We had a wonderful time in Cuba and hope to go back. We will definately spend MORE time in Havana rather than the 3 days we did last time and tour the real Cuba. Varadero was nice and relaxing, but not the real Cuba.

Cuba ia absolutely amazing. we went in 2001 and it was the most fantastic experience we have ever had. The nacional was a great retreat but it was expensive - and the endless tipping was tire some - lm perfectly capable of carrying a bag 10 metres without paying someone to do it for me. We went to a bar, where there were no other foreigners, and they could not have made us feel more welcome. An incredibly hospitable nation - they may not have the same as us in possesions, but they seem to have a lot more in the form of community & happiness. We will return in a few years time to see how tourism changes the face of Havana, and Cuba, l just hope we wont be too dissapointed.

My expectations from the descriptions I had read were probably too much. This really is not a 5 star hotel as the seasoned traveller would come to expect. A 5 star hotel would not charge you $5 to use a pool towel. A 5 star hotel would not charge you $5 for a flimsy one page map of the town. A five star hotel doesn't generally charge you $5 to use their (slow) internet facility when you're paying an extra $80 a night to stay on their executive floor. A 5 star hotel doesn't charge you extra if you want a cappachino for breakfast. Quite simply, this is a very faded hotel that feels like an airport hotel, ie. very busy and not relaxing in the least. However, it may prove to be the "best of a bad bunch" insofar that I also checked out the Santa Isabel (Lonely Planet suggested this is the best) but would confirm that there is no swimming pool at this hotel which was important to me. If it's not important to you then I strongly advise Santa Isabel, small and elegant.

Havana is amazing - it stretches on forever and the traffic and people buzz as in any metropolitan city. In old Havana there aren't even any traffic lights, no matter how busy or wide the intersection so be on your toes!

Yes, there is absolutel poverty - but all I could see when I drove along the Malecon (I think that is the name of the main road along the ocean, fronting on the downtown) was potential and the beauty taht city must once have been. The spanish-style architecture is awesome, although most builsings are starting to crumble. I just couldn't get over the miles and miles of fabulous architecture - especially when, all of a sudden, you'd pass one which had been saved! Refurbished and glorious, brightly coloured and out of another era.

Some reviewers claim shock at the poverty and the state of the infrastructure. I can see how it would be shocking if you weren't prepared. It was, however, exactly how I'd imagined it, and that was part of the reason I'd wanted to go. If I wanted to feel like I was in North America or a resort vacation, I would have gone to... well you get the picture.

Anyway the Nacional WAS just like out of a movie. I pictured gangsters or old Hollywood types rather than Agatha Christie characters on the magnificent veranda bar, however. I also saw the Beuna Vista Social club while I was there. I just sat staring at the lawns, the ocean, the furnishings and decor and it was inspiring. The rooms were fine - no frills, nothing GRAND, but fine - charming. The whole place was charming.

I'd go back there again, but I wouldn't eat those weird pink hamburgers you can get at the cafeteria on the corner. What WERE those?????
Whatever they were, they didn't kill me!