Hotel Review: Kempinski Cayo Guillermo
LOCATION
Nestled amidst the secluded beauty of one of Cuba’s best-kept secrets, lies the Kempinski Cayo Guillermo Resort, like a treasure waiting to be discovered. Cayo Guillermo is renowned for its pristine white sands and crystal-clear turquoise waters that you wouldn’t believe are real, and given it’s location, being further away from the tourists towns, it’s a relatively untouched paradise that begs to be explored.
How do I get to Cayo Guillermo?
This slice of paradise can be easily reached by flying into Jardines del Rey airport, which is a mere 35-minute taxi ride from the resort. Alternatively, you may opt for the more scenic routes by flying into Santa Clara (4 hour drive) or Havana (7 hour drive), albeit with a longer car journey ahead that is completely worth the journey.
THE CONCEPT OF KEMPINSKI CAYO GUILLERMO
The concept of Kempinski Cayo Guillermo Resort is simple: Barefoot luxury.
From the moment you step into the open-air lobby, you’re greeted with a grand yet refreshingly minimalist design that sets the tone for your stay. It’s a breath of modernity in Cuba, a place where luxury meets simplicity in the most elegant way. Every corner of the resort, from the facilities to the rooms, follows this minimalist approach, urging you to step outside and embrace the beauty of the natural surroundings. So forget your shoes, along with all your worries, and sink your toes into the soft cascades of white sand whilst sipping on one of the many rum-based cocktails on offer.
ROOMS
Have you ever dreamt of staying in one of those dreamy overwater villas in the Maldives but felt like it was just too far out of reach? Well, hold onto your sunhats because there’s a new kid on the block, and it’s bringing that same luxury vibe to the shores of Cuba. Enter Kempinski Cayo Guillermo, home to Cuba’s first-ever overwater villas, and they’re surprisingly affordable. Unfortunately we couldn’t stay in one as the walkway was undergoing major renovations, but they looked incredible and we will definitely be back to try one out.
However, even if you don’t opt for the overwater villas, the rooms at the Kempinski Cayo Guillermo are nothing short of 5* quality. Our oceanfront deluxe room was incredibly spacious, featuring a larger than average room size of 882 sq ft. The room itself has a plush king size bed (although this felt more like super king size) that was extremely comfortable, a corner sofa/chaise lounge seating area, and a large private balcony which had a comfortable seating area to enjoy sunset from.
The bathroom was equally as impressive, with an oversized marble bathtub just begging for a long, indulgent soak, a heavenly rainfall shower to wash away the day’s sand and salt, his and hers marble basins, and a separate dressing-room area. And let me tell you, after bouncing around Cuba with less-than-stellar hairdryer situations, having a powerful one at our disposal felt like a true luxury! One small point to note is the lack of bathroom slippers and hair conditioner which I would consider normal bathroom amenities for a 5* resort, however this seems to be a normal feature in Cuba as nowhere seemed to have these.
CULINARY DELIGHTS
Before going to Cuba we were told not to expect much by way of food. Being an absolute foodie, I was slightly concerned about whether we would have any good meals in Cuba, but luckily my concerns were swiftly resolved after eating at the hotel.
The day started with a healthy breakfast serving of fresh fruits, fresh juice, cold meats and cheese, a bread basket, and a selection of classic breakfast dishes from the a la carte menu. Both the crepes and scrambled eggs were delightful, and my only regret is that I didn’t order the crepes on both days!
For lunch and dinner, we could only try one of the restaurants as the other restaurants were undergoing renovations but as we were only there for 2 nights this was fine. The menu at Balsamic was vast, featuring both local and Italian cuisine, and at lunchtime they had a separate menu which included international dishes such as pizzas and burgers. Given we were by the sea I only ate seafood – the tuna tartare was delicious, so much so that I had it twice during our stay! The lobster spaghetti was also good with a generous amount of lobster serving, although I much preferred the local prawn dishes as the Cuban flavours trumped the take on Italian food.
By way of drinks, the Las Dunas Lobby Bar is perfect for a pre or post-dinner drink. They were very accommodating and even if a cocktail was not listed on the menu, they would prepare it for you. I opted for a pina colada which was refreshing and perfectly balanced! They also have a poolside bar and a beachside bar, although another small point to note is that you can’t get drinks on the beach itself.
You can opt for either a bed and breakfast package or an all-inclusive package, and given the remote location with not a lot of restaurants nearby, going all-inclusive is a good option.
RELAXATION AND REJUVENATION
The resort features 3 large outdoor swimming pools surrounded by cabanas so you’ll always be able to find a quiet spot by one of the pool-sides. Near to the pools is the spa which has it’s own pool and a variety of massages on offer, in case you fancy treating yourself. There is also an on-site gym which surprisingly was very well equipped!
However, the best place to spend most of your day is of course at the beach! The resort has it’s own private access to Playa Pilar with complimentary sunbeds, and it is further away from the public area which allows for a peaceful retreat. When you’re feeling up for a bit of adventure the resort’s watersports club on the beach is the place to go, where you’ll be able to hire snorkelling equipment, kayaks, and much more. They also offer plenty of excursions including glass-bottom boats, snorkelling at a nearby island, and catamaran day trips.
MY TWO CENTS
Hands-down this is the best and most luxurious hotel you’ll find in Cuba. Whilst it is far from the big towns, it is worth the journey to be able to experience this slice of paradise and I would definitely opt for travelling to this location rather than Varadero, which is the more touristy area.
Given the remote location, one thing I would have liked to experience, especially if I was staying for longer, is more variety in restaurant options at the resort. However, once the restaurant renovations and overwater villa renovations are complete I have no doubt that Kempinski Cayo Guillermo will exceed expectations and continue retaining its spot as the best hotel in Cuba.
INTEL HUB
To book: https://www.kempinski.com/en/cayo-guillermo-resort
Address: Cayo Guillermo Resort Kempinski Cuba, Crta. Cayo Guillermo Km. 56 (final), Cayo Guillermo, 69400, Cuba
Phone: +53 33 31 05 00
Price: Rooms starting from USD 150 per night