The offer for entertainment that Old Havana has, with five centuries of history in its account, constitutes an excellent option. This part of the city which was declared by UNESCO cultural heritage for being an architectural treasure of the world, has a large tourist infrastructure which brings us to mind the colonial stage. There are more than 30 thousand buildings that preserve thousands of stories. It can be seen in perfect harmony among fortresses, churches, tourist commercial and cultural centers.
Among all this range of touristic places to visit, there is the Santa Isabel hotel. This hotel used to be the main residence of the Count of Santovenia in this village. It was built in the early 18th century and it was later sold to an American with the current name in 1867.
By becoming a luxurious state-owned hotel in 1997, Santa Isabel offers all the comfort of a five star centre but at the same time it proffers a special and unique ambiance typical of the colonial time. This palatial hotel has 27 rooms, 10 are junior suites and it has a special charm which is the colonial-style furniture, iron-worked beds and what is more: little balconies in the third floor rooms.
The main reason why this hotel is so appealing is its location, near the place called The Templete, where the first mass and the first town-council were made. All this is closely related to the foundation of what was in those days the village of San Cristóbal de La Habana. The hotel together with other places such as La Casa del Agua (“The Water House”), La Mina restaurant, and the residences of the Governor of the island and his second in charge during the colonial stage are the most relevant elements that are directly linked to the history of Havana. The residence of the Governor is nowadays a museum visited for lots of people during the year. The residence of the second in charge is today the Cuban Book Institute and where every Saturday, the books club throws a rock with the participation of writers and singers.
The ambiance of the hotel and its surroundings revive the spitting image of the society of the colonial time to which can be added the intense cultural activities present in the zone. As well as other hotels such as Sevilla, Plaza and Inglaterra, Santa Isabel has references of famous visitors that have stayed there. Pedro Almodovar, the Spanish film maker referred to his visit to the hotel as having family life and the real state and the environment remind him his country. Other praises were said by Jack Nicholson and Bruce Willis.
Santa Isabel shows itself pompously as a gem of tourism. If you want to be in an urban zone during your holiday and enjoy at the same time of the familiar life that you normally carry out, Santa Isabel Hotel welcomes you. If you come to Havana and already have a room, it does not matter. We can assure you that with only one visit you will be in love and you will want to come back..
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