Melia Las Antillas

The Melia Las Antillas opened in 1999 and looks like it -- the lobby looks straight out of a '90s office building, rainstorms have caused water damage in places, and rooms are rather basic. But most guests don't seem to mind at all. The vibe is quiet and relaxing, as most people here are in their 30s, 40s, and 50s (the age range skews older over the winter). There's a real focus on creating a natural feel, and there are green vines hanging down the lobby atrium, an outdoor lagoon that's home to two nurse sharks (a popular attraction), and multiple bridges around the property. 

The main building of the hotel is five stories (there are two elevators), and the rooms with ocean views are located here (the fifth-floor views are unsurprisingly the best). There are smaller three-story buildings that together with the main building form a U shape around the pool (none of these have ocean views). The buildings are in colorful yellow and beach, contributing to a cheerful Caribbean feel. 

Most guests are Canadian, but Germany, Belgium, and Argentina are also popular markets. The amenities seem to cater more to Europeans, as the plugs are for 220 voltage and there are bidets in the bathrooms. Many guests spend their mornings at the beach and their afternoons at the pool. This matches the schedule of the animation team, which also begins at the beach in the morning, usually with volleyball, and moves to the pool in the afternoon for activities such as aqua aerobics. 

The Melia Las Antillas is located at kilometer 14 along Autopista Sur, the main road that runs along the peninsula parallel to the beach. It's right near the Dolphinarium (a two-minute drive) and a 15-minute drive to the closest part of downtown, where the popular Beatles Bar and Calle 62 are located. Guests can also pay 5 CUC for a day pass on the hop-on, hop-off bus that stops at all the resorts and popular attractions; buses come about every 30 minutes. It's a two-hour drive to the airport in Havana, and the ride typically costs between 100 and 120 CUC. 

The rooms at the Melia Las Antillas have simple decor in shades of blue and white set against light yellow walls, reflecting the beach location. They are spacious (much larger than those at the Hotel Roc Barlovento), starting at about 39 square meters (or 420 square feet). About half have king-size beds, and half have two twins. There's a separate living room area in front of the bed that's sunken in some rooms (allowing for better views from the bed). Minibars are stocked daily with water, soft drinks, and beer, and all rooms have balconies with views of the ocean, pool, and/or grounds. This is one of the only adult-only resorts in Varadero offering rooms with ocean views -- neither the Roc Barlovento or the Royalton Hicacos have them. Here, 69 rooms boast these views, specifically the Junior Suite Room Sea View and the two Grand Suites. Both of these categories also come with the Concierge Floor perks, including a private lounge with a breakfast buffet and bar, preferred a la carte reservations, late check-out (if available), and extra amenities such as robes and slippers. 

The Deluxe Room, the standard category, is identical to the Junior Suite Sea View in everything but the view. These rooms instead face the grounds and pool. The three-story bungalows all contain Deluxe Rooms, and though they lack the views, some of these buildings are very close to the pool and beach. The Grand Suite (there are only two) is a big two-room suite with a kitchenette and more stylish decor. All rooms are for a maximum of two people and extra beds are not allowed. 

Flat-screen televisions have a variety of international channels, including CCTV, ESPN, and CNN (in English), plus the Discovery Channel and HBO (in Spanish). Plugs are for 220 volts, so North American guests should plan to bring converters. Bathrooms have mostly white tile with yellow and blue accents, green countertops by the sink, shower-tub combos, and bidets. 

The resorts in Varadero have a reputation for bland, below-average food, but the Melia Las Antillas' offering is perhaps a bit better than most. The buffet has good variety, and a grill outside for cooked-to-order items such as pork and fish (during lunch and dinner). There's also live music offered on the outdoor terrace in the evenings. The three a la carte restaurants can be difficult to reserve (make your reservations as soon as possible -- usually it will need to be three days in advance). The options include Italian (one of the post popular), the Caribbean seafood restaurant (the same space as the pool snack bar), and the "romantic" restaurant (with a formal dress code and live music). Many guests like the pool snack bar and the grill by the beach bar as well, and there's a piano bar in the lobby.

The evening entertainment program changes every two weeks, to ensure guests who come for two-week stays don't see repeat acts. The aquatic ballet, as at most resorts, is always popular (the performers are contractors who perform at other resorts as well; same goes for the performers in the magic show). There are a few excursions available to book in the lobby, including a jeep safari tour and a boat tour. Non-motorized water sports and even a free scuba diving lesson are included in the rate. 

The big pool is dissected by a bridge leading to an elevated island with loungers (massages can be offered here). There is a hot tub, which many competing properties lack. 

There is a decent-size carpeted, air-conditioned gym with weights, treadmills, lots of strength training machines, and bikes -- though some of the machines look a bit worse for wear. A massage room and two saunas are also available (though with the Cuban heat the saunas likely won't get used). Medical services are offered on the premises, as is currency exchange.

The beach here is one of the highlights. At 100 meters long, it's roomy, if not as large as the 600-meter beach at the Royalton Hicacos (to be fair, the Royalton's stretch is probably the biggest in Varadero). When we visited in the morning most of the palapas for shade had already been snagged. There's a bar with an adjacent grill where beef, chicken, and pork are cooked up. Public restrooms are located by the pool snack bar.