The hotel should have two ratings. the lobby and ground floor areas justify a four star rating and even if you are not staying here it is worth popping in for a drink. The restaurant on the ninth floor is AMAZING - it is worthy of a five star rating in terms of service, decor, views, history and the fantastic food - the prices may seem expensive by Cuban standards but are cheap when compared to similar in Europe (we had a fantastic three course meal, with three bottles of wine and a cocktail for 113 CUC) The rooms let this hotel down - DO NOT accept a room on the first floor as they are noisy with no view. Our room, on the fifth floor (which we got after complaining) was adequate but nothing special - the air conditioning was very weak and the shower's wall attachment was broken. Breakfasts were good with plenty of choice. It was in a good location for both old and central Havana. When we were there they were replacing two of the lifts which should allieviate problems mentioned in other reviews. Overall we enjoyed our stay in this hotel,

The hotel lobby is very elegant and the location is excellent. However we agree with many of the other comments, especially about the shortage of lifts and lack of proper stairs. The service in the bar and at breakfast was very slow. The rooms are dark and many of them have no view, we looked out onto a high wall. The room was superficially clean but the walls and paintwork were filthy. The hotel isn't designed for cold windy weather, which we had on the final 2 days. The lobby and bar area were very uncomfortable and cold. Despite Cuba's problems many of these issues could be addressed by improved management.

I have visited Cuba before and know the problems - but there is no excuse for the appalling service here that starts as 5 staff watch you drag your cases up the stairs of the lobby without moving a muscle. The lift goes up and down all night, stopping at every floor - whether or not anyone is using it - and keeps you awake by chiming 7 times at each floor - so, as you can clearly hear the lift as it stops at the floor below and the one above you, you hear 21 "dings" every 3 minutes. This might be a useful trick for those engaged in less leisure-centred activities at the opposite end of the island in Guantanamo, but not for tired travellers.

Getting a coffee is really touch and go in the very aesthetic cafe on the ground floor. Staff's attitude has long been an issue in Cuba - one that should be addressed if anyone is serious about tourism. But at the Sevilla, it's just chronic. The room was tiny until we complained and were moved. The best thing was the music coming from the ballet school opposite. Fantastic! But good music isn't in short supply in Habana.

B-t-w the city is fantastic - and a good stay can be had at the Nacional and the Telegrafo and, I'm sure, elsewhere too. But not here!

I have been reading some bad reviews about this Hotel and wonder where those people stayed ..

I spent 10 days in the Sevilla at the beginning of September .. The room was more than adequate .. The water was hot and the bed was just fine .. There were more than plenty of towels, the sheets were clean.. and the room was cleaned every day by a very efficient group of maids .. I dropped a bottle of Maple syrup on the floor and asked a maid if she could clean it up .. 30 minutes later there was no trace of the accident ..

The reception has always been courteous and efficient when I requested any help or information.

The bar's service is a bit slow but that's just Cuba..

My air-conditioner worked quietly and well ..

I will admit that I couldn't understand what had happened to the toaster at breakfast, no one seemed to know why it had been removed.. but there was more than sufficient food both in volume and variety .. The waitress was very fast in offering more coffee and made sure the table was set properly ..

I have stayed in many of Havana's hotels and I rate this Hotel as one of the top 3 .. and the least expensive one of the 3 ..

The rooms have always been good and the food is right up near the top for Havana Cuba ..

I will agree that it would be nice for all 4 elevators to be working .. but in the 5 years I have been going there it hasn't happened yet and I don't expect it will ever happen. The most that have worked at once was 3 of them.. 1 for the guests and 2 for the staff .. All my rooms have been far way from the elevators so I'm never disturbed by the beeping .. But I do find it useful to hear when I'm waiting for one and it arrives ..

The Location is great for exploring old and Central Havana and is just a 3 cuc taxi trip from Vadado and the Hotel National area..

I have no problem recommending this Hotel to anyone visting Havana ..