Varadero has been one of Canadian’s favorite destinations in the Caribbean for decades, especially for families. Why?
First of all, Varadero is known for its pristine white sand beaches, turquoise crystal clear water and best of all, its very friendly and welcoming people, particularly to kids.
On top of that, this Cuban popular destination offers a wide choice of kid-friendly resorts, for all budgets.
Now choosing the best all inclusive family resort for you and your kids will make all the difference in the world because we want everyone to be happy and have fun!
On our trip to Varadero with Sunwing Vacations, we chose to stay at the very unique, luxurious and family-friendly Meliá Marina Varadero.
The Meliá Marina Varadero, Best All Inclusive Family Resort
Set at the very end of Varadero’s narrow Hicacos Peninsula, and located in an ecological reserve, the Five star Meliá Marina Varadero is a unique family and beach resort. On one side of the resort, you’ll find Gaviota Varadero’s stylish marina, while on the other you can enjoy the pools, the white sand beach, and azure blue waters.
There are nine restaurants and cafeterias and eight bars dotting the property along with adults and kids swimming pools, the YHI Spa, with a breathtaking infinity pool overlooking the marina, a fitness center, a beauty salon, a kids’ club and a shopping promenade. Everything to make all family members very happy!
Fancy a private and exclusive superior treatment? The Level floor provides a royal service to its guests with an exclusive access to La Vigia, the 7th-floor panoramic restaurant, discounts on massages, free late checkout, around the clock room service, three green fees free and unlimited free Wi-Fi access, which is surprisingly fast.
The Marina
The Gaviota Varadero Marina is what makes this Meliá resort stand out from Cuba’s all inclusive hotels.
The Maritime Promenade is the perfect place to enjoy a breezy family walk before dinner and attend a live music and dance show.
The Rooms
All of the luxurious 423 rooms at the Meliá Marina Varadero is chic and features all of the amenities you’d expect from a five-star hotel.
There is a range of styles and arrangements to choose from, including classic, premium and Level rooms, the latter being the Royal exclusive and highly personalized service.
You can’t go wrong at the Meliá Marina Varadero: all rooms grant their guests to either a marina or a pool and beach view, so everyone is blessed with a stunning vista.
The Dining
The Meliá Marina Varadero offers a blend of local and international dishes at their six restaurants.
Don Ernesto: Named after the famous writer, Ernest Hemingway, this marina-front restaurant offers delicious à la carte Latin dinner.
Casa Burguete: Located on the Maritime Promenade, you can savor at the Casa Burguete French cuisine in a chic and sophisticated atmosphere.
Bana: Exquisite Asian dinner with a fusion twist is served at the Bana restaurant, whose name refers to the Japanese art of sharing.
El Pescador: With stunning views of Varadero’s pristine beach and the azure Caribbean sea, this is the ideal spot for beach grills and BBQ in front of the beach.
La Vigia: This elegant panoramic restaurant is exclusive to The Level’s clients, and offers succulent à la carte and buffet style meals all day. My favorite!
Don Peperoni: Serving delightful Italian dinner with a stunning view of the stylish marina.
El Pilar: This is the Meliá Marina Varadero’s main restaurant. They offer a buffet breakfast, lunch and a range of local and international dishes for dinner.
Fiesta: Located in the lobby, La Fiesta offers snacks and drinks for everyone who can’t get their eyes off the marina’s superb view.
Habana: The Habana pool snack bar is the perfect restaurant to enjoy a quiet family moment after hours of fun in the pool.
The Pools
The Meliá Marina Varadero resort has four freshwater pools:
- a dazzling lagoon-shaped pool, that also has a spa tub, and where you can find the El Mojito pool bar,
- two kids’ pools, including one with a pergola providing shade to our precious little one’s sensitive skin,
- and an exclusive pool with 7 colored led lights, displaying the Nighttime Fantasy illumination, located in the condo area.
You will also find Bali Beds and more than enough sunbeds, some located under shady pergolas, to relax while the kids are having fun in the water.
The Beach
Varadero’s pristine white sand beach is what draws visitors to come back again and again.
A 5-minute breezy walk from the pool area, or a short golf cart ride, brings you to Meliá Marina Varadero’s private heavenly beach, the calm and shallow crystal turquoise water where kids can swim safely, and where everyone can enjoy plenty of activities, sunshades, and sunbeds.
After you’re settled in, there is a bar and a restaurant on the beach so you can just lie back like royalty and enjoy the sun.
The Activities
There’s always plenty of fun activities to do at the Meliá Marina Varadero.
When you’re ready to get moving, you can head to the tennis courts, or to Varadero Golf Club, or you can either go diving, fishing, sailing, among other activities.
Of course, there are a lot of fascinating and thrilling excursions available for you and your family: boat trips on yachts and catamarans, visits to Cuba’s capital Havana, and much more.
The Spa
Perfect for parents who want to unwind, get spoiled and reconnect in a serene atmosphere, the YHI Spa is ideal to get pampered with the latest therapeutic and relaxing treatments.
The highlight of our stay was our relaxing couples massage and then spend quality time alone in their infinity pool, overlooking the stunning marina.
The Kids’ Club
Emma-Kate had an amazing time at the Kids’ Club, where she played with her new friends and enjoyed a magic trick show, face painting, a kids’ party, and a lot of educational and fun games, in a very safe, secure and comfortable environment.
I can tell you that we had the best time of our lives with Sunwing at the Meliá Marina Varadero! When we left our new friends, Emma-Kate cried (and maybe myself too… only a little bit). We will definitely have to come back soon!
