El Presidente Posted February 19, 2019 Share Posted February 19, 2019 I was asked overnight for hotel accommodation recommendations for Havana. it has been a long time since I have stayed in a havana hotel so I could use the input of members who know their havana hotels. To my mind, Cuba has two 5 star hotels (Kempinski & Packard ) and two four star hotels (saratoga/parque central) The Nacional is three star to my mind. Have I got that about right? Good story below about a horror Varadero holiday where a purported 4 star hotel was anything but https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/familys-dream-18k-holiday-to-fourstar-cuba-resort-ruined/news-story/de61c6f06fa6663b3a023d94d08377de Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrGinger Posted February 19, 2019 Share Posted February 19, 2019 51 minutes ago, El Presidente said: To my mind, Cuba has two 5 star hotels (Kempinski & Packard ) and two four star hotels (saratoga/parque central) The Nacional is three star to my mind. Have I got that about right? That is about how I would classify them also. Nacional , Melia Cohiba, Melia Habana, Raquel, Ambos Mundos 3.5*, Inglaterra, Sevilla, Telegrafo 3, Plaza 2.5, Duville 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainQuintero Posted February 19, 2019 Share Posted February 19, 2019 At least they didn't have the duck I guess Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oliverdst Posted February 19, 2019 Share Posted February 19, 2019 I stayed in Melia Cohiba and Nacional. I agree both are 3 in international standards BUT no place has the aura Nacional has. The patio, the animals, the malecón, the architecture... all together make it a special place. But, yeah, being rational, 3 stars. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oliverdst Posted February 20, 2019 Share Posted February 20, 2019 37 minutes ago, SenorPerfecto said: Someday someone will refurb the Nacional and it'll be the only 6-star hotel in the cigar universe. But the numbers you gave sound right. Also frankly the Comodoro is a dump. Even for Cuba. I've just remembered that the current Partagas shop (the famous building) will become a hotel. Well, at least this is the plan. Maybe not a 5 star but at least something to the aficionados. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Presidente Posted February 20, 2019 Author Share Posted February 20, 2019 1 hour ago, SenorPerfecto said: Also frankly the Comodoro is a dump. Even for Cuba. It's a quirky dump 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LLC Posted February 20, 2019 Share Posted February 20, 2019 I’d say the National and Parq Central are similar in overall rating. I’ve stayed at both a few times and Parq Central has location and nicer rooms but National has better pool area, better grounds, better view and the unbeatable terrace. Rooms are OK and you are in a quieter, less polluted area but you are a short cab ride to old Havana. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichUK Posted February 20, 2019 Share Posted February 20, 2019 The first time we went to Havana we stayed in the Nacional, the second time Parque Central. Whilst the Parque Central was better located, we missed the ambience and surroundings of the Nacional. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puros Y Vino Posted February 20, 2019 Share Posted February 20, 2019 13 hours ago, LLC said: I’d say the National and Parq Central are similar in overall rating. I’ve stayed at both a few times and Parq Central has location and nicer rooms but National has better pool area, better grounds, better view and the unbeatable terrace. Rooms are OK and you are in a quieter, less polluted area but you are a short cab ride to old Havana. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk And your thoughts on LA Colina? ? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fuzz Posted February 20, 2019 Share Posted February 20, 2019 15 hours ago, oliverdst said: I stayed in Melia Cohiba and Nacional. I agree both are 3 in international standards BUT no place has the aura Nacional has. The patio, the animals, the malecón, the architecture... all together make it a special place. But, yeah, being rational, 3 stars. Hey, come on, Oliver. That's no way to describe the hotel guests.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piligrim Posted February 20, 2019 Share Posted February 20, 2019 had a great stay at Casa in front of Nacional and having fun with mates at Nacional every night. very good area and also in 5 mins to walk to Habana Libre. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edward7 Posted February 20, 2019 Share Posted February 20, 2019 We stayed at a boutique hotel called Paseo 206 which was perfect. It's difficult for American's to stay at the state owned places since they can't run our cards. Paseo is owned by an Italian so the transfer goes to Italy. It was very nicely appointed and the perfect quiet, yet stylish place to retreat to after long days. https://paseo206.com/ Only draw back was that it would be nicer to be walking distance from Old Havana. It's up hill from El Malecon off the same street as the Melia Cohiba Hotel. Will very likely go back and stay here. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebhead Posted February 21, 2019 Share Posted February 21, 2019 10 hours ago, bundwallah said: And your thoughts on LA Colina? ? Would a -5 star count? At least the water ran, in a trickle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LLC Posted February 21, 2019 Share Posted February 21, 2019 And your thoughts on LA Colina? [emoji57]A close 12th [emoji23]Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helix Posted February 21, 2019 Share Posted February 21, 2019 The Colina is just fine as a base in Vedado . Water pressure is low but enough to shower . Rooms are clean and comfortable enough . Bar downstairs and the street patio is a great spot to lounge and watch the hustle and bustle of Havana . Very near the University so you see that crowd . Nice stroll to the Nacional . Very affordable . 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mt1 Posted February 21, 2019 Share Posted February 21, 2019 I think the Hotel Nacional is not to be missed but it's only because of the history, architecture, and the patio. In my view, the rooms are 2 star, the food is 2 star, the pricing is 6 star. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puros Y Vino Posted February 21, 2019 Share Posted February 21, 2019 5 hours ago, mt1 said: I think the Hotel Nacional is not to be missed but it's only because of the history, architecture, and the patio. In my view, the rooms are 2 star, the food is 2 star, the pricing is 6 star. "food is 2 star". IMO, maybe even lower. Some of the stuff at their included breakfast buffet is odd and unappealing. Breads are rock hard or bland. Dried apricots and cut up fatty hot dogs anyone? The fresh fruit looked like it had been through a war. The only saving grace is the fresh egg station and the espresso machine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puros Y Vino Posted February 21, 2019 Share Posted February 21, 2019 10 hours ago, helix said: The Colina is just fine as a base in Vedado . Water pressure is low but enough to shower . Rooms are clean and comfortable enough . Bar downstairs and the street patio is a great spot to lounge and watch the hustle and bustle of Havana . Very near the University so you see that crowd . Nice stroll to the Nacional . Very affordable . Agreed. @LLC and @ebhead and I have stayed there a couple of times. The price/location can't be beat. The rooms are thankfully clean and the beds stiff but comfortable. Water pressure is a joke. In some rooms, you're lucky to get 1 flush out of the toilet. Cheaply priced bottles of water at the bar are appreciated as was the 90c espresso out on the front patio. We are saddened to hear that their price has now gone up. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oliverdst Posted February 21, 2019 Share Posted February 21, 2019 1 hour ago, bundwallah said: "food is 2 star". IMO, maybe even lower. Some of the stuff at their included breakfast buffet is odd and unappealing. Breads are rock hard or bland. Dried apricots and cut up fatty hot dogs anyone? The fresh fruit looked like it had been through a war. The only saving grace is the fresh egg station and the espresso machine. the downstairs Cafeteria is 24 hours and have decent sandwiches and even pasta if I am not wrong. 1 hour ago, bundwallah said: Agreed. @LLC and @ebhead and I have stayed there a couple of times. The price/location can't be beat. The rooms are thankfully clean and the beds stiff but comfortable. Water pressure is a joke. In some rooms, you're lucky to get 1 flush out of the toilet. Cheaply priced bottles of water at the bar are appreciated as was the 90c espresso out on the front patio. We are saddened to hear that their price has now gone up. last november I stayed in a casa and went to the bathroom to take a shower. the water scalding. I opened the cold water and... nothing. I waited some minutes and nothing changed. So I just did what I could with the hot water and next day I asked the owner about it. she said "easy! you just have to use the sink" it turns out that for some pressure issue the cold shower water would work just if you open the sink water and then you could have a fresh bath. I was totally ok with it but it was curious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puros Y Vino Posted February 21, 2019 Share Posted February 21, 2019 7 minutes ago, oliverdst said: the downstairs Cafeteria is 24 hours and have decent sandwiches and even pasta if I am not wrong. Yes. The Cubano sandwiches that come from there are great. Big enough to split between 2-3 people. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebhead Posted February 21, 2019 Share Posted February 21, 2019 2 hours ago, bundwallah said: Agreed. @LLC and @ebhead and I have stayed there a couple of times. The price/location can't be beat. The rooms are thankfully clean and the beds stiff but comfortable. Water pressure is a joke. In some rooms, you're lucky to get 1 flush out of the toilet. Cheaply priced bottles of water at the bar are appreciated as was the 90c espresso out on the front patio. We are saddened to hear that their price has now gone up. One flush? My toilet didn't even work in one of the rooms...felt bad about leaving gifts for the cleaning staff every morning. But, what can one do? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puros Y Vino Posted February 21, 2019 Share Posted February 21, 2019 4 minutes ago, ebhead said: One flush? My toilet didn't even work in one of the rooms...felt bad about leaving gifts for the cleaning staff every morning. But, what can one do? At least you were kind enough to not leave "upper deckers" ? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now