AHT Luxury Ocean View Apartments

A lone retro skyscraper soaring above Calle 23’s high-traffic streetscape, this Aparthotel shares its block with low rise residential buildings and colonial casas. The property is inside the secure buzzer entrance, into the elevator, and up to the 17th floor where just two apartments reside. Ada and Luis’ space welcomes guests into a huge open plan layout that’s flooded with light, with a fresh, modern vibe. An earthy palette of rust and beige creates a warm foundation for minimal furnishing, with contemporary artworks on the walls, while polished aggregate flooring in stone gray adds cooling retro contrast. Wall-to-wall glass separates the living area from the terrace, so panoramic sky high views of the city to the ocean are on display. The separate kitchen -- spacious, functional, and clean -- is located off the living room. Vivacious husband-and-wife duo, Ada and Luis, manage the property along with others in the area. Ada (who lives on another floor) is on hand to warmly greet guests on arrival and offer plenty of insight as to what to see and do nearby, while friendly housekeeping staff tend to cleaning and cooking.

The apartment is located in one of Havana’s most iconic (and busiest) main roads -- Calle 23, in the residential neighborhood of Vedado. Calle 23 is known for its many restaurants, shops, and bars which are centered around 11 minutes walk from the property, in addition to plenty of other dining and drinking options in the immediate vicinity of the apartment. It’s 25 minutes from Jose Marti International Airport -- hosts can assist with taxi transportation. Havana’s iconic coastal drive, the Malecon, is an eight-minute drive from the apartment, and Old Havana takes around 16 minutes by car. Other nearby sights include Museo de Artes Decorativas (a six-minute walk), Revolution Square (five minutes by car or 20 on foot), and the John Lennon monument (four minutes drive or 16 minutes’ walk).

Three double rooms are on offer here, and each takes in elevated views of the city. All rooms are calm and spacious, and immaculately maintained by housekeeping staff. Like the living area, rooms feel fresh and minimalist with simple decoration. A neutral gray-and-white paint palette complements bold black bedside tables, headboards, comfy chairs (cushioned in bold green), and side tables. Matching bedside lamps add illumination, and loads of natural light streams into rooms through big picture windows (with blackout curtains). Rooms are all equipped with minibars containing beer and water (priced inexpensively). Exposed closets offer hanging space on walls, and extra blankets. Bathrooms are bright, modern, and clean -- with showers (not tubs), big bar soaps, and fresh towels. Amenities also include individual air conditioning units, flat-screen TVs, and safes. Note: Some guests get the impression they’re renting the whole apartment which is not the case. The entire apartment (i.e. all rooms) can be booked by one group, but rooms are otherwise rented independently, which means common spaces are shared with other guests. 

This property is, in essence, a typical apartment, so it doesn’t offer the features of a traditional hotel. Guests have access to a number of common areas that include the open plan living and dining area, the furnished terrace, and the separate kitchen. Homemade breakfast (which guests frequently praise) is available for a minimal fee, and a laundry service is available at extra charge. Host Ada can arrange airport pickup and drop off for a fixed fee, and guests appreciate her professionalism in addition to her exceptional English -- a big plus for non-Spanish speakers.