Cuba /Sep 19, 2016
Paradisus Varadero
Melia Cuba is a division of the giant Spanish hotel management company that operates some 26 hotels across Cuba and over a thousand worldwide. Melia was the first foreign hotel management company to do business in Cuba, back in the 1980s with the Sol Palmeras in Varadero, and remains the largest such company on the island.
The majority of the hotels it manages are located on Cuba’s beaches and, without exception, all these hotels operate on an All Inclusive basis. Worldwide, Melia operates under a number of brands although in Cuba it features just 3 of these – Sol, Melia & Paradisus.
Melia Cayo Guillermo
The Sol brand features its best value hotels and is geared very much towards the family market. The Melia brand offers a slightly more upmarket, expensive product and some of the hotels operating in Cuba under this brand do so on an Adult Only basis. Finally, the Paradisus brand represents the company’s most luxurious hotels of which there are just 3 in Cuba – the Paradisus Princesa & Paradisus Varadero, both in Varadero, and the Paradisus Rio de Oro in Guardalavaca.
Away from the beach, the company currently operates just 3 other hotels although there is talk of more following soon. In Havana, somewhat outside the city’s historic centre, the company has the more business orientated and styled Melia Habana & Melia Cohiba in its stable while, at the other end of the island, in Cuba’s second largest city, the hotel also operates the Melia Santiago.
Recent years have also seen 2 further developments from Melia Cuba. The first is the Royal Service concept, which takes the guest experience to an even higher level than before in terms of rooms, dining and individual service. At some hotels, there is a dedicated Royal Service area within an existing hotel while, at the Melia Buenavista on Cayo Santa Maria, the entire hotel operates to the Royal Service concept.
Melia Buenavista
More recently, Melia Cuba has also been rolling out The Level. Featured mainly in its urban hotels, and similar to the Club concept found elsewhere, guests booked under The Level can expect superior rooms on featured hotel’s top floors together with a far greater degree of personal service.
In terms of the best and worst, well, the Paradisus Rio de Oro is almost certainly the No 1 beach hotel in Cuba while the Sol Cayo Coco is really beginning to show its age now.
Melia Cohiba, Melia Habana, Tryp Habana Libre, Innside Habana Catedral, Hotel Sevilla by Melia, Gran Hotel Bristol
Melia Santiago de Cuba
Paradisus Varadero, Paradisus Princesa del Mar, Melia Las Americas, Melia Marina Varadero, Melia Varadero, Melia Las Antillas, Melia Melia Internacional, Peninsula Varadero, Sol Palmeras, Sol Sirenas Coral, Sol Hicacos.
Melia Buenavista, Melia Cayo Santa Maria, Melia Las Dunas, Sol Cayo Santa Maria, Paradisus Los Cayos
Melia Cayo Coco, Melia Cayo Guillermo, Melia Jardines del Rey, Tryp Cayo Coco, Sol Cayo Guillermo, Sol Cayo Coco.
Paradisus Rio de Oro, Sol Rio de Luna y Mares.
Melia Trinidad
Melia Union, Melia San Carlos, Melia Jagua
Updated January 2026
Paradisus Rio de Oro
Our One Week Havana holiday itinerary is meant as no more than an example of how visitors might spend their time in Cuba's enchanting capital city. As all our holidays are entirely tailor made, clients can stay for longer or shorter, stay wherever they want and mix and match various activities wi...
For clients short of time or who are simply happy to clip along at a good pace, this suggested week-long circuit of western Cuba starts and ends in Havana and incorporates both the island's towns and cities as well as its beautiful countryside.
Enjoy a private Cuba tour with your own driver / guide. This 10 night itinerary takes in the highlights of western Cuba but is only a small taste of what we can offer.
Iberostar Cuba is a division of the Spanish hotel management company, Iberostar. Currently, they manage 12 hotels across Cuba, 10 at the beach, 1 in Havana and 1 in Trinidad.
Our guide and recommendations on the best places to upgrade one's room in Cuba.
The Level at Melia refers to an upgraded hotel experience at hotels managed by Spanish hotel group Melia.
When making your travel arrangements, we understand just how important peace-of-mind is. Beyond The Ordinary hold both ATOL & ABTOT bonds so whether you book your flights through us, or independently, any money you pay us is 100% protected. More detailed information on Financial Protection can be found by clicking here.
Whichever of our featured countries you wish to visit, we've been there several times. So, if you're after something beyond the ordinary to Cuba, Nicaragua, Guatemala or the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, we'd love to hear from you.
