The Cuban content creator Adriana Lorenzo published an Instagram reel featuring a bittersweet review of her stay at the Hotel Playa Vista Azul in Varadero, a five-star resort managed by the Gaviota Business Group, controlled by the Cuban Armed Forces.
The first thing that stood out was the physical appearance of the establishment: “I really liked the facilities; the hotel feels welcoming, well-maintained, and the pools were spectacular, especially the infinity pool, which was my favorite spot in the hotel.” The staff's treatment also received praise: “Everyone was very friendly and attentive.”
However, the general buffet was the weakest point of the experience. "The variety was limited and the options were few," admitted the creator.
As for the food, the young woman only found one noteworthy exception in the hotel's Caribbean cuisine restaurant: "The food was delicious, the dishes were very well presented, and honestly, it deserves a 10 out of 10."
Although the overall assessment was not negative, Adriana was clear in her conclusion: "Overall, my experience was not bad, but the quality of the food did not meet expectations. For that reason, personally, I would not return."
The comments from those who watched the video reinforced that diagnosis with humor and resignation. One follower wrote that "everything was based on Zuko soda and ham sandwiches."
Another internet user directly recommended: "Go to the specialized restaurants, my people." A person who had just checked into the same hotel complained about the bad taste of all the foods that contained flour.
In June 2026, another Cuban reported long lines, sold-out pastries, and shortages of cheese, ham, eggs, and tortillas in the buffet of the same Hotel Playa Vista Azul, with prices that could approach 1,000 dollars per stay.
Other Cubans have spent between 315 and 326 dollars on hotels in Varadero and have described the experience as disappointing, primarily due to the food.
The recurring complaint in multiple reviews from 2025 and 2026 remains the same: positively rated facilities and beach, friendly staff, but a poor and repetitive buffet.
This phenomenon occurs in the context of the severe economic crisis that Cuba is experiencing, which affects the food supply even in high-end tourist facilities. The Hotel Playa Vista Azul, with 501 rooms and three pools, has a rating of 4.3 out of 5 on Tripadvisor based on more than 6,800 reviews.
The question with which Adriana opened her video — "Is it worth staying in a hotel in Varadero right now?" — still lacks a simple answer, and each new review circulating on social media adds nuances to a debate that seems to have no end.
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