I tend to agree with the previous review ("really good for Cuban standards") but disagree with the other one ("best choice for Havana"). I stayed at the NH, the Saratoga and the Hotel Nacional. Concerning the price/benefit relation, the Saratoga disapointed me the most (at USD 400 plus a night for a double without breakfast, it was very overpriced for what I got). It is really cute: interesting and modern design, charming bar on the second floor and decent (yet overpriced) restaurant on lobby level. It lacks infrastructure for a hotel that claims to be a 5 star. The lobby is minimal and unimpressive (reception is 3 desks in one end of the very small lobby). Check in tends to be claustrophobic when there is more than a couple of guests checking in or out or exchanging money. It claims to be centrally located and, although next door to the Capitolium, it is located in the seedy part of that (NH has a better location).
Bedroom looks exactly like the pictures (even the size of it: I got a Jr. Suite and my room was smaller than the standard room at the Hotel Nacional and about the sime size as the standard room at the NH). Still, it is VERY new. Bathroom was -at least visually- what impressed me the most: beautiful - yet not functional: overflooding in the first shower my husband took.
Unless you get a great rate, it is not worth spending the money they ask for it.

All Cuban hotels need to be reviewed in the context of other Cuban hotels rather than their counterparts elsewhere in the world. With this in mind, Hotel Saratoga is great and I would stay here again if coming to Havana.

We were upgraded to the Jnr Suite (room 704) on the 7th floor. The room was big, clean and had a comfortable bed with stylish interiors. The shower was good but you needed a few attempts to flush the toilet. There were windows overlooking the street below and you could watch Havana life go by. It was a little noisy with the traffic (windows were not double glazed) but I am a very light sleeper and managed to sleep through without earplugs.

I did return for 1 night and was in a room on the interior of the second floor which overlooks the mezzanine bar. You can hear the music as if you were in the bar and the band plays until 11pm. When I asked to change rooms I was told the only room available was on the second floor and it was exactly the same. I went to speak to the manager and low and behold a room on the 5th floor was free - great as I had to get up at 4am for an early flight. I would definately ask for a room on the 4th floor or above to avoid the noise from the lobby if you will be having early nights.

The rooftop pool area was great for a pre dinner drink and they make the best Dacquiris we had in Cuba, and we had quite a few. I agree with previous reviews that the service isn't great up here - it's quicker just to go to the bar and order yourself.

Breakfast was diverse but service & food not great; there seem to be loads of staff meandering around but you need to set yourself on fire to get their attention. We found this the case in most places we ate in Cuba so I think this is the norm. We ordered eggs benedict one morning that were bought without the hollandaise sauce. When we asked where is was the kitchen told us they didn't have any.

We had dinner there on the first night and it was pretty average. You would do much better at El Templete and it is definately worth making a booking at La Guarida.

Reception staff were fine but not overly friendly. Bellboys and doormen were great & really nice.

Overall, a good hotel by Cuban standards and worth paying the extra money.

This is an excellent hotel which successfully combines old world colonial charm and character with modern facilities. It is in a very central location overlooking the Capitolio building - there is a lot of hustle and bustle right on the doorstep which, for us, only added to the ambience and unique experience that is Havana. Most of the tourist sights including the old town are within walking distance or just a short taxi ride away.
We had a room on the 3rd floor which was huge with incredibly high ceilings and a balcony overlooking the street. The bathroom was roomy with lovely tiles, a bath and a walk-in shower cubicle. Our teenagers had a room on the 6th floor without the high ceilings and balcony -it was nice but not as impressive as ours. It's definitely worth asking for a room on a lower floor at the front of the hotel.
An added bonus is the roof top pool which has fantastic views of Havana and a nice bar serving drinks and light meals. There is a tapas bar on the ground floor which we tried and liked and also another bar on a mezanine level which is very pleasant and where we were able to have breakfast when the the main restaurant was busy
The staff were always very helpful with making reservations, changing money etc. We saw some of the other hotels in Havana and my impression is that the Saratoga is probably the best available.

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.