Cayo Coco, Cuba

[dirtybeacher]

Just a heads up for anyone planning to travel there in the next few months.

As you know they took a direct hit from irma.  The Jardines airport terminal is in bad shape, but the runway is apparently ok.   Afaik, you can't book a trip before nov 1.  

We were/are planning a trip for late November, and are hoping the airlines will offer 2nd bag of aid at no charge. 

I have the inside scoop on the status of the resorts, the ones that are listed closed are structurally compromised, and likely need to be rebuilt. 

 

Hotel Update

Cayo santa Maria, Mélia Cayo, Mélia Las Dunas, Playa Cayo, Royalton, Valentine, Eurostar, Dhawa, Memories and Grand Memories - THESE HOTELS ARE CLOSED.
Mélia Buenavista, Sol Cayo Santa Maria ARE to be rebuild
Starfish and Iberostar Ensenachos ARE  to be RENOVATED.

FOR CAYO COCO:

Tryp Cayo, Playa Cayo and Pullman Iberostar Playa, Iberostar Daiquiri, Memories Caribe Beach, Sol Cayo Guillermo, Melia Cayo Guillermoto be rebuild

Pestana, Melia Jardines, Melia Cayo, Hotel Playa, Iberostar, Sercotel, Hotel Colonial, Iberostar Mojito, Falminco Memories, Sol Cayo Coco ARE CLOSED.

[Thinksno]

Cayo Coco have the best beaches in Cuba. That small airport was convenient as the peninsula is really isolated from Mainland. It would be nice if they build another Sandals under the reconstruction.

[1trailmaker]

Blau Marina Varadero – The hotel had to evacuate its guests yesterday morning. The Hotel received serious damage due to its location which is very exposed as it is located right on the tip of the peninsula. The main building suffered serious damage (roof, glass doors, etc.). Structural damage could be noted in the room buildings. The beach eroded due to the waves.

Melia Marina Varadero – Some rooms have broken windows and damage to the balconies but the biggest damage can be seen in the common areas of the hotel, especially in the lobby. The hotel is located on a hill so the protection against gusts of wind is minimal.

Grand Memories Varadero – The hotel suffered some damage due to gusts of wind. The lobby will require restoration work and it is one of the hotels that suffered major damage to the roof and common areas such as gardens and pool areas. According to reports from the General Manager approximately 40 rooms were damaged and have broken windows. In general, there is no great structural damage and the damage is considered moderate. Access to the beach is virtually blocked.

Memories Varadero – The hotel is generally in good condition. Some recovery work will be required in corridors, public areas and some rooms on high floors where roof leaks can only be repaired by replacing the roof in its entirety. The hotel has already re-opened the lobby bar without alcoholic beverages at the moment. Recovery work is being done quickly by the hotel staff to be able to re-establish regular services as soon as possible.

Paradisus Varadero – The hotel suffered extensive damage. Ceilings were blown off in some structures in the Family Concierge areas and will require considerable investment to recover. The main building was equally devastated; the new restaurant that was under construction near the beach collapsed.

Royalton Hicacos – This is another hotel that suffered major damage. The beach area eroded due to the waves. The restaurant on the beach also suffered extensive damage. The main buffet area is very exposed so it suffered serious damage especially to the roof. You could see a lot of rubble in the area. The Caribeño restaurant has broken windows. The Rooms area did not seem to have major damage.

Iberostar Varadero – The Hotel was severely affected. Part of the palapa-like straw roofs disappeared. The theater is partially destroyed. The palapa roof in some rooms was equally destroyed. The palapas around the pool were destroyed and there is debris in the area.

Be Live Turquesa – The hotel was evacuated so it was not possible to perform a complete inspection.

Playa de Oro – You could see broken windows in several rooms. The pool area was quite affected and the lobby area also has noticeable damage. The disco area has some parts of the roof collapsed. Landscaped areas have fallen trees. The restaurant is running and providing food service.

ROC Arenas Doradas – The hotel seemed in good condition. Some air conditioners were ripped off the walls but light damage can be recovered relatively quickly.

Meliá Las Antillas – The hotel is generally in good condition and without serious damage to its structures.

Blau Varadero – The hotel has a very solid structure however being a tall building it always receives some damage when a hurricane hits the area. The lobby was in good condition however the rooms on higher floors may have suffered some damage.

Starfish Varadero – The hotel was generally found in good condition. Lobby without noticeable damage.

Brisas del Caribe – The rooms were badly damaged. During the inspection visit you could see several tourists waiting to be changed rooms due to leaks in broken ceilings and windows. The lobby also suffered some damage.

Iberostar Laguna Azul – The hotel is located on a hill however it did not suffer serious damage considering its exposed location. Partial damage could be noticed on the roof of the restaurant in the beach area, some palapas destroyed.

Starfish Cuatro Palmas – The hotel was evacuated. Some structural damage could be noticed, mainly in the ceilings of some buildings. It was not possible to make a full visit since no staff were found on the property.

[StevieWonder]

Wonder how the poor parts of Cuba faired ..........

[ArcticCrusher]

I wonder how the locals must feel when they need an emergency evacuation to get the tourists out and they are left stranded?

[yarddawg]

My buddy had to take an 8 hour bus ride to fly out at 2am Saturday morning just before the storm hit. He is still talking about the poor locals who were left behind, sad!

[Puzzleboy]

Nature's way of preventing Canadians from financing Communism......

[Momorider]

On September 21, 2017 at 11:29 PM, Puzzleboy said:

Nature's way of preventing Canadians from financing Communism......

 

[The Rocket]

On 9/12/2017 at 9:49 AM, dirtybeacher said:

Just a heads up for anyone planning to travel there in the next few months.

As you know they took a direct hit from irma.  The Jardines airport terminal is in bad shape, but the runway is apparently ok.   Afaik, you can't book a trip before nov 1.  

We were/are planning a trip for late November, and are hoping the airlines will offer 2nd bag of aid at no charge. 

I have the inside scoop on the status of the resorts, the ones that are listed closed are structurally compromised, and likely need to be rebuilt. 

 

Hotel Update

Cayo santa Maria, Mélia Cayo, Mélia Las Dunas, Playa Cayo, Royalton, Valentine, Eurostar, Dhawa, Memories and Grand Memories - THESE HOTELS ARE CLOSED.
Mélia Buenavista, Sol Cayo Santa Maria ARE to be rebuild
Starfish and Iberostar Ensenachos ARE  to be RENOVATED.

FOR CAYO COCO:

Tryp Cayo, Playa Cayo and Pullman Iberostar Playa, Iberostar Daiquiri, Memories Caribe Beach, Sol Cayo Guillermo, Melia Cayo Guillermoto be rebuild

Pestana, Melia Jardines, Melia Cayo, Hotel Playa, Iberostar, Sercotel, Hotel Colonial, Iberostar Mojito, Falminco Memories, Sol Cayo Coco ARE CLOSED.

Went to Cayo Santa Maria a few years ago and stayed at the Eurostar.  Beautiful beaches but I would not go back to Cuba.  JMO.  I saw they took a direct hit - I suspect it is bad.  The causeway out there wasn't the greatest before the storm.

We were in St. Maarten last April - and they got hammered too.  Glad we got to visit before these bad storms.

 

Edited September 26, 2017 by The Rocket