Hotel Rancho Luna

Billed as all inclusive. Horrible canteen style food hardly recognisable. Can’t get a coffee except between 9-10. Drinks available beer. Well when they hadn’t run out. Water only at some bars. Rum. And at some of the bars you’ve might get a coke mixer. Rooms filthy pool unsafe it was green. Front of house staff explained nothing on check in What was available and times. My mum had a crab in her bedroom. Full off people who basically wanted to drink rum from waking up to going asleep. Wild dogs in the hotel howling all night.

For the price I dont know what else you could ask for. Beautiful beach with Great staff that are happy to take one out for a sale on a Hobicat. Comfortable bed to sleep in every night with a ductless split to keep one cool. Entertainment nightly. Good variety in the restaurant albeit a little heavy on the pork but delicious omelettes for breakfast. (hey its Cuba where they dont believe in spices so bring your favourite sauce and condiments, all the seasoned travellers do) The staff are friendly and helpful if they can help and all the refreshing Crystal lager you can drink so bring a travel mug for the beach. Free rum drinks at the bar and a great espresso coffee machine so if that is your thing bring your own coffee mug. Lots of Cubans and others from different Hispanic nations in the Caribean to interact with maybe even participate with in a fun competition. The average age of Canadians mostly from Ontario and Quebec does tend to lean to the older as the two of us are however there is always someone to talk to and enjoy the place with. Bring some books to read or a deck of cards. Cienfuegos the "Pearl of the South" is worth the trip in for a day trip or an evening of entertainment, take a taxi in and share it with friends.(there is often a 1952 Chevy parked outside or within calling distance and they will come and pick you up for your return or get a door person at a restaurant to call someone) Give the upper level of the Union a try you have to walk up the 5 floors but worth going up for a drink and view the sites at night. It is a good idea to bring a flashlight as the city does have intermittent blackouts for periods not the whole city but you might just happen to be in the neighbourhood that is off for a period. Please bring cash for tipping and be generous with beach staff, house staff, maids, everyone. The wages there are very low compared with ours (you would't be able to go there on what they make) $1 USD or larger $CAD Euros but not Loonies they cant change them easily or Cuban Pesos. USD are quoted for many things like cigars or rum some bring extra if you plan on purchasing them and the little convenience store at Rancho Luna only accepts $ or credit cards. You cant buy Cuban money outside of Cuba but people around the hotel or beach can help you get fair trade for your money.

If you like to stay in a hotel with a large pool, loud '70s style Cabaret evenings, cavernous echoing, souless buffet dining hall yet amazing Caribean beach at the bottom of the garden, stay here. If you want Cuban culture, local food, colonial french architecture and music stay in the nearby town of Cuinfagos (?) instead. This hotel is too far out of town to walk into the town for the evening. The reception desk was always too busy to sell me a wifi pass.

We enjoyed the stay. Food was avarage. Customer service was ok Location was great Beach was very nice You could always get a bargain tour and yet informative and helpful. Entertainment is a standing out item in this resort as it is every night and live along with an open air night club.