This unique hotel is one of our favorite provincial hotels in Cuba. What was once a fairly simple villa rental on the beach, tucked into a small cove about 20 km west of Baracoa, was recently expanded and upgraded, metamorphosing into an atmospheric lodge on the sands. Backed by thickly forested mountains and edged by mangrove forest, it´s a perfect venue for nature lovers to escape the madding crowds.

Text by Christopher Baker

This unique hotel is one of our favorite provincial hotels in Cuba. What was once a fairly simple villa rental on the beach, tucked into a small cove about 20 km west of Baracoa, was recently expanded and upgraded, metamorphosing into an atmospheric lodge on the sands. Backed by thickly forested mountains and edged by mangrove forest, it´s a perfect venue for nature lovers to escape the madding crowds. It´s also undeniably romanti—a perfect spot to relax on what is virtually your own private beach.

The old bungalow now serves as a simple restaurant, with rockers on the beachfront patio good for enjoying a pre-or post-prandial mojito and cigar. The beach has loungers for sunning, and Gaviota (which runs the hotel) specializes in guided hikes and horseback rides into adjacent Parque Nacional Alejandro Humboldt. If you have snorkel gear, bring it—there´s a fantastic reef about 200 meters from shore.

The 16 accommodations are in new, two-story, all-wood, fourplex structures edging right up to the sands (two are further inland). They´re air-conditioned, and have spacious oceanfront balconies. You even get satellite TV, phones, in-room safes, and dark hardwood furniture, plus bathrooms with modern appliances.

The choice hotel in town, this three-star option has by far the best location in Baracoa. Loftily poised atop the craggy hill on the south side of Baracoa, it occupies part of the former 18th-century Castillo Seboruco and offers stupendous views down over the colonial town and towards El Yunque.

Text by Christopher Baker

The choice hotel in town, this three-star option has by far the best location in Baracoa. Loftily poised atop the craggy hill on the south side of Baracoa, it occupies part of the former 18th-century Castillo Seboruco and offers stupendous views down over the colonial town and towards El Yunque. The infirm may find exploring town from here a challenge, but otherwise the staircase offers direct access to downtown, with its rickety wooden buildings in vernacular style.

A swimming pool studs the battlement courtyard, where there´s an open-bar where live musicians often entertain groups. The best reason to stay here, though, is the air-conditioned restaurant. Undeniably the town´s best, it does a reasonable job infusing local ingredients into the menu, and many dishes here you won´t find elsewhere. We enjoyed a gouda aubergine (eggplant) starter and fresh fish prepared in coconut sauce with local herbs. It´s run by Gaviota, which offers car and scooter rental plus excursions.

The 34 spacious air-conditioned rooms are modestly furnished and feature terra-cotta floors, cedar colonial-style furniture, satellite TVs telephones, in-room safes, mini refrigerators, and modern bathrooms. On two levels, the rooms share patio balconies offering views toward El Yunque.

Run by Cuba´s Gaviota chain, this 80-room hotel plays a reasonable second fiddle to the Hotel El Castillo. The Port Santo stands atop a craggy bluff on the west side of Baracoa harbor, and a good two-mile walk from town (but just a one-minute drive to the airport). Hence, the El Castillo, with its in-the-heart-of-town locale, has the Porto Santo beat on that score.

Text by Christopher Baker

Run by Cuba´s Gaviota chain, this 80-room hotel plays a reasonable second fiddle to the Hotel El Castillo. The Port Santo stands atop a craggy bluff on the west side of Baracoa harbor, and a good two-mile walk from town (but just a one-minute drive to the airport). Hence, the El Castillo, with its in-the-heart-of-town locale, has the Porto Santo beat on that score. Nonetheless, we like the airy feel to the landscaped grounds, studded with two-story buildings that catch the sea breezes.

The serpentine pool and pooldeck is a great space to cool off and catch some rays. And steps lead down to a small private beach. Hungry after a game of tennis? The thatched poolside grill serves snacks, and the main restaurant offers a modest menu of criolla and continental dishes. A folkloric dance troupe often performs on the deck.

The air-conditioned rooms compete with those at El Castillo, with terra-cotta tile floors and fairly simple furniture of dark hardwoods and rattan. All rooms come with satellite TV, radio, telephone, in-room safe, and modernized bathrooms, plus terraces or balconies—most with views over the bay toward Baracoa. It´s only a few extra dollars for a suite.

This charming and budget-priced little hotel on the main street, just steps from the main plaza, is housed in a recently restored colonial-era building dating from 1867. For better or worse, the original colonial tile-work has been replaced with rather soulless contemporary ceramics, but beautiful hardwood doors are a lovely touch.

Text by Christopher Baker

This charming and budget-priced little hotel on the main street, just steps from the main plaza, is housed in a recently restored colonial-era building dating from 1867. For better or worse, the original colonial tile-work has been replaced with rather soulless contemporary ceramics, but beautiful hardwood doors are a lovely touch. The location is a major plus for sightseeing, but it comes at a price: At night noise from the partying in the square and the nearby rooftop La Terraza cabaret can wake the dead.

Lofty ceilings assist air-conditioning in keeping things cool in the 10 bedrooms that surround an atrium courtyard, and four upstairs rooms open onto narrow balconies. Modest yet tasteful tropical-themed rattan furnishings and lively autumnal color schemes in the bedrooms contrast with simple colonial-style decor and clinical whites in public areas. All rooms have lofty ceilings, plus two twin beds—so honeymooners should plan accordingly. Four rooms share a balcony over the plaza. Satellite TVs offer four international channels, and modern bathrooms sparkle.

The atmosphere is agreeable and the hotel offers Internet service and has a small bar and restaurant, plus pharmacy. Islazul does a good job of running its hotels and this place is no exception, offering good value for budget travelers.

A seafront option standing four-square on the dour Malecón boulevard, this small budget hotel is named for a Russian lady, Mima Rubenskaya (“La Rusa de Baracoa”), who settled in Baracoa after fleeing the Revolution in 1917 at age six. There she is in black-and-white, framed on the wall in the lobby. She converted her three-story home into a hotel—the Miramar—in 1953.

Text by Christopher Baker

A seafront option standing four-square on the dour Malecón boulevard, this small budget hotel is named for a Russian lady, Mima Rubenskaya (“La Rusa de Baracoa”), who settled in Baracoa after fleeing the Revolution in 1917 at age six. There she is in black-and-white, framed on the wall in the lobby. She converted her three-story home into a hotel—the Miramar—in 1953. Supposedly it hosted several illustrious guests, among them Errol Flynn, Che Guevara, and Fidel and Raúl Castro. After lying fallow for years following the Cuban Revolution, it was renovated for the tourist trade in 2002.

The building itself is rather nondescript, with few distinguishing exterior features. The small lobby, with its purely functional reception counter informs that your stay here offers no frills. The 12 air-conditioned rooms are small and simply appointed with plain furnishings and ceramic tile floors. Most have twin beds. Each has a TV and telephone, and the equally tiny bathrooms have modern fittings. A narrow side terrace is fitted out as a meager restaurant, open to the ocean breezes, and there´s a small bar. At least this being an Islazul hotel, many of your fellow guests will be Cubans.

Our feeling is that this is a third-tier option compared to the charming Hotel La Habanera or more upscale Hotel El Castillo. The good news is that a refurbishment was in the works at press time.

La Lupe Villa is another quality Islazul proposition and our recommendation of choice in the area. Its 50 rooms are located 5 km out of town on the road to El Salvador. Villa La Lupe–named after a song composed by the late Rebel Army Commander Juan Almeida–is an attractive rural resort with a mixed clientele (Cubans and travelers).

Text by Cuba Absolutely

La Lupe Villa is another quality Islazul proposition and our recommendation of choice in the area. Its 50 rooms are located 5 km out of town on the road to El Salvador. Villa La Lupe–named after a song composed by the late Rebel Army Commander Juan Almeida–is an attractive rural resort with a mixed clientele (Cubans and travelers).

The best accommodation is provided in sturdy cabins situated around a central swimming pool and the adjacent restaurant.

Best of all is the setting by an attractive river where young girls celebrate their quinces (15th birthday). This is a great place to make excursions to the Biosphere Reserve of Cuchillas de Toa and a curious Stone-Zoo, where over 300 figures of animals from all continents, carved into the rock by farmer-sculptor, Angel Blanco, are displayed.

The Hotel Guatánamo sounds somewhat ominous and the 124-room, Soviet architecture-inspired concrete 4-storey signature hotel on Plaza Marina Grajales, is not exactly a fountain of joy.
On the other hand, it has been recently refurbished and features 2 restaurants, swimming pool, beauty parlour, 2 bars, ice cream parlour, shop, cafeteria, grill, disco and entertainment.

Text by Cuba Absolutely

The Hotel Guatánamo sounds somewhat ominous and the 124-room, Soviet architecture-inspired concrete 4-storey signature hotel on Plaza Marina Grajales, is not exactly a fountain of joy.

On the other hand, it has been recently refurbished and features 2 restaurants, swimming pool, beauty parlour, 2 bars, ice cream parlour, shop, cafeteria, grill, disco and entertainment.

This is not a destination hotel, but if you happen to be in Guantanamo…

Caimanera Hotel is located in the fishing village of the same name, which is in the heart of the Bahía de Guantanamo, better known as Guantanamo Bay. The South of the village is actually bordered by the Guantanamo Bay US Naval Base.

Text by Cuba Absolutely

Caimanera Hotel is located in the fishing village of the same name, which is in the heart of the Bahía de Guantanamo, better known as Guantanamo Bay. The South of the village is actually bordered by the Guantanamo Bay US Naval Base.

Hotel Caimanera promotes itself as being full of natural decorations and ambience and a model of simplicity and good taste. The truth is that this is not far from the mark and this 17-room establishment is one of our favorite small hotels. We warmly recommend.