The hotel itself is a very large complex and built in such a way that you feel you live in a small city. All the rooms are separated in small bungalows that have 4 rooms each (like that movie 4 rooms but not exactly...actually, not even close). In the lobby there is a small shop for all your gift needs and small necessities that you may have forgotten at home. Near the shop is an open bar that works 24 hours where you may get an espresso in the morning or a warm sandwich after late at night if you get hungry after jumping in the disco that is located nearby. The disco itself is open until 4am (or as long as there are people in there). From my experience, the disco is not something where you may find entertainment. I'm a young traveler and this complex is not a place where young people should go alone (a group of 4 minimum guarantees you a great time). Another place to visit at night is the piano bar. There is a lady that plays a piano every night in a bar close to the lobby which is open until 1 I believe, and the staff along with the ambient make this place a must visit for all the romance lovers or card players (I was the card player).

During the day there is plenty of things one can do. There is a children's daycare for all the couples that want to "relax" (it looked very nice - if I was 2, I'd feel like in Disneyland). There is a pool in the middle of the complex that is separated in 2 (the shallow and the deep end) with an in-pool basketball and volleyball nets. Nearby it the swim-up bar (that you can NOT swim up to) - you have to leave the pool for some 15m to get your beverage (which I found a little inconvenient, but hey, at least nobody sprays water in your Pina Colada). Also there are a couple of pool and ping-pong tables for your enjoyment. My personal favorite place was the basketball/soccer/tennis fields (all in one). Very professionally built and the only thing that it was lacking was people (read my note earlier on 4 ppl minimum).

The beach is a couple of minutes walking distance away from the complex. It is very clean, the water is very warm and clean. I mean beaches in Cuba are amazing everywhere I think. never was I disappointed and I've seen them (almost) all. There is a restaurant/bar on the beach with some great food (fish bbq, lob$ter, etc).

Generally I thought this hotel was great and the only problem that I saw was the fact that I was the only young guy there, so plan to go with friends if you're looking for fun, drinking and sporting time. If you're a couple that wants to relax and enjoy a very entertaing evening program, this is a place for you to visit. Another thing to note is that I believe that this hotel was at one time or another (and still is) frequently visited by the people from Montréal. What does that mean? Most of the staff speaks better French than English. I only found that to bea problem because I like to chit chat with the bartenders and I don't speak Spanish or French so you can see how that was a problem.

All in all, I would go back with a few friends and visit those passing cities at night, check out the jet ski rides (a couple of km away), play some basketball during the day and relax on the beautiful beach while eating some phenomenal lobsters and cheese.

An experience by Gordi Sabados

I spent a very short time at the Sol Cayo Santa Maria, but I can say that it is definitelly a 4 star. Compared to most 4 star resorts in Cuba, this may even be a 4+.

The beach here is gorgeous and the grill by the beach is very big compared to other hotels where I've been. They served crab and fish right off the grill and had plenty of drinks to choose from - just at the beach snack bar!

The rooms are nice and spacious. the one neat thing that was different from other hotels is that the bathroom has the tub places along the outside wall - and the whole wall is a window! This can be pretty awkward if you are on the ground floor, but it can bre pretty amazing if you are on the second floor - especially if you have an oceanview room:)
Of course, there is curtain that you can pull over the window but you may not even use it (well, maybe when you are taking a shower:)))

The whole resort is very lush. Tons of flowers and palm trees covering the grounds. the pools are interlocking with little waterfalls and bridges that look very cosy.

The restaurants are most made in a Japanese architectural style - all sorrounded by water and little wooden bridges.
The kids area was great (it had kids!!!) with plenty of thing to do.

Also, the resort has a big game section - ping pong, fussball (table soccer?), giant chess, etc.
It has a jacuzzi in the middle of the garden (and - close to the bar)!

I loved this propety! This is a place I might consider for my next vacation in Cuba. I would mostly recommand it for families with kids and for coples who would like to just relax for a week in a great lush and friendly enviroment.