Hotel Canimao

I quite enjoyed it, the only slight drawback is that it is removed. This is another Islazul chain which i am a bog supporter of. Islazul is sorta like the Holiday Inn Hotel of old (better known in Canada) a low budget family place but pretty good quality and certainly safe and clean. In my experience Islazul are almost all frequnetd by better off Cubans, with the odd sampling of foreigner, I really like them as they are usually about $15 to $20 CUC (at least a few years ago). This hotel has a large clean swimmming pool and overlooks this large beautiful river that is nestled way down in a deep lush canyon/ravine. I believe the river's name is Canimao hence the name of the hotel. And you can walk down the river bank from the hotel to the rivers edge but it is a steep and tiring walk (not far just steep). The hotel has a bar and restaurant and has a really nice layout with largish rooms, and you meet all kinds of great cubans at the pool and bar. The restaurant services the typical Cuban fare, with a hearty breakfast (I think the most important meal of the day in Cuba). So in a nutshell really relaxing, quiet (except maybe in the summer at poolside ) and fun. The down or upside depending on who you are is that you are not in central Matanza (actually on the outskirts) or in Veradero (yeahhhh). So its not like you can step outside an be in downtown Matanza. so you always need a taxi (or if you get to know the staff, and they are very friendly, you can take the workers bus to Matanza at 3 PM and give 1 CUC tip) and taxies haev to be ordered as you are about a half mile off the main highway. However, if you know cuba, all I do is walk teh half mile (a great walk) and just hang out on the shoulder of the highway (or just ask Cuban strangers with cars at a the little cantina) and wave/flag your hand and someone always stops to pick you up eventually to Mantanza (I usually paid 5 CUC). and tehn you just spend your day on the great town of Matanza, with my HQ at bar Vieja in central Matanza and surrounded by great Cubans and architecture. The last point if you like partying and nightclubs right across the street from teh hotel (litteraly 150 feet away) is teh only nearby attraction (and it has nothjing to do with teh hotel) is Club Tropicana, probaly the best club in Matanza filled with beautifual and dancing Cubans. But you better bring out your best Salsa!