Just read on another forum that the building works on the "Santa Maria" is to begin on May 10/06 and is expected to be completed by November/06. Anyone able to confirm this information?

Gardengal

We are booked for the PRDO and are going in June. I caught wind of this building work and sent an email to the hotel and this is the response:

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Dear Paul:

Greetings from Paradisus Rio de Oro.

We will be undertaking the construction of a new beach ranchon from May 10th till November 10th.

It is foreseen for its initial phase to last 40 days and therefore up to June 19th.This stage is the one that could cause most nuisances. While these works are being carried out, in its initial phase the already existing beach ranchon will remain closed. Clients will have the possibility of enjoying both snack bars located at the beach on Sol Rio de Luna y Mares section, as well as the rest of the gastronomic offers at the Paradisus Rio de Oro.

Playa Esmeralda beach wont be affected. Anyway, to avoid all nuisances because of disturbing noices, our clients can enjoy this beautiful beach in the contiguous Sol Rio de Luna de Mares area. We also would like to remind you that clients may access to Caleticas beaches from the hotel, which directly access from the hotel's been already open and service of cold drinks will be offered too. We will offer as added value the opportunity to enjoy the new pool of the SPA that will be open to all the clients.

While this construction's been carried we'll try to locate all our clients as faraway from the construction area as possible, depending on availability.

Due to all this situation we'll do our best to lodge our clients as faraway from the construction area as possible.

Please, anything I can do for you dont you ever hesitate to contact me.

Best regards,

Sales Executive/Ejecutivo Comercial
Sol Melia / Playa Esmeralda
Holguín / Cuba
Tel: 53 24 30090
Fax: 53 24 30095
E-mail: ventas2.pro@solmeliacuba.com
http://www.solmeliacuba.com

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So work is definitely going ahead and the worst of it will be just before we get there, I hope! We were at the PRDO last February and are going back with my parents-in-law and we are now in two minds about whether to change our booking to somewhere else.

Hope this helps,
Paul.

*Edit to remove name of sender. Pippy*

We are there from the end of June and would like to know from those of you who have been before, and know the set up of the hotel and location of the building work they are talking about.

Is it something we should be worried about? Is it likely to affect our holiday in a big way or is the area avoidable??????????

Barbara where they are working will be next to the walkway down to the beach which is within a few yards of the pool i think if there is any noise going on it will disturb the perfect peace you normally have there, i can`t see it affecting any rooms though. We were going to go back this year but have decided on the cayos until all the work is complete.

None of the rooms are in the immediate vicinity of the beach restaurant so you should not be affected in your room. The "noise" of the running water from one level of pool to the other should be enough to disguise anything going on at the beach where the level is significantly lower. we have visited 6 monthly throughout the spa construction and have never been affected and it is a much bigger project. The beach is easily large enough to escape the noise on. The biggest thing that will be a disadvantage is the fact thatyou will miss out on a beautiful restaurant.

I will not be cancelling my July visit, 6th time in 3 years

thanks Durhamlass that makes me feel much better.

We are there until 13 July, will you be there then?

Barbara L

we actually get there on 13th July, we will pass in the airport!

Hi ... just to let you know how much we love the food, service and over-all pampering of this resort... we have decided that we are definitely going for our 4th time, to the Paradisus Rio de Oro in November.... even if the construction works are still ongoing ( you know how quick the Spa was finished! LOL ).
We wouldn't want to go anywhere else, and risk being disappointed

Hello,
We're just back from Paradisus Rio de Oro and I have to say I found it hard to fault this resort hotel. My only quibble would have been that I think they should have kept the beach bar open until just after sunset... but that's academic if they're rebuilding it soon.

I am sure that the people who run PRDO will ensure that your holidays there are still fantastic while the building work is going on. The pool is huge, so plenty of room there... and the entire beach is big, too - when you take into account the Caleticas ("private beaches") and the Luna/Mares beachfront.

We ate at the pool bar for lunch on most days - the menu there was excellent and the pizzas are fab! As are the salads and sandwiches. I'm quite critical (in a constructive way!) of my trips, and I really would struggle to fault the PRDO. Especially having spent the week before touring the West of Cuba, and seeing how some of the people live (and living on a diet of chicken/pork, rice and beans ).

Go there! And enjoy!!!

Hi Rosie

I'm glad you enjoyed your holiday, you seem to be very pleased with the hotel

If you haven't done so already, please can you add your review HERE?

Many thanks.

Pippy

Hi all,

Great thread and some interesting comments/tips.

We've just booked (along with a some of our family) to go to the Paradisus Rio De Oro in February next year. We'll be getting married there wish we were going tomorrow, it looks and sounds so great.

Anyway, my question is about our wedding time. On our application form it asks us for a preferred time. We would like to know when you'd recommend the ceremony to take place.

We'd prefer the morning but if this means 11-12pm we're worried that it will be too hot. Any recollection for what time of day the weddings were taking place and which were the best?

Cheers,
Shane.

Shane - there were quite a few weddings while we stayed at PRDO in March this year.
From what I saw the weddings were mainly taking place around 3 in the afternoon.
One day there were two, so I assume one was morning and one afternoon.

To be honest, it's hot all day! So I think choose a time to suit the day itself and how you want it to run, rather than the heat!

What a fab place to get married!

i understand building work is taking place on the beach resturant, is this likely to ruin my holiday????

Is the beach resturant near the Pool? Please Help

Jamiewacki

see my post from March 17th. We received a letter today from Eclipse advising that accomodation will be allocated away from any building work.

I think that the delights offered by this hotel far outweigh any likely disruption. During the spa construction I never heard of any complaints and we visited 3 times during that period.

Hi... just wondering if anyone has new information to post on the construction works at the PRDO?

I read that there are going to be new Royal Service Suites being built. Any information on this?

Thanks,

Gardengal

Hi Gardengal

You could email the hotel and ask them. You'll find their email address on their website HERE.

I'd be grateful if anyone recently returned would post their review HERE.

Many thanks.

Pippy

Gardengal,

We received a letter from out tour operator advising of the work.

They are building a number of Royal Services Bungalows and re building the beach grill.

Work is currently taking place, they cannot give a completion date although they did say these new facilities will be up and running by November 2006.

It's not putting us off going though! I took advise from Durhamlass who knows the hotel well.

Hello again everyone, i havent had chance to check this thead in awhile, and i need some help if anyone can be of.....
The times come to email the hotel (PDRO) my restaurant bookings/times and room preferance. so far iv tryed 3 addresses with no joy. does anyone have an upto-date address?
paradisus.ro@solmeliacuba.com paradisus.rio.de.oro@solmelia.com
jefe.rrpp.pro@solmeliacuba.com
I just want to get everything ready and save the first day hastle.
So does anyone have any idea's?

Just to update everyone on the building work.

I spoke with First choice customer services who have advised work is progressing quicker than expected. The bungalows are the up but of course still need to be worked on.
The beach bar is not being completely knocked down but extended. It will still be closed when we are there ( 7 weeks and counting) but guests can use the beach bar at the neighbouring hotel Luna Mare which she said was a 5 minute walk down the beach.
First choice get weekly updates form the resort rep if anyone wants more info nearer their departure date.