Spanish Honeymooner Slams Poor Quality of Food and Service at Cuban Hotel

An Spanish tourist, who visited Cuba from May 7 to 11, 2025, to celebrate his honeymoon, has raised serious complaints regarding his experience at Jardines del Rey Hotel in Cayo Coco, Ciego de Ávila, operated by the Spanish chain Meliá. Through a WhatsApp message to elTOQUE, the visitor described encountering substandard food at the hotel restaurant, including dried, unappetizing ham slices, dehydrated cheese, and unidentifiable chewy sweets.

The tourist also criticized the drinks, which were made from instant powder, and the lack of entertainment options, limited to karaoke and music played from a mobile phone. Images shared by the media outlet display poorly baked pastries and spoiled meat. In a video, the traveler expressed his frustration: "This is shameful! It's not food; it's an insult."

Additionally, the problems extended beyond the hotel. The tourist rented a car from the state-owned company Havanautos and found it in appalling condition, with dents, faded paint, stained old seats, a strong gasoline odor, and oil leaks. In one of the clips, he shows how he had to add three liters of oil to the engine and describes a dangerously worn tire as "a hazard at the first bump."

This situation, highlighted in the "Citizen Report" section of elTOQUE, once again calls into question the service quality at Cuba's tourist facilities, especially those marketed in foreign currency. The tourist concluded his complaints by stating that he paid exorbitant prices for what was supposed to be a luxurious stay but turned into a "honeymoon to forget."

Recent Tourist Complaints in Cuba

In recent months, there has been a significant increase in reports from foreign tourists about poor conditions in Cuban hotels. Three recent cases reveal different aspects of the crisis:

Five-Star Hotel in Ruins and "Pig-Like" Treatment

A Russian tourist staying at a supposed five-star resort publicly decried the deplorable state of the complex. Her grievances, shared by the Russian media ABN 24 News, included "leaking faucets," non-functional hairdryers, dirty common areas, and insect infestations. She also lambasted the food, noting that fresh dishes were mixed with leftovers: "They treat tourists like pigs." Even potable water was scarce and offered only at an additional cost.

Water and Product Shortages at Gran Hotel Casa Granda, Santiago

In December 2024, Spanish tourist Antonio Mora Ayora reported deficiencies at the Gran Hotel Casa Granda, a four-star establishment in Santiago de Cuba. He recounted how the hotel lacked even water and lemons for lemonade, despite featuring them on the menu. On social media, he criticized the disconnect between the menu and the actual offerings.

Canadian Tourist Drugged and Assaulted at Varadero Resort

One of the most alarming incidents occurred recently at a Varadero resort: Canadian tourist Breanna Peebles reported being drugged and waking up with signs of sexual assault and violence. Her account exposed security lapses at the hotel and inadequate institutional response, prompting the Canadian government to advise against travel to the island.

These episodes highlight that the crisis in Cuba's tourism sector ranges from basic infrastructure and service deficiencies to severe risks to visitor safety. Repeated reports of spoiled food, poor hygiene, limited water supplies, and failures in medical or security services represent a consistent pattern indicating a deteriorating tourism system.

Plummeting Tourism in Cuba: A Sector in Deep Crisis

The recent complaints from tourists about subpar stays and a sense of vulnerability at hotel facilities are not isolated incidents but symptoms of a structural crisis reflected in the sustained decline of tourism in Cuba. According to official figures from the National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI), only 571,772 international visitors arrived between January and March 2025, a steep drop of 29.7% compared to the same period in 2024.

Hotel occupancy rates barely reached 24.1% of available rooms, the lowest recorded for a traditionally strong quarter. These negative indicators not only reflect a decrease in visitor numbers but also in overnight stays, which fell from 5,040,451 to 3,601,870, and a 5% year-on-year drop in sector revenue. Key markets like Canada, Russia, Spain, and Italy have slashed their tourist numbers by 25% to 50%, according to preliminary data.

This downturn is attributed to multiple factors: the energy crisis with frequent blackouts, service quality deficiencies, lack of basic products in hotels, deteriorating infrastructure, and limited air connectivity. Experts like economist José Luis Perelló warn that sector recovery will be slow, with pre-pandemic levels unlikely to return until at least 2030.

In 2023, the government itself acknowledged issues in sector service, including supply shortages, delayed payments to Cuban suppliers, and a lack of trained personnel. Despite investments and rhetoric promoting tourism as an economic driver, the disconnect between this vision and the reality of service is increasingly evident.

This scenario clarifies why complaints like the Spanish tourist's in Cayo Coco—poor quality food, makeshift entertainment, a car in disrepair, and exorbitant prices—impact not only the traveler but also reflect the widespread deterioration of Cuba's tourism model.