Hotel El Castillo
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About
#1 of 7 hotels in Baracoa
Location
4.4
Rooms
3.2
Value
3.4
Cleanliness
3.4
Service
3.3
Sleep Quality
3.6
The Castillo hotel is located on a hill which can be spotted from anywhere in the city, with excellent views of Baracoa and its surroundings. The hotel is a historic place, as it was built between 1737 and 1742 when it was a Spanish fortress called the Ceboruco Castle or the Santa Barbara Castle. It was meant to defend the city from the attacks of buccaneers and pirates, and afterwards it hosted the general quarters of the Village Guards until the triumph of the Cuban Revolution in 1959. The Castillo hotel offers accommodation, à la carte meals including a wide range of local dishes, afternoon snacks, and local and international drinks, which it makes it an ideal place for healthy recreation. It is situated very close to the city of Baracoa.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Internet
Pool
Pool with view
Free breakfast
Bar / lounge
Non-smoking hotel
Laundry service
Outdoor pool
Restaurant
Breakfast buffet
Poolside bar
Room features
Air conditioning
Private balcony
Room types
Ocean view
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
Charming
Classic
Location
Calixto Garcia St., Baracoa 97310 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: 78 out of 100
78
17 Restaurants
within 0.75 miles
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Detailed Reviews
This hotel is in an excellent position offering views over the sea and town and across to El Yunque.
My room, in the original fortress building, was basic, but clean and adequately comfortable. The bathroom had obviously been refurbished relatively recently and had new fixtures. Unfortunately, however, it was often impossible to get any hot water for showering, a complaint I heard echoed by a number of other guests.
Breakfast was pretty poor - omelettes cooked to order were satisfactory but things like bread, juice, fruit, coffee or cereal had frequently run done and not been replenished.
The outdoor bar, overlooking the pool, was pleasant and served good espresso and rum.
My room, in the original fortress building, was basic, but clean and adequately comfortable. The bathroom had obviously been refurbished relatively recently and had new fixtures. Unfortunately, however, it was often impossible to get any hot water for showering, a complaint I heard echoed by a number of other guests.
Breakfast was pretty poor - omelettes cooked to order were satisfactory but things like bread, juice, fruit, coffee or cereal had frequently run done and not been replenished.
The outdoor bar, overlooking the pool, was pleasant and served good espresso and rum.
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Date of stay: January 2020
Rooms
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.
Don't bother climbing the steps. It was closed when I was there in May 2022. I usually include the hotel bar in my Tour de Mojito on the day of my arrival in Baracoa. To find the doors locked and windows shuttered. The views of the city and of the Russian-built helicopters are still nice from the hill that this old fortress stands on.
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Date of stay: May 2022Trip type: Traveled solo
Room Tip: Try it when tourism picks up again.
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 wrote an accurate and condemning article about this hotel on March 9, 2010, after a terrible indeed a horrible experience in this hotel in early 2010. The issues of the abuse were never resolved, but they will be. The news is however, that El Castillo, where I have stayed perhaps longer than any other visitor, now has a terrific new manager. Her name is Hiliana and she is a very capable person with a warm and genuine smile, and a very compassionate way with her employees. Indeed, HIliana was the person in charge of quality control for Gaviota in the area, and her eye for quality will be a great asset. Many friends who have returned recently have also indicated that they now see the turnaround, and the staff are admitting their renewed happiness. The problems is 2010 were in some respects I suppose related to burn out of staff and management, who were struggling to open the new rooms there, and infrastructure problems were daily. Now things are running smoothly, and the staff are smiling again. It is my understanding that the former manager has been given an administration type of promotion, with less one-on-one daily exposure to individual staff and clients. Seems the man running Gaviota has made some effective changes. Indeed, the director of that organization, which virtually run every hotel and restaurant in Baracoa, is a fellow who is on the ball and alert. Baracoa will receive more tourism each year, especially from Canadians, who after a few all inclusive trips to Cuba, tend to want to get out into the less discovered and less travelled places. I personally will stay in Castillo again starting in July, and I look forward to seeing the warm and wonderful Hiliana again. She is a terrific ambassador for Baracoa hospitality, and a terrific person with a really nice manner and a good heart. She is exactly what the hotel needed. My March 9 2010 comments are no longer valid. I have asked to have them removed from this site. Gaviota have made the changes. I am so happy for the staff at the hotel, and for the tourists who go there, counting on genuine hospitality and good quality service. Seems all has worked out well for everyone. Gaviota hotels are always safe and secure, and they have proven themselves to be capable of making changes when deemed necessary. Hiliana was a perfect choice for this hotel.
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Date of stay: December 2010Trip type: Traveled as a couple
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.
My wife and I stayed here for three nights as a base in Baracoa. The fact that this hotel is considered the best in Baracoa is a sad statement about hotels in the area as this hotel needs a whole makeover. It is really too bad as the setting is great with incredible views over the hills, town and bay. This review, however, is not about the setting. Our visit began with a climb up the stairs that others have mentioned with no help from anyone at the hotel. We arrived to a lacklustre "welcome" and were shown to a room in the older section of the hotel. It didn't take us very long to ask for another room as the one we were given wasn't fit for human habitation. It was dirty, dark, musty and loaded with creepy crawlies. This was the case for every room in this section. I enquired about the rooms in the newer section and was given a room that was absolutely average but a big step up from the others in the older section. It also came with a stunning view over the bay to the Yunque mountain. Service at this hotel was bland and uninspired. The breakfast was plain and dull. Table clothes were dirty, chairs were collapsing and decorations were of the fake flower variety. The hotel grounds looked tired and in need of some renovation. The pool looked dirty and uninviting. Upon checkout we were told there were no taxis and no effort was made to call one. We had to once again lug our belongings down the stairs to meet a cycle taxi to catch our bus back to Santiago. We didn't have a problem with the stairs per se as we are relatively fit but some people may have a problem climbing them and therefore be at the mercy of taxis to go up the ramp. Cuba has good hotels so it is somewhat annoying to read other reviews referring to this one being "good for Cuba". This hotel does not even qualify for that. You get what you expect and if tourists don't expect more there is no reason for Cuban authorities to improve hotel offerings. My advice would be stay at a comfortable and much cheaper casa particular in town and visit this hotel for a drink while you take in the views. Baracoa itself was wonderful! I hope you find this review helpful.
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Date of stay: April 2014Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: stay in newer wing
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.
We had driven here from Guadalavaca and we had got lost on the way and had to spend the night in Guantanamo...the guy on reception said we could still stay for two nights if we wanted..the staff were affable and cool...They put my brother and I in a lovely room upstairs with a great view of the town below...A lady made me a fantastic cup of coffee in the bar and I just gazed around like an idiot at the vistas surrounding this wonderful place....I have hung out in a lot of bars(I'm an Aussie!) never have I hung out in a bar like this. They have an upstairs terrace that didn't appear used..I spent a fair bit of time up there supping coffee and gazing around...That BIG mountain...El Yunque...just sits there...all that Jungle!!! We drove up on 'La Farolo'...an amazing road through the mountains...I would seriously live there if I got the chance...Baracoa is singular!! All in all a great,laid back Hotel...lovely staff,nice room,great breakfast and one of my favourite coffee machines in the whole of Cuba! The steps up are harsh...but that didn't phase me. The town too is fascinating...the Spanish established their first settlement here in 1512...Columbus first spotted that mad mountain back in 1492! I had a dip in the river Toa so I was told I shall be back!
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Date of stay: February 2007Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Check in / front desk
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.
We weren't expecting a luxurious hotel but a 3-star hotel should have a certain standard.
The (only) good thing was that the view was good.
Amongst the faults we experienced were:
Blood stains on the bedroom floor
Dangerous wiring on the walls
Stains on the bed sheet
No "mattress cover" on the bed
Extremely uncomfortable bed with a thin and very lumpy mattress.
Having been bitten during the night by bed bugs, I ended up sleeping on cushions on the floor for the second night (away from the blood stains).
The sink coming away from the wall (repaired when I requested it)
The sink taps flapping around the sink (NOT repaired when I requested it)
The shower fitting breaking apart thus we had to shower using the internal rubber pipe only
Being given only one thin, small towel each (our request for an extra towel was declined)
The room maid took two cups from a drawer. We had borrowed them so as to make a drink in the room but she had gone into the drawers and taken them back.
Completely uninterested reception staff who simply couldn't give a toss about anything.
No assistance provided to get our cases up and down the many steep steps due to building work being done at the road at street level.
Flies buzzing around the uncovered breakfast buffet
Local "undesirables" were seen to be hanging around in the dark at the foot of the steps from the hotel at night. We felt at threat from this and thus confined ourselves to the hotel rather than eat at a couple of restaurants we had intended to go to.
I could go on but can only say that this place is most definitely to be avoided based upon our experience there.
The (only) good thing was that the view was good.
Amongst the faults we experienced were:
Blood stains on the bedroom floor
Dangerous wiring on the walls
Stains on the bed sheet
No "mattress cover" on the bed
Extremely uncomfortable bed with a thin and very lumpy mattress.
Having been bitten during the night by bed bugs, I ended up sleeping on cushions on the floor for the second night (away from the blood stains).
The sink coming away from the wall (repaired when I requested it)
The sink taps flapping around the sink (NOT repaired when I requested it)
The shower fitting breaking apart thus we had to shower using the internal rubber pipe only
Being given only one thin, small towel each (our request for an extra towel was declined)
The room maid took two cups from a drawer. We had borrowed them so as to make a drink in the room but she had gone into the drawers and taken them back.
Completely uninterested reception staff who simply couldn't give a toss about anything.
No assistance provided to get our cases up and down the many steep steps due to building work being done at the road at street level.
Flies buzzing around the uncovered breakfast buffet
Local "undesirables" were seen to be hanging around in the dark at the foot of the steps from the hotel at night. We felt at threat from this and thus confined ourselves to the hotel rather than eat at a couple of restaurants we had intended to go to.
I could go on but can only say that this place is most definitely to be avoided based upon our experience there.
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Date of stay: February 2012Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: I only stayed in room 101. Avoid this one at all costs if you simply HAVE to stay in this place.
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 El castillo is The best hotel in Baracoa. Great position 2 floors beautiful view and a pool.
This pool is full of cuban people and this is' not a thing that you Can accept in a top hotel.
Too expensive!!!!
This pool is full of cuban people and this is' not a thing that you Can accept in a top hotel.
Too expensive!!!!
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Date of stay: September 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.
Horrible customer service, staff overlooked Cuban guests waiting for service to attend to those who looked foreigner. Food not so great either, better to eat at private restaurant. Pool showed out of service most of the day.
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Date of stay: August 2014Trip type: Traveled with family
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.
Having sampled the contrasts between the better privately run hotels and the dreary state run places all over the island, it was disappointing to find yet another beautifully positioned hotel which is badly run, needs a makeover and could so easily be so much better. The position, in the confines of an old fort overlooking the town, and with a beautiful view towards El Junque, is unrivalled, although you pay for it with a long flight of steps up and down to get into the town! There is a newer section a little away from the main complex, but there is little to choose between the two parts. Rooms are very basic but clean. Breakfast food was probably the worst in our whole 17 day trip. The town is surrounded by banana plantations, and there are lovely oranges to be had for next to nothing in town. but the breakfast fruit was tinned pears and peaches!! They had sold out of Wi-Fi coupons, so we had to search for them in town, where they were readily available. There is a poolside bar, where you might get a spoonful of sugar added to your gin and tonic unless you watch out! All very Cuban, and all so easily remedied. There are other hotel options in town which might be more suitable, although all are state run, and none has a pool.
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Date of stay: February 2014Trip type: Traveled as a couple
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.
We had booked to stay at El Castillo for five nights and left after the first night. Despite the remarkable views the hotel felt very uncomfortable. Our room was damp and very dirty (including the linen) with towels lined up around the walls to absorb any water coming in. One of the windows was missing and had a plastic sheet in its place instead. The straw that broke the camel's back was the blasting music until 3:40am from the fiesta in town (sounds travel up and come right into your room). In fairness, this is particular for the time we stayed there (which was in the days before the New Year's) so if you go another time you will probably not have the same problem. The common areas are simple and the restaurant is drab. The breakfast is awful.
We were about to pack up and go back to Havana but we decided to give Baracoa another shot.
As an alternative we considered Hotel Porto Santo which looked nicer and cleaner than El Castillo (no views though) but didn't stay there.
We finally moved to the Villa Maguana instead which lived up to all our expectations: beautiful, clean, quiet and in an idyllic setting. Villa Maguana also has a tiny restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner and the food was delicious. We met other guests there that has a similar experience to ours.
We've traveled all around Cuba and stayed in a number of hotels of varying standards but this was by far the worst experience.
We were about to pack up and go back to Havana but we decided to give Baracoa another shot.
As an alternative we considered Hotel Porto Santo which looked nicer and cleaner than El Castillo (no views though) but didn't stay there.
We finally moved to the Villa Maguana instead which lived up to all our expectations: beautiful, clean, quiet and in an idyllic setting. Villa Maguana also has a tiny restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner and the food was delicious. We met other guests there that has a similar experience to ours.
We've traveled all around Cuba and stayed in a number of hotels of varying standards but this was by far the worst experience.
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Date of stay: December 2008Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Check in / front desk
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.
Yes, I believe all the new rooms have a balcony facing the mountains. If you open your room door there is an incredible breeze that makes its way through your unit. I simply loved this hotel. The dining room is just average but everything else was great. Nice pool. Great views. Don't forget you have quite a trek up to the hotel and most will find themselves hoofing it at times. But it is worth it.
I found no problem with the bathroom. It is not a luxury hotel but very clean and nice. All I can say, is when I return to Baracoa, and I will because it is a wonderful place, I will stat at El Castillo if at all possible.
"our first room had a sliding door which didn't lock (ground floor) and had no view. When we complained, we were offered a much nicer room."Read full review
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ALSO KNOWN AS
el castillo hotel
LOCATION
CaribbeanCubaGuantanamo ProvinceBaracoa
NUMBER OF ROOMS
34
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Frequently Asked Questions about Hotel El Castillo
Which popular attractions are close to Hotel El Castillo?
Nearby attractions include Casa de la Trova (0.1 miles), Museo Arqueologico la Cueva Del Paraiso (0.4 miles), and Catedral de Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion (0.1 miles).
What are some of the property amenities at Hotel El Castillo?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free breakfast, a pool, and an on-site restaurant.
What food & drink options are available at Hotel El Castillo?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge during their stay.
What are some restaurants close to Hotel El Castillo?
Conveniently located restaurants include Baracoando, Restaurante Marco polo, and La Colina.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Hotel El Castillo?
Yes, guests have access to a pool during their stay.
Are there any historical sites close to Hotel El Castillo?
Many travelers enjoy visiting Parque De Matachin (0.2 miles).
Does Hotel El Castillo have any great views?
Yes, guests often enjoy the harbor view available here.