We stayed 3 nights at this hotel in the last week in May. We found no problem with the staff nor with the buffet restaurant. The hotel is a little run down, but this is Havana not New York or London. Cuba is classed as a 'Third World' country so don't expect everything to be as it is in other, more prosperous places. Enjoy the experience that is Havana while you can and if you stay at this hotel, walk across the road to Coppelia Ice Cream Park and enjoy eating the best ice-cream in Cuba while people watching.
Checking out of the hotel was a bit of a hassle because only 3 of the 6 lifts (elevators) worked, eventually one of the maids took our party round to the service lifts and we used those. As to there being no stairs (see a previous review) this is not true but it would be a bit of a pain carrying luggage up or down if you are on the higher floors.

Cuba is a great place to holiday, Havana Libre Hotel is the opposite, do not stay at this hotel, the experience will spoil your vacation. Dirty bedrooms, bathrooms & corridors. Air conditioning that doesn't work and breakfast that beggars belief. I'm keeping this short the Tryp Habana Libre should be avoided if you have a reservation cancel! Take a look at the photographs, a picture is worth a thousand words.

Went here on an overnight trip too Havana from varedero.Where do i start Place stank of damp and mould.We were a party of five and had two rooms both equally as bad there were pubic hairs in the bath and on the towels all the sheets had not been changed because ther were stains and hairs in there as well, there was thick dust and grime every where. We went down for our evening meal at seven o clock soon as it opened the table clothes had not been changed in i dont know how long stains all over them buffet food was awful.We are not complainers but this hotel is so bad i would avoid it at all costs there was even a big pile of rubble by the pool where they had obviously done some work and left it there.In the end we decided not to stay and got a taxi back to Varedero at a cost of 120 cuban about £70 pounds.

This Hotel used to be the Hilton, opened by Paris's grand father in 1958. Castro drank here, Delores Del Rio stayed here as did Carmen Miranda. The wonderful aspect of this property is that it by-passed the refurb phases of the 70's & 80's and now has stepped graciously out in the 21st century wonderfully original & architecturally fascinating.
The rooms & bathrooms are huge, if not dated (but we know that), all room also have a balcony that overlooks the city or the bay. It is also almost the highest building in Havana.
Food is mediocre, hey it's Cuba & the food is terrible anyway, and the Receptionists are all cheeky, surly, moody women.
Anyway this Hotel is a sheer delight, so, go and enjoy, step back to1959 and buy a cigar!