Melia Las Americas

A more traditional take on the Melia resort chain, the Las
Americas branch has an old-fashioned dignity. The lobby is a bit dark and somber centered on a stone
table with curling wrought-iron legs topped with a floral display in a deep fuchsia. Looming above, a two-tiered wrought-iron chandelier with a rose-vine
design gives an elegant colonial touch. Gray tufted couches and ornate daybeds
provide ample seating. But the colonial touches don’t always work in harmony
with the blocky contemporary architecture. Black-and-white photos of golfers
and landscape photos of golf courses speak to the resort’s location, right by
the area’s premiere golf course.  While the
front of the lobby is a bit dark, the back of the lobby brightens up
considerably, opening onto a quartette of skylights on either side of a
staircase descending into the beachfront with full views of the turquoise water
beyond.The grounds are far more breezy and bright, such as the main pool, a
free-form body of water covered with thumbnail tiles in a range of blue colors
giving a shimmering effect. The open-air Caribbean restaurant with its
attractive thatched roof, twirling ceiling fans, and open show kitchen
overlooks the pool area. And the bungalow pools, divided by a small waterfall
and bordered by wooden loungers with jaunty blue and white striped cushions
continue the attractive beachy look.Guests tend to be golf aficionados and couples including
honeymooners that are drawn to the tranquil child-free atmosphere.  A few groups also come here.

Melia Las Americas is located right on Varadero’s beautiful
beachfront, often considered Cuba’s loveliest. It also backs right up to the
Varadero Golf Club, a tournament-level course that’s a major draw for many
travelers. (Guests get discounted entries.) The area is surrounded by
neighboring resorts, including other Melia properties. One famed property in walking distance is the Xanadu Mansion, a small boutique that was once the
private home of the DuPont family and now acts as a hotel with a restaurant. It's a 15 minute walk away. The
shopping arcade Plaza Las Americas is a four-minute walk away and offers a bank, souvenir
shops, a market, and restaurants including a pizzeria. The town of Varadero, with its restaurants, artisanal market, and nightlife, is an eight-minute drive away. Havana is a little less than two hours away, and José Martí International Airport is 10 minutes farther.

A sunny atmosphere permeates the guest rooms of Las Americas.
Vanilla-colored walls and light wicker furniture give a softer take on the
usual Caribbean colors. White damask sheets topped with orange pillows and
bed runners keep things bright and airy. Painted tromp de l’oeil details like
frames around the mirrors add a decorative flourish. One surprise is the
contemporary graffiti-style art, a departure from the usual landscape
portraits. Another surprise is the rocking chairs in standard rooms, giving an extra air of relaxation. All rooms have flat-screen TVs, beach towels, minibars
with free drinks, air-conditioning, writing desks, irons/ironing boards, safes,
electric kettles with coffee and tea supplies, and umbrellas. Suites also
include stereo systems. Most rooms (except for Grand Suites and some standard
rooms) have balconies furnished with white plastic patio furniture. And most
rooms have ocean views, some also overlooking the golf course.Bathrooms are simple but well maintained in brown-gray tiles.
Roomy vanities give ample counter space and come stocked with individual
toiletries, hairdryers, and magnifying mirrors. Bathrooms also have bidets and shower/tub combos, but the fabric shower curtains are a down point.Rooms at the Las Americas are divided into two general
categories: the rooms in the main building and the surrounding bungalows. Beyond that
rooms subdivide more with Junior Suites that have living rooms, Grand Suites
with a duplex layout, and Golf Suites that are by the golf course. Grand Suites
and Presidential Suites also offer more room and are often booked by
honeymooners. Bungalows are one- or two-bedroom or suites. Note that smoking rooms are available.

The star feature of the resort is its beach, a spacious
stretch of white sand furnished with white plastic loungers covered in
cobalt-blue cloth facing the calm cerulean waters. Palapa-topped umbrellas
provide shade. For those that prefer sundecks to sand, the resort has four
pools. The main pool is a freeform body of water with a built-in hot tub sitting at the center. Floating foam loungers let guests loaf in the water. Wood
cushioned loungers and canopied sunbeds also provide more spots for poolside
lounging. The gym is equally attractive, in a bright room surrounded by
floor-to-ceiling windows, some of which look over the pool. Cardio and
weight-lifting machines, free weights, and fruit-infused water are all on hand.
There are no TVs, but a sound system keeps the bumping beats going. Showers and
two saunas give post-workout relief. Another major draw for active guests is the Varadero Golf Club, which is directly behind the resort. Guests receive discounted entry.A wide variety of food is also on hand,
including five restaurants that cover an international spectrum of Italian,
Japanese, and Caribbean cuisine, among others. Six bars serve up drinks and small
bites. One bar provides service 24-hours, while others service the pools and
beach. A sizable theater stages evening entertainment and performances. A
business center provides two PC computers for guests’ use and sells hourly Wi-Fi cards
for those that want to connect in the lobby. (Cards were 2 Cuc each on our visit.) The
Melia Las Americas hosts weddings on both their beach and in a gazebo. Other
features include playful pastimes like a giant chess set, darts, or volleyball
or pampering like the a beauty salon and massage treatments (beachside or in
treatment rooms). Conveniences like money exchange, laundry service (for a
fee), a car rental desk, a tourism desk, and multiple shops for provisions or
souvenirs such as tie-dye dresses, boldly colored swimsuits, and the usual Cuban cigars and rum are also on the available.