Great video, we’ve stayed next door at memories probably 10 times, watched them slowly building this concrete monster, I know what the beach is like there, this locals used to joke about how crappy it was, there was a rumour Melia was going to try and clean the big rocks out of the water. I’m sure it’s a beautiful resort but, it has to be the most un-Cuban looking building I’ve seen.

Poor video did not show inside room

Super small buffet no? Im used to Riu buffets.

Been 6 times 4diff resorts ocean view every time!!!!

ich war da mit meine familia wunderschön

You sound out of shape. Gasping for air

Room look really amazing, can beat a new resort....

Great video thanks ! Ive been there several times and will keep going back it's just lovely. So peaceful and the cuban people make it even better

Funny seeing my cuban friends on youtube :)

Nice video 👍🏼 good job is anyone heard of Iberostar Coral in Holguin Cuba???

Great video!! We are heading here in February.

Another great video Dave...Question for you. Do you have to wear wrist bands at this resort? Thanks.

Wow looks exactly the same as the premium suite at Playa Pesquero

Visit Mystique Trinidad hotel please

Very large resort lots of pools and bars.Not as “intimate” as some other resorts in CSM but would definitely go back.

Thank you for this great review. Please what’s the wifi situation in the resort and is the extra level worth it compared to just getting the regular selection?

If your a food snob forget about cuba apart from that & being bitten to death by the mosquitoes cuba is fab 👌 no guns nice and safe ive been many times to cayo coco and also stay in the town of moron and mix with the locals 😀 11:07

I have stayed there. The bungalows are the way to go. Most of my meals were made to order, which was great, but the food selection wasn't vast, as one might expect.

Very cool! I’ve often wondered what this resort was like, and now I know. Looks like a place to settle into for a month or so.

Thanks for your video.. I have never been to Trinidad . Hotel looks good but completely dead..

Thanks for the tour Dave!

Thanks for the tour👍 we were at Sanctuary 2 weeks ago, things were pretty quiet at that end of the beach! You're right it is a HUGE resort.👋

Nunca mais ponho lá os pés

Thank you for sharing your travels with me. I live vicariously through your adventures. The sand on the Caribbean side of Cuba is not the same as on the Atlantic side for sure. And there is always a murk to the water. I like to see my feet or I get nervous 🦈 😂😂😂 I’ve visited most of the public beaches along the Caribbean coastline from Cienfuegos to Santiago, and they are pretty rough. The sand is more like volcanic rubble, but the further southeast your go the clearer the water becomes. Do you know if the beach bus to the city runs daily? The cost each way?

I enjoy your videos but suggest getting a microphone that eliminates the wind noise. I’ve noticed that on a few of your vids.

My first stay on CSM was at this hotel. It was the first and only on the island in 2002, and when I first visited there were only a handful of hotels. Because it was the first I like to believe the developers chose the best ocean frontage. The waves were fun and the depth of the water perfect. Needless to say I have a sweet connection to Sol. I have returned many times with my adult children and their friends before moving on to larger Melia hotels on the cayo. I dream about revisiting to enjoy the repairs and renos and to reconnect with old friends. The simplicity and privacy along with the most mature gardens and trees on CSM certainly sets it apart from the rest. I think it would be too quiet for the party goer, but an excellent reclusive stay for reading, photography, morning yoga and solo getaways.

Been there twice. The beach is beautiful. Would go again.

Thank you

What’s the price per night?

Would you know a contact for the fishing trips ? Thank you great video

I really appreciate your videos You’re helping us make a decision, thank you!

ET phone home!!

That beach looks nice. Those patches of blue (darker) are because water is more deep there ? Min 11:30

Nice video. How’s the beer situation there ? Is there enough to be sitting on the bar all day ?

You need a better mic to block the wind!

Meliá has outdone themselves again! They truly are the cream of the crop. I was surprised when I watched the grand opening video that they had chosen this location and not Playa Ancon just moments away. It’s such a stunning beach, but perhaps it was because they needed so much space. It’s enormous. And this location is much closer to the town. Love the colors, the layout - so smart!! I’m happy to see that Spain is still investing in Cuba. That’s a good sign. This is one for my bucket list. Thank you for another great video Dave.

We love Cuba for their beaches but the food is a bit hard for my husband to find vegetarian options, how is the variety of food there?

0:03 *Visited, not Visitited

Hi Dave, is the food and beverage provided at this beach included in all-inclusive package deals for this island or do visitors have to pay?

That’s a beautiful beach! ❤

Thank you ! Would you do comparison between Melia Las Dunas and Melia Cayo Santa Maria, and which one you recommend ? Thanks again.

Why is there no people there?

Great video! I’m thinking about booking this hotel in September because Sunwing is giving an incredible deal but I had a bad experience in Cuba a couple years ago when I stayed at the Melia Cayo Coco. Although there was an abundance of food, the staff was serving us and we’re very stingy with portions so I starved the entire 10 days I was there and lost a considerable amount of weight. When I went for seconds the staff would give me dirty looks and would barely give me anything. I felt I had to beg them for food. In this video the breakfast buffet looked very scarse. Do they allow you to serve yourself or do they serve you? Is there a little snack shop either in the hotel or a grocery store outside the hotel? In case I don’t find anything suitable for my diet? Also is the pool deep enough to do lapses? Again, thank you for this video. Cuba has the most beautiful beaches in the world.😊

Beach and Cuba it s wonderful all time! But no palm trees. If I don't know then Cuba, I said ohhh it's Old Orchard

Mr. Brown great video,.but Cuba and foods it s not on a same way

I m so sorry this resort have no palm trees. And look at the grass it s not a big green screen. In Dominican Republic, Mexico and Jamaica you don't have this problem. For a new resort it s.ok.no more

Another very informative video, Dave. Would you pay the extra to stay next door at the PRDO, non RS side? Im looking at both options for next February.

The Melia chain Hotels on Cayo Santa Maria are my go to. I haven’t been the Buenavista, but am seriously considering a 2 week stay here very soon. I will be at the quiet pool, knitting and reading. It’s simply lovely. I seek out solitude, not always easy to find a quiet little niche, but here it is! The beauty of the Melia hotels are the established gardens. I believe Melia was one of the first developers on the Cayo, so they are oldest, and normally had the most cohesive staff. Feels like home to me.

Hi Dave. Thank you again for your expert coverage of Cuban resorts. In my resort experience, it is common for resorts to appear vacant certain days of the week. I believe this is the slow month too, and many provinces in Canada don’t have direct access to Cuba from mid May and December. I live in Nova Scotia and enjoy a direct 4 hour flight into Cuba during the winter months. It is brutal to have to overnight for 5 or 6 hours in Toronto. Another reason may be that the Cuban Tourism evenly distributes business across all resorts, perhaps making only specific resorts available for distinct periods. This way staff and supply shortages are minimized. They are expert at tourism and managing shortages. Have to ask, I’m seeing a few vids of sharks at CSM….any word of sightings at CC? They are bold and coming right up to the shoreline. This is an environmental phenomenon and is happening in Florida too.

When you were there? In june? 🤔