We ( two adults and one son age 14) stayed there one night and we wanted to stay longer but we could not because the hotel was fully booked. We loved it. We got a nice room in the 3rd floor but after a problem in the bathroom ( water allover) we got a new room without any argument in the 8th floor with great view, The breakfast was good and we had the best pina colada in the garden bar.
the staff we met was very nice and polite and the hotel was nice and clean. We got the best price on the hotel own web side.
3 amigos from Norway

My husband and I stayed here from Jan 28/08 for 4 nights as part of a 14 day Havana/Varadero package. We both loved the hotel, especially the grounds and the lovely veranda with bar (great espresso, daquiris and Carona!. While a little tired, our room was large and comfortable. The breakfast buffet was included in our package along with attendance for 2 to the Parisien Cabaret Show (which was excellent). We had dinner in the main dining room that was expensive ($75.00 with wine) and not that good, but the maitre'd made up for it all. Outside of the hotel and just down entrance way we went to the Monsigneur Restaurant and had a great meal for $35.00 including drinks, then ate 2 nights later at "Palador Nerei" which is only a few blocks away at Calle 19 & L - and had a fantastic meal for $35.00. We also splurged and ate at the top of the Hotel Libre at the Sierra Maestra which had a decent wine list, decent food and great views - spent $100.00. The hotel has a great location right on the Malecon and is close to Old Havana. It's also close to "La Zorra y El Cuervo" which is an awesome jazz night club and well worth the cover charge of $10.00. We hired a guide in advance based on trip advisor reviews thru the internet (---) for a full day in Old Havana. Our guide was Dania and she was very good and very knowledgeable with excellent English.We loved the hotel and the whole Havana experience - we could have used a couple of more days to see it all. PS - if you have time, check out the Colon Cemetary and be patient with the Cuban's - their idea of service is quite a bit lower than ours. They don't have phones in their own homes, so at work they take great advantage of the opportunity to talk to friends, relatives etc.

Stayed at the Nacional for three nights. You're immediately hit by the size and grandeur of the place when you arrive. It has a real sense of history which is almost worth staying there for alone. As for the accommodation, the rooms are large and well kept, the food fair, and the staff a little on the inattentive side. Despite not being located in the old town, the location is just fine giving you a nice chance to walk along Malecon into town. The hotel also hosts various shows including the excellent Buena Vista Social Club.

My sister and I (both single females; early 30's) were a bit worried about choosing to stay at the Hotel Nacional because it is not located in the heart of Old Havana so we thought we might be missing out, but we were not dissapointed at all. The rooms were well appointed (ask for the side facing the ocean), the staff was very helpful and overall a beautiful historic hotel with wonderful grounds for strolling around and a great outdoor patio overlooking the sea where one can sip a Cuba Libre in style as musicians play. The hotel has several restaurants so there is a good variety. I particularly enjoyed the outdoor restaurant for dinner and in the mornings the breakfast buffet has good offerings. The hotel property also has an underground cave with interesting history on the Cuba Missile Crisis; do visit! The pool area is also very nice and though we don't have kids the kids that were there seemed to be enjoying themselves as well. We enjoyed walking to Old Havana from the hotel along the picturesque boardwalk Malecon - a 30 - 40 minute leisurely stroll. MUST SEE venues like Casa de la Musica, La Zorro y el Cuervo, La Guarida, and El Canonazo de las Nueve are no more than a $5 cab ride away. Seeing the sights and visiting Old Havana was great, but it was nice to come home to Hotel Nacional. All in all Hotel Nacional was a perfect respite from the hustle and bustle of Old Havana. If you have refined tastes, enjoy classic elegance, and have an appreciation for Cuba's history while still wanting access to all Havana has offer, then this is the hotel for you. If you are looking for a party hotel, look elsewhere. TIP: a little bit of Spanish goes a long way, even if you are not fluent, the effort is appreciated. NOTE TO SINGLE WOMEN: we walked around alot in the city and never felt unsafe or harassed. Use your common sense of course but overall there is a good sense of security and the police have very visible presence.