Be Live Havana City Copacabana

Back in 1950s, the Copacabana was a swinging jazz club. Since then, it’s become a hotel, and while the jazz aspect is long gone, its Brazilian theme has remained. Near the front desk, a marble toucan relief is mounted on the wall. The buffet restaurant El Tucan, continues the theme with wooden wall murals of the namesake bird. But the lobby is more contemporary in tone with black-and-white tile floors, woven couches and armchairs with striped cushions, hanging drum lights in a bubble pattern, and floral arrangements elevating the look.Be Live Havana City Copacabana has the usual offerings for a hotel this size: pool, bar, live entertainment. And it has one unusual offering: a “natural pool.” Although the waterfront hotel lacks a sandy beach, the property has corralled seawater into a rectangular "natural" pool that gives a calm and wave-free spot to enjoy a saltwater dip. The pool itself is nothing fancy -- the deck is rough, uneven concrete, and the walls have been eroded by crashing waves -- but it is unique for the area, and staff proudly explain it’s the only one of its kind on Havana’s coast.Repairs and maintenance here are ongoing, and peeling paint, cracked pavement, or missing tiles along the main pool aren’t an uncommon sight, nor are the workmen that constantly labor to fix the wear and tear that affects many of the properties along the coastline. Guests here are overwhelmingly international tourists, couples and families and the occasional tour group.

Located in the neighborhood of Miramar, the Be Live Havana City Copacabana isn’t walking distance to any of Old Havana’s attractions, and guests will have to drive or take a taxi to reach them. Sights like the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes (National Museum of Fine Arts), the Museo de la Revolution (Museum of the Revolution), and the Paseo del Prado (one of Havana’s famed pedestrian walkways) are all 10 minutes away by car. But families appreciate that the hotel is a short five-minute walk to the local aquarium. (Kids staying at the hotel receive free entry.) While this hotel is right on the water, there’s no beach per se, but a walled-off portion of salt water gives a calm spot to swim. The José Martí International Airport is a 30-minute drive away.

Rooms at the Be Live Havana City Copacabana are pleasant, if not fashion-forward. Heavy dark wood furniture and floral bedspreads with burgundy flowers provide a traditional backdrop. Walls in warm colors of yellow and peach give a nod to the Caribbean. Amenities include safes, flat-screen TVs with cable channels, air-conditioning, and empty mini-fridges (which can be filled with drinks on request). Beige-tiled bathrooms either have shower stalls or shower/tub combos, and all have pedestal sinks, hairdryers, and individual toiletries. Despite being renovated in 2010, the bathrooms are showing a little wear, such as weathered mirrors. Some rooms have balconies with partial sea views. These are furnished with two chairs and wicker brown tables. Four Junior Suites are also available giving a bit more space.

The hotel's most notable features are its two pools. The first is a standard pool with a tiled sundeck, plastic loungers covered in royal-blue cloth, and piped in Latin music. The other “pool” is an atypical rectangular enclosure around seawater. This gives guests a calm, wave-free spot to take a dip. (In harsh weather, some waves do break over the low walls and have caused the top railings to crumble a bit.) Though the rough concrete deck is a poor substitute for sand, guests can be found here sunbathing on plastic loungers covered with royal blue fabric. One unusual perk for a Havana hotel is the on-site diving and sailing classes (for a fee). Unfortunately the hotel’s tennis courts have taken a beating from the seaside climate and were closed for repairs on our visit. But guests can break a sweat in the gym, outfitted with a full fleet of weight machines, bikes, rowers, treadmills, and other cardio equipment surrounded by kelly-green walls (with a few chips here and there). Lockers and a treatment room for massages are also on-site. The buffet restaurant offers all meals. A free breakfast buffet of breads, juices, fruit, cheeses, meats, salads, eggs, and pastries is served daily. Half-board and full-board plans are also available. In addition, there’s a poolside snack bar, a lobby bar, and a seaside pizzeria with beautiful views. Nightly entertainment includes live music, and a weekly showcase amps up the entertainment with dancing and performances. And as an off-site activity, kids are granted free entry to the city's aquarium, a five-minute walk away. Wi-Fi is available in the public areas, which includes the lobby, lobby bar, and pool. Guests purchase hourly Wi-Fi cards at the front desk. (A system commonly used throughout Cuba.) On our visit, cards were 4 Cuc each. There’s an Internet cafe with three computers as well. A small on-site meeting room can accommodate 18 people. The lobby's gift shop gives guests a spot to pick up a bottle of Cuban rum or replace a forgotten toiletry. And the on-site tour desk can book local sightseeing tours and attractions. The parking lot out front offers free parking for guests.