Stay & Play

Finally, a high-end family resort in Cuba

by Michael Morcos

Cuba can be a bit of a dilemma. The beaches are gorgeous and the people are wonderful. But many resorts lack quality and services. While several new luxury resorts catering to couples have opened, there are very few places for families looking for an ultra all-inclusive holiday.

Enter Meliá’s Family Concierge service. Family Concierge provides the same sophistication as Meliá’s Paradisus resorts, but aimed at what a family needs and wants.

Meliá’s first Family Concierge hotel will be fully up and running for winter 2016-17, at Meliá’s gorgeous five-star Paradisus Varadero resort. Situated within Varadero’s ecological reserve, the resort sits on a stunning long white crescent beach with calm waters perfect for young children.

Surrounding its own set of pools and restaurants is the exclusive Family Concierge section of the resort — a hotel within a hotel.

Family Concierge caters to both the grown-up and not-so-grown-up members of your family. Adults will appreciate the gourmet dining (in-room too, at no additional cost), premium bar, and well-appointed rooms for the whole family (or connecting rooms if you’d like even more space). Butler service takes care of spa bookings, excursion arrangements and babysitting services. Still a rarity for Cuba, there’s even free wifi in the rooms, so no need to trek to the lobby to send that one important email.

Family Concierge has different activity menus catered to babies, toddlers, kids and teenagers. Thoughtful touches include child-sized bathrobes, towels and slippers, and even cookies and milk with turndown service. Kids love the mini-buffet and juice bar in the restaurants with everything at their height.

Guests can even pack light, knowing that the complimentary express laundry service will take care of the inevitable spills and messes.

If you’re not travelling with kids, Meliá’s Paradisus Varadero is still a great resort to choose. Whether staying in the exclusive Royal Service section or elsewhere in the resort, the views, accommodations, food and service will certainly impress.

For those who prefer a luxury adults-only resort, you’ll adore Meliá’s Paradisus Princesa del Mar. Particularly ideal for scuba divers, Paradisus Cuba stays include a free daily one-tank dive and Meliá’s Marina hotel (from which the dive boats depart) is right across the street.

Paradisus Princesa del Mar is a beautiful resort with coveted Balinese beds surrounding its meandering pools. Staying in the impressive Royal Service section, guests have their own Balinese beds right outside their own private patio, with swim-up pool entry. Royal Service guests have exclusive access to two restaurants with cuisine to rival top hotels in any city in the world. All rooms at Paradisus Princesa del Mar are suites, and there are two beach sections with soft white sand and inviting gentle waves.

Meliá has hotels in Havana too, in case you want to add a little culture to your stay and see the UNESCO site of Old Havana in the capital.

Sunwing Airlines has Champagne Service flights to almost a dozen Cuban locations from cities all over Canada.

www.melia.com

www.sunwing.com