Hotel NH Krystal Laguna, a true five-star luxury all-inclusive resort on Cayo Coco

By: cubaism Expert, Cuba Posted: 2010-04-10

If you want the best that Cayo Coco has to offer, then book into this all-inclusive hotel offering the closest thing to true five-star luxury on Cayo Coco. Most recently the Cuban-run Hotel El Senador, this vast complex is now run by the Dutch NH hotel group. The complex lies well inland of the beach, from which it is separated by a natural saltwater lagoon and mangrove forest.

We really like this resort's 21st-century restyling. Very chic! The lobby features a vaulted wooden ceiling. The huge swimming pool – one of four pools here – is a big draw.
There are no less than seven restaurants to choose from, including a steak house. Given the hotel's size, the disco gets lively. And cigar-lovers get their own lounge. This hotel even has its own beauty center, plus meeting rooms. And you'll never be bored, thanks to basketball, tennis and volleyball courts; heaps of watersports; and plenty of organized activities day and night. This hotel also has scuba diving facilities and offers introductory lessons in the pool.

Most of the 690 accommodations are in two- and three-story blocks that ring the clover-leaf pool. But you can also choose wooden bungalows atop stilts over the lagoon. However, our favorites are the Junior Suites for their lovely decor featuring mezzanine bedrooms over spacious lounges fitted with wrap-around sofas with sexy red-and-black-striped fabrics. Only 66 rooms here are non-smoking, so the stink of yesterday's nicotine can be a problem. Regardless, all rooms are spacious and even the newly fitted Club Rooms have tasteful contemporary furnishings and recently refitted to 21st century standards with flat-screen TVs, gorgeous travertine-clad bathrooms.