Faded Glory ...

The Hotel Plaza was grand in its day (1909) but the glory has faded. From afar, like an aged lady, she still looks grand - but on close inspection, the glory has faded. If you want to experience Old Havana in its truest sense - you'll be living it here. Hotel Plaza, is in a very good location in Central Havana and that’s the best thing going for it - yet let me start by noting a few things you should be aware of before booking here - the beds were comfortable in this small room, the A/C worked [... read more] fine, there was a TV, a small fridge, a safe that didn't open up, lots of hot water that came after 5 minutes of waiting and friendly, happy staff that didn't speak English well. I tried to call the front desk on 4 occasions - the phone was never answered once. The roof top breakfast area has a fabulous few and we were happy with the food served. House keeping finally showed up on the 3rd day of our 4 day stay. The elevator had to be pried open to get in - and then the elevator door would slam shut on you if you didn't get in quick. There was no hair dryer- even though there was supposed to be one. I believe this is a government run hotel - need I say more? We loved Old Havana and the Cuban people - but some may not like it here. It sure was an adventure.

Good Location

This hotel is right at the city center but my room did not have a balcony for me to have a good view outside. I asked for another room facing the street but the window was not visible enough to see the street .I asked to be given back the first room which they did. Breakfast at the hotel is the best I have had in any Cuban hotel. Some of the staff are very friendly, especially at the restaurant. On my first day one of reception staff was very friendly to me by allowing me to use her phone to mak [... read more]e calls.I was able to change some Canadian dollars at the front desk on the first day and second day. I went to them the third time and they told me they don't change Canadian dollars.I was so shocked. I used ATM near-by but got the notes in 50's. The bank was closed, so I came back to the front desk to change for smaller notes. they told me they don't have, I went to the bar, they gave me the same answer. I decided to go to hotel Caribbean where I stayed last year. They remembered me and granted my wish. The bathroom faucet used to leak.I reported to the room maid. It was fixed but it still leaked any time I used it. Taxis parked near the hotel overcharge, so I used to walk away from the hotel for a cheaper taxi.The hotel is well located..

Perfect place to stay in Havana

Close to Prado but away from traffic noise. Couldn't be more central. Plaza Hotel is amazing with good restaurant and bar. Breakfast on the fifth floor terrace is very good. Near attractions with everything nearby but remember it is Cuba.

Stately Hotel-great location

Central Grand Hotel in its day, as all hotels are in Havana. The lobby is nice and the rooms are a good size, however very old and not updated since it was built in the early part of 1900's.Very clean, but old lumpy bed, linoleum stained and cracked. Staff both maids and lobby staff were amazing and very helpful. Located beside central park and close to most tourist monuments and buildings.

Location, location, location

This was our second time at the Hotel Plaza. We stayed there for its 100th anniversary in 2009. Since then, the main lobby area was beautifully renovated but not upstairs. Our room was OK; it was definitely clean and comfortable. I would suggest to bring your own hair dryer; there was none. Breakfast was served on the top floor with amazing views of the area. Food was OK, nothing exciting, but adequate. Staff was friendly and helpful. There is a lot of construction in Habana Vieja, this [... read more] old part of the city. Running shoes are recommended. I would also suggest for you to check performances at the Grande Teatro; they are worth every penny, and the theater is absolutely gorgeous.

Our home in Habana

I love this place. The building is beautiful and grand. It is at the centre of all our favorite haunts. Yes there might be a few aggravations, a but nothing to get upset about. Breakfast on the top floor with a view of the city is my inspiration to get up early. and the buffet has everything I want. We have stayed here many times and the employees treat us so well we feel totally at home here. If you put out a little effort to interact with the staff your vacation will be greatly enriched

Great lobby and location, awful room

Alright I'll keep this one short. The lobby and location are terrific, hand crafted moldings and etc, and staff was generally friendly. Location is terrific, except a building under renovation next door. It's right across from Capitol building. The rooms were awful. Plain and marks on walls, pretty much hostel, except the beds seemed worse. At least it seemed clean. The insulation was awful, couldn't sleep all night bc of noises outside(ppl yelling singing etc). I'd recommend staying at varadar [... read more]os and hire a driver to drive to Havana.

Pleasant at first, jaws dropped at room

Went to Cuba beginning of April for cigars mostly ( Cancun airport has NO IN-TRANSIT FACILITY, and I was fully loaded with cigars. Aside from waiting for an hour to exit customs, I was pulled aside for bag search and questioning and feeling extremely anxious until let go, phew. But they didn't seem to have a standard procedure for this and didn't know what to do) I was very prepared for Cuba being extremely third world, but upon arriving at the airport and getting out, I was pleasantly surprised [... read more] (it really felt like China from the airport to the city, then the driver told us China built those infrastructure, and we were like....no ****. The hotel was very very centrally located, right across from the park that's in front of the Capitol and theatre building, which were like the best looking buildings there. The hotel lobby was extremely nice when we arrived, the mouldings were stunning. We thought the hotel was maybe better than we thought, and raised our expecation to maybe a 3 star hotel North American standard from the previous 2 star. Well the room was really....1 star. It was sooooo plain, even a random highway motel in Canada is better than that plain, at least we'd have thick paint to cover up marks or wall paper for most of them. Unfortunately they had plain white wall with marks and two single bed that was....well let's say a fragile looking cheap metal frame. I wonder where they got the 4 star rating from???? But hey, it's at least clean and livable. Until....at night, we were there on a Saturday, and yes there was a construction/renovation site next door but they only started banging at around 7 AM I think. But there were people outside all night singing or yelling some stuff and the insolation is AWFUL! I could hear everything... For those of you who want to know how to live a hot Cuban night? They do have a window air con that works, but I left it off b/c it was actually cooler than Cancun. Bye Hotel Plaza. My advice, stay in Varadaros and hire a driver to take you to Havana, you have no idea how much cab fare we ended up spending ($4-5 per trip , but soooo many wrong destinations b/c they dont' speak English or have no idea where you wanna go)