I’m guessing that the previous reviewer hasn’t been to Havana before, so has nothing to compare the Hotel Santander to. My wife and I spent three nights here back in February and loved it. The building has been very nicely converted from old shipping offices: there’s a reception area with leather sofas and slatted blinds; a central marble staircase with stone pillars, and high ceilings everywhere. Very cool and elegant. Our room (108) was split-level, with bedroom above and sitting area below. There was a minibar, TV, hairdrier, toiletries – all the usual amenities. We thought the 24 hour bar (unusual in Cuba) was great: good sandwiches, can’t speak for other food, but with so many interesting options available in Havana you’d be mad to spend your time eating at the hotel restaurant. Breakfast was fine, too – though we could have done without the poor guy who was sent in to play a violin that no-one wanted to hear at eight in the morning.

Now to the downside. Location: yes it overlooks the docks, and docks aren’t beautiful. But they are atmospheric in a way, and certainly very ‘Havana’. They’re also quiet, at least compared to the street noise you’d get if staying in a hotel on a busy street in Old Havana. Staff: this is Cuba, and hotel staff here aren’t trained up as well as they could be, but we found their willingness to help more than compensated for that. We experienced no rudeness at all – quite the opposite. On a separate point, it might be useful if the hotel either opened its rooftop terrace bar or stopped referring to it in its publicity.

Do bear in mind that is Havana, not London and not New York. If 5-star service and facilities are all-important to you might as well keep your blood pressure down and holiday elsewhere, because believe me, the Santander is pretty much as good as it gets. Take a look at some of the other Havana hotel reviews on Tripadvisor and you’ll see what I mean.