Stayed there (single woman from Ontario, Canada) Nov. 28 & 29 2008 with expectations of an eco/nature hotel. I understood this is not a luxury hotel, but did not anticipate staying in a 1.5*. Fortunately at the hotel I met a Canadian couple who frequent this hotel several times a year over the past six years - only because they visit friends in the area. The room and furnishings were extremely shabby, Spanish only TV; hot water maybe available 4 - 5 PM; all rooms encircle the pool, so when the music is blasting out from about 12 noon to 2 AM it's impossible to have a restful time in one's room. Cubans are sent there with their family, as a "bonus" for a job well done; and the baseball players also go there, however, not the star players - they go to the 4 or 5 * hotels. In the Buffet Restaurant you have to hunt for cutlery, napkins, salt & pepper, if it's available. The Buffet breakfast was O.K., however, the Buffet dinner was hardly edible; the pool Grill was O.K.; they also make sandwiches at the pool bar, which were good "ham & cheese". The last day I was advised by the Canadian couple that there was a "special" dining room beside the upper floor bar (above reception) and they invited me to have dinner with them. The "special" dining room service was good, table set with linen & they even had salt & pepper on the table and the fish dinner was good. Interestingly, the glass of wine and fish dinner cost less (7 CUC) as compared to the Buffet dinner - glass of wine & buffet (10 CUC). Other than the pool activities the only other activity was a boat ride (2 CUC for one hour) which was quite pleasant. The hiking trail is across the river, as a single woman I wasn't about to venture out on a hike in this area.

I have stayed at the Las Yagrumas several times as I travel with my students to Cuba. This is a good place to stay. Staff is wonderfully helpful, friendly, has a "we can do it" attitude. The entertainment director, Joel, is terrific. Local bands and dancers from the town of San Antonio de Los Banos come out to perform. Cuban families and sports teams frequent the hotel - you're not isolated in a gated tourist hotel like Varadaro. Food is simple but ample and good. Pool is extremely large and clean. Rooms are clean with new TVs, CNN on satellite, quieter air conditioners recently installed, basically furnished, showers, safes. Grounds are very nicely landscaped, lots of recent painting to spiff things up. Well stocked store, 24 hour medical care, bar, outdoor grill for lunches, This is not a resort hotel. Rather it is a quiet alternative located about 30 minutes south of Havana, and close to the Havana airport. It is very safe and has a family atmosphere where the staff work together as a good team. The staff look after some dogs and cats, so if you're an animal lover you have plenty of little friends to pet. I look forward to continuing to stay here.

I loved it. The pool was always clean the workers were amazing and it was always alive. I would go back any day.

I agree with the previous review, except that there are a few things that help make this place worthwhile if you're not a person who needs a cruise ship/resort style holiday...for one, it's where the Cuban baseball teams stay when they are training or playing in Havana. There are some excellent local entertainers several times per week. The pool is great, and huge. There are lots of opportunities to get to know local Cubans, who will invite you to their nearby farms, or into their houses in the small town nearby. A stash of bicycles is available if you wish to take a ride to the local countryside.It's easy to hire locals to take you in their (interesting) old cars into Havana or wherever. Rowboats are available if you wish to take a row on the river. The staff and the locals are all very friendly and open.