Review of Memories Flamenco Resort – Cayo Coco

For my most recent experience-based review, I chose to visit Memories Flamenco Beach Resort in Cayo Coco, Cuba – a resort that tends to rate high among guests with plenty of repeat visitors. I opted for a Junior Suite with a King Bed and kept an open mind regarding the 4-star rating since Cuba resorts tend to fall short when compared to other Caribbean resorts of similar ratings. However, I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised.

This is a budget-friendly, family-friendly resort that also works well for couples, and the location is only 25 minutes from Cayo Coco airport.

It has plenty of on-site activities and a lot going for it with 600+ rooms and suites, 4 pools, 6 restaurants, and 7 bars, and a staff that’s eager to please.

The suites at Memories Flamenco contain satellite TV, a minibar that’s restocked daily based on consumption, a hairdryer, coffeemaker, iron and ironing board, a safety deposit box, and a handy umbrella. Our suite (10204) was located in a quiet villa and was quite clean and roomy. There was plenty of hot water with good shower pressure (which is something that’s hit and miss in the Caribbean) and the housekeeping staff, like many in the islands, was adept at creating cute towel art as decor for the bed.

The only drawback in our particular room was a temperamental toilet that didn’t always want to flush, or would flush and continue running. Overall, the accommodations and furnishings are sparse and simple but other than our toilet issue, there wasn’t much to complain about.

Having stayed at several different all-inclusive Cuban resorts over the years, I didn’t have a great deal of confidence in the food. But again, I was pleasantly surprised. Memories Flamenco has the standard international buffet for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as 5 a la carte restaurants featuring gourmet cuisine. These include Nagano (Asian cuisine), Bella Cucina (Italian), La Creole (Creole cuisine, which is similar to Cajun) Diamond Club (Gourmet/French), and Aegea (Mediterranean food). There is also a handy snack bar/grill that serves tasty finger foods including really good pizza.

I can honestly say, the food was the best I’ve ever experienced in Cuba. So were the exotic drinks, though I couldn’t help but notice that tipping the bartender or server resulted in much faster service.

The pools were nice and clean, with plenty of lounge chairs for seating. However, if pressed to find a place to sit, there is an attendant present that will get lounges for you. This is true at the beach as well, so guests need not panic and return to the pool or to their room if they can’t immediately find a lounge. The attendant will ensure that he locates whatever you need. Speaking of the beach, it is positively beautiful with crystal clear water and clean white sand. On a few of my many strolls, I spotted needlefish and starfish.

The grounds are beautifully landscaped, with an area perfect for a destination wedding. And the activities and entertainment staff have great energy, with evening shows that are entertaining for all ages. It’s just a shame the resort doesn’t offer complimentary wi-fi throughout the property as I’m quite sure more guests would post their holiday photos to social media during downtime in their rooms. Instead, wi-fi is pay-as-you-go and is available in select areas only, such as the lobby and by the pool.

Overall, Memories Flamenco was a welcomed change of pace from the previous resorts I have reviewed in Cuba. And, did I say the beach was amazing? Because I can’t stress enough how beautiful it was!

PROS: Budget-friendly and appeals to a wide range of vacationers. Clean, beautiful, and has a noteworthy staff of high-energy individuals that truly wish to make your stay a memorable one.

CONS: In all honesty, there aren’t many drawbacks at this resort, with the exception of the Wi-Fi situation and a few random issues in the rooms.

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