Guest reviews Hotel Nacional De Cuba

by EstherP1882 Chicago, Illinois

Beautiful, historic place to stay

This is THE place to stay in Havana both for its historic connections as well as its mid-century charm. Everything about the hotel is enormous -- the lobby, the public spaces, but unfortunately not all rooms. I had room 432 for two nights which has a nice view of the Malecon and the water. Though it wouldn’t hurt to update it a bit, I enjoyed the old-style furniture, the cracked tiles on the floor and the nice size bathroom. An armoire holds a flat screen TV that has numerous stations including CNN. Though I didn’t use them, I was glad to see an iron and ironing board in the nice-size closet. Unfortunately the room had anemic AC and since windows do not open, it got quite warm, especially after a shower. On my second visit (4 nights) I was assigned room 515 which had a view of the water, but that was all it had going for it. Very small, poor wi-fi and over-achieving air-conditioning, even when it was turned off. It may have been a "childrens room" attached to a family suite. I was not happy with this room and asked to move the next day. Room 446 was perfect with a straight-on view of the Malecon, well-functioning a/c, nice size with twin beds and an updated bathroom. It is very close to the elevators hence a bit of noise and peak times, but it was the better of the three rooms I had experienced. The breakfast buffet is outstanding with numerous tables laden with everything anyone would want. Some days there were two egg chefs. I found the plate for tips at the egg station and also at the espresso station a bit tacky for this quality of a hotel. I did tip the egg chef as he remembered how liked my eggs. I enjoyed looking thru the various gift shops in the lobby and there were some nice things available. Prices are equal to those in the US. One of the quirky things for sale in the lobby shop are the hotels old onyx ashtrays. Don’t miss the daily 10am tour of the hotel. It is just over an hour and even visits the bunkers and tunnels beneath the garden. Our group was too large to visit the tower so we were shown photos of the views. I found all staff very friendly and helpful Be aware that check-out is slow as once you turn in your room key, they send someone to the room to check the mini-bar,etc. One woman in our group left items in her safe and it was not noticed by the person checking the room. I am happy to say that when we stopped by the hotel two days later, security had her money and passport intact. This speaks well for the hotel and its personnel. I stayed a total of six days over two visits and would stay here again.

by 163terryt Oxford, United Kingdom

Faded elegance in a great location

The hotel is ideally located overlooking the sea and is an instantly recognised landmark in Havana. The public rooms still reflect the elegance of its heyday but unfortunately the same is not true of the standard rooms. The décor is worn and the bathroom fittings showing definite signs of wear and tear, as do the towels. Also, hotels elsewhere of supposedly the same level do not charge for tea and coffee in the room. However, these faults are more than compensated for by the friendliness of the staff and the quality of the breakfast and sitting at the outside bar with a cool drink is an ideal way to end the day. I'd also recommend doing the free tour of the hotel - our guide (Igor I think) was very knowledgeable and informative with a good sense of humour. Looking at some of the other options available, with their boring, functional construction, I'd definitely choose the Nacional again

by Maxxiiss Turku, Finland

Might not the good option!!!

I stay here just week ago! Mar2020 I was arrived at the hotel around midnight, had a confirm booking in hand and all paid!!! But when i arrived night shift reception women said cant find my booking and it cant look any at the night time because reception computer dont have internet and dont help any at all!!! Seem i had very nice warm welcome to Cuba with this problem!!! We have a long big talk and finally i have to pay 348 euro per night and wait until next day that have to find out why she cant find my booking!!! But Night shift reception women had very customer services!!! Totally failed!!! So i paid!!! Next day: i have talk with reception and she was helpful try to call to booking center anytime but still not working!!! SO FIRST WARNING IS DONT BOOK THE HOTEL VIA OTEL.COM AGAIN NAME OTEL.COM Seem like because of otel.com try to did something that cheat on your booking!!! But after 5 called to Turkey (i support that it came from turkey if looking by phone number) we got the booking!!! Room are so out of date! Bed are so old, room floor seem so dirty, front of toilet floor very dirty from some water!! Nothing in room cabinet nor remember that have safe box or not!!! But toilet is really crab!!! But you can make the room so cold as you want that make me a bit happy!!! Lobby bar are nice to sit but seem waiter are not so kind about services!!! overall it really nice to sit and joy the weather!!! Oh, if you took the wrong lift you will find your room so diffiuclt haha. Hotel location are ok can walk to city but might can get tired when you wanna turn back to hotel And finally when we check out and again met the same women when we check-in!!! She really not serviceable because after check out she said !!! You are not ours guests anymore! Nothing she can help!!! OMG First hotel that i got this message!!! In this world cuba cuba :)

by Janemccall Vancouver, Canada

A Beautiful Hotel

It is fun to check this place out. Great architecture. We really enjoyed having a drink on the outdoor patio. A bit windy but the service was great and the scenery was terrific. The drinks were well made and not too pricey considering the location.

by SteadyEddieOttawa Ottawa, Canada

A difficult hotel to deal with

We had a multi-hotel trip to Cuba booked when the airlines cancelled all southbound flights due to Covid-19. I immediately took steps to ask for not a refund, but a credit to simply move my vacation to a later date as i really wanted to go again when the current crisis passes. Attempts to communicate with the hotel in writing were unsuccessful. I finally had a Spanish speaking friend contact them and we were told that we had to cancel the booking and the agency would refund us. The agency of course does not appear to be on board with this so I my be out a substantial sum of money. Not impressed at all. Interesting to note is that the other hotel I booked and the airline were both cooperative. Only this hotel has not stepped up.