Cuba - Regions - Havana

Havana was founded in 1519 and is by far the largest city in the West Indies. Although crumbling in some areas, it still maintains much of its former splendour. The architecture is spectacular, its museums, theatres and colonial hotels incorporating a unique combination of European and South Americaan influences-UNESCO has declared Old Havana as a world heritage site. Here there is a mixture of architectural styles from many different periods and cultures. It has an atmosphere all of its own; the streets are bustling with life, there are now street markets with people selling a variety of tourist goods. There is some street crime but it is safer than London.

Cuba was often described as "the jewel in the Spanish crown" and Havana was frequently the target of attack for many of Spain's rivals; many of the imposing fortresses originally built to defend the city still stand and are an impressive reminder of its early history. This century has seen independence from Spain followed by a heavy economic dependence on the USA. The country became a playground for visiting Americans, and the Vedado district is modelled on American cities. The preponderance of huge 1950's American cars are a memento of these times, although they are to be seen less and less in their full glory due to the chronic shortage of spare parts and the huge increase in petrol prices in the last few years. More recently the country has seen one of the most important revolutions of the 20th Century, followed by a US blockade and the establishment of full-blooded socialism (albeit with the massive support of the USSR). Monuments in the Revolution Square are in the form of statues, a dedicated museum, anti-yanqul billboards and an enormous mural of Che Guevara.

The combination of all these elements makes Havana one of the most fascinating cities in the world. The hotels we have selected are probably amongst the most famous in Havana. Not only do they represent a cross-section of the architectural styles but they also cater for different budgets. Cubans are famous for their music. Salsa, Son, the Bossa Nova and the Rumba all originated in Cuba and you will hear their rhythms played by local bands in many places. In fact you could say 'The streets are alive with the sound of music'. As a result the nightlife is very vibrant and fun, particularly in Havana and Santiago de Cuba, although music and dance is spectacular and generally spontaneous wherever you go in Cuba. Every night in Havana one can find some of the world's best Salsa bands playing live in various great nightclubs. In 1996 the Cuban government allowed families to open private restaurant in their homes, called locally 'Paladares'. There are now literally hundreds of these all over Havana. Like family tavernas in the Greek islands, these capture the real atmosphere and character of Cuba. The food ranges from simple Creole menus to cordon bleu French cooking. Most of them offer great live music and a warm friendly reception.

HOTELS

Hotel Nacional de Cuba

Situated on the sea front (the Malecon) in the canter of Havana. This magnificent hotel was built in the early 1930's.Thisis the ideal place to stay, where you can mix five-star comfort with Cuban charm. The hotel is roughly in the centre of the Malecon, so most of Havana is easily accessible by taxi. It included one of the main casinos in Havana prior to the revolution in 1958/9. All the rooms are air-conditioned, have satellite television, telephone and en-suite bathrooms, and there is 24 hour room service. The sixth floor is dedicated to businessmen offering an express check-in and out service, secretarial services, executive dining facilities and meeting rooms. The hotel has many facilities including 2 swimming pools, a tennis court, massage parlour, gym, sauna, 4 restaurants, 7 bars and various shops.

Hotel Santa Isabel

Set in the beautiful colonial square Plaza de Armas in the heart of old Havana. This area of Havana is fast becoming the centre of interest for most visitors. The narrow streets and surrounding colonial squares are full of bustling coffee shops, bars and restaurants. Live music emanates from almost every doorway creating an atmosphere unique to Havana. Santa Isabel is a refurbished colonial house. The 27 rooms, 10 of which are suites, are set around a central courtyard. These are comfortable, air-conditioned and have en-suite bath / shower rooms. All rooms have satellite TV, safes and a minibar. The bar and restaurant offer relaxing surroundings away from the madding crowd. The Santa Isabel does not have a swimming pool.

Hotel Saratoga

The Saratoga Hotel is set in the heart of Old Havana opposite the Capitolio and the Partagas Cigar factory. This is the first genuine five star boutique hotel to be opened in Havana since 1959 (The Revolution). The original hotel was famous back in the 1930s as the place to be seen, politicians, movie stars and gangsters would rub shoulders while sipping cocktails and listening to Anacaona, a famous all girls singing group. The hotel has 96 stunning bedrooms including 7 suites. The rooms either have views over the square or overlooking the central courtyard, these are slightly cheaper. The hotel has a stylish roof top swimming pool and terrace bar and restaurant with wonderful views over Havana.

Parque Central

The Golden Tulip Parque Central is situated in the centre of Old Havana, one of the most beautiful parts of the Cuban capital. The hotel has 281 comfortable rooms, and suites all with en-suite facilities, colour TV, mini bar, air conditioning, and with views over Parque Central and Paseo del Prado. It also has 3 conference rooms with capacity for up to 400 guests, a roof top swimming pool, 2 restaurants, bar and a fully equipped gym.

The Melia Cohiba

Is a high quality international hotel. All of the air-conditioned bedrooms are finished to a high standard, with en-suite bathrooms, satellite TV, direct dial international telephones, safe boxes and a mini bar. The bedrooms are split into 342 standard doubles, 39 junior suites, 61 suites and 20 senior suites. All rooms are covered by 24 hour room service. In addition there is an executive floor with an additional 25 double bedrooms and 12 suites with a butler service. The hotel has a number of restaurants including a buffet serving breakfast, lunch and dinner; the Abanico de Cristal gourmet restaurant; the pool side 'Steak Garden' serving brunch, lunch and day time snacks; and the Italiane restaurant offering international standard Italian cuisine. In addition the hotel has a number of bars offering different surroundings. The pool side bar for relaxing during the day or with a sundowner. The lobby bar, which is the ideal meeting place before going out or for business meetings. The 'Cocktail Blue' piano bar on the first floor provides a relaxing atmosphere for the evening. The 'Relicario' bar which is dedicated to cigar smokers and has a wide range of fantastic Cuban cigars available individually with a drink. The hotel has a swimming pool and a fully equipped Gym. The hotel has an international standard discotheque, similar to the Hippodrome in London.

Hotel Florida

This building of colonial appearance and elegance was built in 1836 and is situated in Old Havana, just a few metres away from the Plaza del Armas. It is situated on a central corner at Obispo Street, surrounded by art galleries, museums and local shops. It has recently been renovated and refurbished to create a hotel of both style and character. There are 25 well equipped rooms, four of them are suites, all the rooms are decorated with the most genuine colonial style. The hotel facilities include among others a Lobby Bar "Florida", a Piano Bar "Maragato", "La Floridiana Restaurant", a meeting room, room service, mini bar, satellite TV, international phone line, safe, parking and a souvenir shop

The Sevilla

Is one of Havana's best known colonial hotels. The 181 air-conditioned bedrooms have en-suite shower rooms (some with baths), satellite TV, safe boxes, direct dial telephones and a fridge. The Hotel has recently been taken over by the French hotel group ACCOR who has re-furbished the hotel rooms. It is centrally situated in the old part of Havana, - both Plaza del Armas and "Cathedral Square" are nearby. The Sevilla is one of the few hotels in central Havana which has a swimming pool.

Condes de Villanueva

Set in the heart of Old Havana a few minutes walk from Plaza del Armas and the harbour, is a converted merchant's house which is dedicated to the love of cigars. The hotel has nine individually decorated bedrooms named after different cigar brands. Each room has air conditioning, en suite shower rooms, satellite TV and safe box. Around the central courtyard garden are a number of places for guests to relax, including the hotel bar and restaurant. On the mezzanine floor is a well stocked cigar shop with its own cigar bar.

Ambos Mundos

Opened in February 1997. This has been completely refurbished to a good standard, it is situated in Plaza de Armas in the heart of Old Havana. This whole district is being refurbished creating a buzzing atmosphere of cafes, bars and restaurants. This area is full of museums, art galleries and beautiful architecture going back to the early 16th century and the Spanish colonial period. The hotel has 52 rooms all with shower rooms en-suite. There is a roof terrace restaurant with wonderful views over old Havana. The ground floor piano bar has the cool airy atmosphere of traditional old Havana. This is the hotel where Ernest Hemingway regularly stayed. His corner room has been preserved as it was during his lifetime. The Ambos Mundos does not have a swimming pool.

The Inglaterra

A charming colonial hotel next to the Grand Theatre on the Prado. Old Havana is within close walking distance, offering dozens of bars, restaurants, shops and galleries to keep you busy. The ground floor piano bar is popular for day and night time drinks and has a cool refreshing atmosphere. The Inglaterra is the ideal place to stay if you want to blend into the Havana scene, with music playing, people coming and going and a colonial atmosphere which has not changed for years. All the slightly old fashioned bedrooms are air-conditioned, have satellite television, telephone and en-suite shower rooms. The Inglaterra does not have a swimming pool.

The Plaza

A stones throw from Havana's historical sites, its architecture recreates the turn of the century atmosphere. 188 air-conditioned rooms with en-suite shower rooms, phone, radio and satellite TV. Restaurant, bar cafeteria, room service, medical services, solarium, shop, social hall, baby-sitting, rent-a-car, currency exchange, taxis and tourism bureau.

Hostel Valencia

Is set in the heart of old Havana just off the Plaza del Armas, one of Havana's most magnificent colonial squares. This small hotel has only 12 simply decorated rooms with shower rooms en-suite. Valencia's central courtyard has a cool refreshing atmosphere compared with the hustle and bustle out on the streets and is the ideal place for a sundowner or light snack. The hostels friendly Italian restaurant offers a simple menu at reasonable prices. The Valencia does not have a swimming pool.

Horizontes Vedado And St Johns

Both these budget priced hotels are situated in the Vedado district and are 3 blocks back from the Malecon. The outward appearance of the hotels lacks the colonial charm of hotels in Old Havana. All rooms have en suite bath or shower room, air conditioning, and satellite television. Both hotels have restaurants and bars, and the Vedado has its own nightclub. There are swimming pools at both these hotels.