Havanafest Accomodation

[El Presidente]

For those intending to head down to Havana in November for Havanafest, Toby Brockelhurst has forwards the following. I will tidy up the initial thread on Monday but this will give you some background. Again, you are more than welcome to arrange your own accommodation.

Dear Rob

I thought it would be useful if I laid out a few accommodation and party options for your group coming out in November.

For rough exchange rates use:

Money:

€1.00 = 1.30CUCs

£1.00 = 1.60CUCs

$1.00 = 0.89CUCs

Tell your group to avoid bringing US$ in cash if possible as they lose a 10% penalty on changing. Euros or GB£ are best. YOU CAN NOT CHANGE Ausi $ in Cuba. Only Euros, GB£, US$, Canadian $, and a few others.

We have two very distinct teams working for the FOH group.

Hotels (National and others), VIP, group transport, car rental, and extentions such as beach hotels, fly fishing etc will be handled by - Raul at "Travelwelcome" who can be contacted on - [email protected] or office number +537 2069062 or mobile - +535 2361772.

Private houses, apartments and bed and breakfast rooms. Also restaurant bookings, private guides, private drivers, private catamaran charter will be handled by "Havana Concierge". You can contact Evis on - [email protected] or mobile +5358389995.

Accommodation Options:

Private room, house and apartment rental:

Category 1.

Rooms and apartments:

For individuals and couples, and people on a lower budget:

The bed and breakfast system, "Casa Particulares" in Cuba works really well now, and there are many houses renting rooms or independent apartments or houses.

Prices for individual rooms in people's houses start at around 35CUC per room pr night, plus breakfast at around 5CUCs per person.

There are also "premium" room rentals in much better quality houses which rent individual bedrooms at around 50-100CUCs per night plus breakfast. Some of these houses have 3, 4 or 5 bedrooms, so we could book some whole houses as "Friends of Habanos" party houses for groups of friends, or individual guys that you know would get on together.

Catagory 2.

Independent B and B houses or apartments with no staff, but often a maid to clean. Some also cook breakfast and other meals on request.

These apartments or houses are simple accommodation with 1, 2, 3 or sometimes 4 bedrooms. - they cost between 60CUCs and 200CUCs per night.

Catagory 3.

Premium house and apartment rental with staff and some with pools

In this category there are houses or apartments with 2 - 7 bedrooms, most with great staff, and some with pools.

Since the property market and local construction business opened up in Cuba 3 years ago there has been an increase in higher quality apartments and houses for rental.

We now have a portfolio of around 40-50 super properties in Vedado, Nuevo Vedado, Miramar, and Siboney.

Prices of these premium houses and penthouses range between 400CUCs and 1000CUCs per night.

If you have groups of friends who would like to rent apartments or houses please put them in touch with Evis on - [email protected] or +5353849197.

I look forward to catching up soon!

Very best wishes.

Toby

[El Presidente]

For those wishing to use the contacts as listed, please advise them you are part of the Rob Ayala FOH group in order that we can keep tabs as to where you are all finally placed

[AndrewNR]

I'm a few weeks behind the 8 ball here but still really hoping I can make this happen

[TheKid]

Sweet I was speaking with Gary 'Chunk' yesterday and he was interests in getting a 4 person house or similar if anyone is interested in bunking with some Perth people, let us know.

[Guest chunkatlarge]

Sweet I was speaking with Gary 'Chunk' yesterday and he was interests in getting a 4 person house or similar if anyone is interested in bunking with some Perth people, let us know.

Yep anyone up for this?...... . . . ... ...

[Guest chunkatlarge]

looks like Josh and myself will have a 4 bedroom house, looking for 2 singles that may want to share a House any interest out there? email me, [email protected] if keen