Hotel Panorama, Miramar, Havana, Cuba, March 1,2,3, 2007.

The Panorama has all the unlovely external features of 1970s ‘glass-slab’ archictecture, and is in an equally unlovely location some distance (a few kilometres) from the delights of Old Havana. Nevertheless, for the three nights we stayed here (prior to a tour of the country) it was comfortable enough and reasonably serviced. Visitors to the hotel are from all countries under the sun: Europeans, Asians, etc. Even a small contingent of Americans on humanitarian work – and, refreshingly, (at least the ones I spoke with) had very positive views about Cuba and the Cuban people.
The Panorama’s lobby-cum-lounge-cum-bar is the ground floor of a 12-storey atrium. The various floors are served by a trio of lifts, two of which have clear glass walls, and one (for the nervously-inclined) with solid walls. Sometimes all three are operating, at other times, maybe just one will be working; so having patience or strong legs (to climb the stairs of the fire-escape) is helpful. Two or three nights per week a string quartet plays classical selections in the lounge. The quartet is comprised of members of the Havana Symphony orchestra. Talented they certainly are, and it shows. They take requests (from a printed sheet of selections) for a small consideration. We thoroughly enjoyed their visits. On the eleventh floor is a bar-lounge. A pianist plays most nights up there (he’s pretty good, too). We had a round of mojitos (not enough rum in them, we thought) for 3 CUC each. The decorative scheme in here is pure 1970s – but the art-work, especially the stained-glass screens, is lovely.
Our room ((403) is large, air-conditioned, has two large twin beds, telephone, safe, TV (if you can stomach the dross from CNN, or have fluent Spanish, perhaps?). The bathroom is also large, with bath/shower, wash-basin, bidet, and plenty of towels, etc. On one of the three days of our stay room-cleaning service was noticeable by its absence, but from what other people reported we considered ourselves fortunate. The curtains were drawn – both to keep the room cooler, and to deflect attention from the fact that the windows probably hadn’t been cleaned since Fidel’s 60th birthday celebrations. (Note: Opening a window not only might admit a squadron or two of blood-thirsty Cuban mosquitos, but in addition the air-conditioning will probably switch off. This is because there are small plastic sensors on the windows which – if not properly re-aligned –cause the air-con unit to shut off.) The views from our room were mainly of a disused building next door and of the sea (couple of very nice sunsets).
The main restaurant (off the lobby) is a buffet self-service affair. The sheer numbers of hotel guests made finding a free table something of a lottery. And though the food served was reasonably tasty – especially the freshly-baked breads - (other than the awful coffee and fruit juices), the whole experience was something of a mill. Fortunately, we ate dinner on two evenings out of three in the hotel’s Berlin Bistro which, we were told, was an ‘upgrade’. Here the food was excellent, and because numbers in this restaurant are limited to about sixty people it was a far more pleasant dining experience. The Spanish white wine available for purchase in the Bistro was just about drinkable (13 CUC per bottle), but later we found the red variety to be a far better option.
There is a large pool at the rear of the hotel which is well-serviced and clean. There’s also a bar and snack-bar area. We ate here one lunch-time and the burgers were very good. The Cuban beers are also very good (Cristal, or the slightly stronger, Buccanero: take your pick).
The hotel has a money-changing booth – a ‘Cadeca” - (it’s located near the Italian restaurant, and at the time of our visit the rates of exchange were £1 equal to 1.73 CUC Cuban convertible pesos, or 1 Euro equal to 1.17 CUC) but my advice is to try not to have too much Cuban currency left at the end of your visit. The rates of exchange at the airport are about a third less than you will be expecting. Furthermore, to add insult to injury, no receipt or bill-of-exchange is given at the airport cadeca. It comes as a small shock but, in truth, you may as well shrug and accept it. Just have sufficient CUC’s to buy yourself a drink and snack (say, 10 CUC per person). Oh, and don’t forget the airport tax of 25 CUC per person on exiting Cuba!
Pros: Pleasant, friendly staff. Nice pool. Excellent German bistro.
Cons: A few, but come on, this is Cuba! Count yourself fortunate to be able to stay in such comparative luxury. If you want everything to be perfect then it might be best if you stay at home.
(English Mick, Shropshire, UK – March 2007)