Habana Riviera by Iberostar Cuba

We visited in September 2019, hoping to spend time at the Lobby Bar and enjoy the sea view, so we were really disappointed. The lobby AC didn't work, and staying there for more than 5 minutes was impossible. We went to a neighboring hotel for drinks instead. The AC in our rooms wasn't good either, and we had to move from one room to another before finding one cool enough to sleep comfortably. Scaffolding surrounded the hotel. Management said it was under maintenance, but it seemed more like a reconstruction, since it had been that way for almost 3 years. The Cuban staff were the one bright spot, extremely friendly and always willing to help. The photos on the website are very old. It's a real pity to see such a majestic hotel in these conditions.

The rooms looked nice, but the carpet and bedsheets felt damp all the time. The AC seemed so old and dirty that we left it off, and the pool water was salty and dirty too. Most of the lifts were out of order, so we had to use the ones meant for employees. That's a lot of flaws for a hotel of this rank.

The staff were so helpful and friendly, especially the waitresses and bartenders, who made our night. We loved the incredible view, with the city on one side and the beach on the other. The hotel is right in front of the Habana Malecón, so you just cross the street to reach the beach and see the sunset. They even arranged a city tour for us. The location is amazing, and the mojitos are bomb! We'd definitely come back.

The staff were warm and did the best they could with what they had. This place has a unique history and feels like going back in time, though its price and history make it feel removed from Cuban people. You can sense that difference on the ride there, wherever you're coming from. I loved the filet mignon the first time, but it wasn't as good the second time. The TV channels I watched were better than what I get at home.