If you know going into Cuba that luxury is really not part of the agenda...then you will be fine. Cuba is amazing on so many levels, like starting with the people. The Presidente had the best staff. They were so friendly and helpful. When they found out we were American from New york, our stock went up with them. The hotel was very clean, but.. the food was very bad, and like I said the staff was just the best. You can take a 5 minute, 5.00 peso ride into Havana. Or you can jump on the tour bus right outside the hotel for 5.00 per person from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm. the bus takes you all over Havana, you get off and on as much as you like, just keep your ticket and you can ride all day!!! (double decker open top bus) Havan is everything you see in pictures, the old cars are all over the place...The deisel smell is a little rough. It was well worth the bad meals and deisel smells. I would keep going back. Just Amazing!

We stayed in Hotel Presidente for one night in January, 2008. We ended up there because when we arrived at our original hotel, Los Frailes, they didn't have a room for us. Los Frailes paid for our stay and the cab ride over to Hotel Presidente.
Presidente is in New Havana, and the town doesn't have any of the charm of Old Havana. There is very little to do or see, and is very quiet. The hotel itself is large and old, and we had a very small room. The pool area was nice, and it was where we spent the day. There was a large breakfast buffet, and a complimentary welcome drink. There was a tv in the room, however it didn't get any channels. Fine with me, since I didn't go there to sit in my room and watch tv.
Thankfully, Los Frailes called us at the hotel and told us that they had a room available, so after one night at the Presidente, we got a cab back to Old Havana and stayed at Los Frailes, which we enjoyed much more.
Presidente is good if you aren't into checking out your surroundings. Old Havana has a lot more culture, excitement, and things to do within walking distance. I also prefer to stay in smaller hotels rather than large places like Presidente.

this supposedly four star hotel has a lot of handicaps: quite distant from the city center, although some hotels can be even farther (playa district), an old building which obviously has not been rehabilitated (one elevator only is working, everything seems out of age), food served at the buffet restaurant is edible ,but not good.We tried the other hotel restaurant , where the menu offers what looks like a better cuisine ,it was a mistake, the lobster was overcooked ...but we are in Havana, and everything is probably like that...

We stayed in this hotel in MAY 2007. I am a little late writing the review.

Reception Staff: Maintained a consistent high level of rudeness that is difficult to ignore.

Reception: It is quaint and comfortable, but watching the staff drive unsuspecting guests crazy is just irritating.

Rooms: We had 2 as the first one was flooded on our first night. The flood came from the bathroom and after complaining twice to reception we moved to a much better second room.

The second room was much bigger but the towels and bedclothes had a funny smell. The air conditioning did not work in either room.

Restaurant: Breakfast was good with lots of fresh fruit. By night the food was good by Cuban standards in the restaurant. We did go to much better places in the old town so if you are not staying all inclusive then avoid.

Location: Not the best. It is necessary to get a taxi to the old town. Negotiate the price before getting in, we paid on average 5 each way.

You have to consider that you are in Cuba when staying here. Expect things to be a little rough around the edges, but this hotel could do a lot better by employing some decent staff. I would not return here and would advise other readers to get a different hotel closer to the old town.