Melia Cayo Santa Maria

Great stay, always friendly staff and special thanks to Darbel! We will be back! We love the beach, animation team and lobby waiters………………………………………..:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::;,,,,,,;::::;:;;;::::;;;;;;;;;;,;;

Excellent place to be solo or with the family, Rooms are clean, there is good service. I've visited a couples times and enjoy it, friendly people although I have my preferences that consider them my friends, at the front desk and in the buffet. The amenities could be improve a bit, especially around the pool. The food is good, no complains about it.

This is the worst resort next to The Memories Flamenco that we've stayed at. First off I'll say the staff are very good, and do the best they can with what little they have to work with. Don't tell me that you don't go to Cuba for the food. People have been traveling here for 50 years. How long does it take to get it together. Beach and Ocean are spectacular, service is top notch, rooms are dated and need a revamp. No bacon at all, no bread for 4 days and no rice for 2. Lunch and dinner at the buffet were the same. At least the pasta station saved us when it was open. The only name brand liquor was Beefeater and Havana Club, beer was Cristal on tap. The only item in the mini fridge was a large bottle of water. We gave Cuba another chance and it failed miserably, last time for us. Your surrounded by those nice people from la belle province. Do not believe what is posted on Friends of Melia Santa Maria site, they make it seem like everything is ok, and when you post the truth they punt you from the group. Adios Cuba, see you never.

You can’t go wrong coming to Amelia Cayo Santa Maria. The incredible staff is what makes this place. We return year after year to revisit with so many staff members who we have gotten to know over the 20+ years we have been visiting, sometimes more than once a year. Morning coffee (cappuccino, Spanish coffee at the lobby bar, a quick trip to the buffet for breakfast and then to the beach which is one of the best, all sand, and great palapa (enough for everyone to have one). The guys on the beach are there every morning to help you find your perfect spot for the day! Lunch at either the snack bar,the buffet, one of the beach snack bars, or Ranchon, you can choose a different spot each day! Late afternoons are spent at the pool, getting a fancy pool drink from one of the super friendly and fun bar tenders (Jose, Joseet). Then a shower, and back to the lobby bar for a pre dinner cocktail or coffee, and often there is live entertainment happening. The violin player, the trumpet, the sax, all just incredible. Dinner can be prebooked at one of the restaurants, or the buffet. They are all excellent, and you can have a different choice every evening! Overall one of the best value for money places to go….but the absolute reason for returning is THE STAFF!

My daughter and I visited from April 1 to April 8 th. The beach is one of the most beautiful in the world. It was very windy for the first 4 days and it was uncomfortable being sandblasted on the beach. But that is Mother Natures problem not the resort. This year has seen higher winds everywhere. So poolside was called for. There were lots of poolside lounges and a wonderful poolside bar to either swim up to or a great bartender who came asking us what drinks we wanted. The staff were the best. Everyone was happy to see you enjoying yourself and more than helpful to ensure you do. From the lobby bar area ,reception desk, cleaning staff , to the buffet every staff member was excellent. Even the gentleman who cleans the beach area for seaweed and the men who set up your lounges on the beach were friendly and went beyond for us. It would have been nice to see their names on their uniforms. Management may want to look at this. Mayelin Dias Gallardo , who served us in the buffet area every night at supper was a great asset to this resort. She always ensured we had a wonderful experience . As a retired Bank Manager I would have loved to have her as an employee. She is a top notch employee who understands excellent customer service. Our rooms were comfortable but in both of our rooms , the patio doors lacked locks. This is a necessity to ensure personal safety during your visit, and should be attended to by Management. The front desk was notified numerous times of this problem but nothing was ever done. After my visit to Cuba in 2023 , at a different resort, I worried about food shortages. But at Melia we had lots to eat , rice and peas, fish, chicken, and even tasty beef! Frank made me an omelet every morning which I certainly appreciated. No cooking for a whole week! Our only shortage was bread for the last few days. But I always thought bread was over rated! The pizza at the 24 hour grill was excellent and made a tasty lunch every day. The musical entertainment in the lobby every evening was really fun to watch after a day in the sun. Overall it was an excellent vacation and I thank all the hardworking staff for ensuring that we had a wonderful vacation. Keep up the excellent customer service. Thank you