I stayed here for our last night in Cuba with 3 male friends, having sailed around the Cays from Cienfuegos. On arrival we had lunch in the restaurant outside the building. The food was decidedly average and 1 member of the group didn't get his food at all. When questioned as to it's where abouts the staff said they didn't have it, by now everyone else was eating. (food is never served hot in Cuba.) Breakfast was the meanest we had at any of the hotels we stayed at and very prescriptive.
As per my review of the hotel Telegrafo the doorman was very keen to phone for prostitutes once I had gone to bed and then even started phoning the room of one of our party to see if he would like company. (At a charge ! ) It was by now approx 0100
The hotel has a great location and is an easy walk from most of the main museums, squares and places of interest. It is a beautiful building and I had a room (305) over looking the park and book market. 2 of my friends had rooms with a side view looking straight onto some ones washing you could have plucked the clothes off the line !
Yes we did have problems with the lift but the man carrying the bags up 2 flights of stairs had a bigger one.
Beware of the hotel exchange rate, they quoted us $1.50 (CUC) to the £ but the bank is only 2 blocks away and we got $1.78 (CUC) it was even open on Sunday.
I would stay in the area again but maybe try another hotel.
All in all it didn't spoil our trip.

having read some of the reviews we were a little worried, however we need not have been, yes staff did expect a tip, but only a small one sufficed, the staff were all friendly and efficient, apart from the tourist official who never seemed to be there. The hotel was nice and clean and we changed our sterling at the front desk with no problems at all. Stayed in a junior suite with views of the park and book stalls there every day. Wonderful area to be in with no problems at all. Would love to go back there one day.

Originally booked and paid for the Hotel Telegrafo overlooking Parque Central BUT was overbooked (see separate review). After haggling for an hour with Telegrafo was offered the Santa Isabel as they are part of the same hotel chain, apparently rated as a 5 star hotel. First impressions were OK, photos on the wall showing that Jimmy Carter had stayed there as recently as 2002 and that Sting and Robert Plant had also stayed there gave me a good impression. Room 304 was quaint, old fashioned but all functioning. The terrace was a bonus and the views were good. As stated previously the hotel, restaurant and cafe are separate and cannot charge to the room.
Lift was functioning throughout the stay. Building a wine bar on the roof terrace but no noise disturbance during the stay. Reception staff were average, felt I was being harrassed by staff to allow them to arrange taxis (I refused) but front reception were aware of my trips booked through a separate company within hotel!
Had a meal from their cafe which was average, didnt eat at restaurant.
Overall was above average in good part of city but doesnt compare with NH Parque Central hotel

January 2008. We had booked 5 nights here to begin our holiday in Cuba. There had been a mix up with the booking and a single room had been allocated. This meant a hike in the price to get a double. After sleeping one night in very uncomfortable spring beds we decided to go elsewhere. The lift was not working, we were on the third floor and I walk with a stick so that was a bit tiresome too. Also the third floor rooms share a terrace which I thought was a bit of a security risk. The most helpful member of the staff was the doorman! Having said all this, the Hotel is stunningly attractive and sits in a beautiful square. I am told the food is good, we had a breakfast there which was ok, but other than that I cannot say. It was all a bit of a disappointment really. Rest of the holiday was great.