Be Live Experience Turquesa

A pretty open-air lobby greets guests to the Be Live Experience Turquesa. It's here the resort’s signature turquoise color goes into overdrive: It's behind the front desk, in the lobby’s broad columns, and throughout the arched ceilings. Tiffany-style lamps with a leaf-and-berry pattern and exposed brick walls lend the space decorative charm. Above, wrought-iron chandeliers twisted into the shape of tubular flowers sway. It’s a bright and breezy introduction to the resort. Beyond the lobby, paved paths curl around the grounds leading to buildings and bungalows, illuminated by a few old-fashioned street lamps. Unfortunately, not all spaces are equally charming. The rooms in particular feel drab in comparison. And other spaces like the cramped fitness room feel neglected and lack any decoration.

The action here centers on two spots: The beach and the pool. The beach is reached by crossing a shady boardwalk, enclosed by a leafy canopy. That verdant tunnel bursts open onto a wide sandy swath with waters that are equally turquoise. The freeform pool gives another sunny spot for swimming and sunbathing, with footbridges crisscrossing the water -- though there was some construction here on our visit and one water feature was running dry.

In general, guests tend to be families and couples on vacation, including many repeat customers. It’s an international crowd from Canada, Spain, Germany, and other countries, and a few tour groups also come from abroad.

Be Live Experience Turquesa is right on the beach in Varadero, an area that's widely considered to have some of the prettiest beaches in Cuba. The Delfinario, a dolphin aquarium and sea show that’s a hit with younger guests, is right across the street from Turquesa. But there’s little else in walking distance as the surrounding area mainly holds other resorts. It’s a six-minute drive to reach the town of Varadero, with attractions like a local artisanal market, the Beatles Bar (a hotspot for live music), and various restaurants. The area’s hop-on-hop off bus stops right in front of the hotel and takes travelers to town, though the trip takes a little longer, around 10 to 15 minutes. Havana is a two-hour drive away, and José Martí International Airport is two hours and 15 minutes by car.

Peachy and pale yellow walls give warmth to the Standard Rooms, which are decorated with dark wood furniture. Leaf-patterned bedspreads and turquoise curtains add a hit of contrasting color, but the spaces do feel somewhat drab compared to the breezy public spaces. Small dining tables with two dining chairs and writing desks give guests plenty of surfaces, and closets hide behind accordion doors. All rooms have tube TVs, mini-fridges, AC, and free bottled water. But the use of the safes requires an extra fee. Balconies furnished with white plastic chairs and side tables look out over the grounds. The beige-tiled bathrooms are separated by pebbled-glass doors that might not offer enough privacy for some. All bathrooms have hairdryers, bidets, individual toiletries, and shower/tub combos, except accessible rooms that have walk-in showers. Bungalows are similar but larger in size, with a duplex layout offering multiple bedrooms. Unfortunately, guest rooms exhibit the most wear and tear of the resort. On our visit, we saw rusty mini-fridge and scratches on the furniture. Past guests confirm chipped paint, leaking air-conditioning units, and other maintenance issues. (Note, these issues are not uncommon for Cuban resorts.)

The hotel’s star attraction is its beach: A wide stretch of white sand sloping down to calm aquamarine waters. The resort provides several white plastic loungers and palapa umbrellas. A sound system plays thumping party beats, and lifeguards patrol the beach, though they don’t keep out the occasional vendor. It’s an active scene without being rowdy.

Another highlight is the freeform pool surrounded by white plastic loungers lined with cobalt-blue fabric. A wide footbridge goes over a decorative rock formation and several smaller bridges connect the two sides. On our visit, a gazebo was being built in the middle of the pool’s basin.

The main buffet restaurant serves all meals in a dining room by the pool. Two a la carte restaurants also serve Italian and Cuban fare for dinner. The Cuban restaurant, Ranchon, is especially inviting with an open-air layout, pitched ceilings, and leather Spanish Colonial-style seats that overlook the pool. The Italian restaurant is surrounded on three sides with floor-to-ceiling windows; tables are dressed in the colors of the Italian flag. An open kitchen and pizza oven sit behind a faux-brick wall. But atmosphere aside, the resort's food gets mixed reviews. There’s also a lobby bar, beach bar, and poolside bar that operates 24 hours. 

Activities are ongoing throughout the day: Volleyball, badminton, mini-golf, mini-soccer, and a giant chess and checkers set give guest plenty of diversions. And the Turquesa also has several features specifically for families including a kids’ club that hosts entertainment for children such as a mini-disco for kids in the evening. Cribs and extra beds are available on request. A small cramped gym provides several weight machines and a treadmill and exercise bike. An on-site tour desk can plan tourist excursions or activities. The lobby handles money exchange, and laundry services are available for a fee. Wedding services are also offered. On our visit, there was no Wi-Fi on-site, though there were plans to add it to the lobby by the end of 2015.