I've stayed at Las Yagrumas 3 times since 2000. I am a teacher and have brought just over 150 Canadian high school kids there as part of a larger exchange. Since 2000, the staff hasn't changed very much, but the cleanliness of the hotel has. (More about that below)

The hotel has 2 full time animateurs. Joel is terrific and will go well out of his way to ensure that you enjoy your stay. He runs the Cuban dance lessons and the karaokie bar amoung other things. He's a great guy. The front desk people are accomodating and friendly. They speak English well enough to understand any difficulties that people might have and they are anxious to correct any deficiencies.

The food is just ok by Canadian standards but superior by Cuban standards. The rooms are basic but functional. By Canadian standards I would rate this hotel as a 2 star at best.

Now for the problems....Cockroaches! Big ones! Only in certain rooms, but they were there. My group took up 22 rooms and we had bug problems in 7 of them. The hotel staff were eager to deal with the bug problems, but were limited by resources and therefore somewhat ineffective.

The second problem is probably what caused the cockroach problem to begin with. Since Raul Castro took over the country, he has loosened the restrictions on Cubans using local hotels and facilities. (I see this as a very positive move) The locals are permitted to use the pool and hotel facilities on weekends. (fabulous if you are looking for some interaction)The problem is, that on the Saturday and Sunday that we were there, there were hundreds of people in and around the pool. When they left at 6:00 pm, the litter, dirt and leftover food was everywhere and took hours to both clean up and refill the pool with water. Thus the cockroach problems.

I wouldn't bring another group of students there until the hotel is cleaned to Canadian standards, but for the adventurer who wants to learn something about real Cuban culture, I wouldn't hesitate in recommending this place.

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.