Two hotel executives with Cuba experience under their belts
recently shared their thoughts about the island’s accommodations scene.
Sandals Resorts International at one time had three
properties in Varadero, the all-inclusive beachfront destination east of
Havana.
The Sandals Royal Hicacos Resort, in particular, garnered
high praise from its Canadian and European guests and won a number of awards
for several years. But there was a catch.
“I love Cuba, but I couldn’t sell or improve our product
when the properties needed updating and refurbishing,” said Butch Stewart,
Sandals’ founder and chairman.
“The hotels needed work,” he said. “And since the government
owned the properties and the repairs involved money, no one wanted to do it.
The Sandals name was on these properties, and when we were unable to maintain
them up to our standards, it was time to get out of town.”
Stewart added, “My respect for the Sandals brand and for my
customers is paramount.”
However, he had high praise for the Cuban people and the
destination.
“It’s a lovely country, and I would happily go back,”
Stewart said.
Accor’s midscale Mercure brand currently has two properties
in Cuba.
The 178-room Mercure Sevilla Havane is in a historical,
restored building located in La Habana Vieja, the old city, a World Heritage
site.
The 385-room, all-inclusive Mercure Playa de Oro is in
Varadero.
“We’ve managed these properties since 1998, 1999,” said Jean
Philippe Claret, senior vice president, Mexico, Central America and Caribbean,
for Accor. “Our clients primarily are Canadians and Europeans.”
The Mercure Sevilla Havane is in a restored building in Havana’s Old City.
Some of the U.S. operators that offer people-to-people
programs use the Mercure property in Havana for their clients.
“It is difficult to operate in Cuba,” Claret said. “There is
a shortage of basic products, and while most employees have a high level of
education, they have not had hospitality or tourism training.”
With the U.S.-imposed restrictions now easing, Claret
predicted improvements in Cuba’s infrastructure, especially as competition for
U.S. travelers heats up.
The company is considering expanding its brands in Cuba, but
no specific plans have been announced.