water on demand? Score! My spot in block 2 wasn't the closest to the action, but hey, peace and quiet was a nice trade-off. Unless you're a light sleeper - then maybe request block 3 or 4. A rogue soundtrack from another hotel seemed to have migrated into our rooms, but hey, free entertainment, right? Service: Cuban hospitality in full swing. Sure, sometimes it might be a little laid-back, but that's the whole island vibe, right? Relax, smile, and go with the flow. The bartenders were friendly, the cleaners kept things spotless, and the restaurant staff... well, they were either all over you or nowhere to be found. But hey, I found food, the drinks kept flowing, and that's what matters. Food: Not gourmet, but tasty. Pizza for the first few days? Yes, please! Stir-fry lines a tad long, but worth the wait. Buffet always offered something to fill my belly, although the grill-fresh options were definitely a step up. Now, here's the not-so-sunny part: food poisoning. Yep, me and about 5 out of 8 of my travel buddies got hit with a case of the grumbles. Not cool, Santa Maria. Heard similar stories from other guests, too. But hey, let's hope it was a one-off blip, because... Entertainment: The crew brought the energy! Once they arrived (seemed like half my trip they were on break?), these guys kept everyone entertained, from kids to grandparents. I was a bit too under the weather to join in on the fun, but watching everyone else having a blast was a joy in itself. Special shout-out to Jose Alain - calm, friendly, and always down for a chat. He brightened our days, even amidst the stomach woes. Overall: Cayo Santa Maria was a beautiful escape with some kinks to iron out. Beach and pool, check. Service with a smile, check (mostly). Food? Well, let's just say I packed some Pepto-Bismol for my next trip. But hey, the sunshine, the good vibes, and Jose Alain's infectious good mood almost make up for the dodgy digestion. Just a heads-up, fellow Cuba lovers! So, would I recommend Cayo Santa Maria? Absolutely! But pack your Pepto just in case, and definitely don't tolerate those towel bandits. Now, excuse me while I go chase the sunset (and maybe some Imodium).

This small resort is absolutely amazing! The people here deserve 5+ stars, they truly make this place special. My family and I recently had a fantastic vacation here and we just left feeling absolutely thrilled. I want to give a special shout out to Yordan and Armando at the pool bar. These guys work incredibly hard, always with a big smile on their faces. We never had any trouble finding something delicious to eat! The variety of cuisine available was always impressive. Personally, I loved the omelet station. The quality of a vacation greatly depends on the open-mindedness with which you approach it. Unfortunately, I encountered a few individuals and read some reviews from people who simply don't understand life. It's important to remember that Cuba is a third world country that is doing their best. I want to express my gratitude to Dhawa for providing us with such an amazing vacation.