From the day we arrived to the day we left everything was GREAT. The room was clean and quite spacious, the pool area and pool were spotless, the open spaces kept tidy by the gardening staff, the food lots of choice eggs cooked to your request at breakfast, a special mention to both chefs cooking pasta dishes while you wait at dinner, your dishes were perfect every time, you are both an asset to the hotel thank you. Also to Jose in the Japanese restaurant you are a not only a great chef but also a showman. A very special thank you to the maid who kept our room clean and amused us every day with a different towel model also 'Randall' whom looked after us on both British nights that the hotel kindly held, we hope everything comes good for you in the future you were a great host and always stopped and made sure everything was ok when we saw you around, last but not least 'Yeleine' for making our stay a time to remember and meeting us on arrival and saying good bye when we left. We will be back to visit in the not to distant future, if anyone is thinking of staying at the Melia Peninsula don't hesitate book it.

Went on the holiday of a life time to Tryp Penninsula in Cuba. We had two glorious weeks in the sun didn't see a cloud. I have read so many different reports about Cuba so went with mixed feelings but I can honestly say they were unfounded.

What a stunning place the Tryp is by what people we met were saying it appears we chose the right place for our vacation. The food, staff, beach and reps were all brilliant.

I must point out that whilst away I had a severe inner ear infection that required medical attention which was done on site by the hotel medical staff. Thank you to all of them they were great.

I have been fortunate to travel to the majority of caribbean islands and would place this location in Varadero amongst the best.

If you are considering Cuba but are concerned about what you have read choose Varadero choose the Tryp and you will not be disappointed

This review is a little difficult as it can depend on your expectations and where you have been before.

First off 5*, yes by Cuban standards but not by others. Really 4* or 3* plus.

Location is lovely beautiful beach the hotel is situated in lovely gardens cannot fault that. One point hoever is that next to the hotel in Feb 2005 was listed a lagoon, while I was there it was being flattened and certainly looked like another hotel was going to be built there if so this may spoil the view from some parts.

Rooms, had a family room, nice size well decorated. maid service excellent but leave a tip everyday so your mini bar fills up. The bloacks are nicely spread out throughout the hotel and away for bars etc so there was never any noise.

Food - I thought was excellent but many people while i was there had differing views. The Main buffet restaurant had absolutely loads of choice every night. It could get a little crowded and the layout meant a bit of a scrum at times but you are not going to go hungry.Certainly the layout and ambience could be better but it was all well cooked and plenty of choice. Tip the waitress try and stick with the same one and your drinks will come quickly. At peak time it could be a little slow to clear your table and get a drink. Bring a drink in from the bar and then you dont have to worry.
Aside from this there were at least 3 al a carte that had to be booked. I think I got lucky as first morning there I had a short queue and got them booked up for my 2 weeks there. Other people said they had long queues and couldnt get what they wanted. The main one cant remember its name was superb limited choice but beautifully cooked and served. One tip here is that you can go to these restaurants at lunchtime without booking ( only problem with that is eating 3 courses at lunch !! ). The Brits mainly complained the food was not of a very good standard and that the buffet restaurtant was too busy etc. If you read review sites it cleary states the food is not of the same level as the rest of the Carribean so I think many of the Brits had holidayed elsewhere and their expectation levels were too high. I hav stayed at the Turtle Beach in Barbados and no the standards werent as high in Cuba but I wasnt expecting them to be.

Entertainment. I always think hotel entertainment is naff wherever I have been its not my thing. My kids enjoyed it and the auditorium was full most nights. Around the hotel at various times were some great musicans playing at different times.There is an night club ( Has a greater international drink selection here if the main bar does not have what you want ).

Beach/Pool There is a team of enetertainers but few people wanted to join in while i was there so little happened.
Beach Sports No motorised ( although was in the brochure a years ago ) Cuban governemnet banned it due to accidents so pretty much wind surfing/Hoby cats and pedalos.

Kids Club Certanly while I was there not very good more suited as a creche for leaving really litle ones. My kids went a few times liked the day when they rehearsed and then performed the evening show. Other time little happened was concerned once when they didnt seem to keep an eye on your kids IE mine went and changed her mind and left they didnt notice. However it may haveen the lack of Kids at the time, the staff were friendly though.

I thought for the price we paid a 2 week AI in the Caribean this holiday was very good value for money I wasnt looking for or expecting 5* star treatment.

Stayed here for 4 days in Feb 2005 after a stay in Havana. Hotel was better than expected (having heard standards not as high in Cuba as other Carribean). Rooms spacious, clean and bright, good maid service. Comfy reception area. Pretty flowered gardens, saw tiny hummingbirds, attractive swimming pool with plenty of available sunbeds, basic bar and reasonable snack bar