Amazing Destinations Magazine Autumn 2021

VIVA VARADERO
ROYALTON HICACOS
VARADERO, CUBA
Our journey to discover the charismatic country of Cuba had naturally taken us to the capital
Havana, where we enjoyed a week walking through streets bustling with activity and
immersing ourselves in local culture. Now it was time for something different!
Discussions with the Cuba tourist board in London suggested
spending time in one of the country’s main beach resorts. So, we
put adventure to one side, packed up our panama hats and headed
140km east of Havana to Varadero, the country’s tourist mecca.
After the excitement and energy of the capital, ten days kicking
back and sitting on the beach sounded ideal.
Located on the gorgeous Varadero Peninsula on the northern
coast of Cuba, is the all-inclusive adults only Royalton Hicacos
Resort & Spa. It has a particularly idyllic seafront location with
a pristine soft-sand beach. Indeed, this is a beautiful undisturbed
wide-brimmed ribbon of bright beige sand that curves into the
distance. It is sandwiched between a lush green backdrop and the
lapping of sparkling turquoise waters and dotted with thatched
parasols that throw shade over cushioned sun beds.
The warm Caribbean climate offers sunshine throughout the
year and getting there is a two-hour or so drive from the capital,
passing some simply sensational views.
We arrived on a humid afternoon to a happy welcome, and by
noon the next day we had fallen in love with the place. Our days
at the resort were mostly spent watching stunning sunsets on the
beach, sampling delicious food, drinking cocktails around the
pool and enjoying Cuban music. It’s the perfect place to unwind
and spend a week in paradise.
The lobby is spacious with water features, white-washed
columns, live band music and flowers that together offer a sense
of grandiose yet calm gaiety. There’s a large lobby bar too where
many a pre-dinner cocktail or a just-for-the-hell of it tipple can
be enjoyed. •
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