Habana Libre Hotel: a Symbol of Cuban Hotels

Habana Libre Hotel, inaugurated in March 19th of 1958, marks the time of modernity in the Cuban capital because it constitutes the tallest and most central accommodation of the city. It is located at one of the beginnings of La Rampa, one of Havana’s busiest streets.

After being totally remodeled, it has 572 rooms as well as several gastronomic services, night clubs, meeting rooms, and lots of special privacy and history.

During the years of the Triumph of Cuban Revolution it was such a highlighted place that president Fidel Castro decided to settle down its headquarters there at a room called La Castellana during the very first years.

The hotel has rooms of about 50 square meters large with balcony from which the guests can enjoys sea and city views. Besides that, the accommodation has some other facilities inherent to any five-star hotel.   

Among the attractive details of the place, it can be seen in the frontal wall a mural of Cuban painter Amelia Peláez as well as some other paintings of Cuban artists such as Alfredo Sosabravo, Portocarrero and some others, within its rooms.

This luxury hotel has been the venue of different events such international chess competitions and banquets related to the Havana cigar festival; or has just hosted reporters for all over the world for special event such as the visit of pope John Paul II to Cuba.        

This hotel has a privileged location at the central part of El Vedado, Havanan neighborhood. More exactly, it is situated at La Rampa, street that is daily crowded by people as well as an incomparable trade center.      

Many of the hotel’s visitors highlights its charming based on its careful services, its closeness to any trade and tourist core, its panoramic rooms and nine multipurpose function rooms ideal for events, congresses or banquets.   

Other advantages of the place are the fact of being surrounded by boutiques, travel agencies, airlines, and being only four kilometers away from the historical downtown of Havana and 10 meters from El Malecón de la Habana (Havana’s wall).    

It also comprises three restaurants specializing in Cuban, Polynesian, and Mediterranean food; a buffet table specializing in international food; and an excellent party room named Turquino, at the highest site of the hotel since this is the name of Cuban highest mountain situated at the Eastern province of Santiago de Cuba.      

That is the reason why this party room is at floor 25, very close to the stars. It has a sliding ceiling and it is opened for people to have great moments, mostly at nights.     

We are talking, then, about a hotel perfect for travel groups, events and incentives as it history record reveals: its Embajadores room (capacity for one thousand people), or Solidaridad (capacity for three thousand people) where several banquets and meetings are celebrated.     

Nevertheless, its cuisine deserves a special mentioning, as refers its management. First-line restaurants El Barracón or El Polinesio, its cafeteria, or the grill bar at its pool are good examples of it.    

For this and for some other reasons it is the Cuban most reviewed and renowned hotel. It is an intimate place just few steps away from the street noise. It is also a place full of art, memories of past times, inspiration and elegance. It is a real Cuban feast.