Princesa del Mar Resort & Spa
Reopening Date & Status
Princesa del Mar Resort & Spa is temporarily closed — Temporarily Closed (Cuba energy crisis) - no reopening date announced.
Princesa del Mar Resort & Spa is an adults-only all-inclusive resort in Varadero, Cuba with 630 rooms. Amenities include Beach, Buffet Dining, Diving, Fishing and Gym. Travelers rate it 4.2/5 across 2,665 Google reviews.
Things to Know
- Formerly Paradisus Princesa Del Mar Resort & Spa
Before you book in Cuba
73% of Cuba's hotels are closed, every international chain but one has pulled out, and no card from any country has worked there since June 2026.Read what actually changed →What travelers said before it closed
Traveler Insights
Pros
- +Sits at the top of the Varadero market in terms of pricing and brand reputation - the Paradisus brand (Melia Hotels) is considered among the best available in Cuba
- +Food quality praised as surprisingly good given the typically low bar for Cuban resorts - one guest notes they never ran out of supplies during their stay
- +Beautiful Varadero beach directly in front of the property - Varadero's beaches are widely considered among the best in Cuba
- +Adults-only section available with Royal Service upgrade, offering a quieter, more elevated experience within the same resort complex
- +Location in Varadero puts you closer to nightlife and excursion options than isolated cayo destinations, with Havana day trips feasible
- +Strong brand infrastructure - Melia/Paradisus properties in Cuba are generally the best-maintained and best-supplied compared to lower-tier operators
- +Varadero benefits from better supply chains than remote cayo destinations, meaning fewer shortages of basic items like eggs and toilet paper
- +The price premium (~$350/day) is reflective of genuinely better quality relative to cheaper Varadero options
Cons
- −The resort was showing wear and tear at last reported visits - described as 'functional but could use some updating and maintenance' and feeling like a '3-star elsewhere'
- −Cuba's ongoing economic crisis means shortages can affect even premium properties - eggs, butter, certain alcohols, and basic supplies have been unavailable at various times
- −Extremely limited travelers discussion (only 6 total mentions) makes it difficult to verify current conditions with confidence
- −Price (~$350/day) is the highest among comparable Varadero options, and given Cuba's deteriorating infrastructure, the value proposition has weakened since pre-2020 reviews
- −No consistent recent reviews available - the most substantive feedback in travel forums dates to 2017-2018, and Cuba has changed dramatically since then
- −Power outages remain a systemic risk across Cuba regardless of resort tier - even the best properties can lose electricity
- −Food that was praised as 'surprisingly good' in 2017 may not reflect current reality given Cuba's supply shortages since 2021
- −Remote from the main Havana experience - Varadero is a resort peninsula that can feel isolated from authentic Cuban culture
Paradisus Princesa Del Mar sits at the premium end of the Varadero market, and by the limited travelers evidence available, it earns that positioning. The food was praised as good by guests who visited pre-pandemic, the beach is genuinely beautiful (Varadero's beaches are some of the best in Cuba), and the Melia/Paradisus brand infrastructure is more reliable than cheaper alternatives. The adults-only Royal Service upgrade elevates the experience noticeably. For Cuba, this represents as close to 'luxury' as the destination gets.
The unavoidable caveat is that Cuba as a destination has deteriorated significantly since 2020, and even the best resorts now deal with supply shortages, aging infrastructure, and infrastructure-wide power challenges. The Paradisus brand's stronger supply chain connections help, but they don't eliminate the problem. The most recent specific travelers feedback on this property dates to around 2017-2018, and what was a '4-star Cuba' experience then may feel different now.
For travelers who have done Cuba before and know what they're getting into - setting expectations for food variety, bringing condiments, and approaching the trip with good humor about shortages - Paradisus Princesa Del Mar is the right choice for Varadero. It's a cut above properties like Blau Varadero or Sol Varadero Beach in terms of overall quality, and the beach remains the consistent reward. Best for experienced Cuba travelers who want the best Varadero has to offer without venturing to the more remote cayo destinations.
Common Questions
How does Paradisus Princesa Del Mar compare to other Varadero options like Blau or Sol Varadero Beach?
Should I be worried about food shortages?
Is the Royal Service adults-only upgrade worth it?
How far is it from the airport, and what excursions are accessible?
Is Cuba worth visiting right now given the current economic situation?
What's nearby
Varadero Beach9 min drive · 4.6 mi
Cárdenas35 min drive · 20 mi
Cueva de Ambrosio5 min drive · 2.3 mi
Mansión Xanadú11 min drive · 6.3 mi
40 min drive · 23 mi
More things to do (22)
- Catamaran trip to Cayo Blanco · excursion6 min drive · 3.2 mi
- Matanzas · town55 min drive · 34 mi
- Marina Gaviota Varadero · marina4 min drive · 0.9 mi
- Varahicacos Ecological Reserve · nature4 min drive · 1.6 mi
- Marina Chapelín · marina6 min drive · 3.2 mi
- Museo de Varadero · museum15 min drive · 8.8 mi
- Varadero Golf Club · golf20 min drive · 6.6 mi
- Parque Josone · nature20 min drive · 9.0 mi
- Marina Dársena de Varadero · marina25 min drive · 12 mi
- Varadero Skydiving Centre · adventure park25 min drive · 13 mi
- Varadero West Beach · beach25 min drive · 14 mi
- Museo Oscar María de Rojas, Cárdenas · museum35 min drive · 20 mi
- Museo Batalla de Ideas, Cárdenas · museum35 min drive · 20 mi
- Playa Coral · beach40 min drive · 23 mi
- Museo Central Azucarero José Smith Comas · museum45 min drive · 27 mi
- Museo Memorial El Morrillo · historic site45 min drive · 28 mi
- Teatro Sauto · historic site55 min drive · 33 mi
- Museo Farmacéutico, Matanzas · museum55 min drive · 34 mi
- Cuevas de Bellamar · nature55 min drive · 32 mi
- Ermita de Monserrate · viewpoint60 min drive · 35 mi
- Yumurí Valley viewpoint · viewpoint60 min drive · 35 mi
- Castillo de San Severino (Slave Route Museum) · historic site60 min drive · 35 mi
Amenities
Show 3 more amenitiesShow fewer
Style & Rooms
Atmosphere
Room upgrades
Seaweed & sargassum
Varadero gets sargassum, typically worst May through August, in heavy bloom years.See the month-by-month guide →Google Reviews★ 4.2 · 2,665 reviews
“People are amazing, beach is beautiful! Had a wonderful vacation. This was my second time visiting the resort and I will return! I would like to thank all of the lovely staff at this resort but there are a few that really made our stay extra special...”
“Stayed Jan 7-14. We were super impressed with the condition of the resort, the grounds are immaculate. Everyone was super friendly and helpful. Shout out to Jaz and Denis! Helped us book excursions that we could trust and felt safe! Ala Cartes were...”
“First time at this resort. Still here and having a fabulous time. The entertainment staff; Kevin,Dary,Laudys, are amazing. Everyday they show up to the beach and the pool and always have fun and games for us. Learning how to dance with them is a blas...”