Sanctuary At Grand Memories Cayo Largo

“A slice of paradise”

This was our 2nd time in Cayo Largo (1st time was at Starfish) and the island is truly a slice of paradise. You can walk many kms on the beach while randomly enjoying a dip in the warm water at any time. As for the Sanctuary itself...WOW! The accommodations were fantastic and the staff were extreme… more

This was our 2nd time in Cayo Largo (1st time was at Starfish) and the island is truly a slice of paradise. You can walk many kms on the beach while randomly enjoying a dip in the warm water at any time. As for the Sanctuary itself...WOW! The accommodations were fantastic and the staff were extremely attentive and gracious at every turn. The food was excellent - we have been to Cuba many times over the past 17 years and this rivaled our best food experience to date. This island and resort will forever be in our hearts. Muy gracias!!

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“Great to finally be back!”

If you want relaxation and peace, this is the place for you! Great staff, great food & drinks and a great place to meet new friends! We were last in Cayo Largo 10 years ago and fell in love with the island and it's people. We were on the first flight from Toronto and stayed for two weeks. Sanctuar… more

If you want relaxation and peace, this is the place for you! Great staff, great food & drinks and a great place to meet new friends! We were last in Cayo Largo 10 years ago and fell in love with the island and it's people. We were on the first flight from Toronto and stayed for two weeks. Sanctuary is a small, adults only resort which we love. You get to know the other guests and the lovely and amazing staff! The bungalows are clean, spacious, with king sized bed, double sinks, 6x6 shower. While we were there, we had a beach just right off the resort. We did go to Playa Sirena and Paraiso. While exploring the island we did find the most beautiful and untouched beaches around. The staff, they are AMAZING! Always smiling and laughing, ready for what crazy things we would do that day! Aquafit with floaties! When leaving they all asked, when will you be back. The food was great! No shortages on anything. There was chicken, eggs, beef, pork, shrimp, fish, cheese, and lettuce. With this hotel, you have access to all the resorts on the island. We did do an a la carte at Memories, it was okay. Pizza at Lindamar Ranchon was good, ask for it well done. We have always enjoyed our time in Cuba, it feels like home. Can't wait to go back!

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“Some people here get it all wrong.”

Cayo Largo isn’t a place you brace for or measure against expectations—it’s a place you *encounter*. And nowhere did that feel more immediate, more joyful, or more human than our time at **The Sanctuary**. Arrival there isn’t quiet or procedural—it’s a celebration. As you step in, the entire resor… more

Cayo Largo isn’t a place you brace for or measure against expectations—it’s a place you *encounter*. And nowhere did that feel more immediate, more joyful, or more human than our time at **The Sanctuary**. Arrival there isn’t quiet or procedural—it’s a celebration. As you step in, the entire resort seems to gather: staff and guests alike welcoming newcomers with rum punch in hand, cheers in the air, and the resort anthem *“Memories”* playing as if on cue. It’s disarming in the best way. Any sense of separation between “us” and “them” dissolves instantly—you’re already part of something. The accommodations reflect the same generous spirit. Large, private bungalows with king beds, expansive four-person showers, wraparound decks, and impeccable maid service that somehow feels both flawless and personal. Everything is clean, calm, and thoughtfully cared for, allowing you to truly rest without distraction. Step outside and you find over a kilometer of perfect beach—wide, unspoiled, and effortless to walk *into* or *along*. The sand is like icing sugar, soft and bright beneath your feet, and the Caribbean Sea is warm and buoyant, holding you as much as it invites you forward. Lounge chairs appear as if by magic, delivered by Lazaro—whose gratitude for a small tip was so genuine that he returned with fresh coconuts, each one enhanced with a generous helping of Cuban rum. That exchange captures Cayo Largo perfectly: appreciation flowing both ways, kindness met with joy rather than obligation. We arrived not just with suitcases, but with intention. Pool noodles, hula hoops, Bloody Caesar mix, over-the-counter medications, clothing and shoe donations, twenty rechargeable flashlights, stacks of new uncirculated USD for tips, and larger USD and CAD notes to exchange for *dinero malo*. None of it felt transactional. Every item became part of a shared experience, enhancing not just our stay, but everyone’s. Giving here doesn’t feel charitable—it feels communal. Each afternoon, happy hour became a ritual of connection. Simple, playful games that pulled everyone in, laughter that carried easily, and music throughout the day that kept the energy light and inclusive. Guests—accomplished, thoughtful, and warm—joined in without hesitation. Conversations crossed borders and backgrounds with ease, grounded in curiosity and mutual respect. Naturism, too, found its most natural expression here. Not as a concept, but as a return—to the day you were born, to childlike happiness, to an uncomplicated celebration of your beautiful self. Without layers or pretense, people soften. Laughter comes easier. Bodies become normal again, not statements, just shared humanity. Food throughout our stay was clean, healthy, and prepared with care. Nourishing rather than excessive, honest rather than showy. It quietly reinforces the philosophy of the place: well-being matters. And when care beyond sunshine and rest is needed, reassurance is close at hand. The clinic, headed by Dr. Dennis, is a source of deep trust. If important medications are involved—especially those brought to help both Cuban people and fellow guests—he will come directly to your resort in a brand-new, shiny ambulance. It’s a striking image: modern capability paired with personal dedication, dignity paired with action. Then there’s the value proposition—and this is where Cayo Largo quietly defies logic. Even if you effectively *double* the price of your stay through tips, gifts, donations, and generosity, the experience remains priceless. Not discounted—*elevated*. Every dollar given amplifies connection, gratitude, and meaning. You’re not paying more for luxury; you’re investing in people, in shared joy, in an experience that can’t be replicated or scaled. In the end, Cayo Largo—and The Sanctuary in particular—offers something increasingly rare: simplicity without scarcity, beauty without pretense, and connection without agenda. You leave not feeling like you got a good deal, but like you were part of something valuable—something human.

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“We’ll be back someday!”

Had a fantastic week at the Sanctuary! It’s a great little resort—very small and easy to get around. The staff are amazing and really look after you. If you’ve been to Cuba before, you’ll know the food can be hit or miss, but the buffet here was actually really good. It’s also great being able to … more

Had a fantastic week at the Sanctuary! It’s a great little resort—very small and easy to get around. The staff are amazing and really look after you. If you’ve been to Cuba before, you’ll know the food can be hit or miss, but the buffet here was actually really good. It’s also great being able to use the facilities at the sister hotels. Starfish is right near Villa Linda Mar, and both are comparable to the Sanctuary food-wise, but head over to Memories if you want a massive buffet or better shows. The beach right out front was pretty much gone during our stay, but don't worry—the shuttle takes you to two stunning beaches only a few minutes away. The rooms are big and have a rustic vibe. We did have some bugs (ants and roaches), but that’s just part of the experience sometimes and didn't spoil our fun. Top Tip: Bring bug spray and maybe some basic medications to leave behind for the staff. They really appreciate the help! One of our best Cuban vacations to date. We'll be back for sure!

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