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Hotel Melia San Carlos

Customer Ratings
This is a Satisfaction Rating based on our own customer feedback

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Melia San Carlos is a refurbished hotel right in the centre of Cienfuegos, Cuba's Pearl of the South.

Just a few minutes' stroll from the central square in Cienfuegos, the totally refurbished Melia San Carlos, which was originally established in 1925, opened its doors in the summer of 2018 with spanking new contemporary furnishings.  The hotel has a brilliant location in an elegant city whose eclectic style refers back to its French origins – step outside and discover art deco façades of a city justifiably known as the Pearl of the South.

Unusually for this Caribbean island full of colour, the décor is mostly white, silver, chocolate and black, but some features from the original building remain, such as the ornate façade and layout of the lobby to which a restaurant, bar and two inner courtyards have been added. The bright-white air-conditioned guest rooms are similarly innovative, with up-to-date bathrooms. They have views over the city as does the celebrated roof garden with its friendly bar and restaurant overlooking the bay

Bartolome, Galápagos

What our clients say

  • Highlights? The ride in the Vintage American car in Havana, The walking tour with Louis in Havana, Spending time chatting with Sofia on her deck in rocking chairs in Vinales, Drinking Mojito's in the sun. Snorkelling in the sea at Jibacoa.

    TW, Glasgow
    Apr 2019

  • Las Terrazas - the hotel, zipwire and natural pools. Also meeting locals during the trip, including picking up hitchhikers. The caribbean sea and beach at Playa Ancon were wonderful.

    PR, Brentwood
    May 2015

  • Most memorable experiences: "a fantastic thunderstorm while dining in La Habana on Friday night, the waiters bending over backwards to please. Conversations with drivers and guides in Spanish (my mother tongue) about the country and being Cuban. Arriving at Viñales and visiting the tobacco farm. The cobbled streets of Trinidad and music at La Trova. The extra walk we organised at Tope de Collantes and the special cocktail provided for my birthday. Staying in the Village at Ensenachos. Visiting the Che museum and mausoleum. Hearing local musicians jamming in a bar in Havana. The warmth and welcome of everybody we met. Wildlife. Cocktails. Trinidad in general. Music. The stunning beach at Ensenachos."

    CB, Swindon
    Jun 2015

  • Trinidad was our favourite place, closely followed by Cienfuegos. Relaxing at the Hotel Melia Buenavista was wonderful at the end of a packed but well paced tour around the highlights of Cuba.

    TR, Leicester
    Mar 2015

  • Most memorable experiences: Trinidad, the town and evenings full of local music were fantastic

    SS, Newcastle upon tyne
    Jul 2015

  • The fact that Cuba is so far removed from 21st century life - Cubans seem to have an indestructible soul! Music is their Prozac.

    Ck, London
    Jun 2013
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Our expert's view

Sophie Barber
Sophie Barber - Travel Expert

Sophie lived in Chile before joining us and has travelled extensively across Latin America, from Mexico to the furthest tip of Patagonia and beyond to Antarctica.

Melia San Carlos was completely refurbished a few years ago and is a welcome modern addition to Cienfuegos. The roof garden was a great way to while away a few hours sipping on mojitos and listening to Cuban music while watching the sun go down over the city.

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    After graduating with a degree in Anthropology and History and having been fascinated by Latin America since childhood by the book featuring photos of Nazca, Juliet first visited the region in 2003. Since then, Juliet has visited the majority of countries in Latin America but has particularly extensive experience with Peru, a country she loves for many reasons but not least, its incredible archaeological richness and delicious food!

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    Anglo-Peruvian Chris grew up in Lima and spent much of his adult life in between London and Cusco as a tour leader, before settling permanently in our London-based Tailor-made and Group Tours sales team.

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    Having caught the travel bug as a child, Millie has travelled all over Latin America before making her home in Buenos Aires for 3 years.

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