There are several projects underway in Cayo Santa Maria and in the region. The Barcelo Cayo Santa Maria Caribe Tropical is now administered by the hotel group Blue Diamonds as the Memories Paraiso Beach Resort and Memories Azul Beach Resort. Both hotels are sold separately, but share their services. The Royal Hideaway Ensenachos is now administered by the Iberostar hotel group, the new name is Iberostar Ensenachos. Work is underway to build a water park in the Park-Suite section.
A new hotel opened December 25th, 2011. This is a 4-star hotel of 451 rooms located between the Melia Las Dunas and Barcelo Cayo Santa Maria Beach Colonial (Colonial sector). It was supposed to be administered by the Spanish hotel chain Sirenis, but they withdrew. The same scenario occurred in Cayo Coco with the Sirenis Cayo Coco now became the Hotel Playa Coco (administered by Gaviota like its debut).
Up to this date, we do not know if a new foreign director will administer the former Sirenis, or maybe it will be administered by the Cubans. Meanwhile, the hotel is called the « Hotel Gaviota Cayo Santa Maria ». More info to come.
The dolphinarium is in operation as well as the Pueblo Las Dunas and Pueblo La Estrella. We visited the dolphinarium last November, and it is very impressive. There are several ponds for dolphins (large size). In weeks (or months) to come, there will be dolphins and sea lions show. It is the largest in all of Latin America! You may visit the dolphinarium (3 CUC per person). There is a bar and air conditioned restaurant. The price of drinks and food are ok.
The Pueblos are superb with lovely architecture. Many services are offered, but they are not part of your all-inclusive package. There is now a scenic bus makes a round trip between the hotels and the two Pueblos. For 1 CUC, it's worth if you want to see Cayo Santa Maria and surrounding areas.
Here is the list of current projects ...
(Click the thumbnails to see enlarged images)
Deluxe Premium Suites (official name to come)
This project is ongoing. It will be 122 superior rooms located between the Barcelo Cayo Santa Maria Beach Colonial (Beach sector) and the Pueblo La Estrella. More info to come on the opening date and the services offered at this hotel.
Click on the left thumbnail to see a satellite photo of the location of this construction. Click HERE to see a photo taken in March and November.
Construction East of the Memories Azul Beach Resort
We flew over the island of Cayo Santa Maria in July 2011. I took this picture to locate all the hotels on the island. There is a construction site located east of the Blue Diamond Memories Azul Beach Resort. The construction name of the hotel is Piedra Movida, the name of this sector of the beach. A 846 luxury room hotel divided into two sections.
The Cayo Santa Maria project is 10,000 rooms!
Hotel (s) in the East sector of Cayo Santa Maria (Playa Perla Blanca)
This project has not started yet. It would be a 4-star hotel of 600 rooms. In November 2011, we visited again Playa Perla Blanca. There is still no hotel under construction on this pristine virgin beach, but the road to get to the west of the island is operational. A water line is being installed.
There will be probably one or two hotels in this beautiful area.
