As close to a real Spanish tavern as you are likely to find in Havana, there are five rooms in this restored 19th century inn. Comfortable clean rooms make this a good option as long as you like flamenco, which plays nightly until 11pm. Indeed, one suspects that its clientele may be composed of those challenged by walking a straight line to their more distant accommodation.

The Hostal Valencia was the first Old Havana mansion to be converted by the Office of the City Historian into a hotel. Originally constructed for Alderman Sotolongo, a member of Havana´s Town Council, a large part of the building had actually collapsed by the time it reached the head of the queue for restoration.

This comfortable 14—room little hotel, which shares some facilities with the adjoining Hostal Valencia, is housed in an eighteenth—century building which belonged to the family of Don Pedro Regalado Pedroso y Zayas, who was a “Comendador de la Orden de Isabel la Católica.”

The Frailes reopened in 2001 within a few steps of the old St Francis Monastery in what used to be the residence of Marquis Don Pedro Claudio Duquesne in the 19th century. The friar theme is maintained with both the décor and the uniforms of staff. This is a quirky but popular place from which we have received good feedback.
Some of the rooms can be a little musty and most do not have windows (which at least makes it mercifully quiet).

This mansion, which was restored and converted by the Office of the City Historian of Havana in 2002 into the Hotel Beltrán de Santa Cruz, is only a moment´s walk down San Ignacio Street from one of Old Havana´s most beautiful squares, the Plaza Vieja. The other side away from the square is a different story with Old Havana´s crumbling edifices in full flow.

A delightfully small and intimate establishment in what was once the mansion of Claudio Martínez de Pinillos, Count of Villanueva, the leader of Cuban Creole society in the nineteenth century. A great favorite with cigar aficionados and useful for private weekend parties. One of Old Havana´s best cigar shops, with private humidors to rent, is tucked away in the old slave quarters on its mezzanine floor.

The Florida opened in 1885 and swiftly became renowned as one of the city´s better hotels. It was restored to its original 19th-century charm in 1999 and has a lot of style. The Hotel stands on Calle Obispo, Old Havana´s liveliest street, currently being restored by the Office of the City Historian of Havana as the district´s principal shopping area.

The Raquel opened in June 2003 following extensive renovation work in the heart of Old Havana. Located in a wonderfully idiosyncratic building with a neo—Churrigueresque façade and tendrils of Art Nouveau wrought iron decoration, the Hotel Raquel contains further delightful design eccentricities including a vast stained glass canopy roof and a watchtower from which one can look out over the streets and squares of Old Havana.

The Santa Isabel is the grandest of Old Havana´s hotels, and its location is perfect: it stands on the eastern side of the Plaza de Armas, Havana´s earliest and most beautiful colonial square. The building is an eighteenth century mansion which was constructed for the Countess of San Juan de Jaruco but was later bought by the Count of Santovenia. It was converted to a hotel in the late nineteenth century.

Up till recently, discerning visitors have bemoaned the lack of a really luxurious hotel in Havana. The Saratoga, which opened in November 2005, has rectified the situation. Standing on the western edge of the Historical Centre of the city, its elegant façade overlooks the other nineteenth—century architectural glories of the Prado and Parque Central.

Hotel NH Parque Central is a luxury 5-star hotel within touching distance of the old town. surrounded by numerous famous buildings, such as the Capitolio, The García Lorca Theatre and the Museum of Modern Arts. Inside, the hotel is very welcoming, professional and comfortable and combines the elegance of colonial style with modern services (including the best wi-fi in town). It is strongly favored by repeat business visitors to Havana.

The Nacional is a magnificent hotel, fully deserving the ranking that places it amongst the world´s best. It is Havana´s signature hotel soaked in history which you will tangibly feel as soon as you are ushered into the South-of-Spain inspired lobby with its mosaics, deep leather couches, chandeliers and precious hardwood ceilings.

In a central intersection of Vedado neighborhood, at one side of Havana´s famous waterfront avenue, the Malecón, with a beautiful view of the ocean and the city, rises Hotel Meliá Cohíba, the capital´s preferred five-star business hotel. Architecturally this 22-storey glass and concrete behemoth is often derided as blight on the city skyline.

The Panorama opened its doors in 2002 as a completely new hotel. The cascades of glass are not to everyone´s taste but once inside, the lobby is modern, bright, appealing and often with an appreciable buzz.
Ultramodern elevators whisk you promptly up to one of 317 airy rooms that offer great views over Miramar and beyond.

The Occidental is a large glass-fronted creation opposite the Miramar Trade Center, which while not to everyone´s liking, represents exceptional good value and is largely underrated. Its clientele is remarkably diverse.
The place is refreshingly uncluttered and there is a feeling of space in the lobby.

This plush hotel really is one of the very best in Cuba. It is located opposite the ever expanding Miramar trade center and subsequently has a largely business clientele. While there is a lot of marble there is also slightly more greenery than its twin the Melia Cohiba in Vedado and this adds a pleasant touch.

The latest colonial—era offering from Hoteles Habaguanex, this gracious hotel (opened in March 2008) occupies an 18th—century mansion built for the Marqués de Prado Ameno. Backing up to the popular and elegant Hotel Florida, this smaller boutique hotel offers greater intimacy.

The Colina is generally regarded as the coziest and friendliest of Vedado´s budget hotels. It is located between the University and the Hotel Nacional.
The 80 rooms are basic, with air-con, satellite TV and intermittent hot water, plus there´s a good people-watching sidewalk café just off the reception.