Sevilla — Hotel in Cuba

My husband, our eleven-year-old daughter and I really enjoyed our stay in this hotel. We wanted somewhere that kept the old Cuban style decor, not somewhere really modern and without character, but a swimming pool was also important to us for entertainment and for cooling off.||We arrived at the hotel (in a vintage American Chevrolet, no less) very late in the evening and were greeted with a warm welcome, by security and reception. Check in was quick and easy and we were shown to our rooms, trying to take in as much of the interior and the live music as we could along the way to the lifts.||The rooms were spacious and simple but the views of the Havana skyline were beautiful! We had a corner room so were lucky to have a window overlooking the pool and another looking down on to the main road (which doesn't sound promising but, trust me, it was perfect!). We could see El Capitolio and the Inglaterra to our left, the sea in front and, just about, the Malecón to our right. The room was incredibly hot on our first night so sleep was difficult but I think this was the only thing that stopped us resting, as the bed was huge and comfortable. The air con only let out a sigh of warm air, which wasn't enough to combat the 30+ outdoor temperature.||This air con issue was very quickly attended to, during our welcome meeting with our Love Cuba Havana rep, Arte. He spoke with reception and the problem was fixed by bedtime that day. Thank you, again!||I've been reading about Cuba for around 20 years and I'm well aware of the problems they face. Problems which, sadly seem to be worsening by the day. However, breakfasts were included and, despite the juice seemingly being watered down to make it go further, had plenty of variety. There were different flavoured juices, yoghurts, cereal, prepped fruit, meat and eggs and pastries. We never saw cows milk in our five night stay but that wasn't an issue for us. We understand 'real' milk is hard to come by. It was a relief to see that staff were able to have their own breakfast at the hotel, as we know the difficulties locals face with rations, etc. I'd hate to think of food going to waste if the guests didn't eat it all. Service was quick and polite. One waiter even offered to add chocolate syrup to our daughter's milk that she'd requested and she was so happy!||The lobby area is really thoughtfully decorated, with comfortable seating, art (Havana does love their art), books and ornaments, plants and the tiles are so pretty. One of the best things though, is the arched windows, which don't actually have glass in, so you can lean out and do more people watching.||The patio area, to the right of the reception desk is open air and stunning with sweeping palm trees, pillars, a marble statue water feature and string lights. We loved sitting there on our last night, having dinner under the stars and palm leaves. The food is quite nice, we wouldn't say it was anything special, but it is Cuba and they have to work with what they can get. One thing a trip to Cuba should teach you is gratitude. The food may not be up to your standards when it comes to four star accommodation BUT they've done their best with limited means and you will not go hungry. The locals can't say the same. Be mindful of this.||The pool area is great! It was low season so there were always plenty of loungers available, the only thing is there are no shaded areas. They were working on an area by the pool during our stay so it was a bit noisy at times but it's nice to see they are able to make improvements, a lot of Havana's buildings are crumbling. I guess, where there are tourists to look after, things are different. The pool was warm, there's only quiet music coming from the pool bar, nothing loud and overbearing, you can enjoy the sounds of the rumbling of American cars, birds and distant chatter from the surrounding streets. Plus, more people watching! We had lunch at the pool bar a few times; the menu isn't too limited, the exchange rate is government, as it's a hotel, so not the best but it's ok.||There is a really nice outdoor lounge area before the steps down to the pool but we couldn't use it. The lounger cushions are already in place so they're scorching hot, you can't touch them! A polite suggestion would be that they are stored indoors somewhere and guests can just take one when they're ready to use it, rather than having them bake in the sun all morning! ||The internet is fine, for Cuban standards. I think you can use it most places around the hotel, it's not just restricted to public areas. The only weird thing is the password seems to expire regularly, even though they enter the departure date on your ticket. It's a quick fix by letting reception know, so not a big deal, just a heads up.||I'm not sure what other facilities are available here, as we didn't use anything else. There is another restaurant and a separate, small bar upstairs somewhere, where one of the windows perfectly frames El Capitolio. I can't comment on anything else there though.||The staff were nice but Nadia was the best. We'd like her to be recognised for this. She was always smiling, seemed genuinely happy to see us, ask about our day and our plans for the next. She gave us some tips on how to get to Calle Obispo (walking street for souvenirs and cafes). Thank you again, Nadia. Xx||The hotel is within walking distance of some good restaurants - we went to La, Familia and ChaChaChá. There's also the Malecón a few minutes away. You can watch people swimming and fishing and have a chat with the locals. Be sure to have some small notes, preferably $1, handy for the street vendors selling doughnuts and guava biscuits. It's also a good idea to prepare some packs to give out to those you wish to, containing things they can't get hold of, like painkillers, tissues, hair accessories, plasters, etc. Just be careful as beggars are everywhere, sadly. If only we could...

Nivia, Your warm and motherly embrace has left a mark on the deepest point of my heart. I would like to share my experience and how my soul transmigrated into a different time zone. I first arrived to the building last night & was able to meet Andres. Andres patiently listened to my questions and encouraged me to come back this morning where I met you. My encounter with Andres alone pieced together a piece of my life that has been a lonely, empty, void. Your gentle eyes & the effort that was put in to listen to me has left me loss for words. I did not stay the night due to the timing of my trip, & as I sit here in the outside patio area I feel safe & loved. The problem with cameras and footage that is left stored in a phone device is that I can't relive the initial moment we met. May the sun always shine through your sacred heart.

2 Harold, I can only describe how I feel with a poem I wrote when I was 19 years old. It is called 'Colors'

I wanna be brown, how brown, so brown. Brown enough so that when these words touch they leave bruises on your very soul. I wanna be brown, You know. Like the Reyna de Naachtun, Central America. Like thick hips with full lips. Like single mothers with tight fists. I wanna be brown, Brown like the foundation of everything. Brown like Abueltia chocolate with no cream. Like Sundays, Tamales, Rice, & Beans. I wanna be brown, Brown enough to take a stand. Brown enough 2 lend a hand, 2 be the keeper of my lost brother man. Uplift my sister more than her addiction can. Like Rigoberta Menchu. I just wanna be brown. Like the river that my mother drowned in. Like the scars on my father's back from the barbed wire fences. Like the seeds of the berries that he was forced to pick. Recitation of torments past. Brown enough 2 fight civil rites. Brown enough 2 nail me 2 a cross, i sacrafice my life. brown enough 2 reflect the light. brown enough 2 wear my pride like cesar, by any means necessary. I wanna be brown, how brown, so brown. brown enough that when these words touch, they leave bruises on your very soul. brown like h.i.s. T.e.m.p.l.e. innocent & pure. Brown like his struggle, brown like the crowns of thorns he wore. brown like faith. brown & fortunate enough 2 chase false realities. brown & unending, brown & relentless, brown & unyielding. always trying 2 be more brown & C more brown. Brown like the soil that nourishes the food 4 the thoughts in my growing mind. The mystery that lies between genesis & revelations. Representing a n.e.w. n.a.t.i.o.n. brown enough 2 stop & think b4 I speak. brown enough 2 absorb more than just heat. Knowledge, wisdom, understand me. i want 2 be, exclusively,...

Let me explain the context behind the rating: I live in the U.S.A., our standards for accommodation are higher due to a myriad of economic, social, and political factors. I didn't travel to Havana for 5 star luxury, I knew better and so should any North American, European, etc.

The exterior and the history of the building are marvelous and really something to see and read about. The interior lobby is charming and pleasant and the view from the 9th floor is a sight to behold.

Now, here comes the part that I take no pleasure in writing, but in all fairness, it was no pleasure to experience. The room was Spartan, the bed was 6 inches off the ground, the mattress and pillows were uncomfortable and the sheets made my skin itch. Whatever came out at night to bite my legs and stomach, I don't know and I'll feel better not knowing. Whatever was making noise in the bathroom during the night was enough to make me sit up in bed - but I was out so late each night that I didn't really spend a lot of time in that bed.

The coffee maker had no coffee to make and I'm not sure the refrigerator was actually working. The toilet flushing properly was hit or miss and I'm not sure if the air conditioning was controlled by the thermostat on the wall, which seemed to have it's functions literally yanked off. Getting an elevator to stop at my floor was hit or miss and you're rolling the dice on getting stuck in it - do yourself the favor of taking the stairs but note that the stairs can't take you to the lobby.

Housekeeping was kind and friendly and folks in the bar/lounge were attentive but I wouldn't say friendly. They'll notice if you ring the buzzer if you're stuck in the elevator.

Step outside and prepared to instantly get approached for a taxi or go buy rum/cigars. You won't get robbed or assaulted buy you'll get hustled to spend money, but everything there is relatively cheap, so it's not that bad.

Look, the saying is TIC, This Is Cuba. Enjoy the sites, speak to the people (they're educated and cosmopolitan) but don't expect North American or Western European standards ... for anything. This is a hotel and country where time has mostly stood still, plus there's so much to see and do that you won't be spending much time in your hotel room. If you are then you're...