Confirming the comments posted by BagillTaffy and Lois & Adrian over the last few days. We were one of the couples who had a small (£40) amount of cash taken from the room safe.

No signs of a break-in and the safe was securely closed afterwards. What was disturbing was that both the hotel reception (never saw the manager or the security chief at any time) and the tour manager advised against calling the police. There seemed to be a strong desire to "keep it quiet". Future tour groups are apparently to be advised "not to use the safes"!!!

The hotel refused to accept the possibility of a security problem with the rooms or the safes and thought it was probably outsiders. The tour manager suggested it was other tourists. It seems nothing is to be done to resolve the security problem

The money was refunded as we left Havana to come home. The girl who had earrings stolen did not get those refunded.

All this was a great pity because Havana is wonderful, the people are so warm and the Telegrafo was otherwise probably the best of the seven hotels used on our tour.

The hotel is in a central position in Havana and for that reason lots of tour groups use it for two or three days stays in the city, it has nice rooms on three floors, but only one very slow lift, the one major concern during our stay was money went missing from three wallets in the room safe, I pod, DS, camera and credit cards were not touched, four other people on the same tour group as us also had sums of money (not exceeding £50) taken from the room safes, the hotel management refused to accept they had a thief in the hotel, and refused any suggestion that security could be breached dismissing us as absent minded.

As a country yet to embrace the credit card culture seen eleswhere in the world, travellers are forced to carry sums of cash larger than they would like, keeping track on everything you spend a little more time consuming, and some individuals who intend to relieve you of some of it from the room safe know it.

Hotel Telegrafo , Havana, Cuba "Beware"
Date 18/03/2008
Arrived at the hotel for a three nights stay after travelling from the other end of the island over the previous two weeks, staying in six other hotels during the journey by road with Travelsphere. Our room [105] was a cracker. Just inside the door on the right was a cloackroom with toilet and hand basin, then into the large lounge area with large sofa ,easy chairs, coffee tables, dining table with four chairs. Next was a short passageway , bathroom on the right, built in wardrobe on the left, then into the large bedroom with french doors, Romeo and Juliette balcony looking into the mosaic walled snack bar area. Restocking of toiletries very good. Quiet and clean room. Brilliant location for the city.
Now the down side. Breakfast not bad, dinner very bad , better to eat out at night if you can. Flies around food can also be a problem. You would expect more from this quality of hotel even in Cuba. Worst of all, was that four couples had money stolen from their room safes. £20 from this pile,£10 from that purse, small amounts so you don't notice straight away plus other petty theft (Keep bags locked if not empty). When challenged the management refused to take any responsibilty and the group were actively discouraged to report the matter to the police by the management and the Travelsphere tour manager. Both parties stated how many hours people would need to be at the police station reporting the matter which would eat into the already limited time by some 6 hours. However, later all parties were refunded their cash.
As a foot note one tends to think that this type of incident is not a one off but a well organised problem. There was no forced entry and how was the safe opened? Unless the matter is reported and the hotel highlighted then it may well continue.So beware!!!!

Myself and my father and brother stayed in the Hotel Telegrafo and have mixed experiences.

On arrival we were told that all the rooms were full and there had been a leak on floor three so we could not stay there. Needless to say, after 20 hours travel from Dublin-Paris-Havana and transfers we werent too happy. Lucky for us, the alternative hotel was the Plaza which is right across the street on the busy Prado Main street which cuts Havana in two.

I heard later that this is a scam and the Telegrafo always overbook and then send you to a lesser hotel. The Plaza was fine but run down and a 2 star as opposed to a 3 star which the telegrafo is by European standards. Another gentleman we met had the same experience as did a couple from Newcastle who had a 25minute taxi ride to another hotel which after a long trip is unacceptable. Be aware of this but really, as like most things in Cuba,who have to just accept it is a flawed place and try not let it annoy you too much.

Rooms

The rooms are fine, they are not huge but are clean and have all mod cons.

Food

The food is pretty average fare. I would advise not eating dinner there. Breakfast is the usual buffet style and is just ok.

Service/Other

The lady on reception was awful - rude and unhelpful and used to giving you bad news. The service for drinks and dinner is absolutely crap as well and dont expect a waitor here to stop his chat with a friend to ask if you want a drink.

Staff

All the staff here are on the take (not stealing) and will try sell you cigars...etc. I bought cigars from one of the staff who basically stole them from Hotel supplies and sold them to me for around 2 cuban convertible pesos each (€1.5) which is about 25% of cost.


Money

Be careful as there are two currencies but it is easy after a day.

Also, there are a lot of beggars around the tourist sites.

Do not change money here in Telegrafo, as the rate is worse than the Hotel Parque Central which is a 30 second walk and has a bank inside. The difference in rate is quite substantial so even on changing 200eu it may save you €10. The Parque Central was a lovely hotel, with a pool on the roof andbetter food and facilties but is more expensive. Outside the Parque Central you get the usual chancers and hangers on.

Location

The Telegrafo is in a super location. You are a 1 minute walk from the El Floridita pub where Hemingway invented the daquiri but this pub is a rip off. You are right beside the Grand Theatre and Capitolio building and Cigar factory, all major tourist sites.

The Prado brings you to the Malecon which is worth a visit and is a 10minute walk. The best part of Havana by a mile is the old town which has been restored by the UN as a heritage location and is beautiful. It is the only part of Havana that is well maintaind as the rest is very poor and falling down. The Cathedral Square is the highlight as is San Francisco sq.The Ambus Mundos hotel on the main Obispo St is a great spot for a drink on a rooftop tce, as indeed is Parque Central Hotel.

A trip to the new part of Havana and revolution square and the old Mafia Hotel, the Ncional is good.

All in,Telgrafo is fine for location, crap for food and atmosphere.

3-4 nites in havana is enough.

In terms of havana, there is a good Salsa scene and bar scene for lads. I did see a little of the much rumoured prostitution scene in a restaurant beside the telegrafo but nothing on the scale on Bangkok or places like that and it is quite discreet and not everywhere as people lead you to believe.I am sure if you are looking u will find it.

Food generally is average with a few nice restaurants on O'Reilly Street. Bars are ok, the usual bands playing while you drink looking for tips. When tipping, I used the convertible pesos but service in Havana is generally really poor.

Havana is v safe I found, with strict penalties for people who attack or mug tourists,which is main source of revenue. The people trying to sell you things is tiresome but ok.