We chose this hotel as a result of scanning the reivews on trip advisor (as usual). We went to Havana (only) for my b'day for a long weekend Thurs - Sun from the UK. Hotel was great locaton, close to all bits we wanted to see. We had bkd transfers and the bus dropped us off out the front.

We had rm 104 which overlooked the atrium of the hotel. Across the corridor were rooms with a balcony overlooking the street which we thought about changing to but considered the street noise. At the bottom of the atrium is the hotel bar and on our first night there was noise from a band and on the second night some late night revellers came home for a late drink in the 24 hr bar and that noise travelled straight up. We didn't complain or ask to be moved as it wasn't that bad - just a consideration for light sleepers.

Room was clean, spacious high ceilings, effective air-con, bar fridge, tv, plenty of hangers, safe. Shower had great water pressure, was clean. We didn't need an iron or a hairdryer but I didn' t see any in the room. Housekeeping were visible, polite and on-call.

Breakfast was better than my expectations. Chef cooked an omlette each day, freah fruit (papaya, pineapple), typical Euro ham n'cheese, pastries and a toaster. Although they quote thier big exports as rum. cigars and coffee, I didn't have a decent coffee the whole weekend. Even when we had an expresso in the bar is was bearly drinkable (a bit like Bali coffee if you have experienced that?)

We ate out of the hotel every night to get the local experience. On the last night we were a little fed up with chicken, rice and salad so I can thoroughly recommend the Italian opposite the hotel (that's where the crew eat, so being ex-crew you know it iswill tick several boxes!) Red chilean wine was a highlight of that meal (18CUC's)

I would change my £ at the Parque Central Hotel across the road (better exchange) and I would use their concierge, Daniel, as super-friendly and helpful to book things. Telegrafo Hotel reception/door/waitering staff were fine, just don't expect the full-on, smiling, chatty bend-over backwards attitude that some of us are used to. Customer Service is these type of countries is a peripheral. Don't let it put you off. A smile is the universal language. What you give is what you get.

Enjoyed the Tropicana show - don't bother with the meal though. Suprisingly, quite a dressy occasion too. Take your umbrella though we were quite lucky. (Booked taxi is 30 CUC's rtn) Taxi drivers super friendly. Answered lots of questions about Castro and Cuban life in general. I expected to see Castro stuff everywhere to buy but it is all Che Guevera. Felt completely safe all the time. Loved the tropical showers each afternoon to cool things off a bit. Dictated a 'mojito' stop!! Best one..............up the top (4th floor) at the Hotel Ingleterre - shabby chic, nice barman, delcious mojitos. By the way Cristal is the beer not the champers. Was disappointed to find that. out..............................

Left heaps of gifts for the maid of all my 'gift with purchse' cosmetics, tights, kids toys etc though was surprised how well the majority of locals dressed (albeit skimpy!) and how nourished (plump) lots of the Havanese were. Despite seeing on tripadvisor that toothpaste was $US12 a tube. Didn't see anything near this price in Havana (1.20 CUC). Best thing was no popular cola drink or golden arches. Get n their before the end of the Castro era if you would like an authentic, relaxed and stimulating experience.