Set in an old 18th century mansion in Old Havana, the Hotel Conde de Villanueva is a throwback to the city as it once was. Home to nine large rooms surrounding an open-air courtyard, this boutique property is a gateway to the colonial era, with antique furniture, marble walls and chandeliers. Its theme is tobacco, with … Read more
Since the 2014 US-Cuba rapprochement, finding a hotel room in Cuba hasn’t just been hard — it’s been nigh impossible. But there are other ways to find a place to stay in Cuba, beyond tour operators, local agencies and, of course, Airbnb. But now another major hospitality player has joined the fray. Enter Homestay.com, which … Read more
Santiago de Cuba’s hotel product is getting better. The city’s Gran Hotel and Imperial Hotel, located on the city’s Calle Enramadas, are now opening following large renovation projects. Both are located within walking distance of Carlos Manuel de Cespedes Park, and will be operated by the Cubanacan Group. The Gran Hotel, formerly the Bayamo Hotel and … Read more
Cuba’s rapidly-expanding hotel product has a new addition: a boutique property in Santiago de Cuba. As part of a wider crop of new hotels in the far southeastern corner of the country, the Punta Gorda hotel has opened its doors. The 12-room hotel is set on the bay that’s close to the city’s Marina Marlin, … Read more
Demand for Cuba has never been higher, both from outside of the United States and now for travelers coming from the US on one of the U.S. government’s 12 approved licenses. That’s been a significant boost for established tour operators like Central Holidays, which now offers a wide range of tour packages to visit Cuba. … Read more
New life for the Brisas Covarrubias By the Cuba Journal staff A major hotel in Cuba’s Las Tunas province has reopened its doors. The Brisas Covarrubias hotel, located on the beach in Puerto Padre, has 180 rooms, along with three bars and an international buffet restaurant. A government statement said the property had received major … Read more
By Alexander Britell Cuba Journal Travel giant Apple Leisure Group has its “eye on Cuba,” the company told me in an interview last week. While US hotel companies cannot currently expand their brands into Cuba, despite loosened restrictions, interest in the island remains high for hoteliers. “The size of the island and its rich culture … Read more
By the Cuba Journal staff Santiago de Cuba is showing significant tourism growth so far this year, Cuba’s tourism officials said this week. The country’s Second City market is reporting a 20 percent growth in tourist arrivals over the same period in 2014, with more growth projected as the tourist season begins in earnest. The … Read more
Maybe it’s the six-piece band in the lobby at twilight. Or the extensive selection of Cuban rums. Or what just might be the best omelette in Havana. Here, at a hotel in the leafy Havana suburb of Miramar, you can find just about everything you want, all within an easy drive of the Old City. This … Read more
By the Cuba Journal staff Two new all-inclusive Cuba resorts are coming to the island. Ocean by H10 Hotels has announced the expansion of its presence in Cuba, with plans to add two new resorts slated for opening this year. The new resorts are Ocean Casa del Mar and Ocean Vista Azul, both of which will … Read more
