Villa Bacuranao

When looking for a package deal for our first trip to Cuba, we had all kinds of advice and recommendations. Looking at RECENT reviews for many of the hotels convinced me to ignore these recommendations! An insanely cheap deal popped up for Villa Bacuranao, and we decided to go for it, despite it being only a 2-star hotel. We were very, very glad we did. The Villa is a collection of small single-storey buildings spread over a sprawling property right on the oceanfront. The shoreline is very rough (unswimmable), as is most of the Cuban coastline, but adjacent to the hotel is a bay with a beautiful sand beach. It was a one-minute walk from our room to some of the best swimming we have ever had! We didn't even bother to go in the hotel pool as the ocean was perfect, everyday! The room we had was very basic, but everything worked (which, according to reviews, put Bacuranao ahead of almost all the other resorts!). Cold air conditioning, hot shower, toilet that flushed magnificently and even a mini-fridge. Everything you need. Bonus items were a tiled, shaded front 'porch', with wicker chairs and table for sitting out and listening to the surf roar in. An added bonus was one of the local cats, who waited for us night and day on the porch and made the place feel like a home. So, food. Our package was for breakfast only, and the El Dorado is the restaurant at the Villa. It is right at the shoreline, so you can eat on their patio about 20' from the ocean waves. The coffee was great but the food is basic, you can get an omelet and toast or go for the 'canned meat' selection if you feel brave!. Food in Cuba is, well, plain. They do not get a large variety due to embargoes and supply problems, but they do their best. You just figure out what you like and stick with it. We ate dinner there a few times and were happy with what they offered. There is also a restaurant (El Bacura, hard to find!) about a 10 minute walk from the Villa, and it was GREAT for dinners. The Villa pool bar actually has a small kitchen and a grill and you can get lunch there as well. The area around the Villa is kind of, well, empty! There were horses and a goat grazing in the field behind our room. I spent a day sitting on the porch reading 'Our Man in Havana' and listening to the surf and was as relaxed as a human could ever be. No hordes of vacationers drunk at the poolside at this place. Local families pay to use the pool so it was busy at times but that didn't matter to us as we liked ocean swimming (hey, you can swim in a pool at home!). I have to say the staff were really great. There was security at the front entrance (and on occasional patrol) at all times, although it felt like it wasn't needed as the Villa is not really close to much, or has any foot traffic. It feels extremely safe. The front desk was very helpful and the rooms were attended to daily. Cubans that work with tourists are quite reliant on tips as a main source of income, so we were always mindful and repectful of that. A really big bonus of staying at the Villa Bacuranao: 20 minutes to Havana! It is a crazily vibrant city, tons of people and things to see everywhere. You have to go. So, to sum up, the Villa Bacuranao is a simple but well-run and clean place to relax, or use as a home base for exploring Cuba.