We stayed at the Nacional after sampling the delights of the beach resort Rio d'Oro Paradisus. Considering some of the reviews here we were pleasantly surprised when we first arrived at the Nacional. It is very grand, and does take you back in time. HOWEVER, as we were not keen on Havana as a city, we were slightly intimidated by it, we decided to eat in the hotels Lovely restaurant. The food was fantastic...until the next day when our stomachs thought better of it. We also found that all the staff are very expectant of receiving a tip. Our maid was very shifty, despite the lovely note she wrote us, and we believe several items were taken from our cases. Only minor items such as make up & perfume, but still we felt our personal space had been invaded.

Overall a nice hotel to visit, but not necessarily to stay in!

I have just arrived home after a trip to Cuba with my daughter. We began our trip at the Paradisus Rio de Oro FANTASTIC!!!!!! I would recommend it to anyone. But beware of light fingered maids at the Nacional! I arrived home today and unpacked to find gifts that were packed in my case on Friday morning (we checked out Friday @ 3pm) were no longer there! I didn't think them valuable so I didn't lock them in the safe! Well to be honest we did not think that staff would riffle through our cases at any opportunity as these things were with us at the Paradisus Rio de Oro and their staff did not take the opportunity to go through our bags.

The loss of the objects is not the most distressing thought, moreover; it is the thought that our personal sphere has been violated by trusted employees. We gave a large tip to the maid and she (or whoever had access to our room) found it necessary to steal from us. SO PLEASE BEWARE!

We stayed for three nights at the nacional as part of our twin centre Cuba holiday. When we first arrived we were a bit apprehensive, but by the time we left we loved the place. True the hotel is a bit rough around the edges but the charm of the place soon wins you over. Having a Drink in one of the hotel bars, you could just be transformed back to the 1930's I doubt the hotel has changed much since then.
Not many hotels you stay in would have guided tours around them for non guests!
If you stay In havana,you have to Stay at the Nacional, its an unforgattable experience!

The Hotel Nacional fufilled all our expectations and surpassed them. The staff were helpful. the bedrooms were spotlessley clean and the terrace bar is the most relaxing place to sit, enjoy the wonderful view and have a cocktail. We would not hesitate to return.