Hotel Nacional de Cuba

From the street the hotel looks handsome and historic, and you can have a mojito or coffee at the bars. Beyond that, the stay was awful. The upstairs floors smelled disgusting, apparently unchanged since 1930, and the breakfast felt like eating trash. Rooms are very old, with no internet, and the toilets were dirty and smelly. They also take only euros or dollars, not pesos, yet give you pesos when you pay, with everything priced at either 10 euros or 10 dollars. It seems nothing has been renovated, and since the government owns the hotel, I doubt that will change. Staff only seemed willing to help when tipped. If you want to enjoy Cuba, stay elsewhere. Iberostar next door is one option.

The room was spacious and its interior was dated but decent, though at close to European prices I expected better cleanliness. We had to ask for fresh sheets because the ones on the beds had brown stains from previous guests. The room had clearly not been vacuumed either. Staff fixed it as soon as we reported it and made excuses, but this is such a basic thing to miss. I have included a photo of the dust. There’s plenty to like here: classic bars, a cigar shop, pool, spa, a lovely terrace and a beautiful historic building. Still, the show and other details feel dated, and staff were sometimes around but seemed to ignore us. We enjoyed the place overall, but a private hotel might offer a better standard. The state-run setting seems to bring the same problems as other state establishments in Cuba.

The place has a real sense of history, with lovely views and a calm, relaxing feel. Our room was comfortable, and the staff made us feel welcome. It was a memorable stay.

Good afternoon, and welcome to Hotel Nacional. We’re glad to have you here. Our team hopes to make your visit comfortable, restful and memorable, whether you’re traveling for work or leisure. Please contact reception whenever you need help, recommendations or special arrangements. We hope you feel at home and enjoy your time at Hotel Nacional.