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Grand Memories Cayo Largo

Cayo Largo, Cuba
3.8(150 reviews)
Family

Reopening Date & Status

Grand Memories Cayo Largo is temporarily closed — Temporarily Closed (Cuba energy crisis) - no reopening date announced.

Email me when it reopens

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Grand Memories Cayo Largo is a family-friendly all-inclusive resort in Cayo Largo, Cuba with 306 rooms. Amenities include Adults-Only Pool, Beach, Buffet Dining, Gym and Kids Club. Travelers rate it 3.8/5 across 150 Google reviews.

Things to Know

  • Wi-Fi costs extra
What travelers said before it closed

Traveler Insights

Pros

  • +Cayo Largo del Sur is one of the last genuinely pristine island destinations in the Caribbean - the beaches rank among the most beautiful in Cuba and are dramatically undercrowded compared to Varadero
  • +The adults-only pool area provides a quiet retreat away from the main resort activity, which families with children also use during peak season
  • +Kids Club is well-run and supervised, giving parents real time off while children are engaged in organized activities
  • +Resort-operated free shuttle service to Playa Sirena and Playa Paraiso - two beaches that consistently appear on lists of the most beautiful beaches in the entire Caribbean

Cons

  • −The resort itself sits on the marina side of Cayo Largo rather than the stunning Atlantic-facing beaches, meaning you must take a shuttle to access Playa Sirena and Playa Paraiso rather than walking out your door
  • −Food variety is genuinely limited even by Cuban all-inclusive standards, with repetitive buffet options that become monotonous by the midpoint of a week-long stay
  • −Wi-Fi is paid and not included in the all-inclusive rate, which feels like a significant omission at a property marketed to international travelers
  • −Room door and patio door mechanisms frequently malfunction across multiple units, a maintenance issue that has been raised in multiple reviews without consistent resolution from management

Grand Memories Cayo Largo is the kind of resort that succeeds entirely on the strength of its natural setting. Cayo Largo del Sur is a small, protected island cay off Cuba's south coast with almost no development beyond the resort complex, and the beaches here - particularly Playa Sirena - are legitimately world-class. Clear turquoise water, white powder sand, and almost no one on them. If you have seen photos of Cuban beaches that looked impossibly beautiful, there is a good chance they were taken on Cayo Largo. The resort itself is a solid, functional all-inclusive that delivers on its basic promise without ever surprising you.

The important caveat is location and logistics. The property sits on the marina side of the island rather than on those spectacular beaches, so you access the best swimming and sunbathing via a resort shuttle. The shuttle is free and runs regularly, but guests who want to walk out their door onto a world-class beach will be disappointed. The food operates at a level typical for Cuban all-inclusives - sufficient and well-intentioned, but with limited variety that becomes repetitive over a full week. The paid Wi-Fi situation is a recurring frustration for guests who expected connectivity to be included. Staff friendliness is universally praised and represents the most consistent positive across all guest experiences.

Cayo Largo makes the most sense for Canadian charter travelers seeking a genuine Caribbean escape rather than a resort-heavy experience, beach purists who prioritize sand and water quality above dining variety or nightlife, and Cuba enthusiasts who want to see the country's most extraordinary natural coastline. It is not a fit for travelers who want to explore local culture, eat diverse food, or maintain connectivity. Compared to Varadero, Cayo Largo offers dramatically superior beaches but a smaller, less polished resort ecosystem.

Common Questions

How do you get to Cayo Largo del Sur and is it easy to reach?
Cayo Largo has its own small airport that primarily serves charter flights from Canada and occasional connections via Havana. It is one of the more logistically challenging Cuban destinations to reach independently, and most guests arrive as part of package holidays arranged through Canadian tour operators. There are no direct US commercial flights to Cayo Largo. Independent travelers typically fly to Havana and connect via Cubana domestic service, which requires advance planning. The island has essentially no infrastructure beyond the resort zone.
If the best beaches are not at the resort, how does the shuttle work?
The resort operates a free shuttle service to Playa Sirena and Playa Paraiso, which are the legendary white-sand beaches on the Atlantic side of the island. Multiple runs are scheduled throughout the day and the drivers communicate which beach they are heading to on each departure. Guests take the shuttle out in the morning and return in the afternoon. The former policy of providing boxed lunches at the beach has been discontinued, so plan either to return to the resort for lunch or bring snacks from the buffet before you leave.
Is Playa Sirena really as spectacular as it looks in photos?
By overwhelming guest consensus, yes. Playa Sirena is a crescent of fine white sand with shallow, impossibly clear turquoise water that stretches for a significant distance with minimal crowds. Guests who have traveled extensively throughout the Caribbean frequently rank it among the best beaches they have visited. The water is calm, warm, and excellent for swimming. The one consistent note is to arrive early via the first or second shuttle run to secure beach chairs before the best spots fill with other resort guests.
How is the food quality compared to other Cuban all-inclusives?
Honest reviews place it at the average to slightly below-average end of Cuban all-inclusive food quality. The buffet is functional and covers protein, salad, and dessert options, but variety is limited and by day four or five most guests feel they have seen everything available. The sister property Sanctuary at Grand Memories, which operates on the same grounds but caters to a smaller adults-only section, receives slightly better food reviews. Expectations calibrated to Cuban resort dining rather than Mexican or Dominican all-inclusive standards will be better met.
Is Grand Memories Cayo Largo good for families with children?
The Kids Club offering and the shallow, calm beach water at Playa Sirena make it genuinely workable for families with children. The adults-only pool provides parents a quiet space while kids are occupied. The main challenge is the limited activity variety beyond beach and pool - there are no waterparks, no children-specific excursions, and no town to visit. Families with beach-loving children between ages 4 and 12 tend to have the most positive experiences, while teenagers who want more stimulation may find it monotonous.
Can I get Wi-Fi at the resort and what does it cost?
Wi-Fi is available but is not included in the all-inclusive package and must be purchased separately. This is a common structure across Cuban resorts due to the country's telecommunications infrastructure and government regulations. Connection speeds are generally adequate for messaging and basic browsing but not reliable for video calls or streaming. Purchase cards at the resort front desk or through the concierge. Travelers who need to stay connected for work should factor the additional cost and reliability limitations into their planning.

What's nearby

  • Playa Sirena
    Playa Sirena
    20 min drive · 6.0 mi
More things to do (2)

Amenities

Adults-Only Pool
Tennis
Kids Club
Nightly Entertainment
Buffet Dining
Spa
Gym
Beach

Style & Rooms

Atmosphere

BudgetBusiness

Google Reviews★ 3.8 · 150 reviews

Will P.
4 years ago

“My second time at this all-inclusive hotel. Not as good as I remembered it from 5 years ago. The resort is nice enough, good location, however there was no beach for almost the entire 2 weeks I were there. Not the hotel's fault as it has to do wit...”

Claudiu R.
5 years ago

“This was our 3rd time here. We absolutely live this place. Do not expect luxury but it’s more then comfortable. Do not expect great food but it’s manageable. The people are absolutely phenomenal. From the cleaning lady to the gardener. I can’t name...”

Mary-Anne H.
7 years ago

“We had a spectacular time at this resort! The staff makes you feel like family. On days that the beach was too small they took us by request to a nearby beach in a cart. Very accommodating and the entertainment was fantastic!”