Had read reviews on tripadvisor before booking, therefore specifically asked the travel agent to reserve a room with window which they did and got confirmation from the hotel. I again asked to confirm this a few days before our stay and they again confirmed that we would have a room with window. On arrival, the reception told us that the only room remaining was a small windowless room. They didn't want to show it to us but I insisted that they did and it really wasn't nice. They sent us to another hotel instead, where we had to wait a few hours before we could check in. The staff weren't particularly helpful and did not apologise for the mix up. On experience, hotels in Havana are very poor value at this time of year - and I'd recommend going to a casa instead.

My mother and I chose to stay in Havana for the whole of our week's stay in Cuba. We would endorse the comments of others regarding the great location of this hotel. We would definitely recommend staying in the heart of Old Havana - you get a much better feel for the people and the place.
Yes it's a bit noisy if you open the windows but that's because you're staying in a bustling place where ordinary Cubans are getting on with their lives. There's a primary school opposite the hotel and you can hear the kids learning their lessons and singing - all very charming.
Cuban people are very friendly. As two women travelling together, we were a bit worried about being hassled but people call out "Hola" and don't expect to engage you in long conversations.
We went to the Tropicana show - expensive (about £60 each plus taxis) but a great experience.
The hotel is charming and clean. Breakfast is a bit odd but you can survive on fresh fruit and bread - bear in mind that you will be eating for breakfast what a family might have to live on for a week.
I would recommend staying at Hotel Raquel and definitely a trip to Cuba - before it crumbles to dust or changes into another anonymous tourist resort.

As other reviewers have said, the central Havana location is very good - 2 minutes to one of the main restored plazas, at most a (brisk) 5 minutes to the plaza major.
Traffic cannot get right up to the hotel, so be ready for a 30 metre walk, but our taxi driver got the porter, so transferring the suitcases was no problem.
The lobby looks great - stained glass and belle epoque style pillars. Being so central you can come back for a half hour of recuperation from the bustle of Havana.
However....the rooms are a little tired, and look in need of paint and cleaning. Noise does reverberate up the central atrium - not that we were there on a noisy night. Street noises - well you are in the city centre, and we were not disturbed. As there is no traffic, we found it fine.
Breakfast not very good - adequate is the best description, with slow service.
The bar looks good, and the pianist/singer was pleasant, but I found the cocktails a bit on the weak side, and again, slow service.
Having tried some other Cuban hotels, let me assure you this place is above average......

The Raquel is well situated to explore Habana Vieja; the skylight is colorfully spectacular; the rooftop terrace is great for evening cocktails. The staff, unfortunately, with a couple of notable exceptions, are bums. The front desk clerk tried hard to rip me off for the advance payment I made ($2 CUC per night) for the in-room safe. The wait staff at breakfast seem far more interested in gabbing among themselves than checking on customer needs (one morning there was no coffee; one morning it was lukewarm); the bartenders seem greatly put out to supply guests more than a glassfull of ice cubes (none is available via Room Service) for those who want to make their own cocktails (rather than pay through the nose at the bar). The housekeepers, however, were delightful and creative; one night watchman, Julio, was always cheerful and helpful. If the latter two types could impart some of their enthusiasm, helpfulness and honesty to the former, this hotel could be among the best in the area.