Sand and sunshine was what I went for and got plenty of it here. Sadly, the food choices were limited and daily sightings of cockroaches in the main dining area was disappointing. If the cutlery and glassware are washed by hand, they need to fire someone, or invest in a proper dishwasher. Our room lost all power on the last day. Thankfully, there was another room available, but the toilet and shower were not working! Night entertainment needs improvement. NO fresh pineapple or coconut for bar drinks. 'flavored powder crystals' were used instead. Not impressed,so I did not drink as much as I would have liked. Muchas gracias to Joel at the front desk,who made our stay there as comfortable as possible.

Amazing time all of the entertainment staff always bring me back here Leo, Sarai, Maikel, Nildrey, Joel David are like family to me! and best bar staff Erick , Alex , joey, Louise, Elvis , Tony make my time here more than comfortable my maid Marleys makes the room so so beautiful every day when I return from the beach garden staff always make me feel so welcome with gifts from Yunior and yuri thank you to cook Dianeyis for the personalized bracelet I’m so grateful for everything they have all done to make my stay memorable, time after time love you all and best of wishes see you all soon xoxo ❤️❤️❤️

Went May 5-12, 2024, reached hotel around noon- no rooms ready but they did give bracelets to eat and walk around- luggage left in a room- so you have access to it but so do other people, (keep your valuables on you). Here are the pros and cons of this hotel: Pros: very nice staff who all try to speak English- they really should benefit from lessons. Grounds clean but sparse with patches of grass but you can tell they are trying to create a landscape. Staff are friendly. Lots to eat and drink. Two gift shops in hotel lobby-prices are cheaper there then airport- bring bubble wrap if you need to buy alcohol or delicate souvenirs. Cons:the staff do eat from the buffet but most are not eating when we eat- it's the 'guest' staff- that come for the day that eat at the buffet same time as us- (and take so much food). There were too many cockroaches in and around the food- they need to clean the area where they put the plates as there are many dead roaches living there. An abundance of flies and mosquitoes- there is a plane that fumigates but is ineffective-I mean, it flies so high, and sprays down a chemical which will never touch all the cockroaches and flies INSIDE the kitchen. In the early AM are many mosquitoes so what they wasting fuel and chemicals to kill when they are not killed? Food is repetitive-- there is a shortage of everything on the island but one would not know that by the native guests who come for the weekend who WASTE FOOD!! They should be spoken to at the time of check in not to take more food than they can eat- the waste was unbelievable-- better to have a guest be upset and no longer return instead of wasting food that the staff are not able to eat. The plates were never clean-- they went through the process of hot water but it must be like a car wash as there were still greasy with finger prints - They seem to want to make North American dishes but they need lessons to not waste food- spaghetti just boiled and that was the meal or pasta under cooked-- The cleaning of the rooms need better attention- I killed a few bugs the night before and they were still there after the rooms were cleaned and I don't mean behind my suitcases, which they do not touch, but right in the middle of the floor. They forget to sweep under dressers and beds. Towels replaced daily, but sometimes not as clean- just a one off of a dirty beach towel not being cleaned- the people are really trying but need to be told what is lacking in this hotel. Bring your own shampoo and soap as the tiny sample they provide is not for you to depend on--they do not replenish once issued on first day. no beer in rooms. They ran out of toilet paper once or twice, no big deal as I brought my own- bring your own of everything if you want to be comfortable: PB&J; crackers, snacks. They had coffee but no hot chocolate; bring your own tea if you like a certain kind but they did have tea. They have hot sauce-- yes bring your own salad dressing- point is to be comfortable and not complain bring what makes you comfortable. They had powdered pineapple juice for drinks- never heard of that before. I think the hotel would benefit from growing their own fruits such as pineapple and watermelon and not depend on where it comes from, might save money too. Beach-- every morning a tractor comes to grind the seaweed to a pulp but it is not removed, it is ground up and left on the sand-- what for? The tide goes back around mid day and you will be able to see lots of shells and other sea creatures. Water is warm and not very deep. The grass behind the palapas have 'burrs' so make sure you are wearing shoes- they do stick to your clothing from the trail and or the wind. And they hurt. The hotel is run down- the other reviewers leave suggestions and the responses are that they will take it into consideration but that never happens--each reviewer complains about the same thing== the workmanship is lacking- they have tables with wobbly legs, or legs not screwed in properly-- they must have skilled carpenters on the island- the handyman came to look at a leaky toilet and declared it was not leaking when water was seeping onto the floor every day all day. He is ineffective for some things. This hotel is very near to 19 or 20 years old and is showing it's age. It would be nice if the chairs in the buffet were ever washed- they are stained and when people wipe the tables they sweep the crumbs on the seat and no one wipes it off the chairs. The corners of the buffet are never swept- so there are dead bugs in the corners- there are birds that find their way inside the kitchen flying over head all the time- just waiting on a bird to poop on someone's head or dish. The beach is really the best part-- the staff do try their best but I think they could use some proper training of each of their jobs. If you don't have enough money then this might be a budget friendly hotel- if you do, then go somewhere else but remember this is Cuba and sometimes you may find the same things all over. Lower your expectations, just try and have a good time- if you've been to Cuba before, then you know how it is and you can always find something beautiful about the island and for sure the people.

This was my 18th holiday in Cuba , 9th at this resort and 4th time this year. Needless to say I love this resort and this time my family came with me . I like this resort because of the beach and the layout. It's like a little village instead of a concrete block of rooms and I keep coming back because I love the people . I've also met so many other repeat customers. My room was 105 this trip. I could see the ocean , I had a safe and it was very clean. Marylis did a great job . I am one of the lucky ones . I don't get bit by the noseeum's or the mosquitos however a lot of guests were bothered by them . They do fumigate however if you go do plan to bring a good bug spray. Food was good and plentiful . We had eggs most of the trip but not the last 2 days. Bare in mind supply is an issue in Cuba . They do the best they can with what they have . There was lots of fruit in season and they make the best ice cream . I brought a bottle of catchup as I knew my grandkids want in with their fries and sometimes they have it and sometimes they don't . I had THE best meal at Hemisphere a la Carte served by Hailor & Yuly . The buffet always has great servers Ovilia , Yaumar, Alain , Leivism to name a few . Always with a smile . Chefs Dianeyis, Yosbel, Norge , Yunior & Brian at the Snack Bar . As far as the bars seemed the only shortage was white wine . Being a beer drinker it's not a problem for me. Yoexis, Elvis,,Tony , Castillo, Pablo at the Lobby Bar offer superb friendly service . Pool bar Eric and oh I wish I could remember the new bartenders name . He was great and took orders and delivered them on the beach . That was a bonus !! Entertainment was good . I especially enjoy the Michael Jackson tribute . There was one gal who was an amazing singer , rock band & synchronized swimming show in the pool. The Entertainment Team work hard to keep everyone amused , whether is be the horse races, dance lessons , bingo etc . In fact this trip I participated more than usual . Yorky, Nildrey, Joel, Maikel and new team members whose names escape me are the best and work hard to keep everyone happy . The resort has a new manager . It will be awhile before we see much change . He seemed very friendly . At the repeaters dinner he only spoke in French so I only caught a bit of what was said . Front desk Abel , Tomas, Joel always there to help . (Especially with the wifi) All in all it was a great week. I am booked to go back in April. My family enjoyed the holiday , meeting my friends and enjoying the Cuban hospitality . Yes the Starfish is dated and could use some love . There is so much potential here if they only had the material. What is lacking in some areas is made up by the kindness & joyful spirit of the Cuban people . If I'm going to Cuba I can't imagine going anywhere else but the Starfish !!

I went to this hotel and we take very good time,,very great place and what about the staff who was so nice and professionnal also cordial. I specialy meet Leo and Joel who make me feel like a part of them for that incroyable week,,,thx a lot folks!!!🫶🏾🤩🫶🏾🤩