Matanzas — On one side, the beach; on the other, the city. At Starfish Cuatro Palmas, the natural and historical elements of Varadero come together to enhance the appeal of this successful establishment, now recognized nationally as one of the top tourism products of the Gran Caribe Business Group.

A quiet benchmark for its management practices, success wasn’t always part of its story. Danilo Pereira Hernández knows this inside and out. Nearly a decade ago, when he was appointed to manage the Cuban side of the hotel, expenses far outweighed income. The only option was to reverse the equation.

He recalls those early days of responsibility as a time of pencil-point cost management—protecting quality while meeting budgets, handling accounts payable and receivable, and managing inventory turnover. These variables opened the door to profitability, which became the most welcome guest.

Thus began, hand in hand with the Blue Diamond chain, a period of fulfilled income plans and a healthy flow of foreign currency, leaving behind the streak of financial losses. According to Danilo, 2024 was no exception: “We exceeded our average income and service export targets…”

All products are among the favorites

Starfish Cuatro Palmas, Starfish Las Palmas, and the boutique hotel Mystique Casa Perla—with just 10 rooms—are three properties managed by Gran Caribe and the international chain Blue Diamond, under the leadership of Danilo and his team on the Cuban side.

The three establishments rank among the top 10 most preferred destinations in Varadero, and Casa Perla, a five-star property, leads the rankings in the Matanzas resort area. It remains among the top nationally and was named the best boutique hotel in the Caribbean, according to the 2024 Travellers’ Choice Awards, says Cristian Ceballos, with a joy that’s hard to hide—and understandably so, as tourism in today’s Cuba is a complex chess game, agrees the 27-year-old, who graduated four years ago with a degree in Tourism.

Inaugurated on March 15, 1992, personalized service defines the offerings of Starfish Cuatro Palmas. It’s the way to stay close to the guest, understand their opinions, concerns, and suggestions, and address them before their stay ends, summarizes Viliana Rodríguez, quality specialist.

This approach includes the Ambassador Project and the implementation of QR codes placed throughout the facilities, allowing guests to have a direct line of communication. “These initiatives have proven effective across all three establishments, managed by a single board of directors and in partnership with Blue Diamond, whose presence we deeply appreciate, along with their contribution to our professional growth.”

The fusion between leadership and staff, discipline, and dedication are key factors in the hotel’s success, says Ismary Hernández, Gran Caribe’s delegate in Matanzas. “Excellence in service is the reason for the high rate of returning guests in a team that is well-managed, well-marketed, and led with the kind of leadership that has earned its reputation—recognized as comprehensive by the group’s presidency due to its performance across all metrics.”

For Yarisleydis Torrientes, general secretary of the Provincial Union of Hospitality and Tourism Workers, there’s no doubt about the team’s status as a National Vanguard collective for nine consecutive years—the highest category in workplace recognition, illustrating the steady progress of a place that proves daily that “there are no excuses when it comes to doing good tourism.”

Nothing could be achieved, admits Danilo, without the dedication of the workers. They feel the same—but in reverse: without a good boss… For two consecutive years, including this one, he has been part of the select group of outstanding leaders recognized by the Ministry of Tourism. From such a deputy general director, such subordinates—or vice versa.