I have over 14 years experience in top positions in resorts and hotels in 4 Countries. I have traveled and worked extensively throughout Latin America, stayed at many Leading Hotels of the World and have realistic expectations. I would stay at Parque Central again in a minute. In fact I will stay there again the first chance I get. Comfortable beds, good sound proofing, nice views, good a/c, nice dark curtains, good reading light, nice bathtub, nice in room ammenities. Good services, great staff, decent food, fast room service, reasonable telephone rates, clean, comfortable, pretty roof top pool. Best location - what more can you ask for!

Only comment having read other reviews, and for readers needing a bit of a different 'angle' on this, is that it's somewhat chain-like, a bit bland, and not cheap.

I'd only recommend 1-2 nights max. here if you don't know Cuba/Havana. Stay in the old town for places with more character. There are lots of nice little places there. Or in the National if upscale character is what you're after.

Other than that, this is a perfectly good hotel – a safe bet (that you pay for!) particularly suited for the older traveller (by which I mean well over 45).

Good location. Good food etc etc. Absolutely nothing that warrants complaining about.

Very nice **rooftop pool** and sitting areas with views are a real plus vs many other town hotels in Havanna.

Was what a Cuban friend promised me before we booked it and he wasn't wrong.

Perfectly situated on the edge of the old town - everything you will want to see is a short walk or cheap taxi ride away.

Western standards of service, room deco, food and a superb rooftop pool and bar with amazing views over the city. Ideal for freshening up and lunch in between seeing the sights. Superb common areas (lounges, bars etc)

To achieve these standards in Cuba is really something as you will find when you go - congratulations guys. Photo of the Capitol building from the rooftop pool bar.

For Havana - this place is all you need to know!

Our family just returned from a 5-day visit to Havana. We stayed at the Parque Central where we had an absolutely perfect stay. This was our 1st visit to Havana but our 2nd to Cuba (if you consider Veradaro to be Cuba).

We picked this hotel based on a number of criteria such as: 1) the many positive reviews, 2) the location, 3) the work of Maurits Looijenabd and his staff.

From the moment we arrived, we had excellent service from all of their staff (doorman, front desk, bellman, concierge). We had one of the best rooms (I think) in the hotel, with a huge balcony looking directly over Parque Central and The Capitolio. Everything with the room was perfect (the shower, the size, the cleaniness, etc).

The first thing we did was book our dinner reservations with the concierge (which is a must for some of the better restaurants in Havana) and it was done quickly and perfectly. La Guarita is a MUST visit. Even though El Patio is a very typical tourist restaurant, we enjoyed eating there twice and actually took 2 Cuban sandwiches with us on the plane ride home. As mentioned in many reviews, the food quality is good but not exceptional.

We had drinks, cigars, and food in the lobby each afternoon and we found no problem whatsoever with the service. After all, most people here are on holidays so I can't imagine what your hurry is, even if the service is not immediate. We were always served promptly and professionally.

The location is perfect for walking to Old Havana, the Malecon, and many historical sites. The horse carriage ride is highly recommended (we did it 3 times)as the guide usually speaks good english and is very informative. We did hire a 4-hour private car tour which we didn't enjoy. You can't appreciate Havana from inside a car. In fact, we only lasted 2 hours before we told the guide to take us back to the hotel.

We did visit a number of the area hotels and we were quite impressed with the lobby's of them all but I don't think their overall quality can match that of the Parque Central.

We have plans to re-vist Havana and will stay again at the Parque Central. Havana is quite a fabulous place and deserves another visit.