You'll Love Iberostar Bella Costa

Pretty much share the same sentiments as everyone else who has posted a review here - LOVED IT!! The staff and 'Star Friends' are amazing and friendly. The resort itself is very clean and well maintained, and the beach is raked over every morning. The food is not bad at the buffet. I would have no issues about going back to the Bella Costa. If you want more info or have a specific question that you'd like to ask, feel free to email me.

We were lucky!

My wife & I stayed here for two weeks commencing April 7, 2003. Have just discovered this website which is why my review is late. Checked in to Barcelo Solymar but discovered they were overbooked. The only room available was terrible and they were unable to change it for a better one for five days! What is more in our opinion the Solymar was not up to the four star rating that our brochure had given it so I told them to either fly us home or change our hotel.We were changed to the Bella Costa which had been recently taken over by Iberostar and was being renovated. We were lucky! The food was excellent and varied, the beach was clean with plenty of chairs and shades. Beach towels were supplied. The daytime activities and evening entertainment were good. I like to snorkel in a casual way and was able to do this at a limestone reef off shore.On leaving we met people who had arrived at Solymar when we did and they regretted that they had not changed hotels. On our return we recommended the Bella Costa to friends who were as pleased as we were.We brought our own beer mugs and with the right kind of encouragement the friendly bartenders would fill them to the top thus getting away from using those awful six ounce plastic tumblers. We tipped occasionally and left our mugs with them at the end of our stay.What could have been a bad experience turned out to be a marvellous holiday.

Superb Place

Has a weeks holiday there, 27/8/03, and enjoyed it thoroughly. Superb location, 20 minutes from the airport and at the very end of the beach, so much more private then any of the other hotels. Selection of food and different restaurants, (all inclusive), was exceptional as was the service, (always with a smile). As avergage wages out there are $17, a simple $1 will get a gracious reception and you'll find the service gets even better. Didn't use the pool as the beach is on your doorstep if you opt for a villa, and this has enough sun-loungers and shade for everyone, (we were there in the peak season). The sea is sublime, crystal clear and shallow enough to walk out for 30 yards or so.

Definitely do the trip to Havanna as the place is amazing and full of a culture you don't hear about very often. Only downsides are the accomodation is pretty basic and there is not much to do locally.

Nightlife is almost non-existent but then again when you go to the Caribbean that is not the main thing. All in all a great trip. No offensive to the USA but try and get there before flights start up from Miami as I am sure it will lose some of it's innocense and character when this new avenue of tourists arrive!

Best time ever........

.......................our stay at Bella Costa was overwhelming...........the sea, beach, food, drinks, people...........................everything was perfect...............we had the best holidays ever............and we will return there for sure.................so c u all again! Grazias

Honeymoon at the Bela Costa

Went to Cuba for 14 days honeymoon in July 2001 and stayed at the Bella Costa. Things may have changed since then but I hope not. Rooms were good (not brilliant and the air conditioning was a bit tempremental) but the rest of the hotel made up for this. The pool and the activities down there during the day were fantastic. Very clean, in fact the whole complex was spotless. Meals also were good in the whole but not a lot of 'local' food as such which would have been nice. Beach is also really nice being 20 yards away but we didn't go there much 'cos it was too ---- hot! Best bits were the shows each night, the staff and the bar. A small tip with the staff goes a long way and before you know it you start getting "special" cocktails you'll never have heard of! Really recommend this place to anyone and combine it with a couple days in Havana and the catamaran ride with lobster for lunch - fantastic!

Cuba in mid-July

I would recommend this hotel to anyone who is looking for a great vacation. Steps away from the beach, very clean rooms, great food, Las Vegas style shows, the best people you will ever meet. Small gifts are appreciated as well as tips ($1). Can't say enough good things about this hotel, beach chairs always available, clean towels every day and no deposit required. Will be going back soon. Weather was great in July, warm and sunny, no rain at all during the day, the occassional rain storm late at night, while one sleeps. Any questions, please e-mail me.

Bella Bella Costa

Just back. Great beaches, hotel superb. Food first class. I reckon that this has the best position on Varadero Beach. Having spent a week touring in "real" Cuba it was a great place to relax and unwind. Barbareta was a superb cocktail waitress as were all the staff. Very attentive. The guy who looks after water sports on the beach has been doing that job for 12 years! Best job in the world. When i`ve recovered from my jet lag i`ll try and remember to update this record.

Bella Costa was great!

I stayed 10 days in Bella Costa Hotel and it was great. Hotel has been recently renovated and everything looks terrific. Rooms are clean, tidy and spacios with balcony and ocean view. Food in several restaurants is fine, although if you expect some Cuban dishes you may be disappointed since they think that turists do not like Cuban food. Bars are open all day with plenty of good drinks. Entertainment team is excellent if you are interested in sports and active vacation. Shows at night were excellent, with lot of Cuban music and dance. Staff is very friendly and willing to help. This is an excellent hotel for reasonable price.

You should try it!

Loved Bella Costa

My husband, two children and I recently visited Iberostars Bella Costa in Varadero, Cuba. This was our first visit to Cuba and we will most certainly return. Prior to going we had heard various reviews from different sources. The most common rumour was that the food wasn't good and that it tended to be bland. Well I would like to take this opportunity to dispel that. The food we were served was terrific. It was fresh and tasty, the meat wasn't covered in unknown sauces and there was something for everyone. There was seafood, chicken, beef and pork that melted in your mouth. Even our finicky seven year old never went hungry. We had a wonderful time. The staff were friendly, the food was terrific and swimming at the beach was excellent. No under currents to worry about, just beautiful turquoise waters to play in. We went into the town of Varadero and shopped at the local markets. Again the people were not pushy or harassing like you find at the markets in Mexico. You felt completely safe. The rooms at Bella Costa were your typical island rooms. Clean and efficient with satellite television. Entertainment was outstanding. They have some very talented staff. The daily activities ranged from water polo to volleyball to archery to dance lessons and aerobics. Overall this was a terrific family vacation. I would recommend this resort to anyone.

Caribbean Dream

My family has stayed at the Bella Costa a couple of times, we enjoyed it so much. We have 2 kids and it is the greatest place for children, very safe, clean, excellent, fresh food, a doctor on the premises, and the staff love kids.We vacationed in Mexico, the Bahamas, even Cayo Coco in Cuba, but it is the Bella Costa we keep coming back to. There are so many things you can do while staying at this hotel, like walk into town(very safe), take the little train or horse buggy in/out of town, walk to the American Plaza at the Melia Hotel where they have excellent shops with imported goods, bathing suits, clothes, bags, local art, food.The town of Varadero is such a freindly place too, and there are always the little local shops with the arts and crafts, cafes, and you get to see first hand how the Cubans live. In fact, we got the impression that they are better off than the Mexicans! A beautiful people to look at, so perfectly slim and healthy looking. After all the unhealthy obesity in Canada and the USA, this is a sight for sore eyes!!As we are a family that loves to swim, dive, soak up the sun, the beach at the Bella Costa is one of the most beautiful beaches that we have seen (and we have seen many). You can literally dive down with just your mask, and come up with handfuls of beautiful shells, a mere 20-30 yards from the beach!We enjoyed the healthy European style food that was not spicy or greasy, and where there is NO JUNK FOOD EVER! As for coffee lovers, well, this hotel has the best coffee this side of the Atlantic. The hotel makes and bakes all its goods, and the fruit is freshly picked from the trees, what more can you ask for.The apartments are gorgeous, there is even good satellite TV, and the entertainment program is solid enough, plus you can wander down the path to the Tuxpan and enjoy theirs if you get tired of Bella Costa's.We also booked a boat (Bayliner yacht) ride around the isles and atolls, where the staff dive down and get the lobsters for you which they then cook for lunch!! Albrink along chilled drinks (on a tray floated ona huge tire), which you then sip to your heart's content. All this for US20/person, and it's an all-day cruise. Wonderful.I strongly recommend the Bella Costa for all those in love with the sun and sea, especially for couples with children.Gordana Muratovic