Grand Aston Cayo Paredon Beach Resort

Hi!
I've been traveling with my spouse and 2 kids under 12. It was not our first time in Cuba, but it was definitely the worst one
The hotel is brand new, modern and everything was functional.... except very bad management that made our stay miserable!

1. Beach - nice and clean. Always enough chairs and spots in shade.
We expected some water sports, but nothing was available.

2. Pools - nice and clean pools. Separate family section with 3 pools. Great when traveling with very young children.

3. Room - We reserved a family room with 2 beds. Beds are very small, too small for 2 people. Watch out if you are traveling with older kids as 1 room may not be enough. Also, bring your own pillows - each bed have 1 very thin and long pillow.

4. Wi-Fi - it is available and free... however you need to find a spot were your device can actually catch it. Good luck!

5. Location - far from other hotels. About 30 min drive to Cayo Coco. If you whish to go shopping (store is not yet opened in the hotel) or eat elsewhere, taxi charges 200CAD for a trip to Cayo Coco.

6. Entertainment - during the day a strict minimum: volleyball at the beach, 30 min of dance lessons at the pool, 15 min kids games.

Evening entertainment even worse. A group of 5 dancers performs 30 min in a lobby bar (the same group every evening, even on New Years Eve).
It seems the hotel did not sign contracts with other groups yet, as the hotel is far away from other hotels and nobody wants to come.
Moreover, the hotel has no theater or place for bigger evening shows, so I do not believe it will ever have good shows. During our stay everything happened in the crowded lobby bar.
If you count on entertainment - this is not your hotel!

7. Restaurants a la carte - difficult to have an opinion, as they were opened only 1 evening during our stay. We have tried the Mexican one. Degustation menu without any choice, not impressive, but it is Cuba.
Finally, we ended at the snack bar as kids were hungry.
Why the restaurants were closed 5 of 6 evenings - no staff to work there (official response I got from the restaurant manager, Hector)

8. Buffet - nightmare!
We knew that we are going to Cuba and we did not expect much in matter of food variety. The only vegetables we got were green tomatoes and sauerkraut. Very limited fruit, no fresh cocktails, poor deserts... meat shortage, basically no seafood, French fries only once!... still, all that was not as disappointing as the bad management and the time we have waisted in lines in the buffet!!!

Lines to get, eggs, pasta and pizza. Be patient, or be 30min before opening... otherwise 1 hour waiting in line to order a pizza!!!!
There were days that show cooking counters were closed, so pizza or pasta were not even available.

Beach bar served lunch few times, but no rules there - today it is opened, tomorrow it is closed!

Snack bar - another option, very limited menu (burgers, sandwich, fries), kids liked it... unfortunately, again, 1 hour to receive the order (4 burgers and fries)!

So, either eat before others, either scarify 2-3 hours per day to have that egg or pasta or pizza or a burger that your kid wishes to have.

We have complained several times to the management and our agency representative. No response, no improvement, no compensation.
The only explanation I got: the hotel did not hire enough people!... but still... we have paid for it, and they knew we are arriving...

I do not recommend this hotel! [Details]

I'll make some comments related to how I rated various hotel criteria.

The beaches and pools were beautiful and very clean. Lots of lounger, many Bali beds, one infinity pool, the kids area had one pool with zero entry and two wading pools and one with a sail shade. Beach was great, a lot of palm umbrella covers, over a hundred loungers.

The room was great, contemporary, comfortable mattresses, very clean, a lot of storage, balcony chairs and table, new TV (only 2 English channels though but it's a foreign country). Four adults lived in one room pretty comfortably.

Internet - the wifi was spotty but it's Cuba so that's expected. Cayo Coco is also in an area of the province that is not inhabited by Cubans so it's not expected that the wifi would be good. I used my Canadian plan data and the reception was excellent. My daughter had good enough wifi that she was able to download some shows onto her phone though.

The bathroom was large with a separate water closet, brand new towels, rainfall shower head, the only issue was the hot water ran out around 2pm and there wasn't more until after dinner sone days.

Staff were all amazing and eager to provide anything we wanted.

Food - it's Cuba so keep expectations I check. I am an adventurous eater and will eat mostly anything so I (and the rest of my family) found lots to eat. The hot buffet was a lot of brown - lacking veggies in the foods. Lots of fish of several kinds. No chicken dishes I don't think but beef and pork meats were well cook and tasty. Fruit was plentiful and delicious but only papaya, guava and watermelon really. But so yummy. The buffet could have been open for longer periods of time I felt. The food available “24 hours” was very limited. A la carte restaurants were only open 3/6 nights we were there. The Mexican one was quite good though.

The drinks were so so good. Cappuccino with Baileys in the morning while sitting on the beach is something I want to do for the rest of my life.

There were beach volleyball courts, and the tennis court, basketball court and fitness gym were all brand new too. Hobie catamarans and windsurfers were available for free for rides too.

There was entertainment every night in the very popular lobby for both kids and adults. [Details]

I am still here but wanted to give my impressions should you be considering it. If you are intrigued by the water sports mentioned in hotel amenities, unfortunately there aren't any. I didn't come to Cuba for food, and I understand there is a shortage however, I was hoping for some variety and for some access to the a la carte restaurants. Nothing yet. The afternoon buffet is the exact same food as the lunch buffet. If you're willing to stand in line for omelettes or pancakes (breakfast) or pasta (lunch/dinner) that's good. I made an effort to try other items in the buffet because the 32 minute wait in line was tough for me. (Yes I timed it). I didn't like. Very little fruit. The breads are fantastic however if you get in line behind someone who is getting for their family, you will have to wait while they cut up and toast an entire loaf !!!! Other than the buffet there is a snack bar opposite the main pool - it has a one page menu (burgers, sandwiches and fries) and it's good. Unfortunately they only have 1 (ONE) menu so you have to wait in line to have a look, then place your order and then wait for the food. I've just discovered there is a “Club” restaurant and small pool that overlooks the ocean. Gorgeous! However you can't partake in either unless you are in a Club room. Now I've been told by Julio here at the beach that they serve food at the beach/bar restaurant. I'm looking forward to ordering there as an alternative to the buffet. It is only open until 5pm apparently. The rep for the company I booked with was not helpful at all during the “welcome” meeting. I will not mention that company as I am not supposed to per the posting rules here. The pool areas are gorgeous however if anyone has mobility issues, you cannot access the pools unless you can walk up and down steps (only the main has steps with a railing). The pools themselves can only be enjoyed if you jump in or climb down the pool ladders. They should have a pool with steps and a railing to walk down into it!!! [Details]

Please, thank you staff for making my holiday an excellent experience to remember. From the pick up at the airport to the setting up of the room, which was a frontal ocean view, your staff made me feel important. The food at the restaurant , whether it was for a special dinner or just any time, the service was fabulous and the meals were great.. My room was clean and the staff was great at the swimming pool area and down by the beach area. I would recommend this hotel to any one inquiring about going to Cuba. Thanks again. [Details]