Contacted Ana by email for the booking, and was excellent in answering all our questions. Ana´s Casa was booked out so we actually stayed in Casa Diana, with Diana and Tony. Their house was beautiful inside, and they were very hospitable.
Hurricaine Ike hit Cuba when we were there, and Vedado (their barrio) was without power for a couple of days, forcing us to stay at the truely aweful Hotel Colina in town. It was twice the money of Casa Diana, which made it even more painful. We quickly moved back when the power was restored, and would totally recommend the Casa Particulare experience as a more interesting and authentic option than a hotel, and cheaper.
We had lost luggage and both Diana and Ana were great to help track this down at the airport when the phones (and staff) were not being particularly helpful.
We went to Trinidad and stayed in Casa Él Rustico with Rafael (an Ana recommendation) . He spoke no English but communication was ok with basic Spanish, and he tried very hard to be a great host. He was a chef so food was great- much better than Havana generally. Went for a hike in local forest, to a great waterfall and swimming hole. Got caught out a couple of times with taxis charging per person and one way when we though we agreed total costs up front.

My fiancee and I stayed with Ana and Pepe for a total of 5 days over the course of the last 2 weeks, three days of which were during the passing of Hurricane Ike.

They were incredibly helpful, caring and fun. Pepe most certainly was not as Sherlock described in the previous review. Sherlock asks for a 2 hour tour from Pepe, and complains when Pepe leaves after 2 hours? I don't quite get that. Also try not to forget Ana and Pepe are working from the moment they wake to the moment they go to sleep, 7 days a week - when a 2 hour tour is finished, he most likely goes off to buy food for his guests' dinner. $CUC30 is the right price for a casa particular in Havana. The beer was also the right price, and you should also ask him to make you a mojito or two - extremely tasty and rather potent. If you are lucky you may also be treated to an impromptu dance lesson from Pepe.

On the worst night of Hurricane Ike´s passing, a couple of travellers that were staying in a casa particular a block away came to Ana and Pepe's for dinner, as they had booked through them. That night the hurricane whipped up fierce winds, and there were regular explosions from electriciy boxes and wires on the street. Ana and Pepe were rightly concerned about the safety of walking around during this time, so offered their own bed to these travellers - they were prepared to sleep on chairs for people who were not even paying to stay in their house. Thankfully the travellers declined the kind offer and braved the storm to return to the casa at which they were staying.

These are great people, they provide a fantastic service - stay with them, it will make your trip.

As we left Cuba today the sun was shining again. What an amazing place.

Simply the Best !!!!

We went to Cuba and staying in la Casa de Ana - and Pepe!!- when we arrive Ana was not at the house so he was our
-wonderful- host till his lovely wife arrived .
If something I can seed from this trip is that is one of the most wonderful I had experience
and dont make a mistake about it yes Cuba is wonderful country by the 90% of the enjoyment of my
journey is do to the friendliness of my dear hosts and now proudly I shall refer to them as my dear friends.
I had a great time in their house , with their family and had being helped in all my needs.
The kitchen there is really good ! and even in the most difficult moments they have an smile for you.
The knowledge of Pepe about his country is great , to visit Old Havana in his company for me was and enormous pleasure and I thank him a lot for his kindness and we learn a lot
about the history and intriguing stories of the places we visited.
One of my favorites : the Happy Hours in la Casa de Ana , with Pepe excellent mojitos and his free salsa lessons .
The room was very nice and spacious and the house in general well taking care and extremely clean.
Staying at Casa de Ana made our trip to Cuba an unforgettable experience !
With tears in my eyes I seed loud Bravo Amigos keep being as you are .We need more Ana and Pepe in this world to make it a better place .

Stayed here for five nights after seeing the excellent reviews on this site. Sadly, our experience did not quite match them. The property is good, all mod cons. For a price. Mini-bar fridge laid on with water, beer available. For a price. Even partook in Pepe's 2 hour tour of Havana. This was good and interesting but as soon as the 2 hrs were up he was gone in a flash and left us thinking was this 2hrs really worth the average cubans monthly wage?

And when we had arranged to spend some money with someone else to guide us around Pepe's attitude changed towards us for the worse. Maybe this was out of concern that we might be getting ripped off but the cynic in me says it was more likely he was annoyed that it was'nt heading his way.

The owners very thoughtfully arranged accommodation for us in another city we were visiting which was the worst place we had come across in all of Cuba and also quite pricey.

We toured Cuba for 3 weeks and stayed with families (in worse conditions) in other towns who could'nt do enough for you and it was a struggle to give them your money and a real pleasure to stay with them. Here, it felt like the opposite.

So, I realise I may be in the minority on here but in our opinion this place is ok, at a price, there are plenty of more hospitable places out there and you leave them feeling you were more important than your wallet.