Yes the prices on the property are high and sometimes the air-conditioning leaves something to be desired, the staff expect tips and other complaints I read in some reviews. But make no mistake about the Nacional; it is the historic destination of choice, business deals are made and you may not know it but a percentage of those in the building are a whose who of the performing artist in Cuba. The rooms on the inside facing the courtyard are by far the best and the 4th and 7th floor have the best Air Conditioning. This hotel is the pride of the people and I attribute its somewhat failing infrastructures to the U.S. embargo. Most every hotel in Havana suffers from this malady. Say what you may but there is only one hotel in Havana - The Hotel Nacional!
JA Ensminger

We were really looking forward to staying here, however we were a little disappointed. After reading some of the other reviews I feel fortunate we were given a room on the 7th floor when we checked in. The room was comfortable and the shower was fine, with sufficient running water. You have to pay for the safe in the room on a nightly basis and the minibar is expensive. The view though was great from our room and if you're an early riser, it's worth checking out the sunrise.
Our air-conditioning unit was also faulty and it took several calls to reception to summons a repair man, but the problem was eventually rectified. Also don't bother eating in the cinema restaurant, it's terrible and the service was poor. Don't feel pressured into tipping if the service is bad!
However the Nacional does have some good points. The lobby is lovely, very atmospheric and we enjoyed sitting outside on the terrace, enjoying a mojito and soaking up the ambience of the hotel and imagining it in it's heyday.
Havana itself is very interesting, if you get the opportunity to do a city tour then it's probably the best way to see the city.
If we were to return to Cuba, then I'm not sure we would stay at the Nacional again. We would probably opt for a hotel nearer the old town.

I only stayed in this hotel for one night on arrival, but I am really glad I did. It is a beautiful hotel steeped in history and has great views over the Malecon and a fabulous garden terrace which is well worth visiting even if you decide not to stay here. Having done a personal survey of many mojitos in Havana, I can also confirm that this was the best (although also the most expensive at $4 each).

I found the service in the hotel a lot quicker and friendlier than the standards throughout the rest of Cuba but for those who demand flawless service, perhaps Cuba is not the place for you. The rooms are not particularly modern but that is precisley the nature of this hotel. There are more modern, shiny hotels elsewhere in the city if this is what you prefer.

Location is great for the Malecon but I moved to the old town for the following two nights (staying with a family in a casa paticulares) which was a much better location for sight-seeing. (Hotel Inglaterra and Telegraffo are good for location although I didn't go inside).

Under the gardens there is also caves and a tunnel system with a large cannon at the end, used in the Spanish-American-Cuban war. The gardens are a nice retreat from the hectic city streets.

The hotel was everything I expected and more (my a/c worked a treat - no nasty damp smells in my room) and Cuba is a fascinating place that I only managed to scratch the surface of, I can't wait to go back.

I am not a moany old git but here are the facts.
The foyer is fantastic with old style gated lifts which give the building a great nostalgic feel.
However you don't of course sleep in the foyer.
We were brought by the bellboy(tip expected of course)to a damp smelling floor and room on the 5th floor.The room was pokey and smelled worse.
We didn't unpack and returned to reception who in fairness gave us a much better room on the 7th floor.
Try and insist on a room with a view of the Malecon (Sea).
The main problem which is also what others found in our group is that the air conditioning was faulty.You think's it's because you don't know how to operate it since it only works with the hotel key card inserted.My unit kept dripping throughout the night on to the floor.This is why there's a damp smell on the floors we visited since clearly the build up of water creates a musty smell.They definitely need to upgrade the system.However the chambermaid couldn't work it either so you can imagine how hot and stuffy it becomes.
The shower unit was crap and the hot water was sporadic.
Another member of our group called out someone in the night and had to wait over 3 hours.
The other gripe is why rip us off by charging $2.50 for a small bottle of water when in the shops a large bottle would cost 50c.So don't buy any water in the Hotel bring a full bottle and plonk it in the mini bar.
They're paranoid about the mini bar which we didn't use but they maide sure their maid waited for us untilwe departed at 5.50 pm inspected the same.It's about $50 more to stay on till 6.00pm if you have an evening flight.
Use the bank on the first floor which gives a good rate but if you change back to Sterling before you depart they will only pay dollars which I found confusing since I thought dollars were banned.Does Fidel know and approve!
This meant I would incur a double currency charge in order to change the dollars to Sterling in the UK.
Don't walk too far you'll end up sweating etc.Best part of Havana is the Old Town so get a taxi there everyday which unlike the hotel is near to the main sites.