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Posted

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 :D

https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/familys-dream-18k-holiday-to-fourstar-cuba-resort-ruined/news-story/de61c6f06fa6663b3a023d94d08377de

Posted
  On 2/19/2019 at 9:32 PM, 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?

 

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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 

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Posted

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.

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Posted

 

  On 2/20/2019 at 12:16 AM, 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.

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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.

Posted

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.


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Posted

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.

Posted
  On 2/20/2019 at 1:33 AM, 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.


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And your thoughts on  LA Colina?  ?

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Posted
  On 2/19/2019 at 11:27 PM, 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.

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Hey, come on, Oliver. That's no way to describe the hotel guests.... :P

Posted

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.

Posted

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.

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Posted
  On 2/20/2019 at 2:49 PM, bundwallah said:
And your thoughts on  LA Colina? 

A close 12th


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Posted

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 . 

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Posted

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.

Posted
  On 2/21/2019 at 6:42 AM, 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.

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"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.  :D

Posted
  On 2/21/2019 at 1:50 AM, 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 . 

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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.  :lol:  

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Posted
  On 2/21/2019 at 12:45 PM, 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.  :D

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the downstairs Cafeteria is 24 hours and have decent sandwiches and even pasta if I am not wrong. 

  On 2/21/2019 at 12:48 PM, 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.  :lol:  

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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.

Posted
  On 2/21/2019 at 1:59 PM, oliverdst said:

the downstairs Cafeteria is 24 hours and have decent sandwiches and even pasta if I am not wrong.

 

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Yes. The Cubano sandwiches that come from there are great.  Big enough to split between 2-3 people.

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Posted
  On 2/21/2019 at 12:48 PM, 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.  :lol:  

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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? 

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Posted
  On 2/21/2019 at 3:17 PM, 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? 

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At least you were kind enough to not leave "upper deckers"  ?

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