Habana Vieja
Slap-bang in the historic core, Valencia is decked out like a Spanish posada (inn), with hanging vines, doorways big enough to ride a horse through and a…
Must-see hotels in Cuba
Villa Clara Province
The Sol was the first resort to grace this then virgin key in 2001 (it has since been joined by 15 more) and remains its lowest ranked by star-rating (3½…
Vedado
This art deco–influenced hotel on Av de los Presidentes wouldn't be out of place near Times Sq in New York. Built in 1928, the same year as the nearby…
Ciego de Ávila Province
There's comfort and independence in this lovely pale-blue house with three rooms (two of them apartments) with a couple of terraces and views across the…
Playa Ancón
Although a kitschy attempt to recreate Trinidad in a resort environment, Memories wins kudos for rejecting monolithic architecture in favor of low-rise…
Camagüey Province
Basic but well-located and newly renovated, this seafront cottage has two rooms right over the water. The savory smells wafting from the tiny kitchen…
Habana Vieja
A 12-room colonial-style hotel refashioned by the Office of the City Historian, this tasteful place overlays old chunky foundations with new minimalist…
Holguín Province
Attracting Canadians and trans-Atlantic snowbirds, this 437-room resort is a package-tour paradise stirring memories of 1970s British holiday camps…
Sancti Spíritus
A veritable Islazul gem accessible from the southbound lane of Carretera Central. Rancho Hatuey spreads 76 rooms in two-story cabins across expansive…
Cuba
Rancho Luna might not offer Varadero levels of comfort and a good refurb wouldn't go amiss, but it has a loyal following among budget-conscious travelers …
Viñales
Jean-Pierre's recently renovated house is a smart, spotless and central option. There are four rooms, one smaller in size (CUC$25) and a large upper room…
Havana
This private rental option opposite the Hotel Copacabana in a conspicuously modern lily-white house looks as though it's just been towed in from the…
Isla de la Juventud & Cayo Largo del Sur
This Spanish-style resort, flush on the beach 5km southeast of the airport, has 307 rooms in a series of three-story buildings and two-story duplex…
Trinidad
The attractive, shaded porch beckons from the cobbled street, and it only gets better from there: terra-cotta floors, white stucco walls, wood-beamed…
Holguín Province
Crafted for the millennial crowd, this cool refurbished home maintains its plank wooden floors with sparse furnishings and trompe I'oeil murals showing…
Cayo Coco
The big kahuna of Cuba resorts (1176 rooms), this five-star place, which opened in 2014, constitutes a small town with golf carts to get around, maps to…
Habana Vieja
This lovely mint-green colonial house stands out amid the superficial scruffiness of Calle Lamparilla. The bright tone continues inside with a wonderful…
Memories Flamenco Beach Resort
Cayo Coco
Opened in 2011 and equipped with 624 decent-sized rooms (still looking fairly shiny) in 10 gabled three-floor villas arranged around two pools (one with a…
Ciego de Ávila Province
Ostensibly scruffy, Morón is a town of many secrets and here's one of them – a beautiful yellow-and-white plantation house with a two-level wraparound…
Viñales
With six rooms split between two adjacent houses and a lovely lush communal back patio where you can contemplate the stars on your sillón (rocking chair),…
Varadero
Part of the Meliá group's cheaper 'Sol' brand, this 3½-star dates from 1990. While the architecture doesn't exactly take your breath away, the hotel has…
Matanzas
Gone are the days when hotel rooms in Matanzas were luxuries you had to be 50 years old to remember. Tying in with the city’s recent beautification, this…
Santiago de Cuba
Acquired by the Encanto chain, the lovely eight-room San Basilio (named for the original name of the street on which it lies) is cozy and refreshingly…
Villa Clara Province
The mint-green Barcelona instantly impresses with its stained glass, wooden lattice and noble arches. Its 34 rooms wrap around three floors of a glorious…
Artemisa & Mayabeque Provinces
Private homestay, ecofarm and diminutive restaurant, Las Piedras perfectly captures the spirit of Soroa. There are four bright independent rooms…
Camagüey
Camagüey's mothership of boutique Estancia hotels, the Santa María has elegant common areas depicting scenes of Camagüey and sculptures by Martha Jiménez…
Varadero
Concrete-block architecture and palm-fringed beaches make jarring bedfellows that are all too common in Varadero. But the Tuxpán is famous for other…
Trinidad
Steps from Parque Céspedes, this boutique hotel is part of the upscale Estancia chain, with prices to match. Guests enjoy flat-screen TVs and swan-shaped…
Isla de la Juventud
Four serviceable rooms split between two floors with TV, internet access, secure parking space, plentiful food and – possibly the highlight – a great…
Baracoa
You can't tell from the busy street outside, but this elegant green clapboard-and-stone house has lovely country style and a tranquil atmosphere. There…
Habana Vieja
The Santander, down by the harbor, has a tangible nautical feel. You almost expect some old Spanish sailor to come strolling into the thin mahogany bar…
Varadero
By the time you reach the end of the peninsula, all of the strung-out resorts appear to merge into one – this one. The Memories (not to be confused with…
Baracoa
Run by the friendly and no-nonsense Dr Ysabel Garrido, this casa has three rooms above the bustling family home. A top-floor seaview terrace has a shaded…
Artemisa & Mayabeque Provinces
Two well-lit, super-clean rooms and some professional touches, including several personalized maps of the province and the local walking trails, make a…
Baracoa
Recline like a colonial-era conquistador in this historic fort-turned-hotel in the hilltop Castillo de Seboruco. Choose your room well: there's some wear…
Vedado
A handsome neoclassical house located in a quiet street, the ‘Liz’ has four rooms of varying configurations. All have kettles, microwaves and stocked…
Matanzas Province
Don’t let the tatty street setting put you off here. Inside are two comfortable doubles and a plush apartment with private entrance, garage, salubrious…
Villa Clara Province
This monster-sized resort with 925 rooms (one of the biggest on the cayos) offers many things, although intimacy isn't one of them. It's more lush than…
Camagüey Province
Sleek remodeled rooms with comfortable beds and Caribbean colors give style points to this resort. The kids' program makes it the beach's family favorite,…
Santiago de Cuba Province
This 22-room lodge spreads over three blocks, nestled like hidden tree houses amid thick foliage. Invigorating extras include a sauna, hot tub, massage…
