Islazul Hotel Libertad
Aguilera No 658 e/ Serafin Sanchez y Perez Carbo, Santiago de Cuba 90100 Cuba
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About
#18 of 24 hotels in Santiago de Cuba
Location
4.4
Rooms
2.9
Value
3.6
Cleanliness
3.4
Service
3.3
Sleep Quality
3.1
Finding an ideal family-friendly hotel in Santiago de Cuba does not have to be difficult. Welcome to Islazul Hotel Libertad, a nice option for travelers like you.
Islazul Hotel Libertad is a family-friendly hotel offering air conditioning in the rooms.
Plus, guests can enjoy an on-site restaurant, which has made this a popular choice among travelers visiting Santiago de Cuba.
Close to some of Santiago de Cuba's most popular landmarks, such as Plaza de Marte (0.1 mi) and Calle Heredia (0.2 mi), Islazul Hotel Libertad is a great destination for tourists.
During your visit, be sure to check out one of Santiago de Cuba's popular shrimp restaurants such as Salon Tropical, Restaurant San Francisco, and Restaurante Primos Twice, all a short distance from Islazul Hotel Libertad.
Should time allow, Diego Velázquez Museum, Céspedes Park, and Revolution Plaza (Plaza De La Revolucion) are some popular attractions that are within walking distance.
Islazul Hotel Libertad puts the best of Santiago de Cuba at your fingertips, making your stay both relaxing and enjoyable.
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Property amenities
Free public parking nearby
Bar / lounge
Evening entertainment
Children's television networks
Taxi service
Meeting rooms
Rooftop terrace
24-hour security
Restaurant
Complimentary welcome drink
Rooftop bar
Baggage storage
Currency exchange
Non-smoking hotel
Doorperson
24-hour front desk
Room features
Air conditioning
Desk
Housekeeping
Safe
Cable / satellite TV
Flatscreen TV
Bath / shower
Complimentary toiletries
Telephone
Wardrobe / closet
Clothes rack
Private bathrooms
Tile / marble floor
Wake-up service / alarm clock
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Family
Business
Languages Spoken
English, Spanish, Italian
Location
Aguilera No 658 e/ Serafin Sanchez y Perez Carbo, Santiago de Cuba 90100 Cuba
Getting there
Somewhat walkable
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travelers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
Grade: 76 out of 100
76
Antonio Maceo Intl Airport
3.7 mi•
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Mariana Grajales Airport
43.4 mi•
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Rental Cars
15 Restaurants
within 0.3 miles
Reviews
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Detailed Reviews
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Afternoon. This hotel has a nice location. Beautiful architecture. Excellent staff. Worried and attentive. In general, the hotels in this chain are not luxurious. They must remodel and maintain. But we have no complaints. Quite the opposite. It is a privileged place for those who want to know santiago with an affordable price
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Date of stay: September 2024Trip type: Traveled with family
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
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.
I had a lovely time im hotel Libertad. It's a two star hotel. It has been renovate in the old style. They used wooddecoration (old times). Very nice. It's clean, good service. rate 25 dollar, inclusieve breakfast. There's a restaurant. On the roof a bar. Near centrum. I had a lovely time in Santiago. I met new friends. Very kind people. I want to stay more time in Santiago. This is what I like.
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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.
As a special way to celebrate my friend’s 50th birthday, she joined me in Cuba for a week. We used Club Amigo Marea del Portillo as our base because we had both been to this wonderful little resort in rural Granma several times and absolutely adore it. From there, we drove to Santiago de Cuba with two Cuban amigos as our guides. It was a lot of fun but also proved to be a minor adventure.
We had been warned that the incredibly scenic coastal road between Marea del Portillo and Santiago de Cuba was also incredibly treacherous. Yes, I must admit, it was not without its perils. This road is not for the faint-hearted driver, or anyone without a significant degree of experience and confidence behind the wheel. I would highly encourage the use of a four-wheel drive vehicle, on a sunny day. Don’t try it after a rainstorm; the puddles can consume small cars!
I had booked space in advance at a hostel, using an online service, so we would be assured of accommodation upon arrival. It was clean and the rooms were cheap but there were other concerns, so we opted to relocate to Islazul Hotel Libertad for our second night in the city. It was a good move. I had read several reviews about this hotel and it seemed to have a generally decent reputation. I would not hesitate to recommend Hotel Libertad, although I cannot wholeheartedly raise two thumbs for the attached restaurant.
Breakfast was included in the price of the rooms, which seemed fine. However, the food choices were sorely limited by a lack of eggs, and the server was somewhat surly. When it became apparent that a second cup of coffee was too much to ask, we found a more pleasant place down the street. They were happy to serve us, even though it meant hastily dispatching someone to fetch coffee cups from another location!
But, back to Libertad...the hotel was clean and comfortable, both our rooms and the common areas, and all the non-wait staff were perfectly genial. After reading other reviews that touted room #214 as “best,” we had to ask for it. Alas, it was unavailable. We were given two rooms that faced the street and allowed us to look out over Plaza de Marte – great for people watching! I had been a little apprehensive about the possibility of having our sleep disrupted by traffic noise but there was really no problem. It’s a city; there will be noise. But, traffic sounds were offset by the gentle hum of the air conditioner. In my experience, it was not any noisier than some places I’ve stayed in North America, and I paid far less for the room in Cuba!
During our vehicular exploration of Santiago, I learned a few things about Cuba and Cuban men. Unlike the North American variety of the latter, cubanos are not averse to asking directions...every five minutes or so, in certain situations – such as when there are few road signs and the map you are trying to use does not seem to accurately reflect the actual streets. At any rate, we did eventually achieve our primary objective, touring El Castillo del Morro. And, along the circuitous way to the castle, we stopped at a random restaurant and had a very nice lunch.
While staying at Libertad, we were able to park our muddy little rental car in front of the hotel. It was perfectly safe and, in short order, also became perfectly clean, thanks to the zealous efforts of a nice young man with a bucket and a rag. From the hotel, we did a little exploration of the area by foot and, in the evening, strolled across the park to take in some live music. Since it was the slow season for tourism (October), the bar on the rooftop terrace of Libertad was not operating. Although there was no music, the view from the roof was spectacular, especially as the city was awakening and the morning mists were lifting from the nearby mountains.
All in all, we had quite a lovely time and it was truly a special birthday celebration. I would be happy to stay at Hotel Libertad again, when/if I visit Santiago de Cuba in the future – there are certainly many other historic sites in this grand old city I would like to see. Our drive “home” to Marea del Portillo was pleasantly uneventful, since we opted to return via the inland route, and there was minimal need to ask directions.
We had been warned that the incredibly scenic coastal road between Marea del Portillo and Santiago de Cuba was also incredibly treacherous. Yes, I must admit, it was not without its perils. This road is not for the faint-hearted driver, or anyone without a significant degree of experience and confidence behind the wheel. I would highly encourage the use of a four-wheel drive vehicle, on a sunny day. Don’t try it after a rainstorm; the puddles can consume small cars!
I had booked space in advance at a hostel, using an online service, so we would be assured of accommodation upon arrival. It was clean and the rooms were cheap but there were other concerns, so we opted to relocate to Islazul Hotel Libertad for our second night in the city. It was a good move. I had read several reviews about this hotel and it seemed to have a generally decent reputation. I would not hesitate to recommend Hotel Libertad, although I cannot wholeheartedly raise two thumbs for the attached restaurant.
Breakfast was included in the price of the rooms, which seemed fine. However, the food choices were sorely limited by a lack of eggs, and the server was somewhat surly. When it became apparent that a second cup of coffee was too much to ask, we found a more pleasant place down the street. They were happy to serve us, even though it meant hastily dispatching someone to fetch coffee cups from another location!
But, back to Libertad...the hotel was clean and comfortable, both our rooms and the common areas, and all the non-wait staff were perfectly genial. After reading other reviews that touted room #214 as “best,” we had to ask for it. Alas, it was unavailable. We were given two rooms that faced the street and allowed us to look out over Plaza de Marte – great for people watching! I had been a little apprehensive about the possibility of having our sleep disrupted by traffic noise but there was really no problem. It’s a city; there will be noise. But, traffic sounds were offset by the gentle hum of the air conditioner. In my experience, it was not any noisier than some places I’ve stayed in North America, and I paid far less for the room in Cuba!
During our vehicular exploration of Santiago, I learned a few things about Cuba and Cuban men. Unlike the North American variety of the latter, cubanos are not averse to asking directions...every five minutes or so, in certain situations – such as when there are few road signs and the map you are trying to use does not seem to accurately reflect the actual streets. At any rate, we did eventually achieve our primary objective, touring El Castillo del Morro. And, along the circuitous way to the castle, we stopped at a random restaurant and had a very nice lunch.
While staying at Libertad, we were able to park our muddy little rental car in front of the hotel. It was perfectly safe and, in short order, also became perfectly clean, thanks to the zealous efforts of a nice young man with a bucket and a rag. From the hotel, we did a little exploration of the area by foot and, in the evening, strolled across the park to take in some live music. Since it was the slow season for tourism (October), the bar on the rooftop terrace of Libertad was not operating. Although there was no music, the view from the roof was spectacular, especially as the city was awakening and the morning mists were lifting from the nearby mountains.
All in all, we had quite a lovely time and it was truly a special birthday celebration. I would be happy to stay at Hotel Libertad again, when/if I visit Santiago de Cuba in the future – there are certainly many other historic sites in this grand old city I would like to see. Our drive “home” to Marea del Portillo was pleasantly uneventful, since we opted to return via the inland route, and there was minimal need to ask directions.
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Date of stay: October 2011Trip type: Traveled with friends
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
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.
This small, old, hotel on Plaza de Marti is very convenient for all of the central historical & cultural attractions of Santiago, including the Moncada barracks. It is housed in an old Spanish colonial building, with all of the letting rooms on the 1st floor, three of which overlook the main plaza, and the remainder located in an internal atrium. The ground floor accommodates the reception desk, lobby bar, and a pleasant separate dining room. There is another rooftop bar and terrace, open from 4pm, which offers good views over the city and surrounding mountains.
The internal rooms have no natural light, which keeps them relatively cool, and obviates the need to have the efficient air-con unit on all night. There is a room safe (2 CUC for the key from reception), a good TV, and an efficient, hot, shower. The room we occupied, number 206, was quite small, but adequate for our one night stay. There is no fridge.
We decided to dine out, so can't comment on the hotel's dinner offerings, but the breakfast was well presented and adequate.
The hotel staff were excellent; friendly & efficient. The receptionist was more than happy to 'phone ahead and book our hotel room for the following night, and the concierge exceeded my expectations by taking my hire car to a garage to have a puncture repaired, thereby freeing my time for more sightseeing & shopping! His help was very much appreciated.
Now for the downsides! Being in a very busy part of the old city, the hotel suffers from the attention of the hustlers & con artists who congregate around the main entrance. They have elevated their trade to that of an art form! Also, although both bars were closed by 10.30pm, the noise within the hotel continued until about 3am, then started again around 5.30am - a good nights sleep was, most definitely, not to be had! I had the distinct impression that the hotel was being used for the purpose of prostitution, so would be unsuitable for family use. The final problem was the noxious fumes emitted by the multitude of old trucks and cars passing by the hotel entrance - these fumes seemed to permeate everywhere!
For a one night stop, I'd have no problem about recommending this hotel for couples, but I wouldn't have liked to stay there for any longer.
The internal rooms have no natural light, which keeps them relatively cool, and obviates the need to have the efficient air-con unit on all night. There is a room safe (2 CUC for the key from reception), a good TV, and an efficient, hot, shower. The room we occupied, number 206, was quite small, but adequate for our one night stay. There is no fridge.
We decided to dine out, so can't comment on the hotel's dinner offerings, but the breakfast was well presented and adequate.
The hotel staff were excellent; friendly & efficient. The receptionist was more than happy to 'phone ahead and book our hotel room for the following night, and the concierge exceeded my expectations by taking my hire car to a garage to have a puncture repaired, thereby freeing my time for more sightseeing & shopping! His help was very much appreciated.
Now for the downsides! Being in a very busy part of the old city, the hotel suffers from the attention of the hustlers & con artists who congregate around the main entrance. They have elevated their trade to that of an art form! Also, although both bars were closed by 10.30pm, the noise within the hotel continued until about 3am, then started again around 5.30am - a good nights sleep was, most definitely, not to be had! I had the distinct impression that the hotel was being used for the purpose of prostitution, so would be unsuitable for family use. The final problem was the noxious fumes emitted by the multitude of old trucks and cars passing by the hotel entrance - these fumes seemed to permeate everywhere!
For a one night stop, I'd have no problem about recommending this hotel for couples, but I wouldn't have liked to stay there for any longer.
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Date of stay: September 2013Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: The rooms onto the Plaza de Marti have natural light and a balcony, but suffer from street noise....
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.
The hotel is centrally located adjacent Plaza de Martes. I was on the second floor where the main hall has some nice tile work and views to the Plaza de Martes in front. The room was clean and the air conditioning, TV, etc worked well. Despite being situated in the hustle and bustle of downtown, the room was relatively quiet, a nice respite. I've stayed in various Islazul hotels in Cuba and would say this is one of the better ones at the 2 star level. Was good value for the money. The breakfast (included) is served hot at your table (not a buffet) and was quite satisfactory.
I parked my rental car right in front of the hotel for 2 cuc paid at the counter. Beware of false parqueos in front of the hotel offering to watch over your vehicle.
I parked my rental car right in front of the hotel for 2 cuc paid at the counter. Beware of false parqueos in front of the hotel offering to watch over your vehicle.
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Date of stay: January 2013Trip type: Traveled solo
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: Ask to see the room before registring.
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.
Hotel opposite Plaza Martes. Price 50 cuc p/night, booked via Cubaism online (print out voucher), easy. Lobby is frequented by the locals as a bar , hang out during day/night, slightly noisy. Parking 2 cuc p/night out front of hotel (Aguilera St) We didn't hear the nightclub as claimed in the LP guide, but upstairs is a "piano" bar with music (not loud, could hear laughing and talking only).
Food: Breakfast included in room rate, good - Cuban standard, was basic, eggs, toast, coffee. OK Chinese at Plaza de Dolores, air con inside, "no have" on menu, but compromised, pork or pork. Hotel Melia has many restaurants on ground floor, courtyard area with good Italian food plus others (splurge & change from the usual Cuban fare). Go here around 7/8pm (if no customers, some eateries close early).
Rooms: Basic but comfortable, dark & slightly worn, old TV, air con, small bathroom, cleanish.
Location: A bit noisy near plaza/road, take earplugs, but was ok though. Handy & central base to walk around SDC.
Town: Busy, bustling town. Everyone is on the go. Was one of the cleanest towns, with no dogs (hence no caca!). Many touts, but you see them coming.
Travel: Nice countryside on drive to Guantanamo (2hrs), Guantanamo town - pass through only!
Hints: Watch you bags when sitting around the Plaza's, people come up to you from behind. If flying out of SDC airport, limited restaurants (one inside, one outside) offering beer and queso y jamon rolls! Airport seating only upstairs. Many locals wait here for incoming passengers (seats taken in restaurant and airport) and they like to sit drinking rum outside terminal. A bit chaotic. If flying Cubana Airlines - don't expect it to run on time!
Food: Breakfast included in room rate, good - Cuban standard, was basic, eggs, toast, coffee. OK Chinese at Plaza de Dolores, air con inside, "no have" on menu, but compromised, pork or pork. Hotel Melia has many restaurants on ground floor, courtyard area with good Italian food plus others (splurge & change from the usual Cuban fare). Go here around 7/8pm (if no customers, some eateries close early).
Rooms: Basic but comfortable, dark & slightly worn, old TV, air con, small bathroom, cleanish.
Location: A bit noisy near plaza/road, take earplugs, but was ok though. Handy & central base to walk around SDC.
Town: Busy, bustling town. Everyone is on the go. Was one of the cleanest towns, with no dogs (hence no caca!). Many touts, but you see them coming.
Travel: Nice countryside on drive to Guantanamo (2hrs), Guantanamo town - pass through only!
Hints: Watch you bags when sitting around the Plaza's, people come up to you from behind. If flying out of SDC airport, limited restaurants (one inside, one outside) offering beer and queso y jamon rolls! Airport seating only upstairs. Many locals wait here for incoming passengers (seats taken in restaurant and airport) and they like to sit drinking rum outside terminal. A bit chaotic. If flying Cubana Airlines - don't expect it to run on time!
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Date of stay: December 2013Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: Noisy front rooms
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.
I can't really comment the rooms, because we never saw them. We choose this hotel because it looked charming (at least from the outside) and seemed to be good value.
We made a reservation that was confirmed 3 months before. When we turned up and presented the prepaid voucher, the woman at the reception started to look in papers, asked if we had other voucher (?) and made a phone call. Then she told us that they didn't have us on the list and they had no room for us! She then turned the back at me and attended other guests. I asked her what to do, and she said: I don't know, and turned away again. I stayed put, and when the doorman (!) came to my help, she very reluctantly, made some more phone calls, and we were followed to nearby Hotel Rex (also the Islazul chain).
We made a reservation that was confirmed 3 months before. When we turned up and presented the prepaid voucher, the woman at the reception started to look in papers, asked if we had other voucher (?) and made a phone call. Then she told us that they didn't have us on the list and they had no room for us! She then turned the back at me and attended other guests. I asked her what to do, and she said: I don't know, and turned away again. I stayed put, and when the doorman (!) came to my help, she very reluctantly, made some more phone calls, and we were followed to nearby Hotel Rex (also the Islazul chain).
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Date of stay: February 2017Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Service
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.
I have no complaints about this hotel. It's pleasant, clean and well located. The staff were all friendly and helpful. We had a room towards the back and noise was not a problem despite the party going on in the square opposite. Breakfast was okay and the roof bar gives a good panoramic view of the city. The hotel has wifi, but you need an eteca card.
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Date of stay: February 2016Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Value
Rooms
Service
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.
Stayed at Libertad in mid april for 3 nights .Hotel has recently been refurbished ,not,i might add to the usual Islazul russian decor,colonial Cuban is the theme. Good breakfast at the resturant,nice reception and bar area,and comfortable, clean rooms. If you stay there visit the roof bar for great views over Santago at night and have a really good mojito or five!
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Date of stay: April 2013Trip type: Traveled with friends
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
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.
I stayed at the Hotel Libertad in March 2012 with 3 girlfriends. We were on a 2.5 week holiday travelling across the island. We paid about £15 a night on a deal we found on the internet. The hotel is situated at one end of Plaza Martes, a lively plaza that often has festivals / fiestas in the evening at the weekend. The hotel building is as you would imagine, old with some lovely touches. The stone staircase takes you up onto the guest room floor which has high ceilings and open ends, so the breeze runs through (essential in the heat of Santiago) giving a lovely view of the plaza. The rooms are basic with air con, TV and en-suite bathroom with shower, we had a view over the rooftops and hills - beautiful. There is a rooftop bar which stays open late if there are customers, where you can mingle with other tourists or locals. Their is an internet room with two computers off the lobby, roughly 5CUC for 30 mins. The lobby has a bar which is also handy and is frequented by locals and taxi drivers, who are constantly hanging around outside. This is hotel is perfectly adequate and I would recommend to anyone who doesn't want to stay in a Casa, but still wants a cheap place to stay.
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Date of stay: April 2012Trip type: Traveled with friends
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
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.
"The rooms onto the Plaza de Marti have natural light and a balcony, but suffer from street noise. The internal atrium rooms have no natural light and suffer from the noise emanating from the other guests, but are cool."Read full review
LOCATION
CaribbeanCubaSantiago de Cuba ProvinceSantiago de Cuba
NUMBER OF ROOMS
17
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Frequently Asked Questions about Islazul Hotel Libertad
Which popular attractions are close to Islazul Hotel Libertad?
Nearby attractions include Plaza de Marte (0.05 miles), Calle Heredia (0.2 miles), and Museo del Carnaval (0.2 miles).
What are some of the property amenities at Islazul Hotel Libertad?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include a rooftop bar, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge.
Which room amenities are available at Islazul Hotel Libertad?
Top room amenities include air conditioning, a flat screen TV, and a desk.
What food & drink options are available at Islazul Hotel Libertad?
Guests can enjoy a rooftop bar, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge during their stay.
Is parking available at Islazul Hotel Libertad?
Yes, free public parking nearby is available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to Islazul Hotel Libertad?
Conveniently located restaurants include St. Pauli, Bendita Farandula, and Chocolatería Fraternidad.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Islazul Hotel Libertad?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English, Spanish, and Italian.
Are there any historical sites close to Islazul Hotel Libertad?
Many travelers enjoy visiting Moncada Barracks (0.3 miles) and Escalinata de Patre Pico (Padre Pico steps) (1.5 miles).