HOTEL

The Rio De Luna and Rio De Mares hotels were once two separate properties, but now, they are connected with many pathways and the same beach as well as the many activities around both properties. Quality wise they are about the same.

To receive an oceanview room, you would have to request a third floor at the Rio De Luna or second and up at the Rio De Mares.

The lobby at both resorts is nice and spacious. We found ourselves spending a few hours every day in the lobby….wither having drinks and relaxing or playing ping pong. In the lobby of the Rio De Luna, the bar is open 24hrs and a piano player comes along every two days to play some tunes. Relaxing.
As far as sports and activities, the hotel offers pool, ping pong, a giant chess board, tennis, horseback riding, a well equipped gym with a sauna and also, water polo in the pool. On the beach, activities involve beach volleyball, snorkeling, kayaking, wind sailing, dancing lessons and many other competitions.

The pools are nice at both resorts. The Rio De Luna has a much bigger pool and a more relaxing atmosphere. The Rio De Mares pool is the one with the swim-up bar. Both pools have a snack bar open most of the day near by.

BEACH

The beach at Playa Esmeralda is one of the nicest I've seen in Cuba . Definitely the one with nice shade. (Don't mistake this with all beaches of Hoguin….the Guardalavaca is just as nice, whereas the Turquesa is very weedy).

The beach is full of trees, palm trees and tons of palapas. Also, there are many flowers in this area which makes it look very nice. There are enough beach chairs for everyone!! You don't have to hurry to the beach at 8:00am to get yours J ; you will find plenty at any time of day. The beach is also the nicest right in front of the Rio De Luna. The Rio De Mares looks just as nice but has some small rocks n the water (they are not really bas, but you might as well walk over 20m to the nicer part.
It is safe to leave your thing right on the beach if you go for lunch, for a drink or to swim. The beach is private and the few locals that can access it are very friendly and will not approach you if you don't start conversing first.

The sand is white and the water is crystal clear.
There are many exotic fish in the shallow end so it is perfect for snorkeling.
The best part for some amazing snorkeling is right underneath the Paradises hotel (about 200m down the beach) where there is a coral reef holding some of the most exotic types of coral and fish.
Snorkeling gear is free at the activity center.

FOOD

4 star. No less, no more. The buffet is open fro about 4 hrs for every meal so you can take your time. Daily, they offered at least 3 types of fish, chicken and one other meat like pork/stake as well as some sort of pasta. Soups and salads had a good selection every day. They have a ‘healthy corner' as well, but not with much of a selection. One whole table was dedicated to different sorts of cheese, which was nice. Wine is served with all meals.

Less frequently, they served lobster, calamari and shark meat.

ENTERTAINMENT

The entertainment is low budget…like everywhere in Cuba , but it does not mean that it's bad.

By low budget – I mean that there are no expensive sets and big bands like you might find in some other Caribbean destinations, but the entertainment staff is something else.
There are a few shows during the week that are interactive and include audience members. These shows are usually very funny as the staff makes guests do crazy things on the stage. There are couple vs. couple competitions as well as one gender vs. another.
Other shows during the week include cabarets, children shows (Disney Theme), acrobats, etc.
One night per week, the hotel also organizes a beach party where they set up a stage beside the disco and have live performers. This is a night of dancing in the sand (do not take your nice shoes!!) and conga lines.

DISCO

The disco is right on the beach below the Rio De Mares part. Of course, it is all inclusive and you can have as many drinks as you want here – but it closes at 2:00am . The atmosphere is great and many people from Paradisus Rio De Oro come here at night because they do not have a disco of their own. I was not very impressed with the music since it was all hip hop and R&B …over and over and over…every night, however, the crowd was great and it made up for it.
If you still want to party, hang out or even eat after 2:00am , the snack bar at the Rio De Mares is open 24hrs and the lobby bar ate the Rio De Luna as well. Most people tend to choose the snack bar by the pool to wait for the morning.

SERVICES AND AMENITIES

Internet access is 1.00 USD per 10 minutes. The price is not bad but the connection is awful. I would advise you use the internet if you only have to (it takes 10 minutes to get on to hotmail!)
Both hotel sections have a small store – however, the Rio De Mares is the one that carries STAMPS and LIGHTERS in case you need them.
The gym is well equipped and you can take the exercise mat into your own room if you wish (for yoga, stretching or whatever you do).

Final though – I'd go back to this resort for sure.
It is a nice 4 star with a nice beach, good service and friendly staff.
The resort is good for families and couples, groups traveling together as well as singles. It will suit you if you are looking for activities during the day and night ….and of course, the beach, again.

have enjoyed to stay in Luna Hotel in Holguin I have stayed in Melia hotels ( Libre in Havana, santiago in Santiago de Cuba and Melia Vardero in Varadero) All of them were OK..Guarlavaca Beaches are beautiful but the animation team and activities in Varadaro were much better as well as the food.

In all hotels the personal were very profissional and friendly. A portuguese guy that knows Guarlavaca very well told me that once he went to Rio De Oro Melia but after some days we asked to be transfered to Luna since he gets more fun in this one 4 stars hotel...well it is his opinion since i did not visited the Rio de Oro.

We stayed at the Rio De Mares 3 times !!

The first time it was recommanded to us by our travel agent beacuse the kids were small. 
We were told that the kids area was great as well as the kids program, which proved to be true.  We went one and than again and now again for the third time. 

The beach is Playa Esmeralda and it is great. 
We love this beach a lot more than Varadero.  the water is just as nice with no seaweed or rocks and the sand is powdery and white.  The best part of the beach is that the waves are not as big as Varadero and there is A LOT OF SHADE!!! This was very important to us beacuse of the kids being outside all the time.  The beach infront of the Rio De Mares had many palm trees and trees of all kinds that serve as shade from the sun.

I would say the only people it is not suitable for are the ones who don't like to walk.  The walk to the beach is not long (we liked it) but it has a few steps that may come in way if you cannot climb.
As far as I know, it is a the Rio De Luna that they have a copule wheelchair accesible rooms.  The rooms are not very big but they have everything you need from the mini bar , two double beds, hairdryer, phobe, radio, TV, crib (for babies).

We took a trip to Guardalavaca (only about 10 minutes away) and here we found some cigar shops, pizza parlours, souvenir shops ets.  The taxi cost is $5.00 USD.
We kept our room also the last two times for late check out and paid - 25.00 USD because it is much easier with kids not to move your things around.
One more thing - if you loose your towell card it is 15.00 USD, so watch out!
For extra $$, the hotel also offers scuba diving, horseback riding, moped rentals and fishing.

I would love to change the destination next time and try something different, however, I believe we will visit the Rio De Mares again one day.