A young Cuban woman has sparked reactions on TikTok after sharing her personal experience during her first—and only—stay at a hotel in Varadero, where she claims to have experienced a true culinary "disaster."
In a video posted on her account @zol.arias, the creator shares, with laughter and resignation, how, upon arriving at the hotel, she was offered a welcome cocktail, but everything went downhill from there. “At lunchtime, I went and served myself a plate of rice and beans because I didn’t know what to take,” she explained. She confessed that, due to the lack of guidance and clear variety in the buffet, she spent most of her stay eating desserts.
The most amusing—yet revealing—part of his story was the moment he confused a plate of eggplants in sauce with meat. "I thought it was some meat in sauce... I filled that plate with eggplant. Well, it was a disaster," he recounted. Only on the last day did he manage to find the breakfast he wanted: yogurt with cereal and some "arepitas" that reminded him of pancakes.
Although he acknowledges that he has no other hotels to compare it to, his verdict was clear: “I didn’t find it very good because there wasn't much variety... I left with the wrong impression.”
The anecdote has generated dozens of comments, ranging from those who laughed at it to users who shared similar experiences. “Hahaha, I thought I was the only one this happened to,” commented a follower. Another user jokingly said, “On the last day, they bring out the best stuff. It’s happened to me.”
“I want more story time, I love it,” wrote a follower, requesting more stories of this kind. Even @zol.arias herself responded with laughter: “Oh my, that's a total disaster, me in that hotel.”
The young woman's testimony adds to a growing wave of complaints about the conditions in Cuban hotels, even in the most well-known ones in Varadero.
Recently, another influencer demonstrated what it's like to stay at the Palma Real Hotel, considered one of the cheapest three-star hotels in the resort. She paid 16,500 Cuban pesos (about 43 dollars) for one night, thanks to a gift from her followers. Although she rated the room as functional, she acknowledged that the experience was not exactly unforgettable.
Last May, another TikToker exposed the lack of cleanliness and basic services at the Iberostar Bella Costa. User comments highlighted the hotel's decline, outdated decor, and lack of hygiene in key areas such as bathrooms and towels.
Days earlier, a Russian tourist publicly reported her experience at a five-star hotel in Cuba: deteriorating facilities, recycled food from previous days, and even the presence of insects. “They treat tourists like pigs,” she stated.
These testimonies align with the latest data from the National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI), which indicate a hotel occupancy rate below 25% so far this year, and a 27% decrease in tourist arrivals compared to the same period last year.
Meanwhile, the average monthly salary in Cuba is around 6,506 pesos (about 17 dollars at the informal exchange rate), which makes even the most "affordable" hotels unattainable for most Cubans.
Stories like that of @zol.arias, in addition to sparking smiles, reflect a deeper issue: the disconnection between the promotional narrative of tourism in Cuba and the reality experienced by both domestic and foreign visitors.
Frequently asked questions about the hotel experience in Varadero and the tourism crisis in Cuba
What was the young Cuban's experience at the hotel in Varadero?
The young Cuban experienced a "disaster" in dining during her stay at the hotel in Varadero. She reported a lack of guidance at the buffet and ended up mainly eating desserts. Furthermore, she mistook a dish of eggplants in sauce for meat. Her experience reflects broader issues regarding the quality and variety of food in Cuban hotels.
What problems are hotels in Cuba currently facing?
Hotels in Cuba face issues such as a lack of variety and quality in food, deficiencies in service, and insufficient cleanliness. This is compounded by low hotel occupancy, which is below 25%, and a 27% decline in tourist arrivals. The situation is part of a broader crisis in the Cuban tourism sector.
How does the economic situation in Cuba affect tourism?
The economic situation in Cuba significantly impacts tourism due to the scarcity of basic goods, poor service quality, and lack of air connectivity. This has resulted in a crisis in the sector, with empty hotels and a decline in tourist arrivals. State investment prioritizes tourism over essential sectors, which exacerbates the situation.
What do tourists perceive about the hotels in Varadero?
Many tourists perceive hotels in Varadero as lacking in services and food quality. Testimonials from visitors, both domestic and international, highlight issues such as deteriorated facilities and recycled food. This has led to a negative perception and a loss of trust in the tourist destination.
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