This hotel in my opinion is the best in Havana. It has character, it's decor is beautiful and in keeping with the feel of Havana. It's location is perfect, you can walk to all the main attractions. Our room was stunning and after 5 - 8 hours a day of walking round Havana I've got to say that the roof top pool was such a welcome relief both to cool off and recuperate. We spent 4 days here and 10 days at Paradisus Princesa Del Mar (resort near Varadero) which was also incredible however if I were to do it all again I'd spend a week in Havana and a week at the resort in Varadero. Havana has got to be the best city I've ever visited. There is so much to see and do there. The culture, people, food, nightlife were all brilliant. You have to embrace it though and go with the flow.

... but it didn't really match my expectations.

The plus points are the location, very easy to navigate the rest of the city from here. The rooftop pool -- excellent with great views of the city.

The room was okay - but beware, we stayed in one overlooking the bar atrium area. Fine if you're on a higher floor but you do get noise up till 3am and don't have any natural light. No fault of the hotel and unfortunately the property was full and we couldn't be moved.

Front of house staff ranged from surly to friendly so a bit hit and miss. Breakfast ok but not spectacular.

It is a shame, whilst the boutique feel is nearly there I didn't particularly warm to the place. If I return to Havana I'll go back to the Nacional in preference to the Saratoga.

We stayed at the Hotel Saratoga for a week mid October 2007. After visiting many of the other top rated hotels in Havana, I'd have to say that the Saratoga is probably the best of them all. Don't go there expecting International 5 star service, it's more like a very good 3 star, but still better than NH PC, Telegrafo, Inglaterra, etc.. Drinks at the Hotel Saratoga bars were cheaper than at NH PC, although NH PC do a great home-made leomonade !

The staff were very friendly and helpful, even when the Hotel's power failed for a little over a day, and the air conditioning stopped, all the lights went off and there was no water (as the Hotel's water is pumped around by electrical means), so no toilet flushing, shower or baths for a day or so while they got the power working again. They did give the guests a free meal in the hotel restaurant, and a bottle of Rum, but didn't arrange for the guests to be able to shower at another hotel.

We ended up eating in the hotel retaurant a number of times and were quite happy with the food, although my wife ordered the same meal two nights in a row and got two pretty different meals; Baby pig ribs with black beans arrived as a large pork chop with black beans one night and as a steak with black beans the next. On both occasions the meal was very tasty, but it highlights the contradictions of Cuba, you may not get quite what you were expecting.

Some of the basics need work, at breakfast one day you'd have a complete place setting, with cutlery and condiments, and the next day you'd be missing a butter knife and sugar, or the next day there'd be only one napkin at a two seater table and no milk.

Just remember where the Cubans are coming from, most of the people working in the hotels there have no experience of being in any other hotel, they have nothing to compare it to. As far as I can tell, there's no hotel school in Cuba, which is a pity as I really felt that they were trying very hard to please, it's just that they don't really have the experience necessary just yet.

Some practical observations, the Hotel has Wifi Internet access in the Mezzanine bar, and Ethernet cable Internet connections in the rooms, also both 110v and 220v power supply in the rooms.

Pizzas at the roof top pool (spectacular) were very edible, and better than those we tried at NH PC. Snacks at the Mezzanine bar were very good and the service there was very friendly.

Hotel location was pretty good, almost opposite to the Capitolio and we always felt safe walking various different routes to Old Havana due to the Tourist Police prescence almost everywhere and the complete lack of interest in material goods by the Cuban people. You will repeatedly be asked if you want to buy cigars, but when you reply 'Non Gracias', you will most likely be wished a pleasant holiday and then left in peace, quite refreshing !

If I was going back to Havana, I'd check to see if any newer hotels had been built and who was running them, if I found a newer hotel run by a European or US group, I'd weigh it against the Saratoga, as it stands, I stay at the Saratoga again.

After 4 days at the Iberostar varadero, an all inclusive, and all new cultural experience for us, the Saratoga was an oasis of calm sophistication.
Located in the central parque area and close to all the Old Town atttractions, this is no business/tousits hotel with loads of load mouth Europeans!
Check in(and out)
Was a relaxed 'sit down' affair...again, no swipe of the VISA! and bags taken to the room with the utmost effeciency.
Bar & Restaurant
Bar in a seperate room was nice and calm...apart from when the Rugby was on! and the restaurant was nice...the food was only OK and as I've said before..check your bill!!
Room
Just fantastic....ours had no external view but it was fitted out in a 5 star way with an amazing bathroom. All clean and very new.
Pool
Roof top pool was fairly small but great views and a nice bar with good service
Breakfast
Small selection but not that bad...or good.
Terrace bar
Just the perfect place to have a Mohito and cigar after a day in the city. Great snacks as well My favorite place in the hotel...just great!
Overall a great hotel without loads of tourists! A bit more expensive than others but perfect for couples. Staff were trying to act 'a bit cool' and could do better but we loved this hotel...the calm after the storm.