Royalton Hicacos Resort and Spa, Varadero, Cuba

I spent the last week (April 2 to 9) at Royalton Hicacos Resort and Spa in Varadero, Cuba.  I haven't been on vacation since the spring of 2019 and I was looking forward to it.  It caught my eye because it was all-inclusive, adults only and 5-star.

Rather than have a key or a pass card, your wrist band also opened your door.

I arrived at night.  When I checked in, I was given a large white envelope with my name and room number on it.  Inside the envelope was a small piece of paper with the WIFI code.  That was it!  No map or anything.  Plus it would have been nice to get some pointers on where to eat that time of night, etc. ... I had to figure it out myself.

Here was my room ... it was big!

Saturday - Royal Hicacos Resort and Spa, Varadero, Cuba

Today is my last day in Cuba.  Checkout is at noon and spent the morning relaxing and packing.

I had my last lunch at the Bistro ... a burger and fries along with a couple beer at the Bistro. 

There is an ice cream shop I’ve been wanting to check out next door to the Bistro. It’s in one of the main buildings and it seems like when it’s open, I’ve either been at the beach or the pool. Since it’s my last day here, I wanted to check it out. I got some rum and raisin ice cream, a shortbread cookie and a tiny pound cake. The ice cream and shortbread cookie were really good so I’m glad I got to try them.

I spent the afternoon in the lobby bar with a couple beer reading and catching up on some things.  

I grabbed a small bite in the buffet to keep me going until I get home.

My flight leaves at 9:40pm and the shuttle will be picking me up at 5:40pm to take me to airport.

It's been a fun time away and I'm looking forward to getting home.

Friday - Royalton Hicacos Resort and Spa, Varadero, Cuba

I started my day with breakfast at the Bistro … I ordered fried eggs, bacon and toast.

I had a buddy

Thursday - Royalton Hicacos Resort and Spa, Varadero, Cuba

I didn’t feel like getting sandy today so spent the morning by the pool.

I had lunch at the Beach Grill (yes, my “usual spot” for lunch). I ordered a pepperoni pizza and a couple of beer, which were good.

Wednesday - Royalton Hicacos Resort and Spa, Varadero, Cuba

I haven’t had breakfast the last couple of days and finding that by lunchtime I’m starving. So I headed to the Bistro for breakfast … I ordered fried eggs, bacon and toast. It wasn’t quite what I’m used to but it did the trick.  It was a lovely spot to start the day.

I headed to the beach and got a shady spot! Whoohoo! The water was amazing!

Tuesday - Royalton Hicacos Resort and Spa, Varadero, Cuba

I had a lazy morning this morning … I felt like hanging out on my balcony and reading and relaxing. It felt good to do nothing!

I had lunch at the Beach Grill, which is right on the beach. I got there early so got a table. I ordered a pepperoni pizza and a couple of beer, which were good.

I headed to the pool for the afternoon. Along the way, I saw a “cat café” but I haven’t seen any cats yet.

When I got back to my room, my towel art was a surprise!

I had supper in the buffet … I went to the pasta bar again and asked the chef to make me spirally noodles, small chunks of ham and tomato sauce … and it was good.

The 9:30pm show was a couple of synchronized swimmers in the pool. There were lots of people gathered around and there didn’t seem to be a good spot to watch them … so I headed to the lobby bar and had a couple drinks and read. The singer from Sunday night was back so I watched her.

Monday - Royalton Hicacos Resort and Spa, Varadero, Cuba

Like yesterday, I headed to the buffet restaurant for breakfast (it was okay). One of the servers asked me if I wanted a mimosa with my breakfast … why not?!

And like yesterday, I headed the beach for the morning … which was again amazing! The water was so warm!

Sunday - Royalton Hicacos Resort and Spa, Varadero, Cuba

I headed to the buffet restaurant for breakfast (it was okay, not great).

Breakfast of champions ... ha!

Then I headed the beach for the morning … which was amazing! The water was so warm and the waves were fun.  I love love love the beach!

Saturday - Royalton Hicacos Resort and Spa, Varadero, Cuba

I’m spending the next week at the Royalton Hicacos Resort and Spa, an all-inclusive adults only resort, in Varadero, Cuba. I haven’t been on vacation since the spring of 2019 and I’m looking forward to it.

My flight was a later one, leaving Toronto around 4pm. By the time I landed here in Cuba, got through Customs and got my shuttle to the hotel, it was about 10pm.

It's been a while since I've seen this ...

I was hungry and hot and happy to be here. The latest the restaurants close is at 10pm except for the Bistro (they are open 24 hours a day) … so that’s where I headed. They have a limited menu and I ordered a hamburger and fries and a couple of beer. Yum!