In the midst of the worst tourism crisis that Cuba has faced in decades, a content creator identified as @yiselllage posted a video on TikTok on Tuesday, July 7, posing a question that many are asking: Is it worth paying for a hotel in Cuba given everything that is happening?
The hotel in question is the Sol Palmeras, a four-star resort managed by Meliá Cuba, located right on the beach in Varadero, which reopened on July 1, 2026 after four months of closure for repairs and renovations.
"The hotel recently reopened, and the rooms have been remodeled; they actually feel clean, comfortable, and more modern than I expected," stated the Cuban in her video, which gathered over 5,000 views in just a few days.
The renovations at Sol Palmeras included the main pool with new tiles and inclusive access, a second pool with tiles and underwater lights, restoration of the lobby dome, gardens with new grass, and the installation of backup generators in the bungalow area.
Regarding the buffet —the aspect that concerns those considering staying on the island— @yiselllage was straightforward: "I found quite a variety: there were shrimp, different types of beef in sauce and grilled, pork leg, beans, bacon, and for the kids, there was always pizza and spaghetti."
The only negative observation was that the miniclub, although repaired, was not operational at the time of their visit.
Regarding the beach, their assessment was straightforward: "Varadero does not disappoint."
His conclusion was decisive: "For me, this is one of the best hotels; I recommend it a hundred percent. I hope it remains the same when you come."
The positive testimony contrasts with the situation that other visitors have documented in hotels in Varadero: buffets with hardly any chicken, rice, and cabbage; bread with weevils; waits of up to two hours for service; broken air conditioning; and rooms with mold and bedbugs in establishments like Barceló Solymar and Kawama.
@yiselllage's experience also contrasts with that of Cayo Santa María, a destination where she herself acknowledged having had "a bitter experience," and in 2026, witnessed how the state-owned company Gaviota S.A. closed 20 hotels, leaving more than 7,000 workers unemployed.
The overall context of Cuban tourism is devastating. Between January and April 2026, the island received only 328,608 international tourists, a decline of 55.8% compared to the same period in 2025. The accumulated hotel occupancy plunged to 21.5%, with periods falling below 10%, which means more than eight out of every ten rooms were empty. It is projected that Cuba will close 2026 with fewer than one million visitors, its worst record since the pandemic.
In this context, the reopening of Sol Palmeras —with actual renovations and an experience that at least one visitor describes as positive— sparks the debate: is tourism in Cuba still viable for those who decide to invest in a newly renovated hotel, or is it merely a singular exception amid the widespread collapse of the island's tourism infrastructure?
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