Hotel Horizontes Playa Giron



About
See why so many travellers make Hotel Horizontes Playa Giron their all-inclusive resort of choice when visiting Playa Giron. Providing an ideal mix of value, comfort and convenience, it offers a budget friendly setting with an array of amenities designed for travellers like you.
Playa Giron is a budget friendly all-inclusive resort offering a refrigerator and air conditioning in the rooms, and it is easy to stay connected during your stay as public wifi is offered to guests.
Plus, guests can enjoy a pool and free breakfast, which have made this a popular choice among travellers visiting Playa Giron. For guests with a vehicle, free parking is available.
During your visit, be sure to check out a popular Playa Giron seafood restaurants such as Bar-Restaurante El Cocodrilo, which is a short distance from Playa Giron.
We’re sure you’ll enjoy your stay at Hotel Horizontes Playa Giron as you experience all of the things Playa Giron has to offer.
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First arrived around 2am after a long and bumby bus ride, check-in was slow (like most resorts) and had to walk 10-15 minutes to a hut, on the way I passed goats and stepped in horse manure along the unlit paths, tripping several times on the uneven paving stones.
The cabin was shoddy - much like an old hunting cabin or cottage. Laying down on a smaller than average single bed that must have been 30 years old, the smell of the sheets and pillow was so disgusting, I realized no matter how tired i was not going to be able to sleep like this - no matter how exhausted I was, I had to get a cleaner pillow.
Braving the pitch black of the unlit paths, the donkey, horse, goats and land mines, I trudged back to the reception area. Asking for where I could get water and a clean pillow the man behind the counter looked at the sky and said "it might rain", I mention the pillow situation and I now had to find the maintenance man - it is 3am, I am tired, it is dark.
I was directed in to the back entrance of the KITCHEN. Looking around the kitchen, I could not believe that my meals were going to be prepared in this space. I found the maintance man, a friendly gruff chap who still considered himself a bit of ladies man around the resort. I mentioned the pillow issue, after we took some pieces of hard, dry pineaple from a large open tray of prepared fruit ready for breakfast, we were now back on our way to my remote shelter.
Upon arriving at the modified ice fishing hut that was to be my home for the next 7 days, the maintenance guy smelled the pillow and made a face and a gag, it was that bad. He seemed to have keys to everything so we walked a few minutes to a vacant cabin where he gave me a pillow from that cabin - It was better - I wanted a tip (of course) - i gave him one of my company T-shirts as I always take extras.
The panaramic 12" tube television - with a few grainy channels, provide entertainment while I fell asleep - I was actually scared - the cabin was isolated, dark and very insecure - I eventually found some sleep, but was awake by 7am.
Looking at the rusty fixtures and stained sink, my reflection in the old mirror demanded a shower, shave and good toothbrushing. Turning on the cold water tap, I was greeted with a foul smelling liquid, a mixture of black particles and salt water came out, my teeth needed brushing - I decided not to use this water, and just brush my teeth without water. I did use the water for shaving - the foul smell was maked by the shaving cream. The shower delivered the same type of water from the cold tap, but nothing from the hot tap - the water was COLD, I froze trying to get clean and wash my hair.
Getting dressed and deciding to investigate the lack of HOT WATER - I walked around my cabin, turns out the cabin was actually two units and my friend had been housed in the other half of this hovel, I found the problem, the hot water heater was laying on its' side and had been disconected for quite some time - judging by the corrosion, rust and plant life that had sprung up around this defunct and abandoned unit. This wayward hot water heater was to provide hot water to both sides of the unit, so obviously my friend was in the same situation as I was. To this day I have no idea why they would have put anyone (let alone two people) in to an unihabihabitable room.
Talking to the front desk, I was finally able to get water from the gift shop, I bought 6 bottles. Talking to the front desk about the lack of water. The maintenance man was back, sittling in the lobby with his arm wrapped around a young senorita, he chimmed in, saying he would go fix it, we should come back later - remember the hot water heater is sitting disconected, on its side with weeds around it.
Later the maintenance man announced that it could not be fixed, we were then asked by the maintenance man if we could share a room. We of course said NO!
Later that day we were moved to seperate barracks that were slightly less disgusting than our first offerings... this would be our new home for the next 6 days. The water still ran salty and with black mould in it, but the hot water worked, the bed was still a recycled bunk bed mattress and the entertainment system only good for dropping in a full bathtub, in hopes of putting an end to the prison camp to which you have just been interned, I think for guests safety that is why there was NO BATHTUB in the room - only a shower - so you can sleep safe.
The guests at this resort ranged from a few dissapointed families, to many rude French Canadians that just can't leave their politics at home, to mostly awkward single men ( some heavy drinkers others just lonely), hoping to find some affordable company from the local jineteras (jockey/prostitute). I later found out the maintenance man was the man to talk to, he arranged company for many of the guests and even offered me a lady - I did not partake of this activity - I met the few vacationers and single ladies at the resort and we formed a tight group that spent the rest of the week, bonding, talking, laughing and yes even crying.
The food was inedible - but my wife had been kind enough to pack in my suitcase, spices, pepper, salt, hot sauce and a number of condiments to help make meals edible. My spice selection quickly became popular with other guests and we all attempted to make our meals a little tastier. - The juice was warm and chunky, the fruit dry and old. The buffet was held in a poorly ventilated, hot room, with dirty tables, no service and a food selection that I can only guess was created by a retired prison cook.
The snack bar had french fries cooked in almost rancid cooking oil - once in a while fried plantains, although I was never able to get a plate of them.
The gift shop ran out of water regularly. The bar had such a small selection (rum, rum and rum), we were very happy that we had bought bottles at duty free in Toronto. I purchased cans of Crystal (beer) from the gift shop for $1 each and that was my staple alcoholic beverage for the week.
The nightlife consisted of a disco across the street frequented by locals, we saw several fights and I was propositioned several times by young men, offereing me their girlfriends for the evening.
The 'resort' offers a $3 bus ride to Caleta Beuna (probably spelled wrong) - this is well worth the trip and once there food and drink are free - I spent several days there - the food was better, the booze was better, the snorkelling was better - If I had a tent I think I would have camped there for the week.
Now... it grew on me...
Some of the staff at this resort were the warmest friendliest people you could ever meet, Umberto hooked us up with local house to eat at, their food offerings were EXCELLENT and for $10 a person we had fantastic meals. My housekeeper folded all my clothes everyday and hung damp ones up to dry, I finally met her at the end of the week and we hugged and she thanked me for the tips and toys for her grandchildren that I had been leaving all week.
It easy to take long walks (I had my headphones on most of the time and walked for hours up the beach and through town) - the ruins of the military installation that this resort used to be are still evident and interesting to see. The military museum gave another look at how proud the cuban people are. I walked the see wall every day and did the jump across the crumbling gap - probably an unwise decision, but the resort did have a doctor that stopped by some days - a very well educated man, I enjoyed our conversations.
There is a pizza place beside the disco, that served a great pizza for $2
Our tight little group of friends spent days beside the open pool and I thoroughly enjoyed all my time with them. There is another pool on property but it is empty and looks like it has been out of service for many years.
The beach is poor, there is a slightly better one 15 minutes down the beach, that you can swim in - bring water shoes.
This is NOT a place for children, some of the other rooms on the resort were far superior to the two that I had.
There is no visible daytime animation staff or activities other than a paddle boat, there were a couple night shows dancing and band, and the dancers and musicians were very talented. The staff tries so hard with what little they have, they were wonderfull.
Diving is Cheap at $25 a dive.
You very quickly feel safe - even walking through town, the resort is quiet and relaxing - which in retrospect is what I needed from my week away.
It was an experience - I loved it and hated it all that same time. Would I go back... in a minute, but I know I would be dissapointed as it was the people I met that made this vacation one of my fondest memories.
I doubt many people have read all these ramblings, but feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
I had my own little villa with a living room (two huge chairs and a TV), a bedroom with two beds and a bathroom. Fans of retro would love my room - the furniture was quite outdated. Also the curtains were completely bleached out where the sun has shone on them. If you can smile at the fact that probably nothing has changed since the 1950s, you would enjoy it. At least I got CNN and another English station - it's sometimes nice to sit down and watch CNN for an hour. As others have mentioned, the little villas are made of concrete and aren't that attractive from the outside. Each villa had two chairs that you could bring outside to sit on.
(I didn't really notice until I got back to Canada how many mosquito bites I got. There was a slat in the bathroom window that was open to bring in some light, and I assume that mosquitos were snacking on me all night. Another tourist said that she likes Playa Giron best of all Cuban resorts because they have screens on the windows. As I said, when I got back I saw that my legs and arms were covered in mosquito bites.)
As for the food, I was initially disappointed by the limited selection but as the week went on I realized this was in fact a godsend. I didn't get up early enough to have breakfast (which by all accounts was quite good) and ended up having chicken and rice for every other meal. There was grapefruit and small squares of cake for dessert. I don't drink much but like everyone ended up having some beer and a few cocktails every day. Other reviewers are correct that you can get very good espresso drinks at the bar any time of the day. Also, there are plenty of opportunities to eat at restaurants to at people's homes, and the food is quite delicious and cheap.
By the time the week was over I noticed that I had lost some weight. Even more importantly I felt wonderful because I hadn't overeaten. With the fresh air and swimming in the ocean, I felt really restored by the end of the week.
On the first day when we were all getting used to the place (yes it looks like a Soviet concrete resort) and the food, a man remarked that it was a like one of those expensive hotels that you go to to eat less, and that's what it ended up being to me. It should re-market itself as a spa and organize walk, swims, and massages, and people would pay a lot of money to go there.
While I was there I didn't get up early enough to go on walks in the morning, but the temperature is really lovely in the mornings, just cool enough to make you feel energetic. It would be a great place to go on walks. (The nights were also quite cool which was lovely.)
Hardly anyone used the resort pool (which looked fine), and in fact, at Caleta Buena (read other reviews for a full description), when I was there, only a minority took the opportunity to swim in the Caribbean or to snorkel - it appeared that people were standing on the shore attempting to look at fish from there!
The bus took people from the hotel to Caleta Buena at 10 a.m. most days, and came back at a pre-appointed time to pick us up, usually 3 p.m. or 3:30.
All in all a great week so long as you know what you are letting yourself in for before you go - which after all is the purpose of these reviews.



As most, if not all of the people reviewing this place have mentioned, this is an old army camp. After the invasion of The Bay of Pigs, it was transformed into a place where people could visit the "real" Cuba in my opinion. It's relaxed, there is no commercialization, they are friendly, it is a truly unique experience. The food will be reused, it is basic, the cocktails may be uninspired but they have limited products to work with. Yes there are dogs roaming, yes there is horse poop, but really who cares? You have been given the opportunity to experience a place so rich with history and natural beauty, you need to realize it is something special. I understand this is not a 5 star all-inclusive resort, you can't go in with those expectations. The crumbling concrete wall that surrounds the beach is a reminder that tensions were high during the cold war, and in the invasion of The Bay of Pigs there were hundreds of men who sacrificed their lives for the sake of the revolution. I apologize for the rant but I could not be more upset when people have such a lack of appreciation for such a special place. I understand there are many flaws, but looking beyond that, the hotel is surrounded by naturally beautiful ocean views (beyond the wall) and it has great scuba diving and snorkeling. As for the cleanliness, I personally experienced no issues at all. I did not see a single cockroach, the sheets were clean, yes I saw a gecko or two but they're difficult to keep out. The accommodations are very basic, but roomy as you get a whole bungalow, and I don't understand why you'd want to spend a second inside when it's so gorgeous outside. I really want people to read my review and hopefully understand that is a unique experience that I haven't gotten anywhere else. It is virtually UNTOUCHED and not commercialized like America often does to these beautiful destinations. There is nothing wrong with large commercial destinations but it's refreshing to see one completely different. Lastly, I am Canadian, so I don't know if the staff would treat me differently because of that (Cubans love Canadian tourists) but I would expect they give everyone else the same welcoming and wonderful experience they have given to me and my family. My grandparents have come here every year for over 15 years and established personal relationships with some very grateful and hardworking people. I hope you consider going here and taking a step back in time.
The reception block and bars had no air conditioning. Even the dining room cooler didn't work properly. As a result the entire complex was stifling hot and devoid of a breeze in 30 degrees.
The bar served coffee and just 2 badly made 'cocktails', and no beer.
For beer you needed to go around to another bar which had no seats! The beer was watered-down Crystal brand served in tiny cups. I think they recycled the slops. No dark or aged rum, just raw havana club. Customers huddled under the solitary roof fan.
The [small] cocktail bar staff stopped you taking chairs or drinks out to the entertainment area. Only an angry mass protest saw the end of this stupid rule.
Sunloungers around the pool [no shade] were not allowed onto the beach. Gate to the beach was locked at 6pm. Beach ruined by long concrete sea wall constructed about 50 metres out, [though we were aware of this before arrival].
Diner was small and easily filled, many people waiting outside till there was room [this was October, low season].
Food was dreadful. Limp vegetables, blackened fruit [no bananas!]. No drinks except water [not bottled] available in the dining room. Cuban food is not the most inspiring but here it sank to new lows!
Meats were recycled in a different format the next day. Paella was topped up, leaving old rice under new - salmonella heaven.
Coffee at the bar stopped at 8pm, No reasons given.
The rooms were chalets in extensive grounds, two rooms plus bath; however aircon units in bedroom only, rickety and noisy. First chalet had tiny black bugs in the cold water, so we were switched to another chalet [complaint dealt with quickly and efficiently by reception staff]. Also fridge was unclean with a big dead bug lying in spilt liquid.
Second chalet had same aircon problem, but we were entertained by chasing the frog and lizard in the shower!
Lights in bathroom did not work, electrician arrived within an hour, after which we could not turn the lights off!!
The snorkelling in these parts is pretty good, with access down ladders all along the rocky shore, but I suggest you rent a casa.
We had booked 3 nights, left after 2, told we had to go back to the agency in Havana for a refund.
This isolated hotel, badly let down by the attitude of staff and management, is a disgrace.
Huge concrete barrier wall off the beach, really ugly.
"Restaurant" was a bare room with plastic chairs, no decoration on walls and strip lights on ceiling.
Food was rice, beans and stew type food which was difficult to identify. The food was recycled for the next meal and again the next day.
If I proceeded to take my food outside to eat where it was marginally more pleasant I was stopped by staff, saying that they would have to pay personally if the crockery etc was not returned.
Not allowed to take drinks outside either except in plastic cups.
All inclusive element is a joke we had to pay for security deposit box
a fee for the day and a fee for the night!
Accommodation is in "cabanas" in the grounds - more like sheds, damp everywhere, insects everywhere, offcuts of carpets on the floor, really disgusting.
The all inclusive bar was a joke too - indescribably disgusting cocktails with basic raw rum and sugary stuff - soft drinks were the most amazing artificial colours I have ever seen.
Had to pay extra for bottled water.
Stray dogs roamed around the "pool area" leaving excrement everywhere.
The pool area surface was dangerously uneven rough concrete.
Every morning at 10.00 precisely loud banging music started and continued all day until 6.00 precisely - this was despite guests objecting. It could be heard all around the grounds and on the beach, making it an even more unpleasant experience.
We were not allowed to take pool sunbeds on the beach ourselves, we had to wait for staff who were never to be found.
Staff were rude and disinterested in the guests.
We condensed our fishing into consecutive days and left as soon as we could.
This was NOT our experience of the rest of Cuba - we had an excellent time in other places.
I'm in agreement with some reviewers that the rooms and resort in general are beyond run down, but for ecotourists (birders) it is an essential area to visit because of the Zapata Nature Reserve. This is one of only two resorts in the area (Playa Larga the other) that are available to stay at. It is also an important area for divers.
My cabin was broken into during the dinner hour (7 to 8:30). The persons accessed through a very small, high window at the back of the cabin. Everything was taken with the exception of my suitcase and dirty laundry. I lost a digital camera, very expensive optics equipment, all my clean clothing including underwear, my identification (Visa, Drivers Licence, Health Card), flight schedules, medications, etc. About $7,000 worth of goods.Luckily I carry my passport with me at all times and any cash so that was not lost. There was no safe in the cabin and everything is hard to secure.
The Resort was very unempathetic and uncooperative in calling the police (military) and would not allow us to use the phone to call the Embassy or to cancel credit cards.
We found out afterwards that the same thing happened the week before our visit and has also happened at Playa Larga. However, no warnings were given or posted.
If you must stay at this resort be very cautious about displaying expensive cameras or being routine about your goings and comings. Someone is watching you.
This is very disappointing to me as I love the Cuban people and I didn't think that they had or would sink to this level but I guess I was naive.
I would never forget seeing boat fragments and…a crusty bomb (!), supposedly dropped from a plane eon ago, at 60 feet of water at the Barco Roto site! Then flock of elegant, large spotted eagle rays literally “flew” in front of me at the drop off point! There were delicate nudibranch, trunk fish, file fish…even a puffer fish!
At the El Arenazo site, I saw an absolutely huge marbled grouper that I’ve only come across in the Western Pacific before. Then a family of 12 cuttlefish swim by and lingered around us: 3 adults and 9 babies. I didn’t know who was curious of whom there!!
There were surprises and different creatures everyday and I often ran out of batteries before the dive was over!
As we often ended our long dives gradually by swimming back to the shore in the lagoon, I loved to go through an opening in the wall, then a short tunnel where the salty and fresh water mixed to create a psychedelic shimmering effect…before I entered into a open cenote (sink hole) filled with big silvery fresh water fish swimming in cool water. The snorkelers there were startled to see me gliding under them!
To cap off a perfect week of diving, Guillermo took me to La Iguana, the crown jewel of the CB dive sites! At 45 feet---many swim-through, porcupine fish, trumpet fish abound, lobsters lurking in crevices, then suddenly: walls of miniature, canyons-like coral formations that I had never seen anywhere else in the world! I was astounded at such beauty!
Oh yes! I almost forgot: sea horses! I saw A black one, an orange and white stripy one, a brown-reddish one during my dives at Caleta Buena, back in 2012 (my first time diving there)!
All in all---magical times at Caleta Buena and I’m very keen to go back there again, and again…
"Beds have springs hurting you during the night, some rooms no bugs other with cockroaches."Read full review
"Take what you can get - we didn't have much choice, tho there ARE cottages with ocean views, probably with enough advance request."Read full review
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