Tag: Cuba

Recent government sources from the island have unveiled the countrys intention to build a further 24,000 hotel rooms in order to keep up with growing demand from increasing tourism to the island. With the popularity of Cuba holidays increasing rapidly every year the island has experienced a boom in tourism arrivals, with tourism figures growing every year.

In 2011 the island welcomed around 700,000 more visitors indicating a substantial growth of 7.3 per cent more travellers enjoying holidays in Cuba last year. This figure is expected to keep growing in 2012 and see further growth in the coming years. In addition to the regular tourism markets in Europe and Canada responsible for sending the largest number of tourists to the island, other source markets are emerging, with Russian and South American travellers now leading the way for growth. To cope with the expected ongoing growth the islands tourist infrastructure needs to expand considerably and it is for this reason that tourism officials have decided to start construction plans on new Cuba hotels in order to cater for the increased flow of tourists arriving to the island.

Cubas Vice Minister of Tourism, Alexis Trujillo, has confirmed that the building of these new hotel rooms is being funded by foreign and Cuban investment. He also confirmed that the island plans to increase the diversity of Cubas tourism product with the 13 new golf courses planned, all of which are in different stages of negotiation talks at the moment, as are the construction of new theme parks to spring up around the whole island.

Regarding foreign investment, Mr Trujillo explained that of the currently existing 58,000 hotel rooms in Cuba, 6000 belong to 30 companies of mixed ownership (divided ownership between Cuban capital and foreign capital) and they await further Cuba hotels to be constructed by these kind of consortia companies.

During a press conference called in the occasion of Pope Benedict XVI to Cuba, Trujillo highlighted the increase of foreign tourist arrivals to the island over the last few years, whose figures have experienced an average growth of 10.5 per cent since 1990.

Formerly known as the Sirenis Cayo Santo Maria, the luxury property previously owned by the Spanish hotel chain has now passed hands to the Gaviota hotel group, a Cuban state owned hotel group which has been progressively taking over the resort in the last couple of months.

Now renamed as the Gaviota Playa Cayo Santa Maria, the former Sirenis property has been undergoing several updates and renovations while still operating as normal and welcoming visitors as usual. With the management transfer from one hotelier to the other has being carried out in the background, the changes have gone almost unnoticed to visitors as most guests enjoying Cuba holidays at the luxurious and modern Cayo Santa Maria resort have noticed virtually no disturbance.

Officially re-launched under Gaviota’s brand name, the newly revamped Gaviota Playa Cayo Santa Maria boasts some of the most amazing swimming pools to be found in the whole of Cuba, each beautifully landscaped with extensive freeform designs and additional water mirrors that create a stunning effect.

Boasting a refreshing collection of 769 elegantly appointed and modern guest rooms, ranging from standard double rooms, ocean view rooms and luxury suites, accommodation at the Gaviota Playa Cayo Santa Maria is comfortable and inviting. Providing travellers with fantastic all inclusive holidays in Cuba’s northern Santa Maria Key, the resorts’ wide range of facilities include a wide variety of restaurants with varying dining options to choose from, an array of water sports and entertainment activities as well as live music shows, a Baby Club for the youngest guests, a state-of-the-art gym and a relaxing spas for those in need of pampering and indulgence.

Officially rated as a 4-star Plus category resort, this vast hotel complex located at the popular Cuban holiday destination of Cayo Santa Maria, a small key situated in the northern coast of the central city of Villa Clara, offers guests with sweeping sea views and direct access to a stunning stretch of narrow beach.

If looking for a little culture or for somewhere else to do beyond the resort’s boundaries, the hotel’s great location means that guests will never have to wander off too far to find tourist attractions. The nearby town of Caibarien is within a short taxi ride and boasts a good selection of restaurants, bars, shops and culturally-enriching attractions of historical value. A stay in Cayo Santa Maria doesn’t have to be all about sun and beach, as from this fascinating location guests can also get to enjoying some enriching cultural Cuba holidays.

Blue Diamond Hotels and Resorts has added a new hotel in Cuba to its portfolio with the scheduled launch of the Memories Varadero Beach Resort this May. The luxury four-star resort will open its doors to tourists taking Cuba holidays on 1st May, 2012 after the property was refurbished and rebranded.

Formerly known as the Sirenis La Salina, the property has 1,035 rooms and suites and it is situated on one of the most beautiful beaches in Varadero, Cuba. Memories Varadero Beach Resort offers plenty of activities for the younger guests to enjoy throughout their holidays to Cuba including a Kids Club and Baby Club, two children’s swimming pools and daily entertainment.

Facilities and activities at the all inclusive hotel include three tennis courts, a spa and salon, a disco, Jacuzzi, two adults swimming pools, fitness centre, multi-sport court, beach volleyball, and watersports such as windsurfing, pedal-boating, snorkelling, scuba diving, and catamaran cruises.

Guests can upgrade to Diamond Club, which offers a personalised check-in/check-out service, including early check-in and late check-out; private access to the Diamond VIP Lounge; an exclusive beach area with beach butler service; and a dedicated concierge service.

The hotel boasts eight gourmet restaurants with a wide range of international cuisine such as Italian, Creole, Mexican, and Japanese, and there are eight bars and lounges where visitors can enjoy a refreshing cocktail or fruit juice.

Varadero Beach is situated in the province of Matanzas on the Hicacos Peninsula on the north coast of the Caribbean island of Cuba. The region is one of the most popular destinations for holidays in Cuba with more than 20km of pristine white sand beaches and several luxury beachfront Cuba hotels.

The area features beautiful natural landscapes include the Bellamar Caves and idyllic virgin cays and during holidays in Varadero, travellers can go scuba diving and snorkelling in the turquoise crystal-clear water; sailing and deep sea fishing; play golf against the backdrop of the sparkling ocean; and take excursions to explore Cardenas City.

The beach resort is a great place for a family holiday in Cuba with an array of museums, white sand beaches, and parks and fun attractions including the Delfinario, a natural pool for dolphins.

Blue Diamond Hotels and Resorts operates several all inclusive resorts across the Caribbean and Latin America under “Memories Beach Resorts” and “Royalton Luxury Resorts” brands.

Four hotels in Cuba have recently been honoured with receiving the Primo Awards 2011, in recognition of their exceptional facilities and services and awarded by German tour operator Neckermann Reizen, one of Germanys most important travel companies and part of the Thomas Cook travel group, among the largest in the world.

The awarded Cuba hotels were located in three of the islands most popular tourist hotspots and beach resorts, with two winning hotels in Guardalavaca, one in Varadero and one in the pristine key of Cayo Santa Maria, an exclusive beach resort growing in popularity among travellers seeking a more paradisiacal Cuba holiday experience in an isolated key that is still connected to the mainland by a causeway. The awarded Varadero hotel was the Iberostar Varadero, the Melia Las Dunas was the awarded resort in Cayo Santa Maria while the proud receivers of the award in Guardalavaca were the ultra-romantic Paradisus Rio de Oro and the secluded, peaceful and serene Playa Pesquero.

All of the Cuba hotels awarded were five-star all inclusive resorts and they received this latest German recognition for the high quality of service they offered to guests staying at said properties during luxury Cuba holidays on the beach and the outstanding level of customer care they received during their relaxing holidays in Cuba at three of the islands most popular resorts for gentle recreation under the sun.

The Neckermann awards are bestowed upon one hundred hotels worldwide, depending on the ranking they receive by customers of the travel company, who score higher points to their preferred hotels. The award-winning hotels in Cuba mentioned above were among the 10 best hotels of the 20 long-distance, meaning those located in countries with more than six hours of flight from Germany.

For decades the 20-kilometre-long beach stretch of Varadero has been attracting millions of holidaymakers seeking pristine beach getaways with modern comforts and outstanding hotels with modern facilities and superior service. Varadero hotels have for long enjoyed the status as one of the island’s best but after efforts made by Cuban authorities to open up new resorts and develop them for the international tourist market, now holidaymakers have started to look at new upcoming beach resorts like Guardalavaca and Cayo Santa Maria, promising outstanding accommodation and unique experiences. The luxury all inclusive, adults-only Paradisus Rios de Oro in Guardalavaca, for example, has started 2012 on a great note, after also winning the coveted title of “Travelers’ Choice 2012 Winner” by travel community TripAdvisor. Likewise the Iberostar Varadero was also declared this year’s TripAdvisor winner in the same category as Varadero’s number one choice for travellers.

The Playa Pesquero on the other hand is a totally secluded eco-friendly haven, set on a protected stretch of Playa Pesquero beach, near the Naranjo Bay National Park and set amidst thriving flora and fauna. Having been awarded several times in recognition of their green efforts as well as conservation and environmental protection, this exceptional eco-village ranks high on the list of eco-concerned travellers seeking eco-friendly holiday experiences in Cuba. The Melia Las Dunas on the other hand, has for long been a favourite among travellers visiting the virginal Cayo Santa Maria key. It distinguishes itself by providing top-notch all inclusive service and a large number of quality facilities for guests of all ages and families while enjoying a premium idyllic setting right on the beach.

Neckermann has been operating in the Cuba holidays market since 1992. Senior Product Manager for Africa, Caribbean and Latin America of Neckermann, Roland Junker, said that the tour operator “has witnessed the rapid development of the tourism industry of the island and the growth of the flow of travelers from Germany and other European nations to the Caribbean country.”