I stayed at the Nacional as part of a two centre holiday with a beach resort, we had the choice of staying at a few in the city but chose this one based upon its monumental status, character and 5 star rating. I was quite overawed buy the forecourt, ornate reception area and porters in there crisp white tunics but departed feeling resentful three days later. To start with every member of staff I came into contact with was both miserable and downright rude, most also want tipping for doing very little. The room small and below average, comprising of crumbling paintwork, mould and a leak from the ceiling just above the toilet. The crowning moment each day was the breakfast which bore more resembled to a battleground - Here we found there were too few staff, tables, cutlery, food and coffee and too many guests - aggression took over and depression set in. In summary I think the Nacional should be rated a 2 star plus at best and could learn a lot from travel lodges throughout the world.

We stayed at the Nacional for 4 nights, and what an experience. It is located about 40 minutes walk from old Havana, so you escape the bustle and noise. It is right on the seafront, and is as impressive on the outside as on the inside.
We were honeymooning, and as such were upgraded to Ava Gardner's suite on the 2nd floor. The room was still filled with relics of her and Sinatra, and we loved the 50s atmosphere.
As my wife is vegetarian, Cuba admittedly has few options for her. But, we ate each night at the hotel, and the food was excellent for vegetarians and meat-eaters alike, and very reasonably priced.
One hidden gem - the hotel offers tours every morning at 10am, which are given by a retired history professor who speaks great English. The tour takes you through a series of tunnels that were excavated through the back of the hotel into the waterfront that were designed prior to the Cuban Missile Crisis. The guide hereslef was in the military and worked in them. Getting the Cuban perspective of this is amazing, and a real reality check.
One note: several people from the US and UK have slammed the Nacional in a number of reviews. People traveling to this hotel should not be put off. It is a world-class establishment, and my wife, who works for one of the premier chains, will attest to this.
Viva Cuba, and viva the Nacional!!

At first glance you think Wow !, but then having arrived at reception took nearly an hour to book in, only one receptionist on duty.
The room was ok, but needed refurbishment, thread bare carpet, loose light fittings etc.
My wife dropped an earing, on looking under the bed for it, found almost an inch of dust.
The staff were generally surly and unhelpful.
Breakfast was a farce, milk at one end of the dining room, cereals the other, same for bread & butter. The two toasters only toasted on one side, which ment you had to put the bread through twice and sometimes a third go.
We dined at the Hotel Savella one evening and thought it would have been a better bet.

At first glance an impressive place, but to get food poisoning within 36 hours means there must be underlying problems. Almost all the couples we spoke to had experienced gastric troubles varying from mild tummy upsets to being placed on a drip.

The room was comfortable, when it was at last ready, but a route march from the lift. Room service was slow the once we tried it.

Breakfast was a mixed up affair, why not have the milk next to the breakfast cereals, and the bacon next to the guy cooking the eggs?

For what it cost I did not feel we had value for money.