Articles Mentioning Budget

Portofino Apartments

Apartamentos Portofino y Sorrento comprises a pair of apartment blocks set on a steep hillside overlooking the south end of Santa Ponsa bay and main beach. The 119 apartments are simple and largely updated, with well-equipped kitchenettes, lounges, and balconies — a few with sea views. The lack of in-room Wi-Fi is certainly a shortcoming, however. While there are two swimming pools, one with bay views and poolside bar, they’re often in the shade of surrounding buildings and some of the terraces look scruffy. There’s a convenient supermarket for groceries, though on-site dining options are minimal and breakfast not included. All in all, it’s rather lackluster option, but apartments are perfectly adequate for a self-catering vacation close to the beach. Though set away from the resort center, the Club Santa Ponsa is a possible alternative, offering budget apartments with an all-inclusive plan.

CasavanaCuba

The eight-room CasavanaCuba is a homey and welcoming bed-and-breakfast a couple of blocks from the Malecon in Havana’s Vedado neighborhood, a business and residential district with lots of restaurants and nightlife. Amenities are a bit spare in this simple value property, but a lovely homemade breakfast with fresh juice is available for an additional fee, and the friendly owners provide personal travel tips. Guests can make use of living room-like common spaces, dining areas, a kitchen, and laundry facilities. Wraparound balconies offer views of the surroundings. Rooms are clean and pleasant, equipped with air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, DVD players, and minibars, plus all have en-suite bathrooms, though some are dated (but well maintained). There’s no Wi-Fi, and it’s about a 10-minute drive to Old Havana’s attractions, but overall this a great value choice. For something more central to the tourist sites, check out the historic Hotel Telegrafo.