Hotel Florida

This historic hotel dates back to 1885 and impresses with its grand, old colonial-style interiors. It's one of the best-known hotels in Old Havana, so any taxi driver at the airport should know where to go. Upon arriving, guests are greeted in a beautiful, sunlit courtyard atrium where the marble checkered flooring is paired with elegant Old World details like large columns, arches, wrought-iron lamps hanging from the ceiling, and lovely crown molding. Padded wicker seating provides a place to perch in the bright and airy space, while lots of potted plants and greenery add a fresh pop of color and tropical ambience. Interior hallways overlooking the courtyard have the same theatrical look and classic style, awash in white and cream hues and furnished with cream-colored sofas and armchairs. Large standing birdcages painted white and filled with greenery add a whimsical touch.

The hotel's restaurant is similarly styled, but incorporates vibrant red tones to the classic, elegant decor. The lobby bar is a more casual space with a masculine flair, filled with brown leather chairs and tufted sofas around wooden tables. The piano bar with salsa dancing is a hot spot, drawing locals as well as tourists, and can get crowded ( the noise may also carry to some rooms). The property draws both leisure tourists and business travelers (typically well-heeled Europeans) who are attracted by its prime location and grand interiors, and it also serves as a great meeting place. One of the few Wi-Fi points in the area, the property often attracts a crowd of people nabbing a connection on the sidewalk outside (Cubans and tourists alike), and some tourists can be found web browsing on their devices in the lobby as well. 

Hotel Florida is located right on Obispo Street, one of the main tourist arteries in Old Havana. The pedestrian-only strip is lined with cafes, restaurants, and shops, and essentially bisects the neighborhood, with one end near the water and the other abutting Parque Central (across from Hotel Saratoga and catty-corner from El Capitolio). Tourists would be hard-pressed to find a better location, and almost every notable sight is within walking distance. The downside, of course, is that the bustling street stays noisy late into the night, which can be an issue for light sleepers. It is worth noting that Old Havana -- despite being Havana's main tourist neighborhood -- is still gritty in many parts, and tourists can expect to see crumbling streets and buildings, and plenty of locals going about their day -- buying fruit from a cart, walking to school, or riding their bicycles. 

Some of the popular attractions nearby include Plaza de la Catedral (a three-minute walk), Castillo de la Real Fuerza (five-minute walk), Parque Central, where the hop-on, hop-off tour buses depart (eight-minute walk), Museum of the Revolution (nine-minute walk), and the Capitol (15 minutes away). The popular tourist plazas of Plaza de la Catedral, Plaza Vieja, and Plaza de San Francisco de Asis are all under a 10-minute walk away. The Malecon is about a 15-minute walk away. José Martí International Airport is a half-hour drive from the hotel.

While the hotel's common spaces make an impression, guest rooms are a bit lackluster in comparison and show their age -- but they're usually reasonably clean and well maintained. The checkered marble flooring seen throughout the property continues into the rooms and is paired with cream-colored walls -- a nice backdrop to hefty, traditional wooden furniture and wrought-iron beds. Beds are topped with brown covers and cream throw pillows, and small prints in wooden frames adorn the walls. The only dose of color amid all the cream and brown hues comes from the green and white doors and windows -- including lovely shuttered French doors that open onto small private balconies (in some rooms) with pretty white wrought-iron railings. Overall, it's an elegant, simple style, if a bit basic -- but lovely details like the marble checkered flooring and pretty ceiling molding give the spaces a bit of an upscale, historical touch. Just be sure to request a room with windows. 

All rooms have desks as well as wardrobes, and standard amenities include air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, minibars, phones, and electronic safes. Suites offer more space and have separate sitting rooms with sofas and armchairs; they also come with bathrobes. Bathrooms are a bit small, and showing some wear; they have marble tiling (sometimes slightly discolored), shower/tub combos with rainfall showerheads, marble-topped sinks, toilets, and bidets. Wall-mounted hairdryers are provided, as is a selection of toiletries. Note that some rooms may get noise from the street and live music from the hotel bar.

The hotel has a restaurant, Floridiana, that serves Cuban and international fare as well as a free buffet breakfast in the mornings, though many guests remark that food is bland and mediocre. Two on-site bars include a lobby bar and an elegant piano bar with live music and salsa, both serving mojitos and other cocktails.

A souvenir store sells clothes, rum, cigars, and other products. Internet is scarce in Cuba, and guests can expect to pay a fee for a Wi-Fi card that provides an hour of service; the connection is typically slow, but often serviceable (this is the case just about anywhere in the country where Wi-Fi is offered). Other amenities include meeting and event space, laundry services (best to avoid in Cuba, as laundry facilities often have decades-old machines), and daily newspapers. The reception is open 24/7 and can help with booking tours. Staff members were very friendly during our visit, and clearly took great pride in the hotel.