This large all-inclusive is the best of the five hotels at Playa Santa Lucía, but rises to a three-star rather than its four-star billing. This, despite having recently passed out of purely Cuban management into the hands of Spain's Oasis hotel chain. Cosmetic improvements have improved the hotel marginally since the transfer, but the place still feels in need of a total overall to bring it up to four-star levels.

The huge freeform pool is served by a thatched swim-up bar. And the large palm-shaded sundeck has plenty of new lounge chairs. While guests here have more choice of restaurants (three in all) than neighboring hotels, food standards appear not to have been elevated, as one may hope. Families will also find this the most appealing hotel in the area, thanks to a well-equipped kid's club. And the nightlife keeps guests happy, thanks to lively cabaret shows most nights. However, staffing is clearly an issue here, suggesting that the new management has still to get its act together.

The 412 rooms offer modest yet eye-pleasing contemporary furnishings , but even this supposedly superior resort has sub-par mattresses and dowdy fabrics that call for upgrading. And we're dissapointed that Oasis hasn't upgraded the meager toiletries provided.