Hotel raquel is in a great location for exploring Habana Vieja. It is situated on San Ignacio, near to the Plaza Vieja.

The Lobby is beautiful with a stained glass roof, and Colniel style pillars, with a cage style lift. Niceley laid out and airy - well maintained, and the security staff and reception are helpful and friendly.

We stayed in Room 104 (myself and my Partner) was a beautiful room, clean, airy with a balcony overlooking San Ignacio. The only downside was on an evening the Bathroom which was clean and had a pwerful shower) was a bit gloomy with one light . Overall though the rooms were lovely, charming and spacious with Sat TV (like you would need it staying somewhere as amazing in havana!) There is a mini bar which kept soft drinks, water and Cristal Beer. The maids were very nice and cleaned the room throughly etc

The Bar was nice, staff friendly, a little dearer (3CUC for a Mojito - you can get them a bit cheaper off the track but not bad value overall)

The Roof top patio was nice for a good look out over Havana, and was nice to have a drink there before going out in the evening.

Breakfast was a little unusual - but perfectly edible and worth stocking up on food and coffee before hitting the streets. The staff were a little lazy so I was basically getting my own coffee from the waiter station, but there was a fella there who would fry eggs on request. There were meats, cheese, Cereals, Yoghurt, Cake things, and some things I couldn't possibly tell you what they were but tasted OK. I didn't leave any tips for the breakfast staff, as thery were difficult to locate and not massively helpful, and I don't beleive tipping waiters that can't even bring you coffee and they stand around doing nothing - not even clearing and re-laying! .

A delightful hotel and I really enjoyed my stay there. I paid as part of a package so not sure exactly how much the hotel works out a night, but very charming place in general. The staff generally were helpful and friendly (apart from Team Breakfast!)

From what I understand Cuban hotels are significantly below par when compared to Hotels in the western world.
I can say that the hotel wasnt the greatest, the beds werent the most comfortable and the good wasnt gormet.
However the Staff were excellent and really friendly. They were always available when you needed them and more than willing to give a helping hand. The bell boys were great.

This building was fantastic. The stained glass ceiling a true master piece.

The room was a little noisy. We were on the 1st floor. Every noise from the lobby reverberated up into the room. I think if they dropped a pin downstairs it would reverberate up into the room in a deafening roar! Also you could always hear the noise from the street, so expect late nights and early mornings. But thats what holidays are all about! You dont want to sleep in and waste quality sight seeing time.

But you have remeember that you are in Cuba. Accept it for what it is and you will love it. If you are in Old Havana for a bit of R&R, then you are in the wrong place!

Overall the experience was great. Although the hotel wasnt perfect, It wasnt that bad either.

I dont know if I would recommend it though. I am still on the fence as I have nothing to compare it to. But if I were to go back to Havana I probably wouldnt stay there again. But I would stay in old Havana.

Great place great people! Viva Cuba!

Be warned there are six rooms in Raquel Hotel in Havana which DO NOT HAVE WINDOWS!!! A receptionist in Raquel Hotel insisted on placing my husband and me in one of these horrible gloomy rooms just less than two weeks ago. Of course the fact that there are six rooms without windows is not advertised anywhere! On top of this we have found the hotel's staff generally unhelpful and even rude. On first complaining about being put in a room without a window the receptionist insisted that there was no other room available. Only when we got our tour rep involved did we establish that there was a room available with windows (indeed a balcony) directly opposite the one they tried to foist on us.
(see the photo of the hotel plan - finally we were in room number 204, however, as you can see on the other site of the hall there are three rooms without windows and there are another three on the first floor).
The breakfast served in the morning always included some leftovers from dinner from the night before. Not really what you would expect in a good hotel. A good point about this hotel is its location - in the middle of Old Havana. Personally, however, I would not stay in this place again.

Lovely lobby: peole even comes in to take pictures of the lobby !
Really lovely rooms, not new of course, but antique and very very well kept or restored.
Very clean and good room service.
Food average but considered it is Cuba with its problems one can be satisfied.