Traveler Reviews Casa Maria
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Date: October 2 2009
Author: Mark Jaggassar
Country: Canada
Casa Maria
I just wanted to offer a counter-point to the 2-star review below of Casa Maria.
I spent 6 days in Santiago and I only stayed at a single casa. So I don't have a wealth of knowledge to compare against, but I have to say that my stay at Casa Maria was a very positive one.
To counter the 2-star review below, I found the room/shower to be clean, there was hot water when I was there, and I certainly didn't feel like I was "just passing through". (Although I imagine if you stay at a place for 1-2 nights you might feel that way at any casa). I am a guitar player and went to Santiago with the main purpose to learn to play traditional Cuban music (Son/Bolero). Maria and her family were extremely helpful in helping me achieve my goals.
I speak very little Spanish and was overwhelmed at being in Cuba for the first time and getting from city to city. It was extremely comforting to arrive in Santiago on the bus (at night) and Maria had sent someone to pick me up with my name on a sign. Not only that, but she helped set up lessons during the week with a guitar instructor.
She made reservations at the bus station for my trip back to the Holguin airport, confirmed (and corrected my incorrect) bus schedule, and arranged for a taxi to pick me up at the appropriate time. I taught the smallest grand-daughter some guitar chords and had some nice chats with most of the family members.
Just before I left, I read this negative review and got worried. But then I saw it as a challenge: I was pretty sure that I could get more than just a "passing through" vibe from this casa.
Like with most things in life, you get out what you put in. I went with an open mind and a genuine disposition and was richly rewarded for my efforts. I think that's probably the case with most casa's.
5 stars
Date: August 3 2009
Author: Louise
Country: England
Casa Maria
We stayed here for 2 nights in July 2009. At the moment the owner rents one double room which is through the house up flight of stairs and accessed from a nice rooftop balcony where you eat breakfast. The room was comfortable with air con and fan but the bathroom had no hot water, the bathroom door did not close and the shower was a little grubby.
The casa is located very convieniently for the main sites - just a 5 minute walk from most attractions.
This was the final casa of 7 which we stayed in whilst on our trip. Whilst the owners daughter and granddaughter who do the cooking and cleaning are friendly, we didn't feel like we were really staying with a cuban family here, more like we were passing through their house to get to our room.
Top marks for location but not so good for the cuban experience and the bathroom.
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