over night stay

[Young and Restless]

Anyone ever stayed in a hotel while ship is there overnight?

Looks like their are some great art deco hotels with great prices.

 

[princeton123211]

As someone who has stayed in a few Cuban hotels while not on a cruise I can tell you that we looked at the cruise ships longingly. Hotel rooms in Havana for tourists are extremely expensive (we paid upwards of $500 usd a night on our first trip there at the Hotel Nacional) and the room was, frankly, a dump. Not to mention that you have to keep your mouth closed while taking a shower and brush your teeth with bottled water. 

 

There are some newer renovated ones like the Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski, which is their first truly luxury hotel since before the revolution. I havent stayed there but it looked to be up to the normal standards. I wouldnt bother getting a room though-- except for this one hotel I can personally guarantee you that the ship, no matter what ship it is, is way nicer than what you would pay extra for ashore. 

 

But by all means-- go have some rum at the Nacional, Habana Libre (amazingly preserved vintage Trader Vics in the basement called El Polinesio), etc. Check out the amazingly preserved 1920s and mid century modern hotels. You have full run of them in terms of walking around, getting a meal, or having a drink. 

[Young and Restless]

Thanks so much

This will be our second cruise to Cuba and wanted to experience more of the local life. 

I found hotel Raquel which is very near the port.

Think I will book it , and just go see. The description and the pictures look great but you never know. 

 

Thanks again

Keith Fortenberry

 

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Hotel Description

Boasting an atrium with an impressive stained-glass ceiling, Raquel offers heritage accommodations in the heart of Old Havana. This historic property is just four minutes’ walk from San Francisco de Asís Basilica. The elegant rooms are decorated with original Cuban artwork and wrought iron furnishings. Modern amenities include flat-screen TV,s air conditioning, safes, and minibars. Suites add a terrace or balcony. The hotel features several ornate public spaces, including a rooftop terrace offering picturesque views of the city. Guests can utilise the on-site fitness centre, while a 24-hour reception, tour desk, and luggage storage facilities are also available. The hotel offers on-site parking, too. Jardín del Edén, the hotel restaurant, specialises in traditional Jewish cuisine. Guests can also enjoy a drink in the relaxed lobby bar, Lejaim. Raquel is about two minutes’ walk from Plaza Vieja, with its columned arcades, historic buildings, and museums. Meanwhile, Havana Cathedral is less than ten minutes away on foot.

 

 

[princeton123211]

Do what you need to do but you have been warned. Ive been to that hotel (have not stayed in it but have had friends that have). Its very pretty in the public spaces-- actually stunning Art Nouveau interiors of a former bank-- but the rooms are below the standards of a very run down Motel 6. You can experience the best of what it has to offer in its public spaces without actually staying there. If you like to rough it then by all means-- just trying to save you some $$ and anguish. 

 

Also keep in mind that Hotel Raquel is also part of Gaviota which is a government owned entity and is expressly noted on the State Department website as off limits to US travelers to spend money there. No one is going to police you on that but worth pointing out as there are other hotels that are not on that list in town. 

[Young and Restless]

Thanks for that info.

Can I go to the State Dept website to find a list of the hotels that are not recommended (allowed).

We also would like to attend a baseball game there. But having trouble finding where and when the games are played.

Oct 1-2.

What else would you recommend that we see while there. We did most of the tourist stuff last trip.

 

Thanks so much

Keith

[Galveston Cruiser]

Iberostar Parque Central is magnificent.  Completely refurbished.

Friends from home stayed there a few months ago and we have gone to cigar store above the lobby.