IBEROSTAR TAINOS, VARADERO, CUBA

We were first timers to Iberostar Tainos and we are hooked!  I will insert pictures from our trip, we just went in December of 2013 so it is still fresh in my mind and my heart!  I wrote reviews for this hotel, as did my husband, it was a beautiful trip and such a gorgeous resort!  The staff there have become part of our family now and we will definitely return in 2014 with our children this time, so that they may enjoy the activities at the resort.  They were doing Reno's on the 3rd floor, updating the rooms, and some of the villas and the grounds area.  It didn't get in the way of or holiday at all.  They were very respectful about times and space around what they were fixing.

We have never traveled anywhere and been treated like complete royalty and part of an amazing family! This resort deserves every one of its 4 stars and more! From the Front Desk and guest services in the lobby to the Bellboys, chambermaids, Waitstaff, Bar staff, all the way out to the pool and beach staff, and maintenance, who were always busy making sure everything was beautiful! We were well known by the time we left and everyday was a smile, wave and "How are you today?" "Can I get you anything?"   Our first visual that made us feel at home was a huge Christmas tree that was decorated to perfection in the middle of the lobby! 

Our Guest Services , Giselle, wonderful, beautiful lady, her English was excellent, and Sunwing Rep, Mabel,  who was a lovely, very informative lady, took such good care of us and made arrangements for us to keep our room for longer after checkout so that my husband, who has movement limitations and severe breathing issues, could rest longer before our flight! 

Our room was lovely, our Maid Yina, was a sweetheart, she would come in daily and make beautiful designs from towels and our quilts, one day even an elephant! She left all amenities needed and fresh flowers for us everyday! Our room was always clean and smelled wonderful! 

The food, OMG, the food! It was spectacular! We ate at the buffet every day, Breakfast,(if we were up! lol) Lunch and Dinner! From the incredible locally grown fruit in season, ours was banana, guava, papaya, pineapple, watermelon, so wonderful, fresh, and sweet! Bananas were my favorite! The buffet had so many choices, I do not eat fish unless it is heavily breaded at home, here I was sampling everything, fresh fish everyday, grilled to perfection, there were cold cuts, locally made cheese that I wish I could have brought home with me! Pork dishes grilled, cooked with pineapple, roasted, beef dishes in sauces, chicken in salads, cold with noodles, grilled, cooked in sauces! Fresh flat bread pizza's, pastas, authentic Cuban dishes, homemade breads, my favorite was made with just a hint of cocoa, ice cream and the deserts were out of this world! All made right there by the amazing Head chef Carlos and his wonderful team! Everyday he would ask us how we enjoyed our food, if we wanted something prepared for us, suggestions on things they could make. we never left hungry or unsatisfied, I tried everything I could except dishes with shrimp, because I'm highly allergic, my husband said they were fabulous! They don't use a lot of spice and you get to eat food prepared in a natural state, slightly seasoned so it is OK for everyone to eat, a lot of people we met, if they wanted more spicy fair they brought their own hot sauces or just asked and they delivered. 

 Carlos, the Head Chef, so talented and very dedicated to making sure everyone enjoyed their meal, quick service and always had his hands in helping wherever his staff needed him to be! 

Papa, one of the Station Chefs, he made Byron Fresh Omelets everyday!  Such a character and always the biggest most welcoming smile!

There are always those that will complain about Cuba and the food not being good but at this resort there was no reason to complain! Carlos and staff went out of their way to please and folks they can only make what they have available to them, that includes spices! The wait staff was always hopping! They had our drinks on the table as soon as they saw us, they got to know what we liked and remembered! They cleared quickly, always had a smile and great conversation! They take the time to get to know you and we will keep in touch with several of the ladies we met, they were so kind and loving, I've only been home for a day and I miss them already! They spoke very well in English too, and asked others to explain our needs if they didn't understand. The bar and restaurant Manager, Roberto was great too, always on the go making sure the staff was ready to go and things were all in order!  Here are our Morning and afternoon ladies:

Hani, my sister from another mother!  So sweet! This lady is so amazing! 

 Beatrez, always a big smile, great conversation and she was a delight to be around!

 Irasems, the youngest, sweetest, always running around busy!

Yanita! Such a terrific sense of humor! She always had us smiling and laughing!

Our Dinner staff, so lovely!  Again big smiles and beautiful people!

These beautiful ladies were always so busy, but they love their job and making people happy!  They made us flowers from napkins, were very concerned if they didn't see us and often we slept in for breakfast and either caught the tail end of it or just went down for lunch.  They gave us the gifts of kindness, laughter and generosity!  Friends for life!

The entertainment was fabulous and they had shows for kids and adults alike, they got the audience involved and that always turned out to be a riot! There were quite a few children at the resort and they had programs for them and gave out awards in a ceremony, it was great and the children loved it! We are going to bring ours next time we travel! Our favorite performer was Elvis, such a comedian, so funny, talented!  The singers, bands, dancers, they had on staff were all amazing!

The beach was one of the most beautiful I have seen, we have been to Cuba before and this by far was the most memorable experience in Cuba we have ever had! We are definitely going to go back in 2014 to this resort, where we left our hearts and met some amazing local people that we carry in our hearts! We became part of the family at Iberostar Tainos. 

 This was our beach at the resort, unfortunately our camera gave out on us the last few days and we didn't get good shots of the pool area but it too was fabulous!

 If you are planning to stay in Varadero, this resort is a must try! Especially if you bring children!

Last but not least, some of our favorite Cubans at Iberostar Tainos.. they were so polite, a little shy but they never complained about the food or some good dinner conversation and every night we ended with some great thank you's and the promise to meet the next evening, same time, same place...

 Swiper (M), at the edge of the chair, Snitch (M) at the middle and Snoops (F) on the ground, these are just babies and from what we could tell, related.

 This is Calypso(F), she was the belle of the hotel.. She was the only one we saw go in and she treated the hotel like it was hers, with respect and care.

 Mama (F), we think she is the mother of the triplets.  She would always sit outside the buffet with Gingy and wait for us to finish our meal, then hightail it to the pool chairs to wait for us to bring then dinner scraps.

 This is Gingy (M), my favorite!  He was so shy at first but by the end he would allow me to pet him and sit beside me.  His only fault was that he liked the ladies to much, the feline ladies that is, and would get chased away during the day from by the outdoor washrooms for trying to make "boom-boom" as the staff called it!

 Calypso (F), saying goodbye on our last night.

 Taffy (f), white and Swiper (M) after dinner.

Patches (F), she came out from under the Cuban restaurant by the beach, the first day to greet us.

Being cat lovers, this was such a treat for us and was comforting since we were really missing our 4 cats at home. We named them all and by day 3, they would come when called! The cats in Cuba are tiny, the males seem to get a bit bigger but not like ours in Canada.  They do a great job on the resorts keeping bugs and other things away from us by eating them.  They do melt the hearts of many and get a bit spoiled, even the staff loves them!  If you are not fond of cats, don't worry, you won't even know they are there, they only come out when the resort is quiet at night and hide during the day, probably from the heat!  They are not overly affectionate and won't come and rub all over you unless you make the first move.  They are so polite, they do not enter the eating areas or the hotel, except Calypso in the main lobby of the hotel, but she stays hidden unless invited!  If a particular one starts to be a pest, the staff will take them home and care for them there. but, they really do great things on the resort to keep pests under control.  They earn their keep!