- The Santa Isabel, a palace dating to the 18th century, rises above Havana's central Plaza de Armas. Guests can relax in a quiet central courtyard or explore the nearby streets with their colonial-era churches, homes and government buildings. Another old Havana mansion contains the Conde de Villanueva, famous as the former home of a prominent Cuban aristocrat. Cuba's best cigar shop makes its home in this hotel. The Hotel Florida on Calle Obispo includes 25 refurbished rooms and a lively salsa club on the ground floor .
- Another elegant stay is the Saratoga, on the Paseo del Prado overlooking the Parca de la Fraternidad. Near Havana's National Theater, the Saratoga has a rooftop pool and a comfortable big courtyard. Many of its rooms are decorated with modern flair. The Parque Central is a luxurious five-star hotel with a rooftop pool. The Melia Cohiba is a tall, modern glass tower on the Malecon, the Havana waterfront.
- Small inns draw visitors to Havana with their intimate charm and attention to decorative detail. The Meson de la Flota, dating to the 19th century, has only five rooms. The Bellavista is a casa particular, or private home, with just a single room looking over Havana Bay. The Hotel Beltran on Calle San Ignacio offers well-appointed rooms and dates to 2002, occupying a restored 19th century building.
- At the other extreme is the famous Hotel Nacional de Cuba, in the central Vedado quarter, which over the years has welcomed Al Capone, Ernest Hemingway, Frank Sinatra, Ava Gardner and many international political figures. The lavish Hotel Nacional was originally built in 1930 and restored in the early 1990s. A wealth of original, Art Deco features can be found throughout the rooms, lobbies and patios. The Nacional offers nightly music shows, and has two swimming pools for its guests.
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