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 Habana Libre was the old Havana Hilton which was used as the new Revolutionary government’s headquarters for the first three months of 1959. It is a busy place with 572 rooms located on one of Havana’s busiest junctions. The rooms are spacious and fit with the general art deco style. While the entire place could perhaps do with something of a face lift and the elevators can be infuriating, Sol Meliá, which took over in 2000 ensures that high standards of service and food are maintained and the view from the excellent restaurant and nightclub (Turquino) on the 26th floor are to die for.

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.

The Riviera is another notable Havana landmark being one of the last mafia hotels completed in the 1950’s just before the revolution by Meyer Lansky as part of a plan to establish a network of casino hotels in Cuba. T he lobby is pure art deco although unfortunately somewhat run down now. The hotel was damaged by Hurricane Wilma in 2005 and has subsequently was used exclusively for a time by Venezuelans visiting Cuba for medical operations. The swimming pool is one of the only salt water pools in Havana and has a real buzz to it. The high diving board is not for the faint hearted.

Located in the middle of leafy and laid back Vedado the Hotel Presidente fully fits itself to its surroundings. It is elegant and charming and much more laid back than its somewhat imposing façade would suggest. Most things work or at least almost do and while some of the furniture may be a little old this can add to a general cosy feel in what is a 10 story building with a nice swimming pool out back.

In the context of (very few) budget hotels in Havana this is not bad. Clean, if a little worn this hotel works and is fairly efficient. The 7th floor swimming pool is tiny but after a few drinks could offer the perfect place to cool of. The café-bar, becomes the Pico Blanco nightclub at 10. 30pm which is extremely popular with Cubans.

Just along the street from the Hotel St John, first impressions are not great and the rooms aren’t much better. It is not terrible but pretty basic and uninspiring.