We made reservations in this hotel based on recommendations in the "Top ten" Cuba travel guide. Upon arrival in early November, we registered in the evening and spent a very bad night. The A/C was noisy and the following morning there was no hot water!
You can tell this hotel must have been lovely once. My friend said she'd stayed there about 12 years before and it looked as though they'd done nothing to it since. Such a let down as it's quite expensive for Havana but we wanted to treat ourselves for a few days. The rooms have no windows and it was dark, dank and very musty smelling. The bathroom was old and tatty and could have done with a complete refit. The only saving grace was that the air conditioning wasn't working properly and when we checked in the staff offered us a transfer to their sister hotel the Raquel. After one night we moved to the Raquel which was lovely but would have been even more expensive if we had booked there. Stay in a nice casa particular instead!
we paid a 'fair' bit for the room via the online system. Accepting the fact that this is how things go in Cuba. Upon arrival the check in was smooth. The doorman however tried to tout tickets and dinners to us without end. One of the down sides of Cuba, as we have had many such experiences. But NO does not mean no. We then asked for late check out due to late flight. We were told to pay 40 CUC or 40 US. We accepted. Only later did I notice that late check out until 23H00 is only 30, whilst they forced us out of the room by 6 pm. Again, trying to scam travellers out of money. Room was tidy, sink was blocked and internet not operative. Safe had a lock with that was placed next to safe, so safe available but not WORKING. Alas. one more for the books.
They can really prepare a good mojito, but looks like to me that the main reason for them is to make you drunk and cheat you. They tried to cheat us for 50 CUC without any excuse. “MONKS!!!” Be careful, nice place, but ... There a lot of another places without this behavior and with a respect to customers.
The staff were dresssed as monks plus there were metal 'statues' of monks which gave the place a touch of character. Only came in to try their version of the mojito. Bit pricey at 4 CUCs but strong and a good flavour.
On our walk around old Havana, it was a coffee stop, however, for a specific reason. The hostel is very quaint, a small Lobby, come Bar. Beautiful murals on the side walls. Within the Lobby area, you can view part of the old water storage system used, when Havana first developed by the Spanish. Coffee was good too!
Stayed at Hotel Los Frailes during our visit to Cuba last year, a few days at the start of our 2 week holiday, and a couple of days at the end. The hotel is in a great location in Old Havana. Your taxi can only get to within a couple of hundred metres so be prepared to move your own luggage along cobble streets. The hotel itself looks fantastic, everyone working in the hotel dressed as monks habits. Some kind of old monastery. Interesting enough even just to walk in and have a look around. Many tours seemed to do just that. Always busy during the day with people taking photos of the staff and artefacts around the hotel. In the first visit we had a room with no windows, which was fine except for that point. Fairly clean with some interesting furniture. For our second stay, we were put in a far nicer room at the front of the hotel on the top floor with a great view from the balcony of the square. The sturdiness of the balcony did not look too robust, so didn't stay out there that long. There was internet available, but as with many places in Cuba, you had to buy an access card. Interesting place, I gave it 4 stars, anywhere else in the world, and it would have been 3, this is Cuba and was one of the nicer hotels we stayed in. I would recommend staying, but there are things that give it a shabby appearance, enamel bath with big chips in it, poor tiling in the bathroom, etc. etc. Remember, no Credit Cards so have cash or at least access to it…
We had walked past this hotel a few times, when we one day decided to visit for some drink or coffee. It was interesting to have a look and a rest inside near the bar area. The information we did get about the rooms without windows and prices put us off. But,- this place is worth a visit for a drink and a look around as it does not really compare with many other hotels in Havana. The location in Teniente is close to all lively places in old-Havana.
It's worth wandering in through the bar of this artful hotel to see the beautiful green courtyard and take a peek at the exposed section of the old water storage tank below ground. There are number of life size bronze depictions of hooded friar standing around which are quite impressive in their flowing robes.
We were dropped off by shuttle in a deserted square late at night. Found the hotel due to the metal monk outside. The room was without windows, as befitting an old monastery, but there was plenty of lighting. The room and bathroom were large with a great chambermaid service. Breakfast at the local cafe 30 seconds away was good. Plus there was a bank exchaning money across from this. In fact, everything you needed was within easy reach. Also, you had the great experience of having a woodwind quartet playing in the lobby , as you zonked out on cocktails. Also the old square was close by, with bars and restaurants. Then, the streets leading to the centre of the city were very close. These had bars and eateries with live music. All of 'em. Brilliant. We walked and rode all over Havana and couldn't find a better placed hotel.…
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