Calle Prado 408, Havana, Cuba | (618) 248-8274
Excellent central location walking distance to Old Havana attractions
Famed historic property with an attractive courtyard
Rooms with minibars, safes, AC, and appealing decorative details
Some rooms have balconies
Restaurant serving free breakfast and other meals a la carte
Courtyard bar with nightly live music
Room service, laundry service, and money exchange available
Paid Wi-Fi in the lobby and bar; computer for guests' use
On-site gift shop selling rum and other souvenirs
Some maintenance issues like leaks (common in Cuban hotels)
Elevator frequently out of commission
No business center, gym, pool, or spa
**Following new *U.S. State Department regulations* issued November 9, 2017, American travelers are prohibited from staying at this hotel. Read the full list of restricted businesses **here. The atmospheric, mid-range Hotel Telegrafo has an excellent central location, parked right at the end of Prado Street and looking toward the Malecón. It’s an ideal spot for sightseeing, and the Telegrafo itself could be counted among the area’s landmarks. It dates back to the 1800s and is famed as the first Havana hotel with telephones. Hints of that history are still on display in the hotel’s courtyard and restaurant. Its 63 rooms are simple but have flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, and some have balconies. A few maintenance issues are ongoing, like AC leaks, but these are common throughout Cuba. As an alternative, travelers could consider the Hotel Inglaterra, another historic property with a central location.
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Scene
A historic property with a striking courtyard bar
The Telegrafo has a storied past that reaches back through
the last century. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, the hotel was a gathering point for the well-to-do. The name came from the hotel’s biggest claim
to fame as the first hotel with phones in all of the rooms. Touches of the
hotel’s grand past are still in full view, like the restaurant’s ceiling
crowned with ornate medallions. Other more recent additions, like the
stained-glass and tile mural in the courtyard bar, blend seamlessly with the vaulted
arches and exposed brickwork that rises to a looming skylight. And colorful modern furnishings keep things fresh and contemporary. Despite this generally attractive package, a few maintenance issues were present when we visited, including air-conditioning leaks, cracks along the marble steps, and an out-of-commission elevator; but travelers should
note these issues are common throughout Cuban properties. The Telegrafo’s guests tend to be tourist, from families to
couples to solo travelers, who are making the most of its excellent location and reveling in its history.
Location
Excellent central location walking distance to the Malecón and Old Havana attractions
One of the Telegrafo’s major selling points is its central location: It faces the Paseo del Prado with the Malecón at the end -- the two most famous streets in Havana ideal for strolling and taking in the city’s atmosphere. The Paseo del Prado, a leafy green promenade with Colonial buildings surrounding it, is just across the street. And the Malecón, a waterfront road that's often considered Havana's living room, is an 11-minute walk away. The surrounding streets are full of restaurants, bars, and other hotels; taxis and pedicabs are regularly parked out front ready to take guests sightseeing. Two of the city’s biggest museums, the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes (National Museum of Fine Arts) and the Museo de la Revolution (Museum of the Revolution) are five and eight minutes away on foot, respectively. Obispo street, known for its lively nightlife, is a five-minute walk away, as is Hemingway's former haunt La Floridita, a bar famed for inventing the daiquiri. The city’s José Martí International Airport is 30 minutes away by car.
Rooms
Simple rooms elevated by a few decorative details
While simple, little touches of elegance can be found in the
Telegrafo’s rooms, such as brocade bedspreads or sponge-painted walls in a
variety of soft Caribbean colors like sage green or brunt orange. Expansive headboards with
gilded frames sport tulip murals. Some rooms have wardrobes instead of built-in
closets. Minibars, safes, AC, flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, and
soundproofed windows are all standard. And tea/coffeemakers are available on
request. First floor rooms also include a small balcony. Views are either of
the hotels’ interior courtyard or the Prado opening up to the Malecón and the
sea beyond (though only a
sliver of the ocean is visible beyond the city). Basic bathrooms in rose-colored marble have bidets, shower/tub
combos, and come stocked with hairdryers and individual toiletries. And three
rooms have jetted tubs. Some rooms are interconnecting, a useful feature for
families or groups traveling together. Triples are available, and Junior Suites
have two bathrooms.
Features
Limited but appealing amenities, like free breakfast, live music, and lobby Wi-Fi
As a central city hotel, the Telegrafo has limited amenities; there's no gym or business center. But the Telegrafo covers the bases when it comes to food, drink, and other basics. There is an on-site restaurant serving all meals. A free buffet breakfast is included in the room rate; all other meals are a la carte. The bar, in the courtyard just off the lobby, hosts live music most nights. The on-site gift shop gives a spot to buy last-minute souvenirs or forgotten items. Wi-Fi is available in the lobby and in the bar on the first floor. Guests buy an hourly Wi-Fi card from reception, a system commonly used throughout Cuba. On our visit, cards were 6 Cuc each. A computer in the lobby is available for guests’ use as well. Other features include 24-hour room service, laundry service, plus on-site car rental and tour desks. A paid parking lot is by the hotel. For families, cribs and babysitting services are available on request. Wedding ceremonies and quinceaneras are occasionally held here as well.
