Gran Muthu Imperial
Adults-only resort in Cayo Guillermo. Romantic, Great View.
Atmosphere
Amenities
Traveler Insights(210 discussions)
Gran Muthu Imperial sits on the wild Punta Rasa point of Cayo Guillermo, one of the keys in Cuba's Jardines del Rey archipelago where the water is the kind of piercing turquoise you assume is a filter until you see it in person. The 500-room five-star all-inclusive opened in 2019 and brings a Spanish hotel group's hospitality sensibility to a destination that can be uneven in that department — which is why the staff's warmth gets mentioned in virtually every positive review. This is not a resort where you come to eat your way through dinner service; it's a resort where you come for the diving, the beach nearby, and the feeling of being on a largely undiscovered stretch of Cuban coastline.
The practical experience here is classic Cuban all-inclusive: a rotating buffet and a handful of à la carte restaurants, a swim-up bar that runs smoothly, and evening entertainment that leans into Latin music and dance. The snorkeling off the reef nearby is legitimately excellent — guides report almost guaranteed sea turtle sightings — and the windsurfing and fishing programs are well-run. The proximity to Playa Pilar, which sits at the far western tip of Cayo Guillermo and is consistently listed among the Caribbean's top beaches, is the single biggest draw for sun-seekers. The resort arranges transfers there, though the logistics require a bit of planning.
Gran Muthu Imperial makes the most sense for travelers who want a genuinely off-the-beaten-path Caribbean experience and can roll with the occasional supply hiccup that comes with visiting Cuba. It competes more with other Cuban five-star all-inclusives like the Meliá Cayo Guillermo next door than with mainstream Dominican or Mexican resorts, and on that scale it holds up very well. Couples and divers in particular get strong value here; families considering the trip should read up on Cuba's current supply situation before booking.
Pros
- +Genuinely warm and attentive staff who go out of their way to make guests feel welcome — consistently the most praised aspect across all reviews
- +Prime location on Punta Rasa with direct access to the crystalline turquoise waters of Cayo Guillermo, one of Cuba's most pristine archipelagos
- +Proximity to Playa Pilar, regularly ranked among the best beaches in the Caribbean — a short transfer away from the resort
- +World-class snorkeling and diving access thanks to the second-largest coral reef in the Western Hemisphere just one to two nautical miles offshore
- +Lively and well-organized nightly entertainment with animation teams who keep energy high throughout the evening
- +Swim-up bar that stays stocked and social, becoming a natural gathering point that travelers single out as a daily highlight
- +Six on-site restaurants covering Cuban, Mexican, seafood, and international cuisines — more variety than most comparable Cuban all-inclusives
- +Windsurfing, fishing, and a full water sports program make the most of the stunning coastal setting for active travelers
Cons
- −Buffet repetition becomes noticeable by mid-stay — the menu cycles predictably and variety drops off compared to the first few days
- −The resort sits on a rocky point (Punta Rasa), so the immediate oceanfront is not a sandy beach — guests need a transfer to reach Playa Pilar
- −Supply chain constraints endemic to Cuba mean certain foods, drinks, or toiletries can run short with little notice, through no fault of the property
- −Rooms are showing their age in some areas, with dated furnishings and the occasional maintenance issue that takes time to resolve
- −Common-area bathrooms are frequently understocked with basics like toilet paper — bring your own for peace of mind
- −Getting cash or handling card transactions requires planning ahead, as Cuba's financial infrastructure is still largely cash-based for tourists
- −Transfer logistics to and from the airport at Ciego de Ávila can be lengthy and are heavily dependent on organized group shuttles
- −Pool deck furniture fills up early during peak season and guests arriving after 9am often struggle to find a good spot near the swim-up bar
Common Questions
Google Rating
Google Reviews
“So I stayed at Gran Muthu Imperial for a couple of days and contrary to what some of these reviews say, I truly loved the place. We stayed there before going to a newer, "nicer" resort and I actually miss Gran Muthu's charm. The workers were all amaz...”