Where to get married in Cuba?

After months of headaches we finally decided on a wedding in Mexico. However due to  various issues cropping up, we had to re-think and have now decided on Cuba (October 2013)!

We have narrowed it down to Melia Cayo Santa Maria and the Sol Rio de Luna & Mares Resort (we have the problem of needing a single room & have kids with us - there is always something!).

I can't find much info about either of these. I wondered if anyone has had their wedding or  just stayed at these hotels? Is there a reason why I can't find any reviews or anything else about these hotels, or is it just me? ;-)

I've seen both the Melia and the Sol when I was staying at the Occidental Grand Ensenacho's (now Iberostar Ensenacho's).

Cayo Santa Maria is GORGEOUS, you will love it.   the Melia would be my pick over the Sol though, Sol is pretty basic.

There is a great facebook page for Melia Las Dunas Brides, you have to request to join but you'll find tons of info there, and the Melia Las Dunas.

Cuba is tricky, there isn't much info available because the American's can't go there, and they make up the bulk of this forum.   So I find it's alot of wait and see!!

Good Luck!

I will check out that facebook page, thanks :-)

You sort of confirmed my suspicions that Sol is the more basic of the two. Do you know whether the Melia Las Dunas & Melia Cayo Santa are next to each other & are similar? (I am sure I read that somewhere?) 

I prefer the MLD (it has better reviews etc) but they did not have the dates I wanted, so it's a case of picking a different date or going to the Cayo Santa Maria instead. All these decisions - it's sooo hard!

Yeah I noticed the lack of posts about Cuba in general :-( it's a shame, it would be really helpful (& I am impatient haha). 

Thanks for the help.

Melia Cayo Santa Maria is also one of our top picks. Really the only information I could find was off of the website and a few random wedding reviews on trip advisor...but keep in mind people seem to like to complain about silly things on there lol. Looks beautiful though! Our other choice is Melia Varadero which also has very little information to go on...ahhh so frusterating!!!

Yeah I hear ya! I'm going with paradises varadero and there isn't much on it either. I've decided I'll be paving the way!! I'll for sure post a review and planning thread when I get back! I think mld and Santa Maria are side by side, Shouldn't make much of a difference between the two. I can't remember one from the other exactly but I love the melia/paradisus chain of resorts.

Originally Posted by dallace 

 

Melia Cayo Santa Maria is also one of our top picks. Really the only information I could find was off of the website and a few random wedding reviews on trip advisor...but keep in mind people seem to like to complain about silly things on there lol. Looks beautiful though! Our other choice is Melia Varadero which also has very little information to go on...ahhh so frusterating!!!

Glad to hear I'm not the only one with these troubles:-) Whichever resort we pick, it seems there is always a problem with: we need single rooms (never realised this was such an issue?), ppl coming 1 week and some for 2 weeks (can only get some hols for 2 weeks?), kids are coming (so no adult only resorts) and then there is the pressure of whether everybody will like it etc its very tricky. I think the Melia hotels have a good reputation and you generally know what you are getting with them, so they are probably a good choice (plus there website is pretty good for wedding info/prices).

We were originally looking at Mexico and the forums there are amazing. It would be so much easier if there was lots of reviews, pics etc to help make the decision easier.

Good luck, keep us updated! :-) 

Originally Posted by DwBride2Be 

 

Yeah I hear ya! I'm going with paradises varadero and there isn't much on it either. I've decided I'll be paving the way!! I'll for sure post a review and planning thread when I get back!

I think mld and Santa Maria are side by side, Shouldn't make much of a difference between the two. I can't remember one from the other exactly but I love the melia/paradisus chain of resorts.

Its not too long till your big day. I am sure it will be amazing, it looks it in the brochure (but unfortunately out of our budget). I have relatives that stayed at Paradisis Varadero and they said it was fantastic (was a few years ago tho).

I agree all the hotels in that chain do look lovely and are of a good standard, so I am sure whichever is picked will be great.

Cant wait to see your review when you get back.

I am also glad to hear that I am not the only one that has been having troubles finding out information about Cuba weddings, I am thinking Veradero at the Barcelo or the Iberostar and can't really find anything on either, I don't want to just base it on the websites of course they are going to say that they are the best. I went to a wedding in Cuba about 3 years ago at the Salina and it wasnt that great so I am a little worried.

I have heard good things about the Barcelo & Iberostar hotels, but without the proper reviews etc its hard to make a decision. I guess its just a case of taking the plunge & going with the one that suits your budget and needs the most. I have heard there are a few facebook groups out there for Cuba Brides (although don't ask me which hotels - I have been reading furiously and have forgotten where I saw what lol).

I wish there were more reviews out there, I am terrible at making decisions :-)

Have you found out prices of weddings/packages they offer at the two you mentioned? I have Iberostar in mind too, but just cant decide. I will post if I find out anything.

At least you can rule one place out (I have never heard of Salina)!

Barcelo marina palace recently changed names, it's now Blau marina I believe. Also the site is la salina is now called memories varadero, hard to keep up!! Sirenis is definitely a budget hotel, If you weren't thrilled there, I'de suggest you stick with iberostar because Barcelo isn't much of a step up. I think to get wedding package info you have to email the wedding coordinators for iberostar. Good luck!