Having stayed at the Saratoga at the beginning and end of our Cuban holiday I can be doubly disappointed. First stay 3 nights in a Junior suite. Well furnished second floor room which was spacious. However this room (and all the suites) overlooks a huge confluence of roads and laybays next to the Park and the Capitolio. The noise was astounding - starting at 6.30am. At these rates I would expect the refurbishment to have included proper fitting double glazed windows. This would have also avoided the choking diesel/exhaust fumes from filling the room as well. This improved when we changed to the 7th floor but not hugely (at least fewer fumes). Luxurious bathrooms would have been enhanced by hot water in the shower (which we did eventually get on the 7th floor). The second stay for one night was in a 'terrace room'. This actually means it overlooks a ground floor "terrace" which has now been converted to the indoor hotel bar. The window was just above the heads of the patrons - and presuming there would be little interest in us undressing we kept the curtains drawn at all times. The noise in this room came from the lift mechanism as well as the crooning duo in the bar (and the sing along patrons) but at least no traffic fumes!
Overall, underwhelmed by the service (particularly around the roof top swimming pool - the bar stewards/waitresses had far more important matters to discuss between themselves than to actually come round with drinks) and the tendancy to be fobbed off at reception (not least with the worst room they can get away with giving you) and overwhelmed by the room rates.
Breakfasts were good and the bell"boys" very helpful though.

This hotel is overrated, until one looks into the local competition.

Room: Ordinary size, reasonably clean. However, do not be surprised if a maid just walks in using her key without knocking or announcing.....it happened. The room trash (empty soda cans, nut bags) were not picked up ever during four days. The shower ran scalding hot or cold, depending upon which minute I was under the shower head. The toilet flush valve broke the first time I pushed it. Room safe is handy and useful.

General: Hotel literature says drinking the water is not suggested. There is no bottled water provided in the room, unless one takes their recommendation to buy a bottle for USD $2.50. I drank the tap water and it was ok.

The hotel location is great. An easy walk to Old Havana.

Breakfast: It's complimentary, but I should have been paid to eat it. At the buffet table, a two or three pound pile of bacon cooked as a lump and placed on a platter as a greasy marginally cooked tangled pile. Scrambled eggs almost floating in a big bowl as the water leeched out over time. 8:00 A.M. and there were flies walking on the fresh fruit and meats, etc. One day the milk was tepid, the next day quite warm and the next day it had to have been diluted with water...never consistent.

Lobby bar: Service is ok if you could get the wait staff to tear themselves away from the group joke swapping session among themselves at the bar. Lots of people just standing around and not working.

Appetizers: Three thumb (last joint) size bits of unremarkable meat with bar-b-que sauce, each on a small wood skewer for USD $6.00.

Late check out: Bring more money. The $1200 CUC I had spent was apparently not enough. They wanted $20 CUC more to stay two extra hours and there was plenty of room availability. Instead, I bought a lemonade at the bar and read a book until my airport departure

Swimming pool: Forget exersize swimming. It looks much bigger in the brochures. The rooftop bar staff were totally unattentive. "You want something...get it yourself". The view is interesting for a short while, then the sight of delapidaded rooftops gets old.

This hotel looks charming and of a botique nature. But, the staff is inadequately trained. All in all, a disappointment for the money.

This is a great hotel. Stylish, comfortable, an oasis of calm in crazy Habana. The staff were fantastic, food and drinks great and the experience of sipping a mojito from the roof top pool overlooking the Habana skyline hard to beat.

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.