Bacardi Building
Bacardi Building
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4.0
579 reviews
Excellent
198
Very good
250
Average
105
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18
Terrible
8
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London, United Kingdom427 contributions
We were amazed that not many people seem to know this fantastic Art Deco building in Havana. It was built by the Bacardi family as the first building in this style but when they left Cuba, it was of course not taken with them so it has been standing there. There are offices on many of its floors but we can still appreciate its magnificent entrance hall and Havana view from the top of the building. All details are still intact such as lighting, carvings and bat motifs so I could not stop taking photos. Their Art Deco cafe is small but the staff are so friendly and their tasty hamburger was made fresh. During our stay in Havana, we kept on going there everyday to sit for a cup of mint tea and lunch. One of the best places in Havana. Highly recommended for you to visit before they go through a restoration.
Written August 26, 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kit S
Atlanta, GA117 contributions
Dec 2013 • Friends
The Bacardi Building is one of my favorite buildings in Havana. I have visited Havana 11 times in the past 14 years, and I always swing by this Art Deco grand dame to see how the renovations are coming (hey, things move slowly in Cuba). You can read all about the history and significance of the building online (it’s an architectural masterpiece of international renown), so I’ll stick with offering visitor tips here.
Yes, as noted in other reviews, the building is under ongoing renovation, and you can only visit certain areas. What you have to realize, though, is how much work has been done in recent years; by comparison, the building was virtually derelict when I first saw it in the year 2000. You can take photos all around the lobby of the building, and I’ve always found the guards to be congenial and welcoming. Yes, they charge two CUCs for access to the elevator to the top floor, but I totally think the view is worth the price, plus tipping is an important part of the economy in Cuba. Yes, after you exit the elevator, you have to climb several flights of rather treacherous stairs to reach the various levels of the cupola. Again, I think that’s part of the experience of seeing the innards of such an extraordinary historic building (keep in mind that the cupola was probably never designed as a public space to be visited by large numbers of people).
What I want to offer now is my special “insider’s tip” for viewing the Bacardi Building, FROM THE ROOF of the adjacent Hotel Plaza. I’ve done this many times, regardless of whether I was actually at guest at the Hotel Plaza at the time, and have never had a problem. Enter the lobby of the Hotel Plaza and proceed confidently to the elevator -- just nod and smile if there’s a security guard in the foyer. Take the elevator to the top floor, where the door will open into the breakfast room. Proceed to the double doors at the end of the breakfast room and step out onto the rooftop patio – voila, you now have an extraordinary view of the Bacardi Building (and the Havana skyline), from five stories above street level. You can take photos from various places on the roof (great for “selfies”!) without having to worry about traffic or hucksters. See my photos to get the full effect – please check it out and let me know what you think!
Yes, as noted in other reviews, the building is under ongoing renovation, and you can only visit certain areas. What you have to realize, though, is how much work has been done in recent years; by comparison, the building was virtually derelict when I first saw it in the year 2000. You can take photos all around the lobby of the building, and I’ve always found the guards to be congenial and welcoming. Yes, they charge two CUCs for access to the elevator to the top floor, but I totally think the view is worth the price, plus tipping is an important part of the economy in Cuba. Yes, after you exit the elevator, you have to climb several flights of rather treacherous stairs to reach the various levels of the cupola. Again, I think that’s part of the experience of seeing the innards of such an extraordinary historic building (keep in mind that the cupola was probably never designed as a public space to be visited by large numbers of people).
What I want to offer now is my special “insider’s tip” for viewing the Bacardi Building, FROM THE ROOF of the adjacent Hotel Plaza. I’ve done this many times, regardless of whether I was actually at guest at the Hotel Plaza at the time, and have never had a problem. Enter the lobby of the Hotel Plaza and proceed confidently to the elevator -- just nod and smile if there’s a security guard in the foyer. Take the elevator to the top floor, where the door will open into the breakfast room. Proceed to the double doors at the end of the breakfast room and step out onto the rooftop patio – voila, you now have an extraordinary view of the Bacardi Building (and the Havana skyline), from five stories above street level. You can take photos from various places on the roof (great for “selfies”!) without having to worry about traffic or hucksters. See my photos to get the full effect – please check it out and let me know what you think!
Written September 30, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
r00m_with_a_view
United Kingdom1,209 contributions
Mar 2014 • Couples
The finest Art Deco building in Havana (IMO) a short walking distance from Obispo.
Finished in red granite ,twelve stories high, completed in 1930.
Unfortunately we were no able to view beyond the ornate foyer but did take the lift to the viewing floor . Just give the gentleman on reception 1 CUC.
An impressive building - amazing views.
Finished in red granite ,twelve stories high, completed in 1930.
Unfortunately we were no able to view beyond the ornate foyer but did take the lift to the viewing floor . Just give the gentleman on reception 1 CUC.
An impressive building - amazing views.
Written April 16, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Polish_Legion
Burlington, Canada402 contributions
Jun 2013 • Friends
When we first saw this building we took a few shots from across the street until my friend pointed out that the guard was waving us over to come to him. At this point we were a little hesitant because we heard all the original catch phrases possible, like, 'cigars my friend?' or 'Can I have your hat?'. Needless to say when we approached him he said we could go to the top of the tower if we all paid him 1 CUC each. We didn't hesitate and jumped at it.
We took the elevator to the 7th floor and climbed a spiral staircase all the way to the top of the tower and had an amazing view of literally everything in Old Havana and across the harbor. I'm glad we did this option since we missed out on going into the lighthouse at the Fort El Morro.
We took the elevator to the 7th floor and climbed a spiral staircase all the way to the top of the tower and had an amazing view of literally everything in Old Havana and across the harbor. I'm glad we did this option since we missed out on going into the lighthouse at the Fort El Morro.
Written July 9, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
moineauQc
Quebec City, Canada3,492 contributions
Nov 2012 • Couples
another thing to see in havana this building is really nice ,if you pass the day in Havana you will pass in front of it so dont miss it 1
Written December 4, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RobinThom
Vancouver, BC, Canada1,083 contributions
Dec 2011 • Couples
The Bacardi building is an Art Deco jewel. See http://www.cubaism.com/bacardi-building for more details on its history. This is one of Havana's most famous buildings and is worth visiting. Another small bar is on the second floor of the Asociacion Canaria de Cuba (Jose Marti's mother, Leonor Perez Cabrera, was from the Canary Islands) and is a good excuse for a quiet peek into a building rarely visited by foreigners.
Written November 17, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Luvs2TravelAnywhere
New York City, NY7,191 contributions
Mar 2016
The Bacardi headquarters started here so this will be of interest to both architecture fans and rum drinkers. The building stands out as it one of the tallest buildings and the charming structure has held up very well.
Written April 21, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
swift314
Sheffield, UK12,103 contributions
Feb 2016 • Solo
The bacardi building once world famous now not open to the public - i did try to get in but was politely told no - nothing other than a photo stop nowadays on the tourist route
Written February 22, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
su12345
London, UK818 contributions
Dec 2014 • Couples
Really nice building, perfect view of the city from the top. It is a shame there is no information about it on site. I would really recommend to read the history about it before you go, well interesting!
Also you can find out more from the guard, where you pay your entrance fee (only 1CUC). We had a nice chat with him, he was very open to talking about the building and general Cuban history.
The other floors of the building are used for offices and tourist agencies.
Also you can find out more from the guard, where you pay your entrance fee (only 1CUC). We had a nice chat with him, he was very open to talking about the building and general Cuban history.
The other floors of the building are used for offices and tourist agencies.
Written January 11, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
poglette
Brighton UK101 contributions
Oct 2012 • Friends
We found this building by accident whilst walking to the Museum of the Revolution, and were so pleased we did! Having loved the outside, we went in for a nose about and the concierge asked if we wanted to go up to the roof. It cost 2 cucs each and the lift only went part way. We then went up through a building where there is some evidence of restoration, but no visible work in progress! The view from the roof is stunning - 360 degrees - but I don't think H and S in the UK would permit visitors up there! It is really interesting to see the profile of the city, all the historic buildings, roof top swimming pools, and the fort and the sea.
Well worth the price.
Well worth the price.
Written November 16, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Saludos, Yanet.
Esta próxima semana voy a La Habana con el fin de alquilar una oficina en el Bacardí. Soy de nacionalidad cubana. Te agradecería pudieras orientarse al respecto.
Sin más, te reitero los saludos cordiales.
Lic. Ingrid Martínez
Written September 1, 2018
Cuando fuia Cuba, caminando por las calles vi el edificio Bacardi. Me parecio cerrado porque no vi a nadie entrando o saliendo, pero las cosas pueden cambiar de mes a mes.
Written September 4, 2018
Hi. Does anyone know the opening hours for the roof top views on the Bacardi Building? Can you go up for the views later in the day?
Mel
Written June 23, 2018
Hi, I just pass by the Bacardi Bldng in Cuba, looks like from the outside is closed. I took pictures of it due to this family moved from Cuba to Puerto Rico and the Bacardi name and business is in Catano, Puerto Rico. If you travel to Puerto Rico they have tours to the Bacardi plant.
Written June 26, 2018
que precio tiene la entrada ???
Written August 27, 2016
El edificio de Bacardi cuando yo pase caminando las calles me parecio cerrado. Nadie entrando o saliendo, pero las cosas pueden variar de mes a mes.
Written September 4, 2018
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