Suzanne Beck has asked "is this a superior room. For some reason her comment doesn't show up here, just in my e-mail so I can't answer her unless she checks here. We'll see. The first 2 rooms in this video are superior and the second 2 rooms are standard.
What a surprise, Michael! Thank you so much for publishing this. Also surprised, that William some how made it to Montreal. Wonder, who sponsored him ... Sending greetings from AB to ON. chris.
The band had long wanted to play Canada but like the mothers of all my musician friends told them, " son, don't give up the day job". It's a tough business to make a living at. After Machin fired Villagranm, they just weren't making enough money to stay in Varadero. Juan Carlos' voice and William's trumpet made them superior to other groups who played and are now at Kawama. Pablo the bass player kept them going as long as he could but without being the Kawama house band they weren't earning enough to rent a place close by. Some of them lived far away. I'm told Pablo has some new players and is still playing at 62nd street and a little at other hotels.
I booked December with Westjet. I joined their Email list and they sent me a discount. February and March trips were through selloffvacations.com who had a sale deal I took advantage of for the February booking. I as a repeater have some pull regarding rooms. If you do try Kawama contact me after for help.
I admire your dedication to the hotel and love for Cuba, but most of all, your understanding and consideration for the people and the conditions they face. I visited Varadero for the first time Sept. 2022 and have been 5 times since. Going again next week. I fell in love. Also, like you, anything under $1,000 from Toronto with that beach and view and culture has my attention. Great video.
Enjoy very much watching your videos. You explain where everything is and what you can do with the foods they have to offer. I didn’t stay at this resort we stayed at the starfish quatro close to calle 62. It is a great spot to stay except for the food options but we made the best of it and found some really nice restaurants. I can’t go too far because I am in a scooter but we really enjoyed our vacation. I wish I had know about this fruit and vegetable market I would have gotten to it somehow.
Cuatro Palmas is very popular and really well located in the downtown area if you like the Beatles Bar and Calle 62. I would try it except it is a few hundred dollars more than Kawama and I'm not wealthy enough to afford 5 weeks a winter there which is what I spent at Kawama this winter. I'm glad you enjoyed my videos and thankyou for contacting me.
Thank you Michael for the time, and effort, to provide your videos. They were a huge help in my recent decision to stay at Kawama. Can't wait to return. I see why you, and many others I met, keep coming back. I am now one of them. 🙂
You man already have seen but I put 2 new videos up since this one and another about a walking tour from Kawama to the nearby restaurants and Santa Marta Market.
I forgot to say; Thankyou for your appreciation. I enjoy trying to help Cuba and Kawama and the people who may consider going here. If we are prepared we can make it quite a superior experience.
Have been to Cuba about 14-15 times and yes, life for an average Cuban is VERY HARD. I love Cuba and the people and will continue to visit the land for many years to come. My most recent stay was at Grand Aston Beach Resort. The hotel opened in December 2023 and I had a blast as usual. I am thinking of trying Holguin for my September trip.
I was watching this thinking wow that looks so familiar, bc it is, great resort lovely management. I hope some changes to their regime can help the food and wage issues for Cubans.
The cause of the current problem began in 2017 when Trump came to power and began passing over 220 new sanctions against Cuba, on top of the ones that had been there for 60 years already. Then before leaving power he declared Cuba a State Sponsor of Terrorism which prevents many countries and businesses from doing business with Cuba if they want to do business with the U.S. The Cuban economy started downhill at that time after having improved under Obama. Then it tanked during Covid and has not recovered because Biden has been too weak a president to undo Trump's sanctions.
Gone now. Hope the video helped you be ready to make the most out of your stay in Cuba. Talked to 5 star guests on the bus to the airport. They have shortages to. Keep smiling.
Michael, I’ve really enjoyed your videos on Club Kawama. I’ve talking a trip down on Friday staying at Kawama. This is my first trip down south so I’m quite excited. Was it easy to get bottled water at the resort? Is it easy to get beer nearby?
I Would go into Santa Marta for a case of beer. I bought bottled water at the store next to LA Sangria restaurant a block east of Kawama. There is also a little grocery store at the Marina Hotel at the east end of the all day tourist bus.
Google Varadero Golf Course. They have didn't size packages for sale. I got snuck on with a friend who plays it every day. I think it's about $150 with cart and club rental.
You can see a lot of food in this video. My wifi worked in my room and the restaurant. It's the least expensive southern vacation on the last minute sites. Good luck.
One of my hopes with these videos is to show people in the hotels that for a few cents they can have bananas or whatever in their diet. My wife likes banana at breakfast every day.so I make sure we have them in our hotel room if the buffet is out.
Hi Thank you for all the information. I would like to know if is there rooms whith shower at Kawama? It ´s for a disabled person. We go next monday. It’s 7 Times to Cuba but, Fist in Kawama. Thank you
I believe there was a wheel chair accessible shower in a room in building 17. But it's been a long time since I had that discussion. Contact the resort.
We do love Varadero for the prices and security, normal place is Cuatro Palmas at upper end across from Calle 62. How did you find things there post Covid? We have heard some positive and some negative, thinking about returning soon.
I love the price. My wife loves the safety. Cuatro Palmas has been quite full. There were a few people I met who told me they couldn't get in. Love to see Elimay again. Tourism still hasn't recovered. Pre covid I was afraid to get off the bus at Mall of Americas or the Marina at the end of the peninsula because of the huge lineups waiting to get back on and full buses driving right past. Not that way now. Economy started down under Trump sanctions then crashed with Covid. Biden has been too weak to undo most sanctions and the State Sponsor of Terrorism designation so the economy is still stalled. I just pack more in our suitcases for us than before. May still be the safest country on the planet in my opinion.
Were you questioned when you left canada,with all those foods in your check in luggage.and when you arrived in Cuba.no problem with immigration with all that food.
No problem in Canada. Only food not allowed in my luggage is vegetables. I've found a way around that I've shown in previous videos. Or just keep them all in one small bag at the top of your checked bag. When you take it off the luggage roundabout in Varadero, open your suitcase, take out the vegetable bag and put it in your purse/ personal bag. They check your checked bag for a sticker on the way out the door and stop you there. Used to just peel the sticker off first. Was told last trip they're marking the airline sticker around the suitcase handle now. I've kept the ones from my last trip to replace them with if they're marked up this way. Sneaky. But I've found I can get many vegetables at the Santa Marta market. Check out the other video from the same time as this one,
Thankyou. I just put a new one on. Got home a week ago. Depends where you're flying out of what a resort costs. I'm going March 14 out of London and I see it's $785 at the moment. I'm a backpacker, camper sort of person so I put up with lower standards than most. If you want 5 star, pay 5 star. If you go there and have problems with your room I suggest you drop my name and perhaps they may listen to you.
Not sure if you got to the part where I mentioned how much we paid? I said for a few dollars of food I can compensate for Cuban food. And I can't get this clear ocean, perfect sand beach and a room that would cost me twice as much somewhere else. I also have room in my bag for hundreds of dollars worth of gifts. A lot of it dried foods. Cuba would be the jewel of the Caribbean by now if it weren't for 65 years of the U.S. having it's boot on their throat, economically. I have contacted my MP and told her Canada should have no part in the U.S. preventing trade with Cuba.
In the December video I went with 4 guys and packed their suitcase with food for Cubans as well. Pack for yourself first as it's your vacation and if there is room left in your weight limit, fill it. On this trip I paid for an extra checked bag one way on Westjet. I put one empty one inside the other for the trip home to save the extra fee. My wife and I took 3 X 50 lb. checked bags and my carry on weighed 43 while my carry on bag weighed 15. With my wife's carry on bag we probably had 230 lbs. I left my clothes, sandals, snorkel, etc. there so I'd have more room for gifts on my next trip. We all have our various benevolent projects.
Thanks Michael going back for my 7th time..love this place ❤ I have learned as I have gone along and watching your videos how to really make this a vaca my way.
In the south east corner of the main lobby is a desk where Marion the PR rep is supposed to be from 10 till 12 to take reservations for the a la carte 6:30 and 8:00 seatings.
I have been to Cuba nine times! Mostly I went to an area called Santa Maria del Mar, a little town called Guanabo. It may be bigger now, it's been a few years since my last visit. but the hotel rooms I rented were cheap but clean, and close to the beach! A couple of times we rented a Casa particular, not sure if they are allowed anymore! The families were wonderful people! The best vacations I have ever had! Beautiful beaches, great people, wonderful culture! 💘 🦂🥂
I had multiple issues with the property, including bugs, lack of hot water, broken tiles, and poor overall maintenance. No hot water no matter what time of day i tried. Unless you had a room up front ( were very few ) you felt like you were living with the staff AND that in itself is questionable for the poor staff who try their best to work with what they can. No balconies which is a red flag. no coffee and very little food, and the food was questionable at best. no cutlery, dishes were all chipped and no napkins and no coffee. no bottled water. no beach towels and no loungers. no entertainment in English at all. From my past trips to Cuba i was prepared for quality of food and in the past could always find something to eat but this time was disturbing. I could go on and on and on........ It took me two days working with the SUNWING rep to move and the poor rep did the best he could to move me, but the line ups daily ... honestly I don't know how he did not want to kill himself after all the complaints, people lined up daily and he could barely have time for any and all of them. I felt so bad for him! SUNWING remove this from your list of properties....... you should be ashamed of yourself. I WAS and am disappointed and frustrated by these conditions, especially since i have had positive experiences in Cuba in the past many many many times. It's important to provide feedback to both the hotel management and your travel provider, SUNWING, so they can address these issues and potentially remove the property from their offerings if necessary. It's also important to acknowledge the efforts of the SUNWING representative who tried to help you find a solution, despite the challenges they faced. Do with it what you will. let this review serve as a warning to others who may be considering booking this hotel, and I hope that my feedback reaches the appropriate parties for them to take appropriate action.
I'm sorry you had so many problems. They do occasionally overbook this hotel for the number of rooms which are in a decent state of repair. During summer months there are a LOT of Cubans who butt in line, take all the food and that can be a problem. For first timers experiencing difficulties with their rooms I suggest finding a repeater to intermediate for you with the management. Front desk staff at the cheapest 3 star down south hear a LOT of complaints and have learned to tune them out, unfortunately. Even repeaters suffer problems with hot water but as this video shows there are options. Repeaters always have friends ready to share their room's hot water as well. My first shower was not hot; not cold but not hot. The maid flicked a switch on the power box and I was back in business. Or you could spend a little more and get better rooms and food in Cancun or the DR. It's definitely not for everyone. I'm a camper, boater, and old hippie backpacking hitchhiker who can handle this Cuban owned 3 star. We're all different. Better luck next time.
Silly question but dont customs at Toronto stop you bringing food? Indoors you put it in a checked bag or carry on? I know going to US or England no seeds, fruits, meats etc. Also, would you say this is a senior friendly resort? I use a cane (or wheelchair for long distances). Am not fussy with food but would like a resort I could just walk to the beach and restaurants from my room and not ned to bring a wheelchair.
It is mostly older people as you can see. There are a few ramps but the paths have a few cracks in them. However, a ground floor room close to the lobby would serve you fairly well. There were a couple people in wheelchairs there when I was. It is a narrow resort so all of it is relatively close to the ocean. I started going here because it's the least expensive. It still is. But that's just me. If people can afford it a 5 star is better.
It's not Toronto customs it is Cuban customs who don't allow fresh vegetables. Cured meats are allowed. Check online for what is allowed. I've learned how to smuggle in a few vegetables from experience though you can get many of them at the market as well.
@@DownMichael Thanks for replying. For me it's not so much cost as comfort. Small, compact resort that I can navigate. As long as there's a bit of meat or fish to eat I'm fine and I don't drink sweet cocktails, just the odd whiskey and soda (or water). The last time I travelled in my wheelchair was a nightmare at the airport but that's a whole other topic, lol.
The market is about 1 1/2 kilometers from Kawama. The only flambe is occasionally at the repeater's dinner. But there are dozens of private restaurants in Varadero.
Thank you, I used to go to Kawama every year from 1999 to 2011. They were very kind to me that last year. I was booked for 2 weeks but my daughter passed away unexpentedly after my 1 week. The older man from the Italian restaurant brought me a bottle of wine as I had to wait all night because no flight until the next day. Leida at public relations was also very kind.
❤ Thanks for your newest video, Michael. Did you fly via West Jet and also used their Bus transport to and fro airport? I haven't been for a couple of years now. Looks like, apart from substantial renovations, nothing else changed much regarding troubles (broken down air condition, toilet, coffee maker, hot water). I never minded the food selection in the buffet.
Westjet, included hotel transfer. Most repeaters are disappointed the money spent on the lobby didn't go into the rooms. We took a kettle. Our room didn't have a 3 prong plug so I borrowed maintenance hack saw and cut the ground off.
@@1clairemclaren Butter and soft cheeses, peanut butter can't be in your carry on. Whenever in doubt what you can put in your carry on, simply google it. The only food I bring which isn't allowed is vegetables but I've learned how to get them through Cuban customs. And now I've found I can buy most of them in the Santa Marta market every day.
I want to add here I wrote more in my first comment but it started showing up in RED letters and censored my post WOW YT!! (nothing to do with the poster of the video)
I went just after travel opened up from covid and My experience was the worst I ever had in Cuba. I felt like I was tolerated and often just ignored despite tipping well
It is the lowest priced and thus the lowest of everything else to. They were so disgruntled after Trump and Covid about 20 of the Kawama employees left for Florida, Europe and Canada.
Great video. How much were the tomatoes and lettuce from the market? How much for the lobster tail? Could you pay in USD or CAD at the market for the veggies or did they want pesos? How much food do you bring with you on a trip to Cuba?
I got 180 Cuban pesos to the Canadian dollar. Some got 150. Rarely 200. Change about $40 Canadian at a time. It's cheaper to pay at Kiki's or Sangria or other places in pesos if you can get a high exchange rate. Pesos at the market and vegetables are pennies, so to speak. We got the lobster tail from someone who'd been diving and was at the 13th St. Bar for 1000 pesos each for a 10 to 12 ounce tail. I bought a wallet with Cuba written on it. I asked how much? They said $10 American or $15 Canadian. I did the math and paid in U.S. I brought 8000 pesos home with me. But I know I'm going back and don't worry about it. I bring different food for myself. Last trip I took Caesar salad dressing and had 3 while we were there. I'm just trying to add a little more variety than you can get in Cuba. I tell people to pack for themselves first and Cuban gifts second. It's your vacation
