We booked into the Inglaterra as part of a two-centre package holiday (we spent four nights in Havana and 10 in Varadero) so didn't have any choice over our Havana hotel. While it is stunning from the outside and in an excellent location, it has no business calling itself a four star hotel. The main problems were the unfriendly staff and a dire need for renovation. Even speaking to the staff in Spanish doesn't make them any more accommodating - and watch your money at the exchange booth, we were nearly short changed by 25%. Our room was on the second floor with a balcony onto the side of the hotel - it was a good size and cleaned each say but the sheets and blankets were more fitting for a hostel. The shower was strong and there was always hot water, but the paint on the tiles was badly peeling, making the bathroom seem unclean. Even though we were to the side of the building, the noise from the street made sleeping difficult. Breakfast was average, but the public rooms are beautiful with an almost Moorish feel. The cafe to the front of the hotel was the highlight, with a band playing and good mojitos. Just be aware that you will get hassle from the street if they see you light up a cigar/cigarette or use a pen (!) Also, the view from the rooftop terrace is fabulous.

Plus+
Excellent location.
Lobby is quite lovely.
Tour bus stops outside.
No doubt once a very grand hotel.
Live music in the cafe area on the front of the hotel
Lovely shaped elephant & boat made from a towel by the maid

Minus-
Balcony door didn’t lock.
Balcony in desperate need of refurbishment
Room in desperate need of refurbishment
Bathroom in desperate need of refurbishment
Over-priced.

We had booked a 4 night stay at this so-called 4 star hotel and it had the potential to ruin our holiday. The place is in need of a complete overhaul and that includes the receptionist staff who chose to not 'understand english' when we tried to explain our concerns and need for a better standard of accommodation.

Basic issues we encountered were to do with standard of rooms - shabby, smelly and unhygenic - electrical sockets not secured to walls, bedding you would never let your skin touch and a bathroom which had paint peeling off the walls. Plus, you have to pay to use the safe in your room and access it by using your hotel key card and not a combination lock - which frankly does not feel very secure.

Unlike others, we paid 4 star rates and so when you get this type of room after a 10 hour flight it feels like a nightmare. When we asked for a different room based on cleanliness, the receptionist flatly refuesed to accept our concerns, stating that it was a 4 star hotel and there were no other rooms available. We remained at the reception desk for 15 mintues, after which time she gave us 2 alternative rooms to view - one which did not even have a window.

We stayed here for 1 night and the next morning after breakfast (which also was very poor) paid the difference to hot foot across to Park Central, which was a beautiful clean hotel with excellent staff and fantastic breakfast.

Our visit to Havan could have seriously been affected by our stay at the Inglaterra as the implication is that this is a 4 star standard for all hotels in Cuba. Of course it is not.

I only actually visited rather than stayed in Hotel Inglaterra in April 2009 but encountered the rudest, least professional reception staff I have come across while visiting 80 countries worldwide and staying in thousands of places.

I have just written to the management of the Gran Caribe group, which owns the hotel, making the same complaint.

I won't bore you with the details other than to say that I am an English national newspaper reporter / travel writer and have never seen fit to complain in writing about a hotel before.

I would suggest that, in the same price bracket, you look at Havana alternatives like Hotel Florida or Hotel Raquel, which are both very attractive places.

Also note that Lonely Planet's review of Hotel Inglaterra says: "This historic hotel, built in 1875, is not the prime place to stay that it once was (noisy rooms, reports of theft from rooms, swarming hustlers). The rooftop La Terraza bar has excellent views".

If you are prepared to rough it, also bear in mind private rooms in Cubans' homes - casas particulares - which only cost around 15 pounds a night.