HAVANA
Havana is a city of history and architecture, or music and the arts.
Originally founded in 1519, it was an important stopping point for the ships taking looted treasures from South America back to Spain. It was soon the most important port in South America, trading in sugar, rum tobacco and coffee. This history has left behind an abundance of beautiful buildings, built with the city’s wealth in these early days. Several of them have been converted into museums and the old city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site is being restored to its former glory.
It is not just the history and architecture that make Havana such and appealing city. The locals, known as Habaneros are warm and welcoming, passionate about their city, the arts and culture. The vibrant music and arts scene has much to offer, from salsa and rumba to ballet and film. Make sure to visit a cigar factory or stop by a craft market and delight in the abundance of classic cars on the streets.
Havana is best enjoyed when wandering the streets, soaking up the atmosphere and stopping in bars and restaurants to get a feel for this beautiful, romantic city.
WHERE TO STAY
Our favourite luxury hotels
Kempinski
Hotel Saratoga
The Saratoga Hotel is a lovely boutique hotel with suites ideal for relaxation, rooms for events and conventions, banquets, ceremonies and delicious private dinners in the historical centre of the electric and sensual city Havana. The Saratoga has always been one of Havana’s most stylish establishments since its opening in the 1930s. It’s a favourite haunt for artists and socialites from all over the world, for its superb cuisine, the open air entertainments held in its pavement arcade, and the concerts given there by such renowned musicians as the Anacaona Orchestra. The hotel has 96 rooms including 7 suites and various junior suites, and is managed to an international 5-star standard.
Iberostar Parque Central
The Iberostar Parque Central hotel is an elegant 5-star hotel in Havana, located in the heart of the city. The Iberostar’s colonial style, which reflects the surrounding street culture, is considered as one of the best hotel in Havana. Choosing this hotel will ensure that your holiday in the Cuban capital with your loved ones is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The Iberostar Parque Central hotel is located right in the heart of the city of Havana. With a privileged location, this hotel is close to the most visited areas of city, and therefore is an excellent place for guests to begin a tour of historic Cuba and discover the most authentic corners of Havana. The hotel is surrounded by music-filled streets and within easy reach of some of the best tourist attractions in the city and the most popular venues, such as Floridita Bar and La Bodeguita del Medio.
Villa Juanita
Villa Juanita, located by the ocean in Northern Havana, defines luxury boutique hotels in Cuba. It’s no secret that one of the keys to an unforgettable vacation is the right choice of hotel. Villa Juanita is the New Luxury Boutique Hotel perfectly situated in a unique location in Havana. It is nestled in the vibrant Vedado neighborhood, embraced by welcoming trees, only two blocks away from the Revolution Square and ten blocks from the scenic ocean-front Malecon Road, the famous walkway bordering the ocean. The villa is surrounded by theaters, restaurants, bars, hotels and cafes, and is characterized by a central yet intimate location, moments away from the social and cultural life of the capital.
Iberostar Packard
One of the best hotels in Havana awaits you: the new 5-star hotel Iberostar Grand Packard. Iberostar Grand Packard in Havana is located on the emblematic Paseo del Prado, next to buildings as iconic as the Velasco palace or the National Capitol. Enjoy the most exclusive services and discover how time stops in the streets of the historic centre, which concentrates colonial architecture, vintage cars and authenticity. The Iberostar has 321 rooms and suites to relax in. When it comes to getting some shut-eye, the hotel staff ensure they adapt to your preferences and provide you with everything you need to fully wind down.
Paseo 206
Paseo 206 boutique hotel is a romantic jewel nestled among the tree-lined streets, art galleries and modern skyscrapers of Vedado, the economic and cultural heart of La Havana. In this family home dating back from the 1933, the atmosphere is light, chic and romantic. The building has been restored to its original splendor thanks to a careful renovation that has maintained the soul of the structure, while also preserving the original architectural elements. The 10 cozy and comfortable suites all offer free wi-fi, 24-hour room service, Hermes bathroom amenities, Marshall speakers, and hypoallergenic king-sized bed with luxurious Frette linen. The mansion is coloured with dusky blues and lemon yellows, and is lit by wide, arched windows allowing the sunlight to fill the rooms.