Nov 24 2012
Name: Heinrich
Country: Austria
I stayed here at: 11/18/2012
Casa Colonial Mercedes Vinales
My review: Von Heinrich und Christine aus Österreich (Austria)!
Diese Casa Particular Mercedes in Vinales sollten all jene Buchen die wert auf gutes Essen und eine besonders nette Betreuung legen. Schon der Empfang von Mercedes war mit einem Coctail was besonderes, wir fühlten uns gleich sehr wohl. Wir sprechen beide kein Spanisch und Mercedes kein Englisch und trotzdem konnten wir uns irgendwie verständigen. Da wir bereits einen Vergleich von zwei anderen Casas hatten, dachten wir was Gastfreundlichkeit betrifft gäbe es keine Steigerung mehr, doch weit gefehlt, es gibt bei Mercedes noch eine Steigerung. Vom Baulichen her war diese Casa am geschichtsträchtigsten, daher auch der Name „Casa Colonial“ mit den typischen Säulen ums Haus. Was mich besonders beeindruckte, war dieser wie ein Föhn aussehende Brausekopf, welcher sich als kleiner Durchlauferhitzer entpuppte und erstmals für ein angenehmes Duschen sorgte. Schon der Tag beginnt mit einen reichlichen Frühstück ala Carte, von guten Cubanischen Kaffee über diverse Sorten selbstgeschnittene frischen Früchten, frischgepressten Säften nach Wahl, Käse, Marmelade, Rührei oder Palatschinke und vieles mehr…… So viel kann kein Mensch essen! Da ich mein Geld in Cuba nicht in Hotels oder Restaurants ausgeben wollte, entschieden wir uns auch für das Abendessen in der Casa, wieder ala Carte, es war alles herrlich zubereitet mit sehr gutem Geschmack und wieder Portionen die kein Mensch essen kann. Die Auswahl reichte von Fisch über Hummer, Schirms, Hühnchen und vieles mehr, dazu gab es verschiedenste Beilagen wie Kartoffeln in verschiedenster Zubereitungsvariante über Kochbananen, Reis usw. davor noch eine herrliche Bohnensuppe mit für die Gegend bekannten schwarzen Bohnen. Alles in allem, diese Kochkunst von Mercedes kann nicht so leicht getoppt werten. Fehlt noch ein Mojito bei einer Zigarre im Schaukelstuhl vor der Casa welcher ebenfalls von Mercedes mit viel Liebe zu Detail zubereitet wurde, beim servieren sagte Sie immer lachend in gebrochenen Englisch, „mit etwas mehr Rum“ und gab zu Verstehen, damit wir gut schlafen können.
Ihr Sohn Maikel kam immer wieder vorbei und war uns eine besonders große Hilfe, er spricht perfekt Englisch Französisch und ein wenig Deutsch, dadurch war die Verständigung etwas leichter. Er arbeitet im Hotel La Ermita, dadurch konnten wir auch den Pool im Hotel kostenlos nutzen. Weiter´s ist Maikel eine große Unterstützung bei der Organisation von Ausflügen.
Nach vier Nächten in der Casa Mercedes mussten wir uns schweren Herzens verabschieden, aber diese Unterkunft hat unsere Reise zu etwas besonderen gemach und wir werden noch oft daran denken. Danke Mercedes, Danke Maikel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *****
Pictures: 1 | 2
Nov 22 2012
Name: Jeannette
Country: US
I stayed here at: 11/07/2012
Casa Colonial Vinales
My review: Our stay with Mercedes and her family was the highlight of our 10-day trip in Cuba. Mercedes doesn't speak much English, but she makes up for that with her vast reserves of hospitality and heart. A large portion of the house is reserved for the guests -- the bedroom with two queen-sized beds, and a large dining/sitting area adjoining it. During the daytime, you can open huge wooden doors onto the porch. Sitting in the rocking chairs and watching life on the street pass by is a pleasure. Mercedes' son Maikel works at one of the two best hotels in town, speaks excellent English and seemingly can arrange any kind of activity you want. Another plus is Mercedes' excellent and abundant cooking. Most highly recommended!
Casa specifics: Fantastic hosts, Comfortable, Cozy, Hidden gem, Roomy, Charming, Garden
Amenities: Private bathroom, Breakfast service, Dinner service, Queensize bed
How was your room?: Large and comfortable
How was the food they offer?: Superb.
May 6 2012
Name: Priya Kaura
Country: UK
I stayed here at: 4/5/2012
Casa Colonial Mercedes
My review: I have never written a review of any hotel or B&B in the past but felt compelled to write about our excellent 3 day stay at Casa Colonial Mercedes during April 2012. To be honest it really was the ultimate highlight of our wonderful holiday in Cuba.
Vinales is a beautiful peaceful area with stunning scenery, but what made it extra special was the home from home at Casa Colonial. We were treated with exceptional warmth and literally nothing was too much trouble for Mercedes and her son Mikael who arranged everything for us, including bike hires, tours, horse-riding and salsa lessons, all at very short notice. This ensured no stress in organising anything. We simply kicked back, relaxed and had lots of fun! Practicing my newfound salsa dancing skills down the road from the Casa, at Polo Montanez bar (a great night out!) with Mercedes niece and the wonderful local people of Vinales is a memory that will stay with me for a long time.
Other Comments: Mercedes is lovely person and despite the language barrier (we speak no Spanish unfortunately) it was fun to communicate and get to know her.
I would recommend both Vinales and especially Casa Colonial Mercedes to any friends visiting Cuba as a must. Thanks to Mercedes, Mikael and family for being such great hosts, hope to visit you again some day!
Casa specifics: Quiet, Fantastic hosts, Comfortable, Cozy, Charming, Patio
Amenities: Safety box, Private entrance, Private bathroom, Laundry service, Garden, Breakfast service, Bathroom with shower
How was your room?: The Casa itself is amazing value compared to an impersonal hotel. It is a clean, homely, comfortable place to unwind with a private living / dining room, large bedroom, private bathroom and a lovely porch with rocking chairs to sit back and sip homemade mojito’s on.
How was the food they offer?: Mercedes is also an exceptional cook and catering to our vegetarian diet was absolutely no trouble. It was undoubtedly the best food we had and something that we missed during the rest of our time in Cuba.
April 7 2012
Name: Rolf
Country: Switzerland
I stayed here at: 3/14/2011
Casa Colonial Mercedes
My review: In mid-March 2012, we spent 3 days at Casa Mercedes and have the hospitality stem from Mercedes and family enjoyed. Mercedes has spoiled us. There remained nothing to be desired. She is an excellent cook and hostess. Although she speaks neither German nor English, we were able to communicate with our potential for near zero Spanish well. Her son stopped by Maikel daily and also organized a trip on horseback through the tobacco-growing area - highly recommended. Maikel is fluent in English and French and is also a very sypathic type. We can only recommend the Casa and come back safely.
Beatrice & Rolf
Casa specifics: Fantastic hosts, Comfortable, Charming, Beautiful, Safe, Patio
Amenities: Safety box, Private entrance, Airconditioning, Private bathroom, Laundry service, Balcony, Breakfast service, Dinner service, Bathroom with shower
February 15 2012
Name: aquatomato
Country: Canada
I stayed here at: 2/2/2012
Casa Colonial Mercedes
My review: I was referred to Casa Mercedes by a friend who had stayed there a few years ago. It was as wonderful as I heard - both cozy and clean. The house was a single story bungalow with very high ceilings and was divided into family and guests areas by the kitchen which was a perfect arrangement; we had our meals in our living/dining room without feeling we were intruding into the family's area of the house, as was the case at another Casa we stayed at. (Our guest area included a porch that opened into our living dining room via its own door, then off that was our bedroom and ensuite bathroom.) There is only one suite available at Mercedes so the feeling was very private. It appears the home was built to have more than one 'family' share it.
The meal Mercedes cooked was amazing. I chose fish from the options
she offered and it was fresh and tasty. There was a small safe on the wall for us to lock our valuables in, the beds were comfortable, we could open the windows, and the electric shower provided hot water. We had a great sleep and were awakened -as is everyone in Vinales -by the clip-clop of horses hooves and the roosters near and far.
Casa specifics: Fantastic hosts, Cozy
Amenities: Safety box, Private entrance, Airconditioning, Breakfast service, Dinner service, Bathroom with shower
How was your room?: clean and cozy
How was the food they offer?: AMAZING
Other services they offer: Breakfast, lunch and dinner with extra charge
Other comments: Mercedes' niece and son speaks English
January 24 2012
Name: skip nieman
Country: canada
I stayed here at: 1/11/2012
Casa Colonial Mercedes
My review: Cuba became the 80th country on my worldly list of 193 to visit. Cuba did not disappoint me and neither did Mercedes Colonial Casa in Vinales. When I stepped off the bus from Havana, Mercedes was waiting for me with a big Motherly Smile. I immediately knew that I was going to have an excellent time in Vinales.
Mercedes is perhaps the BEST cook in all of Vinales ,in fact maybe all of Cuba.
I figured out why the home has such tall and wide doors and so will you when you stay here ... you will need this amount of space to leave her home after every meal. Mercedes will ask you what you want to be served and believe me you will not be disappointed .She uses boiled water for all her cooking and this really impressed me as she did not want her clients to get any tummy problems while they were her guests.
The room is large with 2 very comfortable double beds .I had an excellent sleep every night. There is an air conditioner but with the natural cross ventilation from the windows you do not need it .There is a library of reading material on possible things to do in the area and beyond. The new bathroom is spotless. The shower is relaxing .There is also a private relaxing area just for her guests.
Mercedes' son, Miakel is employed in the local tourism industry and he can arrange for local guides, bus tickets, horse riding excursions, taxis to local towns etc. Nothing is beyond his reach as he is a very, very smart and highly resourceful guy. He has an excellent command of English and French. His infectious smile and pleasant always happy personality is just like his mother's. He came to the house several times to make sure that I was not in need of anything. Talk about personalized service.
Casa specifics: Fantastic hosts, Comfortable, Colonial, Cozy, Hidden gem, Roomy, Charming, Safe
Amenities: Safety box, Airconditioning, Private bathroom, Breakfast service, Dinner service, Bathroom with shower
How was your room?: Excellent
How was the food they offer?: Excellent |
