Internet card deal is standard. I stayed in 5 hotels in Cuba and the only one where it was free was the Iberostar in Trinidad. Costs about twice as much in Parque Central so it is not a bad deal. Our room was fine, bathroom fine, I found breakfast nice. The staff were all friendly. I really thought all in all it was a lovely hotel. With one qualifier. One barman, who appears to work there most of the time, ripped us off to the tune of approximately EUR15 the night we arrived (this, having already strongly discouraged us from ordering the cheaper food we wanted, e.g. sandwiches, hamburgers). The bills were incomprehensible. Inexcusably, we didn't query the bills on either occasion. (the first night, I wanted to but my two friends did not, the other night I was meeting colleagues also on holiday in Havana in the bar and did not want trouble). If you don't want to get ripped off and this waiter is serving you (it didn't happen with other waiters but didn't order more than one item with others), two suggestions: (1) don't eat in the bar. Food is alright but you will probably get billed for more than you owe (2) don't order more than one round of drinks without paying. The more you order, the more likely you are to get billed for more than you owe. The thing is, in Cuba the currency for tourists is the convertible peso (CUC), for citizens it's the National peso. It takes 25 National peso or thereabouts to buy one convertible peso (which is worth roughly 1 EUR), therefore the National peso is not worth very much. The reason Cubans don't starve is because of rigid price controls. The National peso is therefore only useful to buy price controlled items i.e. those which have been deemed necessities e.g. clothes, food, electricity. However, the black market (for anything above the legal rations and anything Cuba has to import eg any luxury item, TVs, designer sunglasses etc) is of course in the currency which IS worth something ie the CUC. Therefore, anyone involved in tourism is better off than anyone who doesn't, and that's why you get hounded on the streets of Havana, because even 10 c is worth something to these people. I know a Cuban doctor who with his entire month's wage, could only buy 20 CUC a month. That's the first reason why this waiter angered me so much - he rips just one table off to the tune of 15 CUC (basically equal to 15 EUR, slightly less), he must be cleaning up. It is just greedy. I will say that occasionally there is a service charge which can add to the expected bill and which does not go to the waiters at all apparently, and also the waiters have a habit of 'billing' you for their 'tip', ie adding their tip as an item on the bill, often a generous tip! (in effect, you end up with TWO service charges). At least, in 2 cases (elsewhere) where I did query the bill, this is what I was told. Anyway, this waiter was also rude. I don't want him to lose his job (although Cuba's a communist country so technically he's entitled to one), but he should be redeployed somewhere where he can't rip off tourists - because that's what he does, and it's not fair. He was the only thing I didn't like about Telegrafo, but it was a big thing when on top of ripping you off he is rude.

This is not really a 4 star hotel. It has a great location and the rooms are reasonably clean. The food is poor. Our problem was that on the morning after we checked in we discovered the bath full of sewage which had come up the plughole. The same was true of the toilet which had overflowed onto the floor and onto the carpet in the room. We had to tread through excrement to get our belongings out.
The staff at reception changed us to another room but they were unsympathetic and dismissive. No apology was forthcoming. A request to speak to the manager met with hostility and the reply thet he was off duty. At no time were we contacted subsequently about this disgusting experience. I won't be back. See pics.

The hotel has a great corner location on the Parque Central, as one other reviewer said, really a square with trees. There is an area at the front of the hotel where you can have a drink whilst watching the world go by which feels old world colonial and a nice way to spend some time. The bed was comfy and we did eat an interesting meal in the hotel one night, but that's roughly the end of the postives.

Negatives started on arrival. With three bags to get into the hotel there was no assistance. A doorman stood and watched us get to the door, held it open, then disappeared. Departure was the same in reverse. There is a bellboy, he was spottable leaning by the door a few times. Check in was quick but there are benefits, like welcome drinks, that the hotel does not tell you about. A screen on the check in pages through details, but if you do not stand to read them no one will tell you. Service is generally low, breakfast functional and most staff disinterested,. The doorman will try to sell you cigars. Nothing too surprising there and everyone needs to earn a penny. The bar is a real let down. Furniture that IKEA stopped stocking because it didn't sell, uncomfortable and univiting we felt sorry for the band - playing to just two people. We had room 315, which faced the Parque Central hotel and down the avenue to the water. That gave us a cooling breeze in the room if we left the window open and was good. The downside is the NH Parque Central hotel across the road, where everyone seems to go up on the roof to look about, and that means a constanrt stream of people looking directly into your room all day and often in the evening. That really does become annoying, particuarly with flashes going off. There are good things nearby, like the Cigar factory, Theatre and you're on the doorstep to the old town. A word to the wise, avoid the Hemingway trail, it's just an excuse for a few bars to increase prices and they get full of tourists. Local bars next to them are cheaper and have a better feel.

Internet access is two Pcs in the foyer. THey're normally in use so expect to queue.

Overall though there are better hotels at the same price close by so although we'll go to Havana again, we won't stay at the Telegrafo. A tip too - don't pay the web price, it's way high! I saved 40% by booknig through an airline portal.

This hotel has been recently renovated and it shows. The rooms are new and clean. Everything worked in the mainroom and bathroom. Adequately stocked mini-bar. A wonderful friendly bartender. (The drinks are half the price of the nearby El Floridita but you should still have a Daiquiri with Hemingway over there anyway). The staff were great and most spoke english well. The location across from Central Park is tremendous. Step out the front door and you've stepped into the beginning of Old Havana. My only mild complaint is they need more elevator repairmen in Cuba. The elevator always worked but jerked when it started. The price when compared to North American and European hotels is fair. When compared to the standard Cuban wage seems outrageous.