Had the miss fortune of staying at the Hotel St Johns over Xmas 2007 and the New Year at the beginning and end of our cycle ride with GAP tours.
I had carefully read the reviews of this hotel and was expecting a basic place but this was below basic. I would not even rate the rooms as a one star. Lobby is nicest part of the hotel and yes I would give it a Cuban 3 star rating. Our first night, on the 12th floor, facing the street, the room smelt of urine and was a little dirty, door frame skirting was peeling off, paint very very patchy on the walls, toilet would not work, I eventually got the front desk to send up a guy to fix it. Hot water tap would not work and the maintenance guy just looked at me and said so what....Shower barely trickled out water. Supper in the restaurant was oh oh so basic. We went across the street to buy bottled water for supper. 13th & 14th floor are under total repair, 6th floor had a major leak.
At the end of our bike ride we again had to stay at the hotel this time on the 6th floor at the back of the hotel. Room smelt much better and a little cleaner but the water did not work, We eventually had water but no hot water at all. Seems that the whole hotel was without water.
Breakfast both times was quite adequate, a buffet. Not one in our group of 13 was very happy with the rooms. I made a point of talking to a lot of the other guests, both times and again did not hear from one person that they were happy with this hotel. Ranging from leaks, showers, windows not closing, very noisy etc etc. Be adamant about the option of using your free dinner as a coupon next door at the Pizza Restaurant, food was a 100% better. I have traveled quite a bit but was very disappointed with the accommodations. Don't say you have not been warned. Try the Libre around the corner, has to be better. Maybe treat yourself to the Hotel Victoria or Nacional after putting up with the St Johns.

Cuba is a expensive third world country because Fidel undervalues foreigns currencies at his will so the dollar vallues 0,8 CUC. So everything gets expensive, usually for the tourist. Local internet acess costs 3 CUC a 30 min lowband connection. Foreing phone calls 2 CUC min. The hotel did not have hot water at the time I stayed there. If you go take everything you need because you will not find it there. And credit cards are not welcome specially american issued ones.

Had a great time in Cuba and stayed in some nice places. This was not one of them. Could use a coat of paint on the front. Very diry on the outside. Stayed here 5 nights

Some of the staff were pleasant especially the omlete lady at breakfast . The bar staff downstairs were also pleasant.

The view left much to be desired.....
The upstairs bar was noisy with tv for music.. .which kept cutting out.

My safe did not have a door.. .and one was not available.I could move after the third day... decided to stay but will not return.

Stayed here at the beginning and end of a trip round Cuba. For a Cuban hotel, it was in relatively good repair, the staff were good, spoke English and were helpful. It was air conditioned and although it broke down in my room, it was seen to straight away and repaired. The rooms were clean and spacious and the rooms on the top floors had great views of Havana. There are safes and TV's in the rooms and were cleaned daily. There is also a pool on the roof with a bar/cafe area that also has great views although some of the windows are out leaving it a bit dangerous for kids.

Breakfast was great and had a large selection of fruits, bread, and tortillas. They also made surprisingly good Mojitos (not for breakfast!) compared to some of the supposedly better hotels.

The hotel was really close to the Malecon that becomes very lively at night. It is also a short walk from the Hotel Nacional if you want to sit outside in (relative) luxury.

We were in Cuba for a fairly long time compared to most tourists, and no offence to Cuban cuisine which is really good, but there is very little variation in Cuban dishes and they can get a little boring after a while. However, next door to Hotel St John's is a really good pizza restaurant that also serves pasta dishes - doesn't sound too interesting but you'll appreciate it if you are going to be in Cuba for a while! Also for budget travellers there is a (again not that interesting but we found it a welcome change) Fiat car dealership with a cafe about 5 minutes along the Malecon that serves really cheap food which is pretty good- great for lunches.

I would have no reservations about booking this hotel again in the future and would recommend it to many of my friends although some people may consider it a little shabby. However I think it has to be taken into account that this hotel is in Cuba and they have to make the best out of what they have.