Blau Varadero is an adults-only all-inclusive resort in Varadero, Cuba with 395 rooms. Amenities include Beach. Travelers rate it 4.6/5 across 4,274 Google reviews.
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Amenities
Traveler Insights(19 discussions)
Blau Varadero is the best-rated adults-only resort in Cuba's most popular beach destination, and the ocean views from its rare high-rise tower are legitimately one of the differentiating features in Varadero. Every other resort on that beach is a low-rise pod complex where most rooms stare at other buildings - Blau's elevation means you actually see the turquoise water you came for. It's a romantic, calm property that Travelers describe as a solid choice for a first Cuba trip or an affordable anniversary getaway. And in 2026 it picked up a distinction nobody planned for: when the big foreign chains fled Cuba's sanctioned state hotels in June 2026, Blau's three Cuban properties - which have no Gaviota ties - were unaffected, leaving Blau among the last international operators on the island alongside Melia's remaining hotels, Iberostar's six, Barcelo, and Muthu. Its main adults-only rival, Royalton Hicacos, lost its Blue Diamond international management in that exodus, which only strengthens Blau's positioning.
The caveat is Cuba itself. Food quality at Cuban resorts is an industry-wide limitation caused by real supply chain issues, not management failure, and Blau is not immune - Blau's CEO admitted in early 2026 that conditions were becoming very complicated. Reports range from 'the food was fine, nothing special' to one detailed account of days without basic items like butter, limited buffet options, and gastrointestinal problems throughout the stay. This variance is the Cuba resort experience, and Blau represents both the best and sometimes the worst of it. Go knowing that this is a beach vacation, not a food vacation.
Blau Varadero makes the most sense for couples who want a calm romantic week on a genuinely beautiful beach without the chaos of Mexican spring break resorts, and Cuba-curious travelers who want the best baseline option before venturing to more adventurous Cuban destinations. The historic value proposition - sub-$900 CAD weeks with flights included - took a major hit in mid-2026 when Sunwing suspended all Cuba packages and the Canadian carriers paused Cuba flights, so getting here now takes more planning and likely more money. The official Blau website still accepts bookings; just verify your flight options carefully before committing.
Pros
- +Top-rated adults-only resort in Varadero, consistently scoring 89.0 on aggregated reviews - higher than Royalton Hicacos, Memories Jibacoa, and most other Cuba options
- +One of the only high-rise hotels in Varadero, giving ocean views that the low-rise pod-style resorts scattered around the beach simply cannot offer
- +Adults-only policy creates a notably more peaceful atmosphere than family-heavy Cuban resorts - romantic, quiet, and unhurried
- +One of the last international chains still operating in Cuba - Blau's three Cuban hotels have no Gaviota ties, escaped the June 2026 sanctions exodus, and the official Blau site still takes bookings while competitors lost their international management
- +Private beach access with soft white Varadero sand, one of the best stretches of Caribbean beach anywhere
- +Friendly, attentive service that multiple Travelers describe positively, consistent with a smaller adults-focused property
- +Geared toward a romantic and relaxed vibe rather than party atmosphere, making it a legitimate honeymoon or anniversary option in Cuba
- +Manageable resort size means you're not hiking across a massive compound to reach the pool or beach
Cons
- −At least one detailed travelers report describes a genuinely terrible experience: no butter for 5 of 7 days, extremely limited buffet items, persistent gastrointestinal issues, and an unhelpful front desk - the Cuba food supply problem at its worst
- −Cuban resort food is universally limited in variety and heavily dependent on supply chains that are genuinely unreliable - and Cuba's 2026 crisis, including a nationwide blackout in July 2026, has made supply even tighter
- −No WiFi or very limited connectivity, typical of Cuba - if you need to stay connected, this is a real issue
- −Being adults-only means it's a non-starter for families with children of any age
- −Varadero as a destination has virtually no authentic Cuban cultural experience nearby - it's a beach resort strip, not a cultural immersion
- −Visa and Mastercard have been rejected island-wide in Cuba since June 2026, so all travelers - not just Americans - must bring enough cash for the entire trip
- −The cheap Canadian package pipeline collapsed in mid-2026 - Sunwing suspended all Cuba packages indefinitely and Air Canada, Air Transat, and WestJet paused Cuba flights, so the budget flight-included deals this resort was famous for are largely gone
- −Blau's own CEO acknowledged in early 2026 that operating in Cuba is 'becoming very complicated' - the chain is staying, but supply and logistics pressure on the island is real and growing
Common Questions
Google Rating
Google Reviews
“The Blau is on the older side as far as hotels go un Varadero, 20 years this year. But it is surprisingly well maintained, clean and very pleasant. The beach is absolutely fantastic, the pool is perfect, and the food! There is abundance at the Blau....”
“Very beautiful and fun resort for adults. Lots of activities from recreation staff. Food was better then expected. There is no chocolate in any of the dessert so take your own. Service was great. Elevator are slow sometime. Wife looses connection...”
“The overall experience was excellent. The service in general the best I have ever experienced in Cuba. Mainly from the restaurant attendants ,bartenders and beach staff. The entertainment group was excellent as well. Hotel in general is kept very...”