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Home
> Destinations > Cuba > Trip Reports > Trip Report
July 6 - 13, 2003
The MacKenzies, Kingston, ON
Definite 4 star plus resort. 45 minute drive from Varadero Airport. Tucked away between Varadero and Havana. The beautiful Jibacoa Mountains as a backdrop, this adults only resort is beautifully laid out with well-organized staff. The food is well prepared and of excellent quality. We visited at a time when the resort was only half full and the buffet was probably not as extensive as in the winter months; i.e. salad selection was limited but there was always a choice of seafood, meat or chicken at each meal. The beach bar served tasty snacks until 6pm like chicken, pizza, hotdogs, hamburgers and fries. They also made a drink called the chocolate monkey..very nice with fresh bananas, chocolate ice cream, and a splash of rum. The beach was beautiful with lots of shade and loungers available.
There were kayaks and two hobie cats for booked 30 minute rides with Manuel when the wind was up. I recommend beach shoes for swimming. There is a coral reef just offshore with good snorkeling but you must first swim over a weed bed and then an area of dead coral before reaching the reef wall but well worth the swim. It is located offshore to the right of the beach bar. The swimming pool was massive and we had fun playing basketball.
The entertainment on nice weather days was on stage near the pool at 9:30 pm. The best show of the week is performed under black lights and it is a musical re-creation of the history of Cuba. The costumes are amazing. We would often go for a midnight swim after the show and then to the Jacuzzi for a massage in the hot bubbles. Our beautiful room was located on the second floor of building #7 which the balcony overlooked the wedding gazebo in the middle of the beautifully kept gardens. The gazebo is surround by a moat containing goldfish. We watched a wedding from our balcony one afternoon. It was lovely. The a la cartes are elegant - especially Martinos, the Italian 6 course meal. The beach grill served lobster, pork chops, and chicken. The main buffet had theme nights. I
especially liked International night with its Canadian hip of beef and Mexican night gave you the tastes and feel of Mexico for sure.
The staff are all happy, bubbly and make you feel so welcome. For all you scuba divers....the diving is completely free every day. If you are a novice, they will test you in the pool, give you instruction and then take you to a shallow dive if you are willing located just offshore.
Many side trips are offered as well. For a trip to Havana in a 1956 Chevy, speak to the bartender at the lobby bar. If you arrange it on his day off, he is an excellent guide and the price...1/2 what the arranged tours are. The piano bar after the disco is fun. The pianist can play anything. A totally wonderful holiday. We met so many nice people from the UK and Canada.
A definite "must return" resort.
Thanks to The MacKenzies for this trip report ...
July 2003
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