A Cuban content creator named Karla recently shared a viral Instagram reel detailing her disappointing stay at the Grand Aston Varadero Beach Resort.
This well-known five-star, all-inclusive hotel in Varadero charges approximately $125 per night. However, Karla rated her experience a mere three out of ten.
The video quickly amassed hundreds of comments, with viewers split between those supporting Karla's critique and those defending the hotel.
Karla was blunt in her review: "We visited the Grand Aston, and the experience was terrible. A five-star hotel in Cuba charging $125 a night, and all they offered was chicken with rice and cabbage, nothing more."
The main grievances revolved around food quality and service. "The bread had bugs, and anything made with flour was inedible," Karla noted, adding that "the buffet staff seemed uninterested in working."
Breakfast provided the only solace. Karla sarcastically remarked, "Thankfully, there were eggs, at least."
Despite the harsh critique, not everything was negative. Karla acknowledged that the hotel appeared visually appealing, with a clean and spacious pool, and the evening entertainment was enjoyable: "There were truly talented people," she mentioned.
Nevertheless, her overall judgment was clear: "I wouldn't return, not even if they paid me."
Comments on the video echoed similar experiences. One user claimed to have stayed at the hotel during the same period as Karla: "I agree, I was there the same days you were, saw you at the hotel, and everything was truly awful."
Another commenter shared that they visited the Grand Aston for their honeymoon and birthday but left the next day: "The service was terrible, they offered nothing. I moved to the International Hotel in Varadero, same price, much better."
A Varadero resident offered an even bleaker view: "I'm from Varadero, and yes, they're all like that or worse."
The Grand Aston Varadero Beach Resort, which opened in December 2023 and is part of Archipelago International's Indonesian Aston brand, was initially touted as Varadero's top hotel. It features 531 rooms and five specialty restaurants.
However, this isn't the first time the hotel has sparked controversy. In November 2024, a Cuban couple spent $600 for a five-day stay at the same hotel with similarly questionable results.
Karla's experience is not an isolated incident. Other Varadero hotels have faced similar complaints about scarce food and poor service, from the Barceló Solymar to the Kawama, where tourists reported instances of mold, bedbugs, and substandard food.
This pattern emerges amid an unprecedented tourism crisis. Cuba ended 2025 with a hotel occupancy rate of just 18.9%, the lowest in recent history, and only 1.81 million visitors, the smallest number since 2002.
Common Complaints About Varadero Hotels
What are the main complaints about the Grand Aston Varadero Beach Resort?
The primary criticisms include poor food quality, with limited options like chicken with rice and cabbage, and unmotivated service staff. Guests have also mentioned issues with inedible bread and lack of variety.
Has the Grand Aston Varadero Beach Resort faced similar issues before?
Yes, the hotel has previously been criticized. In November 2024, a couple reported spending $600 for a five-day stay with unsatisfactory results.
How is the tourism sector performing in Cuba currently?
Cuba is experiencing a severe tourism crisis, with a hotel occupancy rate of 18.9% in 2025, the lowest in recent history, and only 1.81 million visitors, the smallest number since 2002.