Honest, Unfiltered & Slightly Cheeky
If you’re Googling “Memories Trinidad Del Mar review”, chances are you’re wondering one of three things:
- Is this resort actually good?
- Is it worth the price?
- Should I upgrade to Premium… or save my money?
Good news — I stayed there, ate the food, drank the drinks, tested the bed, explored the area, and lived to tell the tale. 😄
Here’s my honest, no-fluff review of Memories Trinidad Del Mar in Cuba.
🌴 First Impressions – Charming, Relaxed, Very Cuban
Let’s start with the vibe.
Memories Trinidad Del Mar is not fancy.
It is clean, relaxed, and full of Cuban character.
The resort is designed to reflect the historic city of Trinidad, and I actually loved that. Think pottery details, open spaces, and a layout that feels more “old-world Cuba” than “cookie-cutter resort.”
Is it a bit dated? Yes.
Is it clean and well maintained? Also yes.
Did I feel relaxed? Absolutely.
👥 Who This Resort Is Perfect For
This resort is a great fit if you are:
✔️ Looking for a quiet, smaller resort
✔️ Interested in exploring Trinidad (a UNESCO World Heritage Site)
✔️ A solo traveler or couple
✔️ More about culture than luxury
✔️ Happy with “comfortable” over “fancy”
🚫 Who Might Want to Look Elsewhere
- Party-seekers
- Luxury lovers
- Anyone expecting a 5-star experience
- People who need nightlife and nonstop entertainment
🏨 Room Review – Comfortable With a Few Quirks
A real-life room tour… no filters, no fluff, just how it actually looks.
👍 The Good:
- Spacious room
- Super comfortable bed
- Strong air conditioning (bless 🙌)
- Clean and well maintained
- Safe worked perfectly
- Robe & slippers
- Daily 2L water + one beer
- Nice view from the second floor
👀 Good to Know:
- No elevators (ask for ground floor if stairs are an issue)
- Shower hot water was hit or miss
- Decor is dated but clean
Bottom line?
It was comfortable, and I slept great — which honestly matters most.
🍽️ Food & Drinks – Surprisingly Solid
Buffet (the real MVP)
The buffet was better than expected.
✔️ Eggs and omelettes daily
✔️ Fish almost every day
✔️ Pork and occasional beef
✔️ Fresh bread and pastries
✔️ Good cheese selection
As a Premium guest, I had access to a quieter dining area, which I appreciated.
À La Carte Restaurant
This is where things dipped a little.
- Big dining room, often mostly empty
- Food was… okay
- Nice live music (sax player!)
- Upstairs only (not great for mobility issues)
Honestly? I preferred the buffet every time.
Drinks
- Juice, milk, coffee at meals
- Limited soda options
- Alcohol available (sometimes runs out but restocked)
🍹 Must-try:
The Canchánchara — rum, honey, lemon, served in a clay cup. Delicious and very Cuban.
🏖️ Pool & Beach
Pool
- Clean
- Plenty of loungers
- Easy access to bars
- Separate Premium bar
Beach
- Public (like all Cuban beaches)
- Lots of space
- Not powder-soft sand — more shells
- Some seaweed, but manageable
- Great for beach walks and shell collecting
Locals may approach to sell items or offer exchanges — they’re polite and move along if you decline.
There are also local beach bars and restaurants nearby, which are worth checking out.
🌟 Staff & Service – The Real Highlight
This is where the resort truly shines.
The staff were:
✔️ Friendly
✔️ Helpful
✔️ Genuinely kind
✔️ Remembered guests by name
The Sunwing rep, Santiago, went above and beyond helping guests with flight issues.
Small resort = personal service.
And that goes a long way.
🎶 Atmosphere & Entertainment
The vibe is:
- Relaxed
- Social in the evenings
- Very “Cuba chill”
- Not a party resort
Nightly entertainment was enjoyable and low-key.
One thing to note: locals are allowed to stay at the resort. I didn’t personally mind, but some guests found it a bit loud at times.
📍 Location & Excursions (Huge Plus!)
This is where Memories Trinidad Del Mar really wins.
🚍 Hourly shuttle to Trinidad
💵 $5 USD round trip
🚕 Easy taxi access
🎟️ Excursions available onsite
I did:
- Cayo Iguana
- Horse & buggy tour
- Horseback riding in the mountains
👉 Trinidad is an absolute must-see.
💰 Value for Money
I paid under $1,000 CAD for the week, and for that price — it was worth it.
Transfer Info:
- Cienfuegos Airport: 1.5–2 hours
- Santa Clara Airport: 3–3.5 hours
- Bathrooms not guaranteed
- Drinks sold onboard
Arrived late and still had food waiting — appreciated after a long travel day.
⚠️ Important: Premium Upgrade (Read This)
I’m going to be very honest here.
The Premium upgrade was NOT worth the extra cost.
Here’s what was advertised but NOT delivered:
❌ Welcome drink & towel
❌ Private check-in
❌ Exclusive beach service
❌ Butler service
❌ Exclusive dining
❌ Private cocktail events
✔️ Private lounge
✔️ Towel in room
✔️ Different bracelet
👉 Save your money.
I would not recommend upgrading.
🧳 Helpful Tips Before You Go
✔️ The Gym (Yes, There Is One… Kind Of)
Yes — there is a gym.
No — it’s not winning any awards. 😅
Think: older equipment, a few weight plates, and very “use what you’ve got” energy. It’ll do in a pinch, but if you’re used to a proper workout, bring resistance bands. I was very glad I did — they saved my workouts and my sanity.
✔️ Bring Tissues
Public washrooms often run out of toilet paper (welcome to Cuba).
A small pack of tissues in your bag = travel hero.
✔️ Bring a Refillable Water Bottle
You do get bottled water daily, but having your own bottle makes life easier — especially at meals or after excursions.
✔️ Set Expectations
This is Cuba.
Not Cancun.
Not luxury.
But full of charm, warmth, and character if you go in with the right mindset.
✔️ Comfort Over Glam
Pack comfortable shoes, light clothing, and leave the “resort glam” at home. This is more flip-flops and wandering than high heels and posing.
⭐ Final Verdict
Rating: 7/10
✔️ Great location
✔️ Friendly staff
✔️ Clean and comfortable
✔️ Excellent value
✔️ Perfect base to explore Trinidad
❌ Premium upgrade not worth it
❌ À la carte dining underwhelming
❌ Not a luxury resort
🌴 Would I Go Back?
Yes — absolutely.
But next time I’d:
✔ Skip the Premium upgrade
✔ Focus on excursions
✔ Spend more time in Trinidad
✔ Enjoy the buffet and the vibe
✈️ This Resort Is Best For:
✔️ Travelers who want culture over luxury
✔️ People who want to explore Trinidad
✔️ Budget-conscious travelers
✔️ Solo travelers and couples
✔️ Anyone who likes relaxed, authentic travel
If you’re wondering whether this resort is right for you, feel free to reach out — I’m always happy to help you choose the right destination (and not waste money on upgrades that aren’t worth it 😉).
If you like honest reviews with zero sugar-coating, you’ll find more of them here — along with travel tips, resort reviews, and destinations I’ve actually been to.
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