Like other people have mentioned the gardens are nice, the vestibule is nice, breakfast is fine. Rooms are fairly spacious.
Cokctails are lovely. The swimming pool is alright.

Service was patchy. Where people have an incentive to get tips, it tends to be good, where there are no tips to be had, it can be lousy. All barmen are really good are preparing cocktails. By British Standards cocktails are cheap, about two pounds for a Cuban cocktail.

Rooms: Most days one type of towel was missing from the room after cleaning. There should have been two of everything but whatever reason they run out of them. Although they do provide shampoo, dental gel, shower gel and body lotion; it took about a week before they started to put two of everything. This was after complaining that windows haven't been cleaned for week. There was no trouser press in the room. It did have a safe though.

Hallways have a damp smell, I guess is becuase the hotel was built at a time when ventilation wasn't brilliant.

Television reception: On three occasions we lost the tv reception.

Bathroom: water pressure was good and the toilet flush was really powerful.

Checking in and out: checking in is a slow process and so is checking out. Look out for errors on the hotel bill, staff can add things one hasn't taken from the minibar.

Gym: hotel guests have to pay for the gym. It costs 5 CUC (cuban convertible peso). It is about 2.50 sterling.

Changing money: Keep an eye on the change you get. Hotel staff can take off 20 cents of your money, hoping that one wouldn't notice it. I didn't say anything even though I noticed it, it is probably how the young woman behind the counter makes her leaving by stealing a little bit from all customers. One can get a better rate in banks and banks certainly give one the exact amount of money.

The hairdresser is good: it only costs 10 CUC (about 5 sterling) for a hair cut, blow and dry. Customer care is good.

I visited Havana for five nights in early January with a friend. While I enjoyed my stay in the city, I give very little credit to the Nacional, which felt like a deteriorating jewel.

The good: beautiful architecture, sense of history, wonderful gardens and courtyards, great breakfast buffet, large bathroom with strong water pressure, cabs always waiting at the front door.

The bad: musty/moldy hallways, old and shoddy furnishings, stained carpets and ceilings (from water damage), often inattentive service (really depends -- some staff outgoing and friendly, while others the exact opposite), uninspired hotel food.

In general, I would recommend the Nacional for late afternoon/early evening cocktails in the courtyard/gardens that overlook the Caribbean. They often play live music, and it's a wonderful place to unwind after a day of site seeing or to catch a before-dinner cocktail.

I would not recommend the Nacional for people accustomed to the amenities and comforts of four and five star western hotels. If you're accustomed to the Grand Hyatt, Four Seasons or Sofitel, the accommodations at the Nacional will leave you wanting. For instance: the bed was saggy and creaky; the air conditioner in my room did not work for three days; there was not clock in the room.

Of course, keep in mind that most Havana hotels do not meet western standards, but if these standards mean much to you, I recommend the NH Parque Central or the Melia Cohiba.

During a recent trip to Havana, I stayed in the three so-called five star hotels in Havana (NH, Saratoga and Nacional). Having read really bad reviews, I was a little cautious about my stay at the Nacional. I got a really good deal for high season dates. Out of the 3 hotels before mentioned, probably the best cost-benefit ratio. Room was nice (size was the best part), bathroom was OK and breakfast was decent.
We got a standard room on the Executive Floor (which meant breakfast and reception on the respective floor).
It is not a good idea to depend on the general reception (ground floor): indiferent and unwilling staff.
Although it is not close to Havana Vieja its location is still interesting (facing the Malecon), it has great infrastructure and beautiful pool - and it is quite easy (and cheap) to get a cab to Old Havana, spend some hours there and go back to the hotel.
There is always a hoard of tourists in the lobby - but that only happens because of its wonderful architecture.

We've just come back from seven nights in Hotel Nacional de Cuba, we had a fantstic stay. We being husband and wife (late 40's) and our three children 21,18,16. Our rooms were huge, overlooking the Malecon ( 8km promenade).The hotel is colonial style, it has been maintained but not upgraded for many years. It was very comfortable and you felt you were experiencing Cuban culture by staying there.We had a great holiday, we took a city tour, a social tour, private salsa lessons, we swam with dolphins, snorkled in cristal clear turquoise waters, we visited the Art museum, the Revolutionary museum. Listened to the 9 o'clock cannon roar while drinking cocktails. We drank mojito's in Hemmingways favorite watering holes. Most importantly we all felt safe. It was a great holiday, a great cultural experience and great fun. The people are very friendly, but have patience remember you are on holiday and there is no rush.