Hotel Raquel

This historic property occupies a grandiose building dating back to 1908, when it was a warehouse for storing textiles. Its beautiful stone facade -- adorned with intricate carvings and balconies -- combines both Baroque and Art Nouveau influences, and makes a striking first impression. From the outside, it's easy to understand why Hotel Raquel has a reputation among locals as one of the fanciest hotels in town. The hotel is on a bustling corner in Old Havana -- right outside, travelers can expect to see taxis, "bicitaxis" (three-wheeled bicycle taxis), locals going about their day, and hear live music at night filtering from nearby restaurants. In contrast, Hotel Raquel looks formal, and almost imposing.   

Inside, the lobby is equally grand, with an impressive entrance, high ornate ceilings, marble columns, stone sculptures, intricate ceiling molding, and stained glass details. Sofas and armchairs provide seating in the bright and airy space. Potted plants and greenery add a fresh, tropical flair, while various paintings and other art work reference Jewish culture and depict biblical scenes -- the name of the hotel itself is Hebrew for "innocent." Guest rooms are positioned around a courtyard atrium that features a gorgeous, colorful stained glass roof. Another highlight is the charming rooftop terrace, where guests can sit with a mojito and enjoy the views amid lush greenery sprouting from terra-cotta pots that stud the space.

The atmosphere, despite the elegant colonial architecture, is fairly laid-back, and most guests are European couples -- of all ages, though we didn't see any with children while we were there. During our visit, the hotel was celebrating the hotel's anniversary with a huge spread of food and drinks for guests, and local schoolchildren reading a special statement followed by lots of dancing. 

This hotel is right in the center of touristy Old Havana, on a busy corner rich with local life. There are plenty of dining options and bars with live music in the area, and it's just a block to Plaza Vieja, a charming, cobblestone plaza that's popular with tourists. Other top attractions within walking distance include Plaza de la Catedral (a five-minute walk), Plaza de Armas (six-minute walk), the Castillo de la Real Fuerza (seven-minute walk), the Museum of the Revolution (13-minute walk), and El Capitolio (19-minute walk). The Malecon is a six-minute drive from here or about a 20-minute walk. The railway station is a five-minute drive or 16-minute walk from the hotel, while José Martí International Airport can be reached in about a half-hour by car.

Rooms are fairly simple but generally pleasant, with old colonial-style decor and pretty patterned tile floors. Classic furnishings include wooden wardrobes and dressers, wrought iron beds, and marble-topped iron vanities. On the upper floors, French doors framed by patterned curtains open onto balconies that fill the spaces with natural light -- though some rooms get street noise. Rooms are centered around the lobby atrium, so some noise from the lobby may also drift up to the room floors. Havana hotels tend to have some shortcomings not typical for European or U.S. hotels, and Hotel Raquel is no exception. There is no Wi-Fi (many hotels in Havana do offer at least slow Wi-Fi, for a fee), some rooms lack windows, and rooms can smell a bit musty, due to the humidity of the climate. Rooms looked clean during our visit, aside from some minor wear and spots of dirty tile grout on the floor. Towels and sheets could use replacement in some cases, although this is true of many hotels in Cuba.

Four Junior Suites are available and offer more space than the Standard Rooms. Standard amenities include air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, minibars, electronic safes, and telephones. Bathrooms are fairly standard and a bit dated, with beige and blue tiling, shower/tub combos with older fixtures, small sinks, wall-mounted hairdryers, and a selection of toiletries; guests complain of poor water pressure. 

One of the highlights here is the hotel's beautiful rooftop terrace, which offers lovely views over the surroundings and a pleasant place to sit and relax amid lush potted plants, trees, and flowers. A wrought-iron gazebo is a charming addition to the space, as is a beautiful domed turret furnished with a table and chairs.

The hotel's restaurant, Restaurant Jardín del Edén, serves traditional Jewish fare, plus there's a bar on-site -- but food gets mixed reviews. Breakfast is included in rates. Reception is open 24/7. Other amenities include spa services, a small fitness room, and an adjacent parking garage, but the hotel does not have Wi-Fi.