I'm Doruk Mit. I live in Turkey and I work for Coca-Cola here. I like to travel a lot and I've seen lots of countries and lots of places to stay like the best hotels in the world i can say.
I was in Havana from 19 - 28th of November. I stayed in a casa particular called CASA ANTIGUA!!! This is really an awesome place. At first when you get there and look at the building outside you can not understand how cosy, clean and well decorated paradise will open up behind the door. Marta & Horacio couple are living in the house and running the place as a Casa Particular (rental rooms for travelers) in a quite professional fashion. The place is decorated as it was made by a professional combining the confort and artistic talent. People are so friendly you become like a guest or friend in the house. They are quite easy going people that you live like you are in your own house. You feel free to do what you want without any interference. Man in the house "Horacio" he owns and plays the piano (an old Steinway!!) His father used to be a "piano adjuster" (i dont know how to say in English, he used to fix the piano to get the perfect sound & musical note...) Every morning he played us the piano with various examples of Cuban Music. He tells about Cuban music, the roots, differentiation of the music types from its origins etc. that you learn more then you can learn when you stay in a Hotel in a culture that you dont know pretty much. He speaks English which is a hard thing to find in Cuba. He becomes your guide about where to go in Havana (including the names of the bars or restaurants or cheap transportation etc.) then you become like a resident of the city indeed. Also one night he told us about the Cuban history, the revolution etc. And again I felt like I couldnt be learning that much if i stayed just in a hotel. He prepares you a delicious breakfast with cuban local fruits, juices and regular breakfast things. You listen to your piano then you feel like yeah ready to go!!! Place is really clean also. You dont feel like you know i stay with a family and obey their different life style. Its clean as you can find in a good hotel. I've seen 2 more casa particulars in my stay in Havana they were also nice but this is significantly different. Its also good in price that you pay like 35 peso for night its like 35 canadian dolars. I'm greatful that i stayed there and will be staying in the same place when i go there again. I now feel like I have good friends in Havana that we are still in touch with each other. I can understand what kind of hesitations that a person can have before going to an unknown place like Havana but dont worry you'll be doing the first best thing for your vacation if you stay there since the place is warm, clean, friendly, affordable, entertaining!!! I upload some pictures here you may see better, what I'm trying to say. You can contact me from dorukmit@yahoo.com if you have any questions about the place or Havana...