CasavanaCuba

From the outside, guests might not be too excited about CasavanaCuba, which is on the eighth and 11th floors of a high-rise residential building. It can appear a bit run-down to some, and there's no visible signage outside. But inside, interiors are clean and homey. CasavanaCuba falls somewhere in between a "casa particular" (homestay accommodation) and a hotel, and has just eight rooms. The friendly owners -- a couple and their friend -- have poured their heart and soul into the property, and interact with guests on a daily basis and foster a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. Guests can get the flavor of staying with a local family, but with a few more amenities than most of the "casa particulares" provide. Interior decor comprises contemporary couches in the bright, white-walled and cream-floored lobby, wooden antique furniture, and vintage pieces like a gilded mirror, large oil painting, and decorative vases. Glass sliding doors fill the space with light and lead out onto a wraparound balcony furnished with fresh tables and chairs. An adjacent living room-like common space is more contemporary in style, with black couches and sleek black furniture as well as a large flat-screen TV on the wall.Overall, this is a clean and pleasant property that offers affordable rates and helpful, attentive service. The hotel attracts mainly European tourists, many of whom are couples in their 40s, but it's less suited for families. Canadians and Italians are the biggest client base here.

Vedado is the business district of Havana, much more sprawling than the tourist-filled narrow streets of Old Havana, with wide boulevards laid out in a grid. This area provides a more typical slice of everyday life in Havana, with lots of office buildings, large homes, upscale restaurants, and nightlife that is popular among locals. There are plenty of historic hotels in the area (like the Hotel Roc Presidente down the street, and Hotel Nacional, a 20-minute walk away), and the Malecon -- a seafront promenade with fun people-watching -- is just blocks away. While most visitors would say that Old Havana (an 11-minute drive away) is the center of nightlife, Vedado has actually become the new favorite among young Habaneros for discos, music venues, and art scene parties. This location might be slightly less convenient for tourists seeking to be within walking distance of all the central landmarks -- but it suits travelers looking for a relaxed, slower paced atmosphere. It's also convenient for business travelers, as most business is happening in this area. The airport is about a half-hour drive away.

The hotel's eight rooms are clean and contemporary, with homey decor that ranges from a spare and simple style, to more ornate antique-style furnishings. White walls, cream tile floors, and plenty of natural light streaming through the windows make the spaces feel bright. Some rooms are simply furnished with wooden beds and nightstands paired with some small prints on the walls, while others feature lovely vintage pieces like large wooden beds with decorative carvings, dressers, and wooden chairs upholstered in tufted cream-colored brocade material. Beds are topped with white linens and accented by colorful throw pillows or bed runners.Rooms are fairly small in size, especially Standard Rooms, but the Junior Suite and Suite offer more space and have private terraces. Standard amenities include air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs with DVD players, CD players, and minibars. Daily housekeeping is included. Bathrooms in the Suite with View, Superior with View, and Deluxe with View rooms were fully renovated in 2017 and have sleek walk-in showers, marble tiling, and basin sinks. In other rooms, bathrooms are fairly simple and a bit dated, but clean and pleasant, equipped with shower/tub combos, toilets, bidets, and small sinks. Like the rooms, they vary in style.

Amenities are limited in this small hotel, but the common-space wraparound balconies are a highlight, and offer a pleasant place to sit and take in the view that stretches over the surrounding streets and out to the water in the distance. New patio furniture was added after our visit. Two living-room like areas are also available for guest use, and there are two dining areas, redecorated to include modern clear seating and tables after our visit, as well as a guest kitchen. Though there's no restaurant on-site, the hotel offers a homemade, made-to-order breakfast for an additional fee that includes tropical fruits, fresh juices, freshly baked breads, eggs, sandwiches, Cuban coffee, and more. Cocktails are available at night.The hotel is helpful with arranging tours, taxis, car rentals, bus tickets, and more, and reception is open 24/7. The hosts will do your laundry for you (laundry facilities in Havana are tricky to come by so this is a big help), and there are also luggage storage and free local telephone calls. Parking is free on-site in an underground garage.