Two tourists endured a harrowing 30-minute ordeal trapped in an elevator at the Blau Varadero Hotel, located in Cuba's premier tourist destination. The distressing event, which jeopardized their safety, was brought to light by one of the victims, Canadian Carl Rainville, who shared his experience on social media. Rainville described the incident as "extremely dangerous" for both him and his wife, harshly criticizing the hotel's staff for their lack of preparedness.
According to Rainville's Facebook post, the hotel's elevators were plagued with severe malfunctions, requiring the impromptu assistance of fellow tourists to free those trapped. The staff appeared unprepared and unequipped to handle the emergency. "The technician was clueless on how to reset the system or bring the elevator doors back to the proper level. Being suspended between floors on the tenth level is daunting," Rainville recounted, noting that they had to escape between floors, risking a fall from the tenth story.
Rainville further reported that his wife sustained a back injury during the perilous evacuation, exacerbating their frustration and outrage over the lack of safety protocols. He clarified that the elevator malfunction was not due to a power outage. "The real issue was the hazardous way we were extracted from the elevator," he lamented.
This incident has sparked concern among tourists and on social media platforms, raising serious questions about the safety standards at one of the island's most frequented vacation spots. "We were finally evacuated after 30 exhausting minutes… I returned to Quebec to take care of this. What a lousy hotel," Rainville concluded in his post.
While the hotel administration has yet to release an official statement, the situation casts doubt on the training of hotel staff and the maintenance of facilities in this crucial Cuban tourist hub. Described as a terrifying ordeal for the guests, this event adds to a series of recent complaints from travelers questioning the service quality and technical conditions at the country's paramount beach resort.
Concerns Over Tourist Safety in Varadero
What caused the elevator incident at Blau Varadero Hotel?
The elevator malfunction was caused by severe technical issues, not a power failure, and required the intervention of other tourists for the trapped individuals to be rescued.
How did the tourists manage to escape the elevator?
The tourists had to be evacuated between floors with the help of other guests, which was a dangerous process due to the lack of proper safety protocols and unprepared staff.
What are the implications of this incident for Varadero's tourism?
The incident raises concerns about the safety and service standards in Varadero, potentially impacting its reputation as a top tourist destination in Cuba.