Cuban content creator Jitana Melanie recently shared a video to address accusations that she fabricated her experience at the Barceló Sol y Mar Hotel in Varadero, a supposedly four-star, all-inclusive resort where she celebrated her birthday.
This week, Melanie exposed the shortcomings of the Sol y Mar Hotel, citing power outages, water shortages, and poor food quality, describing the establishment as barely worth "two stars" despite its four-star claims.
"After posting in several Varadero booking groups and specifically on the Sol y Mar Hotel's page, my post spiraled out of control, and the comments kept coming. Many supported me, but others accused me of lying," she explained in her post.
Determined to dispel any doubts, she made a decisive move and shared the video, stating, "It's one thing to narrate an experience and quite another to show it."
The footage begins with her junior suite, a two-story room featuring a living area, a lower-level bathroom, and an upstairs bedroom. The suite was completely dark, with only natural light filtering through the windows.
"A four-star hotel in Varadero, without water and electricity. That was my experience!" exclaimed the young woman.
After multiple complaints at the front desk, she was moved to another room with power and water, albeit without air conditioning. This solution was short-lived; the resort's generators failed, and power wasn't restored until 5 a.m.
That night, she witnessed "adults and children sleeping in the hotel lobby, on the chairs, on the floor."
In addition to the lack of electricity and water, basic housekeeping services were absent. "They never changed the sheets or towels," she noted.
The breakfast failed to meet the hotel's rating and the price paid for the reservation. "There was only bologna, butter, a bit of cheese, and everything was rationed."
Beer was only served at restricted times, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. by the pool and from 6:00 to 11:00 p.m. at the lobby bar. "There were no 24-hour services available."
The only positive aspect of the entire stay was the beach area: "It was quite nice, with no rocks and very clean." She also acknowledged the patience of some staff members, despite their limited ability to resolve issues.
Users in Facebook groups for Varadero bookings shared similar experiences: bathrooms with leaks, poor-quality bread "like that from the local store," sugarless desserts, and shredded chicken for large groups.
"I really don't recommend this hotel to anyone because you'll just waste your money," the young woman concluded.
FAQs About Varadero's Barceló Sol y Mar Hotel Experience
What issues did Jitana Melanie face at the Barceló Sol y Mar Hotel?
Jitana Melanie encountered power outages, water shortages, poor food quality, and inadequate housekeeping services during her stay at the Barceló Sol y Mar Hotel in Varadero.
How did the hotel staff respond to complaints?
Despite multiple complaints, the hotel's staff moved her to another room with power and water, but without air conditioning. The solution was temporary as the generators failed again.