Hotel Kohly Habana

Hotel Kohly Habana is set on a wide, peaceful, residential street that rarely gets more than a few passing cars or foot traffic. The dated white-and-aqua retro facade suggests this place has been around for some time, a hunch that only gets stronger inside. Interiors feature low ceilings over aggregate tiles and cane lounge seating that evoke the 1970s, while bistro seating and tropical palm trees add a touch of indoor oasis feel to the lobby bar. Beyond the lobby, the hotel flows out to shady paved garden areas filled with greenery and interspersed with a mix of wide covered walkways and stairs. Amenities and restaurants are spread across the property, which helps keep any one area from feeling too crowded.

Hotel Kohly is located in a calm, residential area about a 10-minute drive to Vedado, the center of Havana and 25 minutes to Old Havana. An eight-minute walk will take guests into the heart of Bosque de la Habana, a lush and dense urban jungle that unfolds along the Almendares River. It's 14 minutes by car to the restaurants, shops, bars, and nightlife of Calle 23 and about 17 minutes from iconic coastal stretch known as the Malecon. Other nearby highlights include the Havana Zoo (six minutes by car), and the National Botanic Garden (a nine-minute drive). Jose Marti International Airport is about a 25-minute drive away.

Rooms here are spread across three floors (with stair and elevator access); rooms on higher floors naturally have the best views. All are nearly identical in size and layout, and all but 12 open onto large furnished terraces. There are two categories: Standard and Matrimonial; the former have two twin beds while the latter have queen beds. Both room types blend bold yellow walls, monochrome bedspreads, colorful artwork, and wooden furniture, including open wardrobes with extra blankets, but the look overall feels dated. Matrimonial rooms step decor up a notch with wrought-iron headboards, patterned cushions, and cute bedside tables. All come with vanity tables, tables and chairs for two, flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, split air-conditioning, and safes. Bathrooms are simple and stark, with a good selection of free individual toiletries, but they lack hairdryers and storage is limited to tiny shelves under the mirrors.

Kohly offers a good array of leisure amenities, especially for a Havana property. There's a big freshwater pool surrounded by deck chairs plus a decent fitness center with separate cardio and weight-training rooms. Personal trainers are also available at extra cost. Other wellness features include a full-sized tennis court, a sauna, and massage and facial services, but like the rest of the property, facilities feel dated.

Dining options here are varied, and include Mi Patio Pizzeria, El Tropico buffet restaurant, and the 24-hour El Jardin Cafeteria, which serves snacks and drinks. Recreo Bowling and Bar features two 10-pin bowling lanes and a billiards room, while Lirio Bar in the lobby serves cheap drinks and good espresso throughout the day.

Other on-site features include a couple of boutiques, tour desks to assist with booking activities, valet laundry and dry-cleaning services, and car rentals. Wi-Fi is available, but only in the lobby, and guests have to purchase an internet card from the front desk to get access. There's also an on-site cyber cafe with desktop computers and meeting rooms for up to 120 people, with audio-visual equipment available. Taxis can be arranged at the front desk and there's plenty of free parking is available on-site.