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The U.S. flag is now flying again at the embassy in Cuba, which means that easily traveling there from America is becoming more of a reality. While flights will become more readily available in the near future, hotel options are not so prevalent—a complete Havana itinerary isn’t going to be generated on Kayak or Expedia just yet. But there is certainly no shortage of stunning, historic lodging options to explore. Whether it’s a classic thirties hotel once visited by Jay Z and Beyoncé, or a bed and breakfast (usually referred to as a casa particular) with a colorful interior courtyard for lounging, these are the places to stay in Havana and still get a little bit of the old Cuba in the country’s enticing new age.
The Saratoga is the most luxe of Havana's hotels—built in the thirties, the 96-room hotel includes a rooftop pool, a gym and spa, and several restaurants. Though some of the interiors have been updated in the last ten years, the colonial-style entrance and central atrium remain in their original style. Hotel Saratoga, where Jay Z and Beyoncé stayed on their trip to Cuba in 2013, is located across from El Capitolio on the edge of Old Havana, a central location within walking distance of many major sights.
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Though Casa Densil is located only half a mile from the Havana seafront, this tiny gem has an incredibly private feel. With just three rooms, the old house retains much of its original architecture and decor, with wood beam ceilings, colored glass windows in the main sitting area, and patterned tile floors. There is also a spacious and airy terrace to enjoy meals.
The Nacional is where greatness has stayed: Frank Sinatra, Ernest Hemingway, Winston Churchill, and Marlon Brando to name a few of the hotel’s famous guests. Located on the Malecón in the Vedado neighborhood of Havana, the Art Deco building was opened in 1930 and today remains a monolith among Cuba’s hotel offerings with more than 450 rooms. There is a pool, two full-service restaurants, and six bars, making this a modern resort-size option that retains the rich history and classic design that precedes it.
Another fantastic casa particular in the heart of Havana, a block from Plaza Vieja, this one includes three bedrooms, one with its own private terraces. The interior is decorated with original colonial-style furniture and retains its striking original architectural details.
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La Rosa de Ortega Bed and Breakfast
Situated on the second-highest hill in the city of Havana in La Vibora, La Rosa de Ortega is a quieter bed and breakfast option. There are ten bedrooms, all with private bathrooms. The house is a 1938 mansion owned by a couple that inherited it from the husband’s aunt in the nineties. The husband-and-wife team revamped the interiors, creating exposed-brick rooms, a large pool area, and beautiful garden, as well as a covered pavilion for dining. The white linens, geometric tile floors, and handmade furniture are just some of the alluring details that La Rosa de Ortega has to offer, along with a spectacular view of the old city.
Owned and operated by a mother-and-daughter team, this bed and breakfast with just a handful of rooms is a colorful and quiet escape from the city’s bustling center. The highlight is certainly the central patio, with white rocking chairs and bright green walls flanked by potted plants. Though it is a small, first-floor flat, the Casa de Miriam y Sinai offers an authentic taste of Cuban hospitality.
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Opened in 1885, the Hotel Florida is among the grand hotels in Havana. Dotted with vintage furniture, it houses two bars, a restaurant with traditional Cuban food and an impressive wine list, as well as a ground-floor courtyard with marble columns and songbirds in white cages. The rooms are spacious, some with small terraces, and all include bathrooms built with marble. Though the decor hinges on opulent, there is nothing pretentious about this welcoming property.
One of the more modern hotel options in Havana, the Iberostar Parque Central is a five-star hotel with incredible 360-degree views of the city from the rooftop pool. Though the hotel’s interiors are new, the building façade remains traditional. The lobby and guest rooms all nod to the typical Spanish colonial aesthetic of Havana’s older hotels, but include contemporary touches like sleek furniture and lighting. For visitors looking to stay somewhere new in the old city, this is definitely the spot.