Where you stay is becoming more important as Havana evolves into a major destination for urban adventure travelers.
The two key areas of Havana for foreign travelers to focus on is Old Havana and Miramar.
Old Havana is the historic part of Havana. Miramar is the “leafy suburbs” where many of the city’s embassies and old majestic homes are situated. It is also the most exciting area for private restaurant exploration.
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Located conveniently between these two areas is a renovated private penthouse you can rent by the night. It is called El Paseo Penthouse by its Cuban and Spanish owners. It has two bedrooms (three if you include the day bed in the TV room), two full baths and a lovely staff who make breakfast served on the terrace overlooking Havana and the sea.
Other key features of this penthouse are quiet air conditioning, access to the rooftop (think rum drinks at sunset) and comfortable beds and sheets.
The penthouse is located on the Paseo, a large avenue featuring a tree-lined median. The neighborhood, called Vedado, is an amazing place to walk in the morning. Several blocks down the street for the Penthouse is the Melia Cohiba hotel, a luxury business hotel operated by a major Spanish hotel chain. There you can get Internet access and enjoy jazz every night in the hotel’s Casa de Habanos cigar store and bar.
The owners of the El Paseo suggest using their taxi driver, Eddy, whose’s wife, Katy, speaks English. Eddy is very helpful and ready to serve for airport runs or all day tours. And he will gladly carry your bags up the stairs for you. Ask for Eddy when you make your reservation.
