Playa Larga
On a small scimitar of white-sand beach by the road, just east of the village of Caletón, this hotel has huge rooms in detached bungalows with bathroom,…
Must-see hotels in Cuba
Havana
Attached to the Palacio de las Convenciones, the Palco is a business hotel normally block-booked by visitors in town to attend a conference/symposium…
Holguín
The nearest conventional hotel to the city center is a dose of Soviet-inspired '70s nostalgia. Its dour reputation is partially offset by edgy art by…
Valle de Viñales
Trapped between the sheer-sided jaws of two mogotes (limestone monoliths), and in view of the Mural de la Prehistoria, is one of Cubamar’s best…
Guantánamo Province
Overlooking Parque Martí, this somewhat refurbished colonial retains some elegance, with not terribly quiet rooms featuring quaint Juliet balconies. Check…
Santa Clara
It might be Santa Clara's tallest building, but the rooms and facilities aren't so highly regarded. Notwithstanding, the hotel has a history. Bullet holes…
Playa Larga
Located smack in the middle of the village of Caletón is this humongous place with 14 rooms, all with private bathrooms. There's a dining area (serving…
Pinar del Río Province
La Bajada is a one-street village facing the surf where practically all of the dozen or so houses rent out rooms. This one is easy to find (it's blue and…
Granma Province
Here's a surprise, and a far-from-unpleasant one. Nestled in Niquero's center, this low-key, out-on-a-limb hotel situated opposite the local sugar factory…
Baracoa
On the bay where Columbus allegedly planted his first cross is this peaceful, well-integrated low-rise hotel. Situated 4km from the town center and 200m…
Varadero
One wonders if this former personal residence of dictator Fulgencio Batista would still appeal to his opulent taste. The first of what could be termed the…
Varadero
Settling for a could-do-better 'C' grade, Be Live looks suspiciously like the airport you just left to come here (right down to the observation tower),…
Havana
Havana's only all-inclusive option outside Playas del Este is splayed between two harbor channels in Marina Hemingway. Its potential is huge, but – rather…
Havana
Imagine staying at London's Abbey Road recording studios. Well, this is the Cuban equivalent. The EGREM studios – working space for Cuba's top musical…
Hostal Las Terrazas Casa Nilson
Baracoa
With elaborate woodwork, imagery and symbolism of Santería and Baracoan culture, this super-clean house has three quirky rooms over several floors. Ideal…
Santiago de Cuba
Opened in 2016, this remake of a classic downtown hotel falls slightly short. The 42 rooms are generally large, and there's a pleasant roof terrace and…
Habana del Este
Despite numerous renovations, rebrandings and paint jobs, the architecturally unlovely Marazul can't escape its grim shell, strive as it may to resemble a…
Ciego de Ávila Province
Where have all the tourists gone? Cayo Coco probably, leaving this Islazul staple the domain of Cuban sports teams and workers on government-sponsored…
Havana
It's marketed as a boutique hotel, but this château ain't no Loire Valley retreat. Built in an era when Cuba's architects seem to have been on hiatus, it…
Playa Girón
On a beach imbued with historical significance lies this pretty mediocre hotel. The preserve of divers and holidaying Cubans these days, the villa has…
Santiago de Cuba
A 10-minute walk from the center in the Los Hoyos neighborhood, cheerful Casa Yoyi is modern and tranquil. There are large 1st-floor rooms and an…
Camagüey
This central mainstay has been outshone by newer offerings. The classic mahogany bar, tile walls and a stained-glass portrait of Christopher Columbus over…
Complejo Atlántico – Las Terrazas
Habana del Este
An amalgamation of a beach hotel and an old aparthotel, this place offers 60 or so apartments (with kitchenettes) along with the fair-to-middling…
Santiago de Cuba Province
Partly renovated, this longtime hotel has attractive architecture and a large terrace with pool right on the cliffs but no direct beach access. There is…
Varadero
Not fussy? Then head for this all-inclusive at the west end of the peninsula, whose architecture is a little Russian and where the ambience is more Cuban…
Camagüey
A gleaming option that's a bit of a walk from the center, perhaps best for those with a rental car. Eva knows tourism and provides three very clean and…
Santiago de Cuba
If you can't bear the motorcycle madness of the city center, escape to the residential quarter of Vista Alegre and this spacious, high-ceiling casa with…
Granma Province
A Category 3 campismo with 28 duplex cabins standing on 500m of murky beach, 5km southwest of Belic, just outside the park. All cabins have air-con and…
Varadero
The sedate four-room Villa Sunset comes with a large well-appointed sitting room and front porch and the absence of on-site owners (not uncommon in…
Havana
Slightly better than some of its tired Playa competitors thanks to a recent refurbishment, the Copacabana nonetheless retains an inherent dankness,…
Sancti Spíritus
Don't be surprised if you're invited for a coffee before you even state your business. At this friendly family home, there are two spacious rooms and some…
Camagüey Province
Bargain hunters can thank Changó for the Tararaco, the strip's oldest hotel (it actually predates the revolution). Every room has a TV and a little patio,…
Granma Province
Rustic heaven! Across the river from the park entrance in Santo Domingo (cross on the stepping stones), this place has four perfectly decent rooms (two in…
Holguín Province
Slightly apart from the other resorts on its own clean scoop of beach (known as Playa Yuraguanal), Memories writes the word 'privacy' into its four stars…
Camagüey
Angelito jokes that he's the cozier, cheaper alternative to the Gran Hotel in front. Climb the stairs to this 2nd-floor accommodation with small, modest…
Havana
In western Playa, the Kohly tries hard to impress, with an array of handy extras including swimming pool, gym, on-site pizzeria and Havana's only bowling…
Viñales
If you just want a simple, decent house replete with traditional Viñales hospitality away from the main street bustle, this bright-orange bungalow will…
Las Tunas
A Cuban-oriented place located in bamboo woods near the site of El Cucalambé's old farm. The Jornada Cucalambeana country-music festival takes place here…
Camagüey
A home with lovely multigenerational hosts. Two rooms open onto a grand colonial courtyard bedecked with plants. There's a roof terrace, and the host,…
Santiago de Cuba Province
Three slightly disheveled rooms are outshone by the terrace with rockers and giant sea views. The swimming pool may or may not be operating. With busy…
