Memories Varadero Beach Resort

It's very clear what market the Memories Varadero is targeting. In the lobby is a "Canadian corner" bedecked with a Canadian flag where a signature cocktail of the day is served, and at the kids' club we saw staffers in Toopy and Binoo costumes (popular Canadian cartoon characters). That being said, the resort does see guests from other countries as well (Chile, Argentina, the U.K., and Germany in particular). Because the resort is so massive, it is able to have broad appeal, drawing many families but plenty of couples as well. There are two pools catering to different preferences: the always bustling activity pool, with a waterslide, busy swim-up bar in a grotto, an animation team leading contests, and the like. The quiet pool is about equally sized and draws couples looking to sunbathe and read. The resort has a figure-eight layout, with room blocks around each pool (the activity pool is nearer to the beach), and it is sprawling -- expect to take buggies frequently, or get in a lot of walking (it's about a 15-minute walk from the lobby to the beach). At least the beautiful grounds will make the walk enjoyable; despite a few empty fountains, the grounds were some of the lushest and best-tended we saw. The huge size does make for crowds, and the resort struggles a bit to accommodate them. All resorts in Varadero seem to have issues keeping up with laundry (it typically has to be sent far off-site), but Memories in particular has problems because of its scale -- it never has enough clean towels (many guests reuse their beach towels for the entire stay). The public bathrooms run out of toilet paper frequently, and as at most resorts in Varadero, some toilets lack seats. The buffet gets crowded. Even though the resort was only opened in 2007 (and rebranded as a Memories in 2012), it has already seen significant wear. 

Memories Varadero is at kilometer 18.5 along Autopista Sur, the main road on the Varadero peninsula that runs parallel to the beach. The oldest resorts tend to be located closer to downtown, and the newer ones toward the tip of the peninsula that's farthest away. Memories, built in 2007, is actually one of the newer options. It's right next door to Ocean Varadero El Patriarcha. The craft markets, bars, restaurants, and clubs of downtown are about a 20-minute taxi ride away (about 20 CUC); the Beatles Bar and Calle 62 are popular. Guests can also buy a day pass to Varadero's hop-on, hop-off bus for 5 CUC. It's about a two-hour drive from the Havana airport, for approximately 100 to 120 CUC. 

Rooms at Memories are located in multiple three-story buildings around the pool areas. They're dated, but clean and cheerful, with thin yellow comforters, and balconies or terraces. Tile bathrooms have shower-tub combos. All rooms have minibars (fees apply, except in Diamond Club Rooms), TVs (mostly of the old tube variety), a free bottle of water, and free use of the safes. Plugs will fit North American electronics, but the voltage is 220 so it's a good idea for North American guests to bring a voltage converter. Beach towels are exchanged in the room (in theory), but most guests report that getting fresh towels is almost impossible. As at many Varadero resorts, linens and towels may have rust stains. Guests who upgrade to the Diamond Club get a few extra in-room perks, such as robes and slippers, and late check-out if available. Those in Deluxe Suites get coffeemakers, and some of these units have a partial sea view (you really have to crane your neck, though). All rooms fit three adults, or two adults and two children, and come with one king or two single beds. Family Suites made up of two connecting standard Deluxe Rooms are available. In short, rooms are OK for the price, but they're not a highlight. 

The main draws at Memories are the gorgeous white-sand beach (with a beach bar offering a mojito corner and a grill for burgers and the like), the two big pools (one for activities with a waterslide, one for quiet), and the entertainment program. Those seeking activity and a bustling atmosphere should be pretty happy here; we saw more going on here than at any other resort. There are 15 staffers on the animation team, who lead activities such as Spanish lessons, salsa lessons, aqua aerobics, and various pool competitions. During our visit the activity pool was far more crowded than the quiet pool, and animation team members were leading a competition on the microphone (in both Spanish and English). At the theater, there are 15 shows that change every two weeks; the orchestra pool performance is not to be missed (guests also tend to like the Michael Jackson performance). There are also tons of special events, from Cuban Day to Pirate Day to St. Patrick's Day to Octoberfest to Caribbean Day to the foam party, where the activities, atmosphere, and food reflect the theme.The waterslide at this pool is the only one in Varadero and was in constant use; a medic is on the premises for kids who misuse it (we spoke to a Canadian man whose daughter had cut her chin open after going down without water; he said the medic did a great job patching her up). There are tons of loungers but those in the shade can fill up. There's a beach entry at the quiet pool, which those with little kids might appreciate. There's also a 24-hour snack bar here (items are typically limited to burgers, sausages, and pasta), as well as another swim-up bar. The kids' club is one of the area's busiest and best; it's the only one where we saw costumed cartoon characters interacting with the little ones. (Specifically, Canadian cartoon characters Toopy and Binoo, and the Berenstain Bears). During our visit there were also staffers on stilts. The club also hosts events for kids with themes such as Snow White, Fashion Show, or Pizza Party. There's a mini disco at night, where kids put on a show they rehearsed during the day. This is also one of the only resorts with a baby club for ages 0 to 3. There's a kiddy pool here, as well as one by the activity pool. The gym has wood floors, a weight room, two treadmills, four bikes, and two elliptical machines. There's an outdoor spa pavillion plus indoor treatment rooms. There are two saunas, which almost never get used (it's too hot), and an empty hot tub. There's a cigar cart that comes around the lobby, and there's a coffee tasting menu for excellent brews. 

The food at Varadero resorts has a reputation for being bland, but the Memories buffet -- despite getting crowded -- did have a number of crowd-pleasing menu options. Think: chicken wings, made-to-order pizza, mashed potato croquettes, a grill with hot dogs and burgers, a grill for seafood (caught off the property's shoreline), and a giant dessert station. We feel obligated to mention that we saw a cockroach skitter by the Italian station. The buffet is indoors but not air-conditioned, though Diamond Club members do get an air-conditioned section (it was nearly empty during lunchtime when we visited, despite the crowds in the main buffet room). There are five a la carte options: Mexican, Italian, Japanese (teppanyaki style show cooking), Mediterranean, and Cuban (housed in the activity pool restaurant that's a snack bar during the day). There's also an option for a romantic dinner with lobster for an additional fee. The Japanese restaurant is one of the most popular. Most guests are able to reserve two a la carte restaurants per week-long stay, but Diamond Club guests might be able to snag three or four, depending on availability. In addition to preferred a la carte reservations, Diamond Club guests get free minibar items, a separate check-in lounge, discounts at the spa, late check-out if available, a private section on the beach (with another bar), and different wristbands.