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Home
> Destinations > Cuba > Trip Reports > Trip Report
February 19 to March 5, 2002
Introduction
Holguin airport is modern, good sized and not congested. Arrival and processing is handled efficiently. Transfer to the resort is on a modern air conditioned bus with washroom. Beer, water and soft drinks are available onboard for $1.00 The transfer is just under one hour and during daylight it gives you an opportunity to see the countryside, rolling hills, sugar cane fields. The road is in very good shape and is reasonably populated so you get to see how rural Cubans live. LTI Costa Verde, located on Playa Pesquero beach, is two years old and Breezes Costa Verde is next door. Apparently the resort being built next to Breezes will be a Sol Melia and is expected to open at the end of 2002.
Facilities/Accommodations
The LTI's 309 rooms are located in four separate but connected sections. To the right of the lobby entrance you will find the reception and PR desks, tour office and an area where the destination representatives are located while on duty. The lobby is extensive and furnished with lots of comfortable chairs and sofas. Beyond reception is the buffet restaurant (La Arcada). To the far left of the entrance is the lobby bar, an indoor stage area and several gift shops. Three of the four sections of the hotel surround the pool area which also contains the snack bar and two a la carte restaurants (Il Ponticello and La Cascada). The snack bar and a la cartes are open on the sides but are covered with a roof. The rooms are clean and comfortable with two 3/4 beds or one king. All have a balcony or patio. The safe is located in the closet and is $1.50 per day. When you arrive the mini fridge contains two large bottles of water (one regular and one carbonated) but it is not replenished. There is an extra charge to have a stocked bar. The bathrooms are large but do not have a bidet. The door, lights and air conditioning work on the card system......the safe uses a key. There is satellite television with 20 channels, many are English but also German, Italian and Spanish. CNN International is available but is mostly news, weather and sports from Latin America, Europe and Africa.
Food and Bars
The food at this resort exceeded my expectations. There were lots of choices at the buffet and the quality was very good. However, don't leave eating till the last minute as the food tends to deteriorate near the end of the meal period. One thing I did notice was the steam table worked very well and kept the food at a safe temperature. They had a flambe station as well as several other areas for pastas, carved meats, shrimp and salmon. I didn't see lobster, but I think it's available at one of the a la cartes at an extra charge. An excellent selection of desserts and ice cream. I didn't try the a la cartes so I cannot comment on the food but the restaurants are nicely appointed and are open on the sides so you can enjoy the fresh air. Breakfast is available at La Arcada from 7:30am - 10:30am. Lunch: 12:30 - 2:30pm at La Arcada; 12:30 - 2:30pm at Il Ponticello Pizzeria; 10:30am - 4:00pm at the Snack Bar and 12:30 - 2:30pm at the Beach Bar. From 4:00 - 5:00pm coffee, tea, cakes and sandwiches are available at the Snack Bar. Dinner: La Arcada (buffet restaurant) from 6:30 - 9:30pm. A la carte restaurants (reservations required) Il Ponticello (Italian) and La Cascada (Grill) are both open from 7:00 - 10:00pm
This resort has several bars, service is very good and selection is quite reasonable but obviously heavy on the rum. Generic liqueurs such as creme de menthe, irish cream and tia maria are available. I did notice a bottle of Cointreau but supply was not assured. Hours: Lobby Bar: 10:00am until 11:00pm; Pool/Snack Bar - 10:00am to 1:00am; Aqua Bar (shakes and fresh fruit juices) - 10:00am to 5:00pm; Beach Bar - 10:00am to 5:00pm; Discotheque 11:00pm - 2:00am. Cappuccino and Espresso coffee available and quite popular.
Beach and Pool
The beach was my only disappointment. I've been to Varadero twice and the beach and ocean are much better. The beach at LTI has lots of room for everyone and there was never a shortage of lounge chairs. The beach is hard packed ground with a skim of loose sand on top. There is typical sand closer to the ocean but when you hit the water you have to contend with a lot of coral and/or volcanic rock. However, there are areas out further where the bottom becomes sandy. No seaweed was noticed. Although there was a constant breeze (sometimes strong) the water was never rough enough to close it for swimming. They had lots of water craft and most never seemed to be in use. Between the trees and palapas the beach at LTI had lots of areas for shade. The entire beach is less than one mile and after a short walk there is good swimming with a sandy bottom in the area where the new hotel is being built. The pool area is very nice, lots of space with lounge chairs and while the pool is not huge it was certainly big enough for the few who used it.
Activities/Entertainment
This resort has the usual assortment of sports and activities with a dedicated staff to look after your needs. There is a childrens club on the property and when I was there the resort had lots of children of various ages. There is one tennis court and two basketball courts (evening play is extra). They also had a games pavillion with table tennis and billiards. The evening shows were quite good with perhaps one repeat performance during the two weeks I was there. They bring in acts from Holguin City, one night they even had a couple doing selections opera style. On Wednesday night they play Beatles era music and we were told the lead singer is a local surgeon. If you get the right room, you can watch the show from the comfort of your balcony. The stage is very close to the hotel so it's noisy on that side until the shows are over at 11:00pm The lobby bar closes at 11:00pm but the snack bar is open till 1:00am and every night there is a disco at the beach from 11:00pm - 2:00am. One of the highlights has to be the lobby bar. From 3:00 - 11:00pm, six days a week, there is a piano player at the lobby bar. Andreas is a senior citizen with an ever present cigar and can play anything but specializes in old style renderings of popular tunes, it's like something out of Cassablanca!!!! Very nice touch!!!!! Although I didn't go on any excursions they had about 10 available at various costs.
General Impressions
Absolutely no problems with mosquitoes during my visit although I was talking to some guests at Breezes next door and they were loaded with bites. During the two weeks I was at LTI they only sprayed three times.
The main gift shop is a good size. There is a good selection of snack foods like pringles, crackers and biscuits, candy and you can also buy bottled water, juice and soft drinks (Coke is from Mexico). They stock personal care items such as shampoo, sun lotion, soap, deodorant. A separate room has a good selection of liquor (wine and some brand name spirits) in addition to lots of Cuban rum. This same room contains a good but not great selection of cigars. The shops at the Holguin airport have an equal selection and in some cases are cheaper so shop around. There is another shop that stocks handcrafts and CD's but it is not staffed and you have to ask at the main gift shop to get access. Several times a week they bring in local crafts people who sell their wares just outside the buffet restaurant. Be careful if you bring wood products back with you, I bought some beads and was required to have them inspected for insects at Canada Customs. I didn't have any problems with stomach upset or the like. The water is drinkable but they recommend bottled water or from the bars. This doesn't make sense as the water at the bars is the same as from the tap in your room. During the first week there were very short power interruptions that lasted no longer than 30 seconds and they all took place during daylight, however, you might be advised to bring along some small candles just in case.
The staff are very friendly and provide excellent service. I would highly recommend this property and I was totally satisfied with my vacation, expect perhaps for the beach, but it certainly didn't detract from my enjoyment of the resort. I think I got great value for my money.
Thanks to Mike for this trip report ...
March 2002LTI Costa Verde, Holguin
February 19 to March 5, 2002
Introduction
Holguin airport is modern, good sized and not congested. Arrival and processing is handled efficiently. Transfer to the resort is on a modern air conditioned bus with washroom. Beer, water and soft drinks are available onboard for $1.00 The transfer is just under one hour and during daylight it gives you an opportunity to see the countryside, rolling hills, sugar cane fields. The road is in very good shape and is reasonably populated so you get to see how rural Cubans live. LTI Costa Verde, located on Playa Pesquero beach, is two years old and Breezes Costa Verde is next door. Apparently the resort being built next to Breezes will be a Sol Melia and is expected to open at the end of 2002.
Facilities/Accommodations
The LTI's 309 rooms are located in four separate but connected sections. To the right of the lobby entrance you will find the reception and PR desks, tour office and an area where the destination representatives are located while on duty. The lobby is extensive and furnished with lots of comfortable chairs and sofas. Beyond reception is the buffet restaurant (La Arcada). To the far left of the entrance is the lobby bar, an indoor stage area and several gift shops. Three of the four sections of the hotel surround the pool area which also contains the snack bar and two a la carte restaurants (Il Ponticello and La Cascada). The snack bar and a la cartes are open on the sides but are covered with a roof. The rooms are clean and comfortable with two 3/4 beds or one king. All have a balcony or patio. The safe is located in the closet and is $1.50 per day. When you arrive the mini fridge contains two large bottles of water (one regular and one carbonated) but it is not replenished. There is an extra charge to have a stocked bar. The bathrooms are large but do not have a bidet. The door, lights and air conditioning work on the card system......the safe uses a key. There is satellite television with 20 channels, many are English but also German, Italian and Spanish. CNN International is available but is mostly news, weather and sports from Latin America, Europe and Africa.
Food and Bars
The food at this resort exceeded my expectations. There were lots of choices at the buffet and the quality was very good. However, don't leave eating till the last minute as the food tends to deteriorate near the end of the meal period. One thing I did notice was the steam table worked very well and kept the food at a safe temperature. They had a flambe station as well as several other areas for pastas, carved meats, shrimp and salmon. I didn't see lobster, but I think it's available at one of the a la cartes at an extra charge. An excellent selection of desserts and ice cream. I didn't try the a la cartes so I cannot comment on the food but the restaurants are nicely appointed and are open on the sides so you can enjoy the fresh air. Breakfast is available at La Arcada from 7:30am - 10:30am. Lunch: 12:30 - 2:30pm at La Arcada; 12:30 - 2:30pm at Il Ponticello Pizzeria; 10:30am - 4:00pm at the Snack Bar and 12:30 - 2:30pm at the Beach Bar. From 4:00 - 5:00pm coffee, tea, cakes and sandwiches are available at the Snack Bar. Dinner: La Arcada (buffet restaurant) from 6:30 - 9:30pm. A la carte restaurants (reservations required) Il Ponticello (Italian) and La Cascada (Grill) are both open from 7:00 - 10:00pm
This resort has several bars, service is very good and selection is quite reasonable but obviously heavy on the rum. Generic liqueurs such as creme de menthe, irish cream and tia maria are available. I did notice a bottle of Cointreau but supply was not assured. Hours: Lobby Bar: 10:00am until 11:00pm; Pool/Snack Bar - 10:00am to 1:00am; Aqua Bar (shakes and fresh fruit juices) - 10:00am to 5:00pm; Beach Bar - 10:00am to 5:00pm; Discotheque 11:00pm - 2:00am. Cappuccino and Espresso coffee available and quite popular.
Beach and Pool
The beach was my only disappointment. I've been to Varadero twice and the beach and ocean are much better. The beach at LTI has lots of room for everyone and there was never a shortage of lounge chairs. The beach is hard packed ground with a skim of loose sand on top. There is typical sand closer to the ocean but when you hit the water you have to contend with a lot of coral and/or volcanic rock. However, there are areas out further where the bottom becomes sandy. No seaweed was noticed. Although there was a constant breeze (sometimes strong) the water was never rough enough to close it for swimming. They had lots of water craft and most never seemed to be in use. Between the trees and palapas the beach at LTI had lots of areas for shade. The entire beach is less than one mile and after a short walk there is good swimming with a sandy bottom in the area where the new hotel is being built. The pool area is very nice, lots of space with lounge chairs and while the pool is not huge it was certainly big enough for the few who used it.
Activities/Entertainment
This resort has the usual assortment of sports and activities with a dedicated staff to look after your needs. There is a childrens club on the property and when I was there the resort had lots of children of various ages. There is one tennis court and two basketball courts (evening play is extra). They also had a games pavillion with table tennis and billiards. The evening shows were quite good with perhaps one repeat performance during the two weeks I was there. They bring in acts from Holguin City, one night they even had a couple doing selections opera style. On Wednesday night they play Beatles era music and we were told the lead singer is a local surgeon. If you get the right room, you can watch the show from the comfort of your balcony. The stage is very close to the hotel so it's noisy on that side until the shows are over at 11:00pm The lobby bar closes at 11:00pm but the snack bar is open till 1:00am and every night there is a disco at the beach from 11:00pm - 2:00am. One of the highlights has to be the lobby bar. From 3:00 - 11:00pm, six days a week, there is a piano player at the lobby bar. Andreas is a senior citizen with an ever present cigar and can play anything but specializes in old style renderings of popular tunes, it's like something out of Cassablanca!!!! Very nice touch!!!!! Although I didn't go on any excursions they had about 10 available at various costs.
General Impressions
Absolutely no problems with mosquitoes during my visit although I was talking to some guests at Breezes next door and they were loaded with bites. During the two weeks I was at LTI they only sprayed three times.
The main gift shop is a good size. There is a good selection of snack foods like pringles, crackers and biscuits, candy and you can also buy bottled water, juice and soft drinks (Coke is from Mexico). They stock personal care items such as shampoo, sun lotion, soap, deodorant. A separate room has a good selection of liquor (wine and some brand name spirits) in addition to lots of Cuban rum. This same room contains a good but not great selection of cigars. The shops at the Holguin airport have an equal selection and in some cases are cheaper so shop around. There is another shop that stocks handcrafts and CD's but it is not staffed and you have to ask at the main gift shop to get access. Several times a week they bring in local crafts people who sell their wares just outside the buffet restaurant. Be careful if you bring wood products back with you, I bought some beads and was required to have them inspected for insects at Canada Customs. I didn't have any problems with stomach upset or the like. The water is drinkable but they recommend bottled water or from the bars. This doesn't make sense as the water at the bars is the same as from the tap in your room. During the first week there were very short power interruptions that lasted no longer than 30 seconds and they all took place during daylight, however, you might be advised to bring along some small candles just in case.
The staff are very friendly and provide excellent service. I would highly recommend this property and I was totally satisfied with my vacation, expect perhaps for the beach, but it certainly didn't detract from my enjoyment of the resort. I think I got great value for my money.
Thanks to Mike for this trip report ...
March 2002
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