Before I start my review, please allow me to say that I would not class myself as particularly fussy. Clean room & helpful staff are all that I was hoping for in Havana.

Stayed at the Inglaterra for 3 nights, and to be quite honest, while I enjoyed Havana immensely as a city, I could not wait to get out of the Inglaterra. Upon arrival we were checked into room 103. So small, that with our suitcases on the floor, we could barely move, the bedlinen was dirty, no natural light whatsoever as the only window looked out into the hallway (bizarre!), our toilet was broken and as a result the bathroom was completely flooded. Requested a room change immediately. We were moved the following day to a room only marginally better.

I found the staff to be extremely disobliging, eg. standing at the bar waiting to be served, barman behind the bar looked at me, walked out from behind the bar across to a table where he sat down for a chat with his friends. I don't know how long I would have been kept waiting, but after 2 or 3 mins I decided I wasn't thirsty enough to bother waiting to find out. If you need anything such as extra towels, an iron, etc... request them before 5pm otherwise you won't get anything. (Apparently housekeeping finish at 5 and not even the manager has a key to get you whatever it is you may need).


The Inglaterra is still living off it's reputation from the days when Sinatra & all the big stars allegedly stayed there many moons ago. It looks impressive from the outside, as do many buildings in Havana, and it is in a great location, but just across the street you could stay in the Parque Central and have a much nicer time with very helpful staff (from what I'm told by people who stayed there)

Allowing for the fact that this is Havana the standards of this hotel are not good at all. "Okay but some problems" is being generous. The bedrooms are shabby. The shower dreadful and...dirty sheets complete with pubic hairs on the beds!!! According to DK Eyewitness Travel (2007) "the interior is a model of elegant austerity, particularly in the large restaurant with its columned arches. Rooms vary in size but all are decorated with the restrained refinement". Sorry but their reviewer did not see our ramshackle room. Breakfast was the worst out of the 3 Cuban hotels I stayed in. The Roof Garden Terrace Restaurant was not worth the wait for the lift - albeit the views were wonderful. No one appeared to be eating - just taking photos!!! We hotfooted elsewhere to dine.

The Hotel Inglaterra has dominated the Parque Central in Havana since 1875, and remains a useful option for the budget traveller to Cuba. Its location on the edge of Old Havana (Havana Vieja) is excellent, with many tourist sights within easy walking distance. Most other hotels, in Vedado or Miramar, are in more pleasant areas, but attractions are a taxi ride or long walk away. Single rooms available B&B for just over £20 per night; whoever pays the $100 quoted elsewhere on this website for this hotel must be mad!

Check in was swift and efficient with the voucher supplied by my UK travel agent, and I was soon in my single room overlooking the Teatro Nacional. The room was basic, but had a colour television with satellite channels and adequate air conditioning, and a clean bathroom.

Breakfast, much criticised by other guests in Tripadvisor, was good. A wide variety of food was available, including fruits, cereals, bread, eggs (hard boiled, fried or scrambled), plus sausages etc. Two different fruit juices available each day, plus a selection of cold meats. tea, coffee etc.

Internet access, though rather expensive, is available in the lobby.

In summary, the Hotel Inglatera is a worthwhile option to investigate right in the heart of Havana.

Stayed via a trip by 1st Choice to Havana for 1 night. Our first room had no window! We immediately went back to reception and moved to a much better room one floor higher over the street which flanked it with a balcony. It is the hotel, even mentioned in the classic film "Our man in Havana" ( nasty man Carter lived there).
Our second room was OK old, but OK, terrace nice to sit and watch the world go by, Breakfast 50/50. Not the best by any means, but it is original