Where to Stay
Havana has always been famous for its hospitality. Because of its privileged geographical position it has attracted travelers from all over the world. The first-time visitor will find a wide range of accommodations, from the simplest hotel to the most luxurious tourist complex.
Old Havana
In Old Havana, along the Paseo del Prado, is the Hotel Islazul Caribbean, between Colón and Refugio Streets. This comfortable two-star hotel has 25 rooms with all the standard services and conveniences, ideal for individual travelers. Crossing the Parque Central and heading toward the sea along Obispo Street, you will come to the Hotel Ambos Mundos. This was Ernest Hemingway's favorite hotel and his first home in Cuba. Many believe it has the best location in the whole city, a stone's throw from the Plaza de Armas. A little to the north, near the Gran Teatro de La Habana, is the Hotel Plaza. Built in 1909, triangular in shape and neoclassic in style, it is considered to be one of the architectural jewels of Havana. The lovely, peaceful gardens are full of tropical birds. The Hotel Lincoln was built in 1926 and is known for its excellent service. It has three superb restaurants: El Colonial, El Criollo, specializing in Cuban cuisine, and La Montaña de Oro, which serves Chinese food in a pleasant Oriental atmosphere. A few minutes away, on the corner of the Malecón, is the more recent Hotel Deauville, looking out to sea and along the front.
Centro Havana
At the heart of Centro Havana, very close to the Capitolio Nacional, and the Paseo del Prado, is the NH Parque Central, in Neptuno Street between Prado and Zulueta. This modern, luxury five-star hotel is a good starting point for tours of the historic quarter. It has 277 rooms with views of the park. A few steps away is the Hotel Inglaterra, at the end of the Paseo del Prado. Opened in 1875, it is the oldest traditional hotel in the city and a favorite for lovers of museums and historical sights. The Hotel El Viejo y El Mar, which translates to the title of a Hemingway novel The Old Man and the Sea, and offers guests tennis courts and a scuba center in the Hemingway Marina, within close proximity to many sites, restaurants and nightclubs.
Vedado
Along the seafront, on the borderline between Centro Havana and the Vedado, you will come to the Hotel Nacional, standing proudly on a slight hill on the corner of 21 and O Streets. Built in 1930, its wide array of facilities and services make it ideal for business meetings. Visitors to the Nacional will appreciate the splendid rooms and first class service. Fifty meters up the street, is the Hotel Capri, combining all the services you would expect of a four star hotel with the privacy more typical of a small one. It has a post office, bureau de change and a car rental agency. Just up the hill, is the prestigious Tryp Habana Libre, built in the 1950s and formerly the Havana Hilton. Its location at the very center of the modern part of town makes it not only a tourist favorite but also a popular meeting place for locals. A few streets toward the sea from L Street is the Hotel St. John's, a friendly hotel with 87 rooms, famous for its top floor nightclub, the Pico Blanco. Opposite, is the Hotel Vedado, which has 203 comfortable, air-conditioned rooms. To the east along the Malecón you will come to one of the city's best known five-star hotels, the Habana Riviera, opened in 1950, has always been one of the best and most famous hotels on the island.
Miramar
The beautiful area of Miramar, home to foreign embassies and companies, is one of the most exclusive areas in Havana. The Hotel Chateau Miramar is a beautiful hotel on top of a hill, with some of the best views in the city. Close to the beach and peaceful, the Chateau Miramar is an ideal choice for any kind of traveler. The four-star Occidental Miramar is an elegant and peaceful getaway, while still nearby to many of the restaurants, nightlife and shopping in Miramar. The Oasis Panorama provides guests with a distinctly Cuban feel while offering scenic views and modern amenities.
