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You
actually land in Santa Clara at an active Air Force
Base, which the first time seemed a little daunting
but they are all actually really nice. As these islands
are off the main land there is less than hour and a half drive
to Cayo Ensenachos from the airport. You'll drive through Santa Clara region, Camajuani, Remedios, and Caibarien, then onto The Causeway. If you are lucky enough to be on
an early flight the scenery and villages that you will
drive through are so interesting, as you see the way
of life in Cuba, the time will seem insignificant. It
is like getting a free excursion.
When we arrived at the extremely elegant, lush and
airy Marble Lobby we were met in the main office
area with glasses of Champagne and warm moist face
cloths while we quickly were given our package envelopes.
To all of you that dislike the wrist bands at the
all-inclusives you’ll be happy to hear you are not branded at
this resort. There is a beautiful staircase that takes
you to lower lobby where you’ll find more craft
shops, exchange cashier, library, night club and à
la carte restaurants.
The main lobby has a cigar store, jewellery/fragrance
shop, gift shop, cigar bar, main lobby bar, theatre,
business centre with internet access. Internet access
costs $6 CUC/30 min. or $12 CUC for 60 min, you can
pay cash or bill to your room. Internet access was alot
faster than Melia Las Dunas down the street on the next
cayo. Buffet restaurant is also a few steps up.
Room numbers attached to our luggage we were whisked
away to our building. There are three sections
at this resort. The Royal Spa, Royal Hideaway and the
Royal Suite Villas. Though we had a
Spa package we ended up in the Hideaway section and
were quite happy as we were near to all beaches as
well as one of the pools. The property is beautifully
landscaped and well taken care of by gardeners working
everyday. They will even give you a tour of their garden
and flowers for the ladies.
STING (of famed The Police band) and his wife
Trudy came to Cuba in January 2007 stayed at the Royal
Villas section. Sting was in Cuba on a private visit
to learn the Cuban culture, music and salsa dances.
Sting was getting some expert salsa tuition at the
National Ballet school in Havana, Cuba.
The Compay Segundo band, rocker Carlos Varela, guitarist
Elmer Ferrer, pianist Ernán López-Nussa,
and bassist Carlos Alfonso took the stage and they
performed to Sting a few of their best Cuban tracks,
Sting enjoyed the performances then grabbed his guitar
played a couple of his own classic tracks (Roxanne
and Fragile) with them at a private reception at Mella
Theatre. He has also been getting into the country's
rhythm by learning the intricacies of Afro-Cuban dances
with the help of a teacher from the National Folkoric
Ensemble. It has proved that Cuba is very much open-hearted
and appreciative to encounters of the first kind. (Side
photos of Trudy, Sting, and their Royal Suites butler
at Main Lobby)
RHE also had a special musical
guest for Christmas 2007. On Christmas 2008 the hotel
brought in beautiful and colourful floats from
Las Parrandas de Remedios town festival and set up
in the front hotel where the guests were mesmerized
with beautiful performances into the evening. So don't forget to read our reviews and see other updated pages throughout this website...
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