We stayed here in December 05 for three nights, before moving on to Varadero and the Trypp (also great, we've posted a review there too). I have to admit straight away that this wasn't really our first choice hotel, we had read some reviews and were a little put off, and also wanted to stay in the Old Town at somewhere like the Parque Centrale. However, we travelled with two young children and this was the only place that would take us. I have to say though, that we struck lucky, and would stay there again, no question.

Firstly, the hotel is impressively grand, in a way that made us feel honoured to be able to stay there. We've never stayed anywhere so big or so unique. We love Havana, its a beautiful, vibrant, and friendly place that is a bit faded around the edges. This hotel is the same, yes the rooms are a bit plain but who cares. They gave us a massive room, it was a little tatty but clean and comfortable. Our maid was brilliant, she loved our children, and because my wife speaks Spanish, she would always go out of her way to speak to us. She was very helpful and full of good advice. The exterior, the lobby and the garden areas are what really make this hotel great though, not the rooms (after all you just sleep there). The positioning of the hotel, sitting on a rocky outcrop near the Malecon and the sea, is amazing. You just can't help glancing up at it, when in the garden, and when you approach it your eyes are drawn to it.

We found check in was professional and friendly, the porters assisted us with our bags, they too were professional and friendly. We have read some reviews saying staff here were rude and unfriendly, well thats not what we found. Sure, there are some more open than others, but that sums up all people everywhere. All of them, without question, did their jobs well and properly, and many had time for a little chat or a few words. It must be hard for them to stay polite like that all day - and they do work ALL DAY (the restaurant staff are there from breakfast until dinner every other day) - but they manage it.

We were on room only basis so had to pay for our meals. For breakfast we found the buffet was great, if a little eclectic compared to a travel inn. The choice was huge, ranging from cereal and pastries through to some pretty wierd looking Pasta dishes - but I'm from Britain so what do I know about food. Anyway, it met our needs and was reasonable value, especially as we found out by accident that if you look a bit doubtful about going in and start to wander off as we did once (actually just to catch our escaping children) that they will give it to you for a few CUCs less. We didn't have to pay for the kids (aged 2 and 4) which was a bonus, as they virtually eat nothing anyway but in the UK you still have to pay for them. In fact we found that the kids never had to pay for anything, they were free in all the restaurants, and on all the trips we went on. I'm going off the point a bit, but Cuba truly is a great place to go with children. Cubans love children, and will go out of there way to look after them. Even some macho looking waiters will stop and talk to you, pick them up, and take them off to show there mates by the bar or in the kitchen. That would never happen in the UK, and our daughter epecially loved all the attention. We never ever felt threatened in Cuba, and we wandered through some back streets taking photos and just strolling around.

We ate in the garden restaurant a couple of times as well, they do Cuban food rather than 'international' which features everywhere else. Black beans, rice and pork or chicken, very nice. We didn't really try anywhere else in Havana except cafes for lunch, because we couldn't really stay out late.

We tried the ice cream at the famous ice cream parlour in Havana not far from the hotel. I forget what its called now, but really, don't bother. It's OK, but expensive for pretty average ice cream, although seeing the huge queues of Cubans to get in to the local currency paying part was strange for a 'Westerner' (tourists use the CUC area, as there are two different currencies in Cuba - there is no queue.

As to the location, the hotel is a little further out than some others but that just gives you an excuse to ride around in some old American cars. We took taxis averywhere and the old ones are the same price as the newer Mercedes and Volvos, and a little bit more impressive, especially the bright pink convertible we took one day.

Finally, the hotel has great outdoors areas. The pool was fine, if a little chilly, but the best area was near the garden terrace bar, with lovely comfy sofas and a good atmosphere. The garden is expansive, and makes for a pleasant evening walk, and there are the remnants of the air raid bunkers and big guns from the 1962 missile crisis (are my dates right?). We took the free historical tour provided by the hotel which was quite interesting for us but our children got fed up - its a bit too long.

We'd also read about some suspected theft of money from safes. I'm not doubting that that may have happened, we were worried about this but it didn't happen to us. My advice anyway would be to take travellers cheques, as I would on any holiday. They are more costly to change in Cuba than currency, but I feel safer with them. You can get them replaced. In general, just to reaffirm this, we felt very safe in Cuba, especially in Havana where people are friendly and helpful, and there are loads of police everywhere.

In conclusion, we would recommend this hotel without question. Its got style and character, and its probably the most memorable place we have ever stayed at. We also stayed at the Trypp in Varadero which although great is just like any hotel in any resort in any country. The Nacional was truly unique, and absolutely fantastic. Bear in mind that if this place was tarted up and made in to proper 5 star status that it claims to be, you probably wouldn't be able to afford to stay there. As it is, its was a 5 star experience for us, and made our stay in Havana. The city itself is also wonderful and very engaging, we were a little worried about how it would be there with two very young children, but we all had a brilliant time and I would recommend anyone to go there to get a real feel of Cuba.