Located on the north coast of Cuba along one of the world’s finest beaches is the sumptuous Breezes Varadero all-inclusive resort. Encompassing 26 tropical acres, this 270-room resort island paradise is one of the crown jewels in the SuperClub’s chain of five-star Caribbean getaways.
Indicative of the SuperClubs raison d’etre, Breezes Varadero offers every physical activity imaginable. Sailing, water skiing, scuba diving, kayaking, windsurfing, and tennis are just several of the on-sight activities for those in pursuit of non-stop fun and excitement.
Those in search of a little rest and relaxation need look no further than the gardens of indigenous flowers, trees and other plants that surround the resort. Steps away is the magnificent Varadero beach, a twenty-mile expanse of white sand that extends along the island’s north shore for as far as the eye can see.
At Breezes Varadero, great golf is also available at the nearby Varadero Golf Club. Built in 1999 by Canadian architect Les Furber, the Varadero Golf Club is Cuba’s only 18-hole golf course. Despite its youthfulness, the golf club has a long and storied past dating back to 1928 when Irenee Dupont de Nemours built a palatial winter home now known as the Xanadu Mansion. A small 9-hole golf course originally accompanied the Dupont estate but was later abandoned after the beginning of Cuba’s social revolution, which began in 1959.
Today, over forty years later, golf has re-emerged as a means of attracting golf-crazed Canadians and Europeans to the island. Measuring 6,856 yards, the Varadero Golf Club is centrally situated on the 21-mile Hicacos Peninsula. From atop the highest vantage point, the course is surrounded to the east and west by the stunning aquamarine waters of the Gulf of Mexico. As a result of Les Furber’s vision and creativity, the original 9-hole Dupont layout was ingeniously transformed into the 18-hole masterpiece that exists today. In addition to being a formidable test of golf, Varadero is truly a pleasure to play. Arguably one of the finest golf courses in the Caribbean, the Varadero Golf Club has hosted several notable professional tournaments including events on the European Challenge Tour; the European Tour’s equivalent of the PGA’s Buy.Com Tour.
The golf course itself is a compilation of several different architectural themes. Some holes, like the 487-yard, par 5, 7th hole can be characterized as being park-like in their design whereas others, like the 179-yard, par 3, 8th hole, are reminiscent of something you might experience along the Scottish coastline.
At Varadero, the best is saved to last as the 18th hole epitomizes what all great finishing holes should look like. As to be expected from any ocean-side golf course, the prevailing wind often influences the outcome of most rounds and nowhere is this more apparent than on this memorable par 4. Measuring 409 yards, this exceptional hole concludes by arriving at a small, downward-sloping green that sits high atop a bluff overlooking the ocean. For reasons that are obvious, the final hole is as difficult as it is visually distracting. Besides being the best hole on the golf course, the 18th also serves as the home to a giant stone statue that proudly depicts the history of the Cuban people. When the golf course was built much debate ensued as to whether the statue should be moved. Fortunately history prevailed and the statue remains where it has stood for many years.
Green fees are approximately $60.00 U.S; however, for Breezes Varadero guests, golf is included as part of their vacation package. With access to such an incredible golf course and all its other five-star amenities, it comes as no surprise that Breezes Varadero is one of the finest all-inclusive resorts in Cuba.