We have just returned from a week in Havana, staying at the Hotel Saratoga, and I have to agree with the majority of posters here, it was excellent! We booked via an internet travel agent, and got our flights (Birmingham to Havana via Paris) and a week's B&B in a Deluxe Patio room for around £1600, which was a bit cheaper than buying direct, so it's worth shopping around.

After a taxi ride from the airport (25 convertible pesos - don't pay more!) through the dark nighttime streets of Havana, we were a little disoriented, but once in the hotel, everything was great. Check in was effortless, the bell boy was extremely friendly and helpful and the room was a delight after a long flight. The Deluxe Patio rooms overlook a central atrium, at the bottom of which is the Mezzanine bar, but there is a glass roof over the bar, so noise isn't a problem (unless you're on floors 1 or 2 as there are windows that seem to open onto the bar, but it wasn't busy the whole time we were there). The bathroom was huge, with a rain shower and full size bath. There was plenty of wardrobe space and a free safe.

We ate several times at the hotel, mainly buffet breakfasts (where the hot food could have been warmer, admittedly!) and lunches. Some of the tapas are a bit pricey considering the portion size, but things like the pasta dishes and hamburgers are good value. Drinks are more expensive than most bars, but not outrageous - and they do great Mojitos and Daiquiris in the Mezzanine bar!

We spent a fair amount of time by the rooftop pool, which has amazing views over the city - you can see landmarks like the Capitolio, the Jose Marti memorial and the Teatro Nacional from your sunlounger. The pool is unheated, which is great on a baking hot day, but it can get surprisingly cool up there when the wind gets up! There is a bar serving drinks and meals there too, and free towels are provided for guests.

The room was kept beautifully by our maids, who would leave us some fancy towel-origami on the bed every day (swans, love hearts, a sailboat etc). The staff were largely friendly and helpful, although some were classically laid-back Habaneros! But hey, you're in Cuba...

The hotel is in a great location, overlooking the Captiolio and slap in between Habana Vieja and Centro Habana. It does mean a taxi ride if you want to see Vedado or Miramar, but we didn't bother as there is loads to do nearby. The Partagas cigar factory is a must, as are mojitos in La Bodeguita del Medio. By all means grab a daiqiri in El Floridita, but this is a real tourist trap, and you pay for it! There are loads of great little bars dotted around nearby, all with live bands every night. For a cheap meal, try a pizza at 'A Prado y Neptuno' on the north western corner of Parque Central. Havana after dark can seem intimidating, but it's safer than it looks. Just be prepared for lots of people offering you cheap cigars...

Back at the hotel, the only negatives I can think of are: there was a bit of a knack to flushing the loo; the 'hot' breakfasts weren't; there was a noisy party on the roof one night which echoed around the central atrium a bit!

Overall, I would say that although this hotel might not be quite up to Western 5-star standards, the staff and management are trying reeeally hard!

We spent 3 nights in the Saratoga in March 2007. Check-in was efficient and friendly. We were introduced to the Concierge, Raul, at that time. He later telephoned our room to ask if he could help us in any way. He spent quite a few minutes showing us on the map places we could visit on foot and also recommended where we could eat. We followed his advice each evening and were not disappointed. Don't expect Cordon Bleu cooking anywhere in Cuba though. On the last night we went to a Paladare which involved a 10 minute taxi ride through the tunnel to what seemed the back of beyond. Unlike a previous reviewer we were delighted with the setting under cover in the owner's back garden. The food was also the best meal we had during our week in Cuba. We would never have found this gem without Raul's help.

The hotel itself has been beautifully restored. We were initially disappointed that our room overlooked the internal courtyard which incoroprates the mezzanine bar but others whose rooms overlooked the city were wakened very early by traffic noise. Our room was spotless when we arrived and kept that way by the very attentive room maids. Minor maintenance doesn't seem to be a high priority though. There were several small items in the room needed attention. Perhaps more importantly, one of the cubicles in the Gents toilet near the Mezzanine bar had a broken lock. For a hotel claiming to be 5 star this isn't acceptable.

As we ate out in the evenings the only meal we had in the hotel was breakfast. This was disappointing, with a poor selection of fruit, juices which were probably concentrate rather than fresh, and hit & miss service. The first morning we were given menus for the cooked choices but these had disappeared by morning two. Each morning my wife had two poached eggs, which either came very quickly or took ages. On each occasion one was cooked properly and the other overcooked. Some of the staff were attentive while others seemed to be avoiding eye contact. Other guests we spoke to had dinner in the hotel twice. They described the first evening as "like Faulty Towers" but said it was far better the second time.

Despite my criticisms I've given the Saratoga an "above average" rating because the good points are very good and from what I saw of other Cuban hotels it is head and shoulders above most of them.

We stayed at the Saratoga for 4 nights in Feb / March and would strongly recommend it as a base for a stay in Havana.

It is in the old town - right opposite the cigar factory and the capital building. The coast / fort is only a 15 minute walk away.

The rooms are a good size and the bathrooms nice. We went fotra 'saratoga room' ( junior suite) and this seemed to garentee you a view of the city, rather than one over the atrium.

The food is good, service can be a little slow.

The pool is really the best bit - it is on the roof over looking the city, so good for sun bathing and taking photos of the city. food up on the roof is also more casual (pizzas and pastas), wheras the inside resturants can be expensive unless you have something basic. The Tapas bar is also good for lunch.

There is a tour operator on the ground floor to book tours and Club Tropicana! The counceige also called us on our first day to see if he could help us with anything...

Only small problem we had was that the exchange rate on cash was worse than at the airport and the other hotel we stayed at which seemed to be consistent.

Oh and that the toilet seats don't fit any of the toilets.....but we can cope with that when everything else was so good....

Hotel Saratoga, is clearly the best Havana has to offer in terms of appealing gringo décor. The photography is cool, the restoration is wonderful and the bathrooms have exotic tiling, big bathtubs and large rain showers.

However, when you compare the price tag of $400, versus other hotels all priced between $160-$200, it isn’t 2 or 3 times better, for the equivalent price increase.

We travel a lot, and expect a hotel demanding $400 a night, ( which puts it in the Four Seasons, Fairmont, Marriott, bracket of pricing) should have certain standards and amenities; luxurious bedding, large soft towels, and nice shower gels and shampoos and conditioners for starters.

The buffet in the morning was disappointing, fried food, little or no fresh fruit, missing cutlery and indifferent staff. However the Moorish décor is very attractive, and the upstairs internal mezzanine is a lovely, sunny place to sit.

The unheated pool upstairs has a wonderful view over the city where you can watch the sun go down, and drink cocktails. If you are staying for more than 3 days, a pool is a definite plus.

The concierge is to be avoided. He sent us on a 15 or 20 minute cab journey out of the city to what amounted to an elderly woman’garage restaurant. ( Probably his mother-in-laws.)

The food was overpriced, we could only order the “special,” read most expensive item, and the meal took over 2 and half hours to be served.

We found the cafes within the old city squares to be charming, with plants parakeets and musicians. There was no need to venture further afield.

For my money, Saratoga would be great value at $200- $250 a night.

In hindsight the best location would be closer to Old Havana i.e. Hotel Florida’s location.

Enjoy the architecture, the cars and the history, but don’t expect value for money unless you’re coming with British sterling.