Neighbor leaves for a week in Cuba tomorrow

johnkitchens

paqman said:

johnkitchens said:

@paqman was it a good trip?

@johnkitchens Best trip ever. We stayed at the Paradisus Varadero which is one of the two 5 stars hotels in the area.  A 5 star in Cuba is a 4 star at best in my standards (and maybe 3).  We usually don't care for the room because we spend all the time at the beach or in the pool.  However, the air conditioning gave up and after SWMBO complained to a random guy in the lobby (who happened to be the general manager), I managed to negotiate and upgrade in the royal service section (which is an hotel within he hotel with private pool/bar/restaurant).  We are kinda glad that the AC gave up because the royal service upgrade exceeded all my expectations.  I'll post something tomorrow with pictures.

That sounds nice. I have always wanted to go. I look forward to your pictures. 

JethroVA

Rum.  I have smuggled several bottles.  Well worth it. Although my children were not happy about being my mules.  

U_tarded

paqman said:

johnkitchens said:

@paqman was it a good trip?

@johnkitchens Best trip ever. We stayed at the Paradisus Varadero which is one of the two 5 stars hotels in the area.  A 5 star in Cuba is a 4 star at best in my standards (and maybe 3).  We usually don't care for the room because we spend all the time at the beach or in the pool.  However, the air conditioning gave up and after SWMBO complained to a random guy in the lobby (who happened to be the general manager), I managed to negotiate and upgrade in the royal service section (which is an hotel within he hotel with private pool/bar/restaurant).  We are kinda glad that the AC gave up because the royal service upgrade exceeded all my expectations.  I'll post something tomorrow with pictures.

Nice we are heading to Paradisus Punta Cana next week.  I assume it's the same hotel group (Melita).  I need to ad Cuba to the list.

paqman

@U_tarded It is the same Spanish hotel chain, Melia.  I am not sure what the hotel in Punta Cana looks like but for Cuba, going forward, I would only stay in the Royal Service section.  We were disappointed with the regular rooms.  The Royal Service is an hotel within the hotel.  Food in Cuba is not terrible.  However, in the Royal Service section, we were eating almost better than at home; good meat, good cheeses, good wine.  The first night, I asked for a good glass of rum with no ice; the barman opened a 150$ bottle just for me (I was kinda generous with tip).

U_tarded

paqman said:

@U_tarded It is the same Spanish hotel chain, Melia.  I am not sure what the hotel in Punta Cana looks like but for Cuba, going forward, I would only stay in the Royal Service section.  We were disappointed with the regular rooms.  The Royal Service is an hotel within the hotel.  Food in Cuba is not terrible.  However, in the Royal Service section, we were eating almost better than at home; good meat, good cheeses, good wine.  The first night, I asked for a good glass of rum with no ice; the barman opened a 150$ bottle just for me (I was kinda generous with tip).

Perfect all the Yelp rievews look good and we did book the royal service we learned that one after our first trip there.  I'm pretty excited the resort has a premium restaurant that is supposedly owned by a guy from Spain with a few Michelin stars under his belt from one of his other places.  We will probably go because that is the closest I will ever get to that level of food.