This hotel backs the platinum sands of Playa Flamingo. It originated as part of the former Tryp Colonial Village and was spun off in 2003, when it was partially renovated, reopening under management by Spain's Blau hotel group. Architecture here plays on a colonial theme, with red-tile roofs, wrought-iron lanterns and grills, shady arched terraces, Moorish tilework, and walls painted in calming tropical ice cream pastels. The landscaped grounds here have shade trees, and the overall effect is quite charming.

Activity centers on a huge freeform pool. The hotel has three restaurants – buffet, Italian, and seafood, although this being Cuba, don't raise your hopes up for gourmet fare. All the usual watersports are here, as well as volleyball, a modestly equipped gym, plus night-lit tennis courts. And rusty old bicycles can be rented. By night, entertainment staff offer canned performances and there's an air-conditioned disco open to hotel guests only.

It has 342 rooms, all with satellite TV, phones, coffee-makers, and mini-bars (which you need to stock yourself). Although simply appointed with dark hardwood pieces and wrought-iron beds, they're handsome enough, and the pink and yellow pastel colors scheme appeals also. In fact, these are some of the most delightful rooms on Cayo Coco. And the spacious bathrooms, lined with travertine, would do many a Western hotel proud with their hair-dryers, vanity mirrors, and bidets. Still, much of the physical infrasture is decrepit (broken tiles, cracked and tilted pathways, etc.) and, like most Cuban "four-star" hotels, it doesn't deserve its four-star billing.