Recommended Hotels

Santa Isabel
Single US$ 122; Double US$ 165
Calle Baratillo 9 entre Obispo y Narciso López, Plaza de Armas, Habana Vieja.
Tel. +53 (7) 860-8201

Originally built by the Countess of San Juan de Jaruco who subsequently sold it to the Count of Santovenia, this grand eighteenth-century palace overlooks Havana's oldest and most beautiful colonial square, the Plaza de Armas. The pretty central courtyard has a fountain which is often filled with fresh tuberoses. Some of the beds are pretty squeaky so it's perhaps not the best place for nuits passionelles , but the cocktails are among the city's best and we defy you to get up from the mahogany and leather armchairs in the courtyard after more than 2 mojitos. Stay in the Santovenia Suite for a serious aesthetic treat.

Conde de Villanueva
Single US$ 77; Double US$ 113
Calle de los Mercaderes #202 esq. Lamparilla, La Habana Vieja.
Tel. +53 (7) 862-9293/94

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 favourite 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 suite overlooking the junction of Lamparilla and Mercaderes Streets is probably the most inviting hotel room in Havana.

Fantastic value, this small beautiful place has only 12 rooms and often gets booked up early. Simple, yet very charming rooms set around a central courtyard garden with lush tropical plants make this a great option if you can get a reservation.

The Saratoga's the coolest. Its elegant facade overlooks all the other nineteenth century architectural splendours along the Paseo del Prado, including Havana's exquisite opera house. It's got a mudejar-inspired restaurant, a Maugham-ish courtyard bar, the city's best rooftop pool and fabulous rooms, many of which have long cushioned window seats from which to watch the frenetic local street life in air-conditioned bliss. The mountain murals behind the bar with their multicoloured light display are the last word in trendy urban kitsch.

NH Parque Central
Single US$ 110; Double US$ 156
Neptuno entre Paseo del Prado y Zulueta, La Habana Vieja.
Tel. +53 (7) 860-6615 al 29

Great for business trips and guests who want everything to work. It is located just outside the boundary of the historical part of Old Havana on one side of the always bustling Parque Central. This is a large, polished establishment with good service and food, big comfortable rooms, a charming air conditioned lobby bar/restaurant area and an excellent (and mercifully quiet) rooftop pool, which offers a fabulous view. It is the perfect place to recuperate after long, hot working days in Havana.

This is the quintessential business hotel in which great facilities and impressive service take you away from the hustle of Havana. The fantastic buffet breakfast and attractive pool, and choice of 5 restaurants, are great advantages. Do not expect any real indication whilst languishing in these marble halls that you are actually in Cuba, but if you want service, efficiency and professional quality it's a good option.

The Nacional is a magnificent hotel, fully deserving the ranking that places it amongst the world's best hotels. Unfortunately, the shabby rooms, patchy service and unexceptional food do not do justice to the general ambience. [For business visitors the executive floor is better. ] Savour the beautiful gardens, enjoy the history and relax by the pool but don't try and get a dry martini with a rocket and walnut salad delivered to your room in the early hours of the morning.