The Cuban content creator La Rose shared a review of the Selectum Family Resort Varadero in which she describes it as one of the worst establishments she has ever visited, sparking an avalanche of reactions from other users who had similar experiences.
The video, labeled as "Part 1", garnered over 60,000 views, 4,158 likes, and 313 comments in less than 24 hours, reflecting the level of identification it generated among those who have stayed at that hotel or at similar establishments in Cuba.
"The famous hotel in Varadero that everyone talks about and promotes so much has been one of the worst hotels I have ever been to in my life," claims the video's author.
He arrived at noon and had to wait until three in the afternoon to get a room because the hotel does not offer early check-in, even for a fee.
"I changed rooms more than three times, I could never shower at the beach, and let's not even talk about the food."
In the first room, the minibar contained only water. Upon checking the bathroom, he found maintenance issues and even a leak from the ceiling.
At the snack bar, the only drink available was Zuko soda (instant), and the food was limited to tuna and chicken sandwiches, which, according to her, she left "practically intact" due to the poor quality of the bread.
"I guess that since I can't eat, at least I can get drunk," he joked as he headed to the bar, where he did find a variety of drinks.
The only positive aspect he found in the hotel was the customer service, which he rated a perfect 10 out of 10.
The comments on the post reveal a recurring pattern. A user who claimed to be at the hotel at the time of the post wrote: "I'm here right now and nothing works, they promised one thing and this is the complete opposite."
Another person recounted their visit about 15 days ago: "The buffet was a mess, not to mention that the beer was warm and they cut off the electricity from 8 in the morning until 6 in the afternoon."
However, those who visited the same hotel two years ago have a radically different perception.
"I went two years ago and it was spectacular... Literally the best I had ever been to. The food was luxurious... The rooms and everything else were excellent," wrote a user, adding: "It's a pity that it costs so much and is now so bad."
Several comments suggest a different treatment based on the guest's nationality. “I’ve been several times across different seasons and I've come to the conclusion that I believe it has to do with summer, when most guests are Cubans, and Cubans receive a different kind of treatment... I’ve gone in seasons when there are only tourists and the service is 10/10,” noted another user.
Other Cuban women have shared negative experiences at hotels in Varadero in previous months, and Spanish tourists have also reported the poor quality of food at similar establishments.
The decline is occurring in the context of a deep crisis in the tourism sector in Cuba. The hotel occupancy rate fell to 21.5% in 2026, with more than eight out of ten rooms empty, leading chains to implement discounts of up to 25% in an attempt to fill vacancies.
The author of the video promised a second part with more details about what happened during her stay, and one user has already hinted at the tone of what's to come: "No one has any idea of the number of videos you have in that hotel gallery; what they've seen here is just the tip of the iceberg."
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