Marti

The main problem for us was the noise. The public rooftop disco kept things loud until 1 a.m., and with open ventilation shafts instead of proper windows, all that sound came straight into the room. The corridors were crowded and noisy too. The stairwell was very narrow, so a porter or elevator would have helped. The hotel is small and centrally located, and our room was clean and neat, though quite cramped. The bathroom was fine. Reception wasn't very attentive, we had to go up and ask for service rather than expect someone to respond at the counter. At the restaurant, we had to repeat our orders several times before everything came. The food was ordinary Cuban cooking, mostly meat, with small but filling portions. We've seen the same on other stops around the island. Changing money was limited to US dollars into CUC, though there was a bank with an ATM about 100 meters away. For a quick stay it might do, but the value for money felt pretty poor.

If being right in the city center is your priority, this is where the Islazul hotels are. It's a state-run chain, and in my view the weakest in Cuba, rarely even reaching two stars. The service is poor and both the selection and quality are awful. These hotels may not be the best, but they seem to be the only option in town. For a comfortable stay with good service and fewer hassles, I'd choose a rental house. Islazul is the worst hotel chain in Cuba.

My wife and I had a terrible stay at Hotel Marti in Guantanamo province. The lack of courtesy and professionalism, along with the poor customer service, made it the worst hotel we've ever stayed in. Worse still, outsiders came into the hotel asking guests for money and bothering them. That was unacceptable. I hope this feedback is taken constructively and leads to better service. These problems need to be addressed. Hotels are a cultural reflection of Cuba to the rest of the world, so please let's raise the standard and put an end to this mediocrity.

The drinks were the worst part. We were charged far too much, and after seeing other tourists get the same treatment, it seemed like a scam rather than a mistake. Those weren't regular hotel prices, and it was completely unacceptable. There was also noise from the street, plus a square and shop next door where people stayed loud all night. For two people, we only got two small towels.