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Last updated: 19 August, 2022
Expert travel writer: Claire Boobbyer

Come for the glamour of yesteryear. Built on a bluff overlooking the ocean road in the entertainment district of el Vedado, Presidents, movie stars, models and mafia have all stayed at the iconic Hotel Nacional.

It’s worth booking the executive floor, as the rooms are smarter, breakfasts better and the dining room less like a school canteen. You don’t stay at the Nacional for contemporary style, or for the best service, instead it’s about soaking up the old-fashioned grandeur, Spanish style architecture, mojitos on the terrace, and the sense of history. The famous daily tour of the hotel is unmissable for the lowdown on who has stayed and where.

This one’s best suited to history lovers, and those wanting a full-service hotel.

Surrounding area

The Nacional sits in the heart of the 1950s hotel district but is isolated on its bluff so is fairly quiet. Weekend nights can be noisy on its Atlantic front as Habaneros crowd together on the Malecón. The nearby wide streets are fairly busy with locals, tourists, traffic and the entertainment venues on nearby Avenue 23.

It faces the sea, and is just a few minutes’ walk to the seaside boulevard, the Malecón. It’s also close to top museums and art galleries. There’s a permanent classic car taxi rank outside its entrance.

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Key facilities

Airport transfers: Not available
Beach: None
Creche
Fitness centre
Fitness classes
Golf course
Hot tub
Parking: On-site (free)
Pool (adults only)
Pool (indoor)
Pool (outdoor)
Pool (kids)
Spa
Tennis courts
WiFi: Free
Yoga

Food & drink

All inclusive
Kids menu
Restaurant on-site
Self catering
*
Additional charge

Room types

Apartments
Bedrooms
Cabins
Suites
Tents
Villas
Yurts

Room facilities

Air conditioning
Flat screen TV
Jacuzzi (private)
Pool (private)
Tea & coffee making facilities
WiFi

Bedding options

2+ bedrooms
3+ beds
Connecting rooms
Rollaway/sofa bed

Bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first

The Malecon

Havana, Cuba[1.6 miles]

Join the locals on this famous sea wall for rum and sunsets over Havana’s skyline.

Best for ages: 8+ | Free

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Cigar factory tours

Havana, Cuba[2 miles]

Watch the ancient artisanal craft of rolling Cuba’s world-famous cigars at one of the very few working factories in Havana that opens to the public.

Best for ages: 13+ | £8 | 1+ hours

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Other worthwhile experiences in this destination if you have the time or the interest, closest first

Napoleonic Museum
Experience

Napoleonic Museum

Havana, Cuba[0.9 miles]

The largest collection of Napoleonic memorabilia outside of Europe (some 5,000 items) is housed in this glorious Florentine mansion. Go for the paintings, statues, prized bronze death mask, the French emperor’s bicorne hat, his pistols, and the original oil Napoleon Planning his Coronation by Jean-Georges Vibert.

Best for ages: 118+ | £2

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Overview >
Museum of Decorative Arts
Experience

Museum of Decorative Arts

Havana, Cuba[1.4 miles]

Havana’s Museo de Artes Decorativas is housed in a palatial mansion, built in the 1920s in Regency style, overflowing with 33,000 antiques from Tiffany glassware to Italian marble. The treasures belonged to Countess Maria Luisa Gomez Mena, sister to famous sugar king, Jose Gomez-Mena Vila, who lived here after it was built.

Best for ages: 18+ | £2

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Street rumba

Havana, Cuba[2.3 miles]

Watch the locals dance the rumba at one of the city’s three open-air street venues. You can even join in…

Best for ages: 13+ | Free

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Overview >
National Capitol Building
Experience

National Capitol Building

Havana, Cuba[2.4 miles]

This imposing wedding-cake mansion is the seat of the Cuban government. Stop by to see the marble 400ft Hall of the Lost Steps, the gigantic Statue of the Republic, the bronze bas-relief front doors, and the statue of the devil in a patio devoid of shade.

Best for ages: 18+ | Free

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Destination guides including or relevant to this place to stay

Havana

Cuba

Sensual and sultry communist Caribbean capital, home to captivating, crumbling architecture, and enlivened by dance, music, avant-garde art and cocktails.

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