This htel was a great pick because it offered all the comforts of home right in the middle of Havana. The staff was always ahead of us and the rooms were simply gorgeous.

The roof top pool was very nice but it was hard to find a spot to sit because they do not have that many seats. You have to arrive early to get a good spot in the pool.

Other than that, the entire place was simply perfect and it made our stay in Hava all that more special.

Stay here if you want all of the modern comforts of home during your stay in Havana. The BIG bonus of this hotel is the rooftop pool (but you have to be quick to get a pool lounge!)

PROS:
- rooftop pool
- central location
- large comfy beds

CONS:
- overpriced
- not enough pool lounges or seats, always crowded

we loved this boutique hotel contrast with the city was amazing
enjoy wonderfull sunsets at the roof pool looking the capitol
modern trendy lobby and good rooms
not expensive and small size definitely our kind of property
walking distance to everything in downtown havana
stayed 4 days before one week in iberostar varadero really enjoy the trip and kids too

Ok, I've been to Cuba and Havana many many many times, so here is some preamble before you read the hotel review, especially for first time Havana visitors....

You will be going to a third world, very poor, very dirty city with a tropical climate. If you go mental if there is a fly in the buffet, or if they run out of eggs in the buffet and dont replace them instantly, or if there is a spec of dirty on your cutlery, or a chip on the coffee cup, or the table clothe has a stain, or the streets are dirty and full of pot holes, or if its hot and humid, or if well meaning kind locals chat you up and ask you if you want to buy some cigars, or the taxi doesnt have air conditioning, or the weather is unpredictable and you get a surprise 1 hour rain shower - or anything like that - then I suggest either you stay home in your fuzzy slippers on your well worn lazy boy watching Corrie or you choose a destination like Paris, London, New York, Montreal, etc - where I have encountered all the above anyway ! LOL

Now the people - I've walked every side street of Havana late at night with expensive camera equipment, watch, glasses etc and have never been bothered. There are LOTS of police everywhere, but the crime rate is lower in Havana than any international city of the same size. Doesnt mean you should temp fate though - be smart - but enjoy. You WILL have local people draw your picture, sing, play music etc for you and kindly ask for some small tip. Yes it could get annoying if its frequent - get over it (see fuzzy slipper comment above). Give them 1-3 pesos and you'll make their day. If you spend 50 CUC in a week as such, get over it.

If you fly in to Havana airport, there are 2 money change areas just where you exit for the taxi. Line up, change more than you think you'll need (especially if you come back) and make sure you get LOTS of small 1, 3, 5 CUC bills for tips etc. Taxis are well organized, 25 CUC flat rate to the city, give taxi 28, dont be cheap.

They will try to sell you cigars. Dont bother, just say you dont smoke etc. Prices are controlled so buy cigars at one of the cigar factories (partagas in front of your hotel) that sell all brands, or just get at duty free at airport on way home - duty free has all the brands and rum etc.

Just because they are poor and dont speak perfect English (many do) does not mean they are stupid. They have one of the highest literacy rates in the world and the highest number of (good) doctors per capita. Treat them as such, you'll enjoy talking to them, dont be afraid!

Hotel was close to Barrio Chino (Chinatown) food ok but go somewhere for Cuban food - lots of prostitutes chatting you up at dinner there. They are polite, low pressure, but resist the temptation!

You can walk to the water (Malecon), Plaza Veija, Plaza Armas, etc from your hotel or take a taxi. Taxies are cheap - if metered, if not, establish price up from, give a tip. Try a coco & bike taxis !

You need to take a taxi - but go to Plaza de la Revolution and go up the tower. From there, take taxi to Cemeterie Cristobal Colon - you can spend a few hours there, bring camera - its amazing!

Along the water you can see El Morro fort/lighthouse and at 9pm they fire the canons once. You can go over by way of taxi thru the tunnel - you can walk around and there is a restaurant.

-- HOTEL etc --
I prepaid for room from Canadian travel agent, breakfast included, garden view. I paid CAD$771 incl taxes, feees, charges, etc for everything for 4 nights.

The breakfast is ok, might as well get it, its clean, fairly well stocked with meats, eggs, salmon, breads etc etc. Good Cuban coffee, juice etc.

The reception was fast and efficient. Bring printoutS of you confirmation as they'd like to take one for their records. Room was GREAT - large, clean, big bed, good tv, mini-bar, good closets, GREAT safe that I could store lots of camera equipment, washroom had great shower, lots of hot water, separate bath, toilet, bidet, large really nice new sink. I have no complaints about room or maid service. They do occasionally knock or even come in even if the do not disturb sign is on, but oh well, get over it. The vew wasof a glass dome over a restaurant so not so great but you can open the drapes or doors to let light in. Air cond was good. Was not noisy at night like some have said.

I didnt not eat in the restaurant other than breakfast but the restaurants seems good, the bars as well. I ate on the street, more fun.

Pool is GREAT. Clean, fresh, sufficient chairs, good bar, great views, watched the sun set ! Towels are good, soft, clean and free.

I know Havana very well and this hotel local was great. right by Capitol Building as a map/visual reference point. You can walk everywhere from here. Hotel Nacional is fancier and more upscale glamour, but its FAR from centreal/old Havana. From a local point of view - Seville, Ingleterre, Parc Central where all close by and seemed ok too.

Check out was very easy, just paid for the min-bar items with cash, they checked to room to make sure i didnt steal towels etc and i was good to go in taxi back to airport, easy! 25 cuc flat rate back to airport, 20 cuc departure tax, AFTER you check in. Lots of duty free shops at airport after security around the gates. Restaurants too. And you can smoke in the airport, how cool is that! You can smoke anywhere in Cuba by the way.

I was entirely happy with the Saratoga and would clearly stay there again without hesitation.

Enjoy, questions, ask !