Be Live Experience Tuxpan

Part of the Cubanacan chain, the all-inclusive Hotel Tuxpan is a lively, sunny scene starting with the lobby. A painted mural across the top of the lobby ceiling depicts various Cuban icons -- vintage cars, coffee, Cuban landmarks, and musical instruments -- joined with Mayan imagery that hints at the hotel’s Mexican theme. The reception desk picks up the theme fronted with brickwork in a Mayan-style pattern. And sponge-painted walls in warm colors and reliefs of giant columns continue to show Mexican influence. Curved wicker armchairs and couches paired with red-and-white Tiffany lamps offer spots to lounge. The back of the lobby has a slanting floor-to-ceiling glass wall with white scaffolding that draws in ample sunlight.

But there’s little evidence of the Central American theme elsewhere. The hotel grounds, with their old-fashioned street lamps and wrought-iron park benches, almost feel European in nature. And the hotel’s massive freeform pool, the hub of the property, is a pool indistinct from other resorts in the Caribbean with its swim-up bar, plastic loungers, and palapa umbrellas. But that doesn’t stop guests, mostly families and a few retirees, from enjoying them to the fullest along with the exceedingly attractive white-sand beach. Still, the Tuxpan isn’t pure paradise. Maintenance issues exist, including a leak in the lobby ceiling during our visit. And wear and tear is also apparent, like the peeling linoleum floors in the elevators (though these issues are common for resorts in Cuba).

Guests are both international visitors from Canada, Germany, and Russia (among other countries), and local Cubans on vacation, especially in the summer months. Many of the guests are repeat customers.

Hotel Tuxpan is located right on the broad and sunny beach of the Varadero coastline, considered one of Cuba’s best. But there’s little in the surrounding area that’s in walking distance, and most guests will have to drive or take a taxi to reach outside attractions. The shopping arcade Plaza Las America is a six-minute drive, and the Delfinario, a local dolphin aquarium and sea show popular with kids, is a seven-minute drive. The 18-hole Varadero Golf Club is five minutes by car, and the town of Varadero, with its restaurants, bars, and nightlife, including the popular Beatles Bar, is 11 minutes away by car. Havana is a little under two hours to reach by car, and the city's José Martí International Airport is another 15 minutes beyond that.

Guest rooms at the Tuxpan have a few charming Art Deco touches like arched headboards and angular lamps, but stucco walls with uneven paint and ‘80s-style yellowed bedspreads downgrade their elegance. The dated bedding is a surprise given that the bedding and mattresses were changed in 2014 in response to complaints that the beds were hard. Writing desks with round-backed wicker chairs give guests a spot to scribble a postcard or set up a laptop (though rooms do not have Wi-Fi). All rooms have air-conditioning, safes, and old-fashioned tube TVs with satellite channels. Mini-fridges are standard, and guests can request they be stocked, but drinks aren’t included in the room rates. Balconies overlook the pool and sea or the garden and come furnished with white plastic chairs and side tables. Basic bathrooms with green and beige tiles have hexagon-shaped mirrors, small vanity sinks, and shower/tub combos with fabric curtains. A generous amount of individual toiletries gives enough products for families. Note that some guests report maintenance issues with plumbing and AC. All in all, rooms are serviceable, but they don’t invite lingering, and most guests are happier spending their days on a poolside or beachside lounger.

Hotel Tuxpan has two major highlights: Its beach and pool. The sizable freeform pool snakes around the hotel grounds, divided by a few footbridges. Plastic loungers, umbrellas, and shaded canopies border the water, and a swim-up bar provides refreshments. Piped in Latin music keeps things lively. To one side, a kiddy pool with five little arching water jets provides a place for children to splash around. Off to the side, a whirlpool sits on an elevator platform up a short flight of stairs that could pose a problem for those with mobility issues.

The beach, a blanket of white sand topped with loungers, has a tranquil atmosphere despite all the activities: Sailing, surfing, canoeing is available, and paddleboats, and catamarans are available to borrow as well. (Motorized water-sports equipment cost an additional fee.) Two tennis courts and volleyball are also on-site, but there’s no full gym.

The buffet restaurant, Crystal, provides all meals. Two a-la-carte restaurants serve International and Cuban cuisine. Guest give mixed reviews to the resort's food overall. Multiple bars are also on-site including a 24-hour snack bar, a beachside bar, and swim-up pool bar. Bar Frutti, a thatch-hut kiosk by the pool, provides fruity blended cocktails.

The resort has an alfresco theater covered with an ornate black-and-yellow floral pattern. Nightly shows of live music or dance are held here, and there’s also an on-site disco. Spanish language classes and diving classes are also available.

For families, there are extra beds and cribs on request, babysitting services available, and high chairs in the restaurant. Kids can play in the kids’ club that has mini ping-pong and oversized Connect 4 games, among others. Wedding services are available with the poolside gazebo draped in white billowing curtains providing a spot for a ceremony or a celebratory toast.

On our visit, Wi-Fi was still not available, but plans were in place to have it up and running in the lobby by the end of the year. Guests will have to buy an hourly card from the front desk for 2 Cuc. (A card system that's widely used in Cuba.) In the meantime, guests can connect to the Internet in the business center, which offers two PC computers. There’s also an infirmary on-site and a small beauty salon. The freestanding little lobby gift shop sells the usual tobacco and bottles of Havana Club rum, among other souvenirs.