Having been to Havana many times I thought a change of hotel was the answer,liked the National Hotel but had money stolen from the safe so checked this site for the Habana Libre, I read the reviews and thought it cant be as bad as that so I booked for 14 days, boy was I wrong. When we arrived the air conditoning had packed up two days beforehand and they did not know when it was going to be sorted, this was the whole hotel and not just the rooms and at 34 degrees it was hot.The room was large and on the 18th floor, unfortuately previous reports were correct, painted baths which were peeling off,facings round the doors had gone about 8in from the floor with rot and left the nails sticking out, chrome worn off all fitments and turning green, balcony had large crackes in the concrete and did not look safe to walk on, then we come to the resturant,finding a plate was a nightmare and if you did you held on to it for some fruit, the should be hot food was cold and there was only one salt and pepper in the whole resturant AND THE FLIES, it was a fight to see who could eat the most.Staff were very highly gestapo trained and the only one to speak to us was the bellboy who delivered the cases to our room saying "You give me shirt". Ambulances there every day taking away heat stroke victims. Only lasted three day there but have spent the last 14 days in the toilet and still running.Those blasted flies.Dont be like me, listen to the reports on this site.

Ive just come back from a three night stay at this hotel and would definately represent it!!! the rooms were massive and very comfy.

its located near the middle of the city allowing you to experience the real cuban way of living. one one small negative factor was that we only say the maid on the first day however due to our short stay it wasnt a problem for us. the staff here know english but maybe not as much as other tourist areas.

We had bed and breakfast and the buffet bar was great, there was loads to choose from and it was very clean.

i would definately stay here again!!!!

The Havana Libre once was a great structure. Recently taken over by Tryp it has improved (!!) but some BIG problems remain.... i.e. it is ROACH INFESTED. I could not turn the lights off in my room without seeing any, and even when I did they were crawling on the walls. NO EXAGGERATION. When I called the front desk (I was told "we're in the Caribbean, what do you expect?')
Physically the hotel is a wreck... maybe things have improved but don't expect luxury in Havana- the city itself is delightful.
One positive element- the views were incredible. I often found myself looking more outside than in :-)
Find another place to stay!

I just got back from a trip to Cuba (03/06 to 12/06) I stayed in Tryp Habana Livre.
It´s situated in Vedado, a busy (not such as Old Havana) part of town, very near from the Malecon and University of Havana.
It´s a 25 story building from the 70´s (i think), the hotel loby has many space and simple but functional furniture.
I stayed at 17 floor, with a excellent veaw of the sea and part of town. It´s a large room with 2 twin beds, functional and pratical decoration (empty mini bar...), no luxuries. but it´s a clean place. Good bathroom.
The pool area is nice but crowded in the aftermoon´s. The brakfirst is served in a large ballrom, with very good variety and quality of fresh foods. The disco has magnificent veaws (25 floors) fair decoration, but the music is depressing, crowded at 23H, no one was dancing, and Kenny Rogers has playing (please...).
They have a 24h cafeteria, with pizzas and fast-food, nice, with space, and good icecream (hard to find!), We went about mide-night and there here some suspicius cuban girls inside... (during the day it´s quite nice)
´The staff is Friendly but shy (afraid?)
I recomend this hotel. (mail me for questions)