November 23 2011
Name: Stefania
Country: Italy
I stayed here at: 11/12/2011
Casa Ridel y Claribel
My review: Wonderful place to stay!
The family is amazing, as well as the food they prepared for us: we never missed italian cooking!
Ridel is very helpful in organizing any kind of excursion in the area (from the Cuevas to the Playas).
Try Claribel mojito while sitting on the private terrace of the room, looking towards palms, tobacco secador and the gorgeous nature of the valley: you will never forget it!
Casa specifics: Quiet, Fantastic hosts, Comfortable, Patio
Amenities: Private entrance, Airconditioning, Private bathroom, Minibar, Balcony, Breakfast service, Dinner service, Bathroom with shower
How was your room?: Big in-suite room with 2 double beds.
Fridge available.
Air conditioned and ventilator available too.
Lovely private terrace!
How was the food they offer?: Wonderful food
November 20 2011
Name: Deborah van der Maas
Country: Netherlands
I stayed here at: 10/28/2011
Casa Ridel y Claribel
My review: Imagen yourself on a rocking chair, the sweetest mojito ever and a view on a 'secadero' and the mountains of Vinales.
See it? Now if you want to FEEL it; go to the casa of Ridel and Clari! By far the most adorable family we met in Cuba.
The house is clean; private entrance, bathroom, aircon, balcony and a lot of local knowledge is all present. Ridel speaks English, but hey, you're in Cuba? You should speak Spanish ;) Eitherway; in English or Spanish, the family is very likely to sit down with you and chat about everyday Cuban life.
We'll never forget our visit!
Casa specifics: Quiet, Comfortable, Beautiful, Children in the house
Amenities: Private entrance, Airconditioning, Private bathroom, Balcony, Ceiling fan, Breakfast service, Dinner service, Extra bed available, Bathroom with shower
How was your room?: The room was all you need for a 3day visit: clean, spacious, private.
How was the food they offer?: excellent! But as always way to much for 2 people to eat.
Other services they offer: Ridel knows a lot about Vinales, takes you to a tabacco farm himself etc. You want to hike, ride horse, go to the beach? Ask them!
Other comments: you just have to experience yourself how you become a part of their family!
October 27 2011
Name: Vivien
Country: Singapore
I stayed here at: 9/10/2011
Casa Ridel y Claribel (vinales)
My review: I had a great time with this Casa and its owners in Vinales and I hope this will help travelers plan their Vinales trip as well. I am female, 30s, single traveler. CUBA IS SAFE FOR LONE FEMALE travelers. People did stare or ask questions but I found that by being firm and polite, I've made the right friends (local & foreign) and warded off necessary pests (locals and foreigners!).
While staying in Havana, I was recommended to stay with a doctors-family in Vinales. Both husband and wife, Ridel and Claribel, are local doctors and new casa particulare permit owners. Although they were not mentioned in the guidebook, I trusted the many locals and tourists whom recommended this place. I am so delighted to say that my best decision has been to listen to travelers along this Cuba trip as Casa Ridel y Claribel is indeed the best in location, accommodation, amenities, hospitality and ultimate comfort!
I stayed for only 2 nights in early September. Weather was excellent, and getting to Vinales from Havana was a breezy comfortable bus ride from Havana. Ridel came personally to meet me at the station. His building is located rather close to the central area without being in the noisy part of town, so there was privacy and no morning rooster music, and yet it was brightly lit and safe enough for me to walk back past 1am from the main square.
While the family lives below, guests have a choice of one of two rooms (with private baths) above. Mine was the front room with a private staircase and terrace, which overlooked Cuban palm trees, the peak of the mountains, and a gorgeous view of the Vinales Valley. Knowing that I had very little time set aside for Vinales, Ridel arranged a guide or a way for me to do everything I planned for there, as well as made the best recommendation of avoiding an over-populated guidebook recommended beach and to go to CAYO JUTIA instead. Best recommendation. The beach was clean and quiet with a couple of locals and tourists, not loud noisy, just peaceful and private!
Each night, I ate with family and got plates load of main, sides, rice and soup, enough to feed 2 of me really. Everything was delicious (I ate out once but restaurant food was mediocre and more expensive). And the "family entertainment" was great too! If you are lucky enough, you will be treated to their youngest daughter, Laura's, singing! That girl is precocious, curious about the world, and picks up languages fast! She is always chirpy and always laughing she's an absolute sunshine of my Vinales trip! I look forward to being back in Vinales again as I'm not done yet with Cuba! Hasta luego Casa Ridel y Claribel!
Casa specifics: Quiet, Fantastic hosts, Comfortable, Cozy, Hidden gem, Roomy, Charming, Beautiful, Safe, Patio
Amenities: Private entrance, Airconditioning, Private bathroom, Minibar, Laundry service, Balcony, Breakfast service, Dinner service, Queensize bed, Extra bed available, Bathroom with shower, Private parking
How was your room?: Roomy, clean, modern, new electric appliances, great A/C, clean sheets and towels. spanking clean floor.
How was the food they offer?: Excellently prepared with huge portions at value price. Cheaper and more delicious than eating out (which I did for one night and regretted that dinner at that restaurant)
Other services they offer: They can recommend guides if you need them, routes to take to specific places, arrange for bus tickets and general recommendation of activities to do or places to go in Vinales and nearby vicinity. They also recommend casas in their own town if they are booked and in other cities of Cuba as well. They'll make the calls for you and confirm everything. 100% 24 hour concierge service by the perfect owners!
April 18 2011
Name: Tom
Country: Switzerland
Casa Ridel y Claribel
Address:
Salvador Cisnero (Pasaje B), 203 C CP: 22400
Rio de Pinar, Vinales
Cuba
Tel: (048) 695127
The time we spent in the casa particular Ridel y Claribel was the highlight of our cuba trip. The clean and beautiful room on the first floor has a little balcony with a outstanding view of tabac flields and palm-trees. The whole family gave us a very warm welcome and we enjoyed spending time with them. It was hard to leave...
Casa specifics: Children in the house, Pets in the house, Romantic, Quiet
Amenities: Parking service, Private entrance, Private bathroom, Minibar, Laundry service, Balcony, Breakfast service, Dinner service, Bathroom with shower |
