Cuban Influencer Highlights Hotel Room in Varadero: "Towels Weren't Very Clean, but You Know How It Is"

On TikTok, a young Cuban woman known as @sheyreyes03 shared a video offering an inside look at the room she stayed in at the Iberostar Bella Costa hotel in Varadero. Her post has sparked a variety of reactions due to the gap between her impressions and what others see as acceptable for a hotel of that caliber.

"Here's a room at a hotel in Varadero, of course, it's in Cuba, and it's called Iberostar Bella Costa. This is my first visit, and this is how the room looks," Sheyla narrates while giving a tour. She adds, "As you can see, this is the bathroom. It has a bathtub. The towels weren't very clean, but you know how it is."

Room Features: A Mixed Review

She explained that the room was a triple because she was traveling with her sister and niece: "So, it obviously needs three beds. The rooms are nice, and one thing I really loved is the good lighting." She goes on to show a mirror, which she describes as "my favorite for pictures, posing, and such," along with a small table, a chair, and decor she calls "modern."

Sheyla also pointed out other amenities: "Of course, there's a flat-screen TV and a telephone, but that phone is just for show because there's no room service or anything. The minibar, naturally, is given to you empty, darling." She concluded by showing the view from the room: "This was the view we got, I didn't like it at all, but considering the price, it was super good."

Public Reaction: Sarcasm and Criticism

The video prompted numerous comments, ranging from sarcastic and critical to supportive of Sheyla and the Cuban context. "If that's modern, what does old look like?" one user quipped. Another remarked, "The bathroom is a wreck," while a third added, "It's one of the oldest in Varadero."

Many viewers expressed skepticism about the "modern" decor. As one user put it, "She calls it modern... If she visits hotel rooms in the United States, she won't sleep." Another chimed in, "Modern??? If she goes to one in the Dominican Republic, she'll be shocked."

Hygiene issues were also a concern: "Towels not very clean and 'you know how it is'? That's disgusting, sweetheart." One commenter noted, "That minibar is yellow from how old it is." Another viewer mentioned, "I wouldn't want to stay in that room."

Broader Context: Tourism in Crisis

The situation underscores the ongoing debate about the quality of tourist services in Cuba, the accessibility for ordinary Cubans, and the widening gap between what the country promotes as a destination versus the actual experience in terms of infrastructure, service, and basic amenities.

According to official statistics from the National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI), tourism in Cuba has plummeted by 30% so far in 2025 compared to the same period last year. International visitor arrivals have dropped by nearly 29%, impacting key markets such as Canada, Russia, Spain, and Italy.

Despite the challenging scenario, the Cuban government continues to blame the U.S. embargo for the sector's downfall. In April, Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz again pointed to the "blockade" during the FITCuba 2025 International Tourism Fair, sidestepping any self-critique of internal management in the tourism industry.

"Reviving and developing tourism in Cuba is a matter of honor," Marrero stated, without addressing the growing perception of insecurity, constant blackouts, foreign currency pricing, or deteriorating hotel conditions. These issues, highlighted by tour operators and visitors, have eroded trust among tourists and international travel agencies.

Meanwhile, state investment continues to prioritize the tourism sector over essential areas like agriculture or local infrastructure. Although the government has launched promotional campaigns, events with dolphins, and promises of modernization, the reality documented by many Cubans on social media, like Sheyla, paints a picture far removed from luxury and closer to decay and scarcity.