Spent 4 nights at the Deauville at the end of May, 2009. Arrived at midnight and everything was ready, large and clean room on the 11th floor with both city and ocean views. Really pretty watching sunset over Fort Morro. The hotel had enough of the necessities though we had been warned to bring them, not needed. The tv worked but only for 2 channels, there was no internet access in the hotel, but it is available around town, usually in the better hotels but expensive, 6 CUC's an hour (about $7.00 US) and it is slow as in old dial up and I understand really frustrating. The staff in the hotel all try hard and seemed very helpful and friendly. It does help if you speak spanish but the main group all speak english. The breakfast was more than adequate with very friendly staff. The disco had a great band. It is crowded and charges a cover but it is free to guests. Drinks are expensive and one wonders where all the locals get the money. When we were there, it was almost all locals, I think the two of us were the only tourists. Smoking is a problem unless you do it. It is overwhelming everywhere. (We are non smokers.) The location is very good, close to most things, walking distance and very safe. The pool is being redone as is most of the hotel as is most of Havana and Cuba. However the pool at the Sevilla is available as are other parts of that hotel, which is very nice and almost a close walk. It has a beautiful roof garden restaurant overlooking the city. As a guest of the Deauville you are able to get priority reservations, etc. Taxi service is usually available but if not, the Malecon is in front of you and it is usually possible to flag a taxi, even at 6:15 in the morning, for an early flight on a thursday. The price/value for this hotel is very good though it changes depending on the day of the week and the time of the year.

We arrived and they didn't have our booking - they were also not very helpful in trying to work out why they had not received the booking. We eventually worked out it was a problem with the travel agent (hotelbeds) who we had paid but had not paid them - and so we had to pay them again directly (they do not use credit cards and the hotel changer charges 15% commission to change currency). This took 3 days to figure out. All in all, service was poor - many members of staff just wondering around but not actually doing anything. The hotel has internet access but the customers cannot use it.

Due to this we were given their basic room - which was 2*...no hot water, no telephone working and no discount for the lack of these services.

The breakfast is the best part of the hotel....we did not try the restaurant but it was busy and seems fine. The nightclub is pretty good until about 11pm (and always had queues to get it).

The location is pretty good (nice views) and about 1-2 kms from the old town city centre.

First off remember this is Cuba, standards are much lower than what you may have experienced in other parts of the world, even at the smartest hotels. Bearing that in mind, the Deauville is good value for what you will pay and has a fantastic location on the famed Malecon with wonderful views across the sea and over much of Havana. The Old Town is within walking distance as is bustling Central Havana. The pool is a welcome addition and a rarity in a hotel so central. The rooms are pretty basic, but clean enough, with comfortable bedding, air conditioning, a safe and a television with loads of channels. True, the shower ran cold one morning, there is the odd dodgy bit of wiring or crumbly plasterwork, the occassional light doesn't work and the lifts are a bit temperamental, but take this in your stride and you'll be fine. The breakfast buffet was okay, although tends to run out towards the end. The staff were friendly and helpful. Due to the location the Deauville can be a little noisy due to traffic and the sea crashing over the Malecon, but all in all you won't beat it for the price and it's fine for a few nights.

Paid 26$ par night last octobre, booked it at the last minute for a must save my mind getaway!

spend 3 nights there, then 4 nights in the Seville (Old Havana).
Well, for the Deauville: great, absolutly great view from the 12th floor, witha nice balcony.
The pool (a bit... old) was OK, it's great to take a sunbath at the end of the afternoon.
The breakfast was minimal, but i didn't get sick.

The room was simple, bed OK, floor clean OK, bathroom with no hot water.

Over all: great price for what I had anyway!!!
Remember: it's in Centro Habana, a part of town that is really old and mostly rumbles (felt like pics I've seen of Beyruth... after the war). A plus if you speak spanish and want to mingle with the local population. A minus if you're only Old Beautifull Touristic Oriented.