Casa Buena Vista is a reliable budget option offering four individual rooms inside a family-owned apartment. The property is housed in an elegant but faded colonial building set in a calm residential pocket that’s removed from tourist bustle yet walkable to sights, like Calle 23 and the Malecon. The sixth-floor setting wraps the place with stunning city views, although some rooms facing inward lack any vista at all. Rooms are otherwise quiet and comfortable, but very basic -- with fridges, private bathrooms, and little else. Guests appreciate the lofty views, hearty breakfast (for a fee), location, authentic local vibe, and value for money. Overall, Casa Buena Vista suits those seeking a cheap but reliable accommodation while they explore the city. Travelers seeking an intimate apartment stay with a more modern vibe could try el81 Guesthouse.
Casa Buena Vista is a reliable budget option offering four individual rooms inside a family-owned apartment. The property is housed in an elegant but faded colonial building set in a calm residential pocket that’s removed from tourist bustle yet walkable to sights, like Calle 23 and the Malecon. The sixth-floor setting wraps the place with stunning city views, although some rooms facing inward lack any vista at all. Rooms are otherwise quiet and comfortable, but very basic -- with fridges, private bathrooms, and little else. Guests appreciate the lofty views, hearty breakfast (for a fee), location, authentic local vibe, and value for money. Overall, Casa Buena Vista suits those seeking a cheap but reliable accommodation while they explore the city. Travelers seeking an intimate apartment stay with a more modern vibe could try el81 Guesthouse.
This no-frills value hotel in a residential part of Vedado is intimate, with just 30 rooms and few features. It occupies a neocolonial-style home dating to 1940 that once belonged to the wife of Fulgencio Batista, and its large porch with rocking chairs and preserved historic details are notable aspects -- though the competitive rates are probably the biggest draw. Rooms are clean, if basic, and up to four guests can fit in a single room. It's a perfectly serviceable option for the price, but leisure visitors should note that there's no pool and Old Havana isn't within walking distance.
This no-frills value hotel in a residential part of Vedado is intimate, with just 30 rooms and few features. It occupies a neocolonial-style home dating to 1940 that once belonged to the wife of Fulgencio Batista, and its large porch with rocking chairs and preserved historic details are notable aspects -- though the competitive rates are probably the biggest draw. Rooms are clean, if basic, and up to four guests can fit in a single room. It's a perfectly serviceable option for the price, but leisure visitors should note that there's no pool and Old Havana isn't within walking distance.
For cash-strapped travelers intent on splitting their time between the beach and Havana, this dingy, 188-room budget all-inclusive hotel from the '70s might fit the bill. It's right across the street from Santa Maria del Mar's beautiful beach, and offers free shuttle service to Havana (a 25-minute drive away). The rooms are tiny and dated (though some have great ocean views), the food is mediocre, the ugly concrete building doesn't look like it's been renovated since the Soviets built it, and prostitutes are frequent overnight guests. If you can overlook those flaws, it's OK for the price.
For cash-strapped travelers intent on splitting their time between the beach and Havana, this dingy, 188-room budget all-inclusive hotel from the '70s might fit the bill. It's right across the street from Santa Maria del Mar's beautiful beach, and offers free shuttle service to Havana (a 25-minute drive away). The rooms are tiny and dated (though some have great ocean views), the food is mediocre, the ugly concrete building doesn't look like it's been renovated since the Soviets built it, and prostitutes are frequent overnight guests. If you can overlook those flaws, it's OK for the price.
Located in the Vedado neighborhood of Havana, mid-range ApartHotel Luis y Ada offers three spacious rooms -- rented individually -- on the 17th floor of a residential apartment building. Common areas include the huge open plan living and dining area, a decent-sized kitchen, and a large breezy terrace. With the sky-high setting comes loads of natural light and a beautiful Havana city-to-ocean panorama. Guests appreciate the authentic residential setting, tasty breakfast (which costs extra), the spotless and spacious interiors, the views, plus the host’s warmth and exceptional English. Perfect for travelers seeking bright, comfortable, spacious rooms, and a more “local” Havana experience that’s close to action, but out of tourist bustle. Travelers seeking an apartment stay that's even more central could try Casa Buena Vista.
Located in the Vedado neighborhood of Havana, mid-range ApartHotel Luis y Ada offers three spacious rooms -- rented individually -- on the 17th floor of a residential apartment building. Common areas include the huge open plan living and dining area, a decent-sized kitchen, and a large breezy terrace. With the sky-high setting comes loads of natural light and a beautiful Havana city-to-ocean panorama. Guests appreciate the authentic residential setting, tasty breakfast (which costs extra), the spotless and spacious interiors, the views, plus the host’s warmth and exceptional English. Perfect for travelers seeking bright, comfortable, spacious rooms, and a more “local” Havana experience that’s close to action, but out of tourist bustle. Travelers seeking an apartment stay that's even more central could try Casa Buena Vista.
The 258-room, mid-range hotel in Vedado is notable for its charming lobby filled with antiques and its 10-story height that allows for terrific ocean views from some rooms. The rooms themselves are classic (reflecting the style from the hotel's opening in 1928), but maintenance issues in this historic building aren't uncommon. There are a small outdoor pool (awaiting renovation during our visit), a buffet restaurant, an a la carte Cuban restaurant, and a 24-hour lobby bar, but no gym. It's worth considering the NH Capri La Habana, an even taller hotel in Vedado, which has modern style, fewer maintenance issues, and more features, including a gym and room service.
The 258-room, mid-range hotel in Vedado is notable for its charming lobby filled with antiques and its 10-story height that allows for terrific ocean views from some rooms. The rooms themselves are classic (reflecting the style from the hotel's opening in 1928), but maintenance issues in this historic building aren't uncommon. There are a small outdoor pool (awaiting renovation during our visit), a buffet restaurant, an a la carte Cuban restaurant, and a 24-hour lobby bar, but no gym. It's worth considering the NH Capri La Habana, an even taller hotel in Vedado, which has modern style, fewer maintenance issues, and more features, including a gym and room service.
The upscale, 457-room Hotel Nacional de Cuba is the country's grande dame, with fascinating history, from a major mafia meeting in the '40s that took place on-site to tunnels in the gardens used during the Cuban Missile Crisis. The common spaces, including the lobby and the ocean-view gardens, are gorgeous, and the food impresses. Rooms are charmingly traditional if a bit dated for some tastes (and occasionally musty), but they're still among the nicest in Havana. Just note that Old Havana isn't within walking distance, and that the common spaces are often milling with tourists. Those willing to sacrifice the historic ambience here in favor of a modern look should consider the nearby NH Capri La Habana.
The upscale, 457-room Hotel Nacional de Cuba is the country's grande dame, with fascinating history, from a major mafia meeting in the '40s that took place on-site to tunnels in the gardens used during the Cuban Missile Crisis. The common spaces, including the lobby and the ocean-view gardens, are gorgeous, and the food impresses. Rooms are charmingly traditional if a bit dated for some tastes (and occasionally musty), but they're still among the nicest in Havana. Just note that Old Havana isn't within walking distance, and that the common spaces are often milling with tourists. Those willing to sacrifice the historic ambience here in favor of a modern look should consider the nearby NH Capri La Habana.
**Following new *U.S. State Department regulations* issued November 9, 2017, American travelers are prohibited from staying at this hotel. Read the full list of restricted businesses **here. Located on the site of a restored 18th-century mansion, Hotel Conde de Villanueva pays homage to the history of the Cuban cigar through its decor. It's central to many of Old Havana’s restaurants, shops, galleries, and historic attractions. The list of amenities -- including a lovely, but small, restaurant, a cigar bar, and a large, open-air courtyard -- is short, even for a three-pearl hotel. All nine rooms are equally historic and dated in terms of decor but they have air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, minibars, and optional hot tubs (though many don’t work). Credit cards are accepted here. For a bit more money, Hotel Ambos Mundos offers more sophistication and a stunning rooftop restaurant.
**Following new *U.S. State Department regulations* issued November 9, 2017, American travelers are prohibited from staying at this hotel. Read the full list of restricted businesses **here. Located on the site of a restored 18th-century mansion, Hotel Conde de Villanueva pays homage to the history of the Cuban cigar through its decor. It's central to many of Old Havana’s restaurants, shops, galleries, and historic attractions. The list of amenities -- including a lovely, but small, restaurant, a cigar bar, and a large, open-air courtyard -- is short, even for a three-pearl hotel. All nine rooms are equally historic and dated in terms of decor but they have air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, minibars, and optional hot tubs (though many don’t work). Credit cards are accepted here. For a bit more money, Hotel Ambos Mundos offers more sophistication and a stunning rooftop restaurant.
This 220-room upscale 19-story chain hotel is one of the most modern options in Havana, and is usually more affordable than the Melia Habana in Miramar. It reopened in 2013 after a 12-year renovation, and its decor is inspired by its 1950s roots. A lovely rooftop pool, cool bar, modern gym, stylish Italian restaurant, free breakfast buffet, and attractive, well-maintained rooms (half with sea views) help make this a standout option for the price in Vedado. Leisure travelers should note that it's about a five-minute taxi ride to Old Havana.
This 220-room upscale 19-story chain hotel is one of the most modern options in Havana, and is usually more affordable than the Melia Habana in Miramar. It reopened in 2013 after a 12-year renovation, and its decor is inspired by its 1950s roots. A lovely rooftop pool, cool bar, modern gym, stylish Italian restaurant, free breakfast buffet, and attractive, well-maintained rooms (half with sea views) help make this a standout option for the price in Vedado. Leisure travelers should note that it's about a five-minute taxi ride to Old Havana.
Melia Cohiba is an upper-middle-range high-rise property with a refined, business-like vibe -- right opposite the Malecon in Havana’s Vedado district. Its 460 rooms are clean, comfortable, sunlit, and most take in spectacular city or sea views. Rooms are fresh, contemporary, and chic on “The Level” floors, yet more conservative and dated on others. Standout features include the huge pool, top-notch food (guests rave about the breakfast buffet), cigar lounge (with evening jazz), and the seafront Malecon setting. Cabs are required to most sights, but there’s a free shuttle to Old Havana, plus plenty of dining and bar options located nearby. Melia Cohiba presents polished amenities and across-the-board consistency, which many travelers seek. However, it doesn't reflect much of a sense of place. Those seeking a similar option closer to sights could try Tryp Habana Libre.
Melia Cohiba is an upper-middle-range high-rise property with a refined, business-like vibe -- right opposite the Malecon in Havana’s Vedado district. Its 460 rooms are clean, comfortable, sunlit, and most take in spectacular city or sea views. Rooms are fresh, contemporary, and chic on “The Level” floors, yet more conservative and dated on others. Standout features include the huge pool, top-notch food (guests rave about the breakfast buffet), cigar lounge (with evening jazz), and the seafront Malecon setting. Cabs are required to most sights, but there’s a free shuttle to Old Havana, plus plenty of dining and bar options located nearby. Melia Cohiba presents polished amenities and across-the-board consistency, which many travelers seek. However, it doesn't reflect much of a sense of place. Those seeking a similar option closer to sights could try Tryp Habana Libre.
**Following new *U.S. State Department regulations* issued November 9, 2017, American travelers are prohibited from staying at this hotel. Read the full list of restricted businesses **here. The atmospheric, mid-range Hotel Telegrafo has an excellent central location, parked right at the end of Prado Street and looking toward the Malecón. It’s an ideal spot for sightseeing, and the Telegrafo itself could be counted among the area’s landmarks. It dates back to the 1800s and is famed as the first Havana hotel with telephones. Hints of that history are still on display in the hotel’s courtyard and restaurant. Its 63 rooms are simple but have flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, and some have balconies. A few maintenance issues are ongoing, like AC leaks, but these are common throughout Cuba. As an alternative, travelers could consider the Hotel Inglaterra, another historic property with a central location.
**Following new *U.S. State Department regulations* issued November 9, 2017, American travelers are prohibited from staying at this hotel. Read the full list of restricted businesses **here. The atmospheric, mid-range Hotel Telegrafo has an excellent central location, parked right at the end of Prado Street and looking toward the Malecón. It’s an ideal spot for sightseeing, and the Telegrafo itself could be counted among the area’s landmarks. It dates back to the 1800s and is famed as the first Havana hotel with telephones. Hints of that history are still on display in the hotel’s courtyard and restaurant. Its 63 rooms are simple but have flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, and some have balconies. A few maintenance issues are ongoing, like AC leaks, but these are common throughout Cuba. As an alternative, travelers could consider the Hotel Inglaterra, another historic property with a central location.