Pullman Cayo Coco 5 stars

I am writing this review as we are waiting for departure from the Pullman resort. Many times in Cayo Coco but first time at Pullman. Beautiful surprise. The resort is clean. Service is good. Food is above average Cuban resort standard. Guest services (Sandra) delivered on promises, and of course the beach is always stunning. Premium cigars is slim picking but stocks is limited all over the island. Will come back again.

My 6th & 7th trip to the Pullman Cayo Coco in Feb '23 & Apr '23 (11 full weeks there since Oct/19) & returning Nov 16th'23 for 3 more weeks. The place is not perfect & certainly not a 5* BUT anyone who really knows & understands Cuba, the Pullman is doing a fantastic job. Yes, the rooms need some tlc as they desperately need new mattresses & some updating & repairs. Also, they have old coffee makers but never any coffee pods. I just use it to boil water for my instant coffee I bring. The food has shortages & no availabilty on certain items at times but there is always something to eat & all a la carte's are pretty good. To excellent. They do their best with what they do have. It is not handicapped or young child friendly as in the 11 weeks, their old elevator worked exactly 3 days in total. The above is NOT why I keep returning. #1 is most definately the clean, long, wide beautiful beach & warm swimable sea. The live entertainment is second to none, especially Musica Siempre Musica (MSM) Cohabison, top rated Michael Jackson show, all the fabulous dancers too in the other shows. Animation with Alberto Badias is the very best of the best, not only his exceptional great attitude & smile but all activities at the beach & pool, dancing & MC'ing. They have fabulous staff from Reception, bartenders, waiters, waitresses, chefs, gardeners, maintenance & wonderful housekeepers. When I go, I bring everything that I personally want, enjoy the beach & water, my Cuban friends which have become my 2nd family, music etc & overlook their shortcomings out of their control and enjoy my vacation. They all really count on tips so no coins but $1. US or Can bills in good shape - no marks or rips. All of them appreciate anything they receive if you are able. If you do the same, you will also enjoy it there & be a repeat guest. I love it there! Carol Lonsdale

This was my second year in a row at Pullman at Collection side. I was there from Aug 30th to Sep 9th. I enjoyed every moment of being there. Pullman staff are extraordinarily kind. The food was excellent despite the challenges that they have but still doing amazing job to provide an impeccable service, they have done a tremendous job to take care of their clients. I like to convey my gratitude to: Buddy (mi Hermano), Aynaldi, Philipe, Yeny, Hugo, Nano, Alexandro, Daylen, Michel, Wilbur, Ceja (chef at the collection), Raul, Norghe, Yovany, Natasha (cleaning lady). you all are amazing, I miss you all already and can't wait to go back and have a great time again. Cuba Si ... :)

A big plus is the staff and I'd say everywhere: from the lobby bar (Riggler and Ismail big thank you), beach bar (a big thank you to Hermes), the buffet (thank you Jenny!), the watersport spot at the beach (Oresto and Alberto, great guys and very knowledgeable in kitesurfing) and so on. Food - We went 3 times to Iberostar Daiquiri (Cayo Guillermo), it's a "cheaper" resort but my wife had an easier time feeding the kids. BUT one think was really annoying are the flies in the main buffet... I've been to 6 various resorts in Cuba so far and haven't seen this issue elsewhere: every time we ate, about 5 flies landing on and off the food. Don't get me wrong, I still ate, 'cause I gotta eat. But damn... felt bad for the kids having to eat this. Drinks - Great: I'm a gin tonic and beer guy, so no issues with those core ingredients. Lobby - Open concept, roofed, well ventilated (when there's even just a bit of wind) and beautiful view on the sea. Rooms - Excellent AC (I love it when it snows in my room), decent and clean. Bathrooms - there must be some shortage with soap, but thank God, there was plenty of toilet paper =') In short, after this vacation, we'll be looking elsewhere for the upcoming vacations primarily so the kids (1 year and 3 years) have more to eat (mine ate am: omelette, lunch: french fries and "pizza", pm: pasta) and hopefully avoid fly infested main buffets... p.s. We went last week of August and first week of September: the mosquitoes were destroying everyone (I was rainy but mostly at nighttime, so humidity = mosquitoes). Thank God I'm a genius and I brought a TON of Watkins spray, cream and even those anti-mosquito coils, a ruthless combo I suggest to anyone not wanting to be carried by a swarm of mosquitoes from the beach to their room. p.p.s. Apparently best mosquito-less months are the winter ones and spring (November to April)

What makes a resort so special that you return twice in one year?? It is the people!!! Yes… the beach is beautiful… the people are welcoming…and the resort is well appointed! But… the people who help when you have special needs are what make the experience sooo much more!! Between a difficult diet, and a challenging injury to work around… our new friends at Pullman took so much care to make us feel like family!! We met Aileen and Carlos at customer service…and WOW!!! They did everything they could possibly could to help us and guide us to a fantastic Pullman experience despite our challenging requests!! They are no longer valuable staff… they are valuable friends we look forward to seeing on return visits! Also of great note was the care and comfort received from Sailys at the spa!! Not only a beautiful experience, but also now a valued friend! And certainly noteworthy as well was the extra care we received from George … one of the chefs at Pullman who went above and beyond to accommodate a special needs diet avoiding major food allergies!! So to us, not just a chef… but a caring friend! Throughout this resort there are so many people that are gems! They sparkle as brightly as the beautiful crystal clear waters!! I have never had a better experience with caring staff at any other resort in the past.