We stayed at the Melia Cohiba as part of a twin centre holiday with Melia Cayo Guillermo.

Fantastic hotel. Our room was excellent and the staff were very friendly. Good choice of bars and restaurants. An ideal location in Havana.

Another reviwer stated that the maids at Melia Cohiba are thieves. This is a gross generalisation. My wife left her watch in our room and we realised once we'd left Havana. However, the maid handed it into reception and it was sent onto us in the Cayo's. Therefore, it's a shame to cast the maids as thieves.

The Cohiba was not my hotel of choice. Would have preferred the N H PARQUE, but purchased a combo package with Varadero and could not substitute. Is situated in close proximity of the Malecon and that was (for us) the only attraction. It is otherwise a high rise, modern complex compareable to any of its' kind in other western cities we have travelled to. Found it very clean and service somewhat impersonal. We were kept waiting to check in while the attendant carried on a very lengthy personal conversation on the phone after our very slow ride from Varadero. I know, I speak fluent Spanish. So, I was not amused while she carried on and on......Was so tempted to say something but I have a thing about starting something on a negative note.

Breakfast buffet (INCLUDED) was very good but ordered a hamburger with fries (5 to be exact) to share with my spouse and two ginger ales by the pool on our last afternoon, 20.00 CUC'S. Very pricey. The other interesting aspect of the hotel was the view of the ocean and Havana. Havana was definitely a bitter sweet experience . A crumbling city that has stood still in time. Yet one cannot help but appreciate its' old world charm (WHAT IT COULD BE) and extraordinary people with amazing spirit. Took a long walk on the Malecon one night. It looked intimidating but the Cubans were friendly. There were small parties with people singing and dancing. Quite a unique experience. I wanted to see Havana before there is a MacDonald's on every corner. Just watch the pot holes when walking at night. Don't forget the street lighting is not very bright. Took a tour of all the Havana sights. Very interesting just very hot. The city is not dirty in the sense that there is garbage visible but obviously the smell is noticeable on a hot day due to the very outdated sewage system and a growing population. A city of contradictions- beauty, sadness, but unlike anything you will ever see. Keep an open mind and enjoy!!

Stayed at this hotel for 6 nights in late July 2007.

Hotels in Havana during the tourist season tend to fill up fast so most of the other hotels were already full by the time I booked (10 days before). At the time I would have prefered to have stayed at the NH Parque (which was full), but in hindsight the Melia Cohiba didn't let us down.

Firstly, before I would start - do not come here expecting western standards. Certain things in Cuba - notably the financial system and communications do not make this possible. You may book this hotel in Euros over the internet but be ready that you will need to pay in CUC's (Cuban Tourist Dollars) or with a non-US Credit card that will attract a heft surcharge (up to 10-12%). I recommend though that you book beforehand and confirm the rate. Rack rates in Cuba are exhorbitant. As for communications the business centre and internet was frustrating, but this had more to do with the communications that the hotel. Likewise global roaming calls on your cell in Cuba attract a charge of US$7 a minute.

The rooms (and for that matter the Hotel) are a little dated but again so is the whole city. Restaurants and the buffet breakfast were more than reasonable. The Pool scene was excellent. They had a cigar shop and bar on the 2nd floor which was a treat.

The one downside to this place was that is a taxi ride (10 mins) to the Old Part of Havana.

This hotel looks old , when you walk in you still can feel the last pieces of the charm this hotel once had. The service and staff was good here compared to other hotels we have been to in Cuba. The room was like the hotel a little over dated. The swimming pool area was nice and the food there soso. This hotel is a little out of the city center (10 min by cab to old Havana). We also went to the National hotel and also this hotel needs to have some renovation. Overall one of the better hotels in Havana but like Havana itself it really need to have a facelift beacuse everything in the whole city is falling apart.