Hotel Victoria, Havana

Advantages: An excellent introduction to Havana's charms
Disadvantages: None to note (despite the 'socks')

...Back in 2004 I was lucky enough to celebrate the New Year in Havana the capital city of Cuba and vowed if ever I were to return I would spend a few days staying with the lady that is proclaimed to be 'The Jewel of Havana' better known as the Hotel Nacional De Cuba. Needless to say during that first trip I fell in love with the people, the music and the overwhelming ambience of the country and of course Che Guevara (all over again). The Journey…. During my post Christmas blues this year I booked a return trip. We spend a relaxing day in the NH Crystal Resort in the Cayo's and enjoy a few Mojito's before joining the transfer coach which will take us on the 30 minute journey to Jardines Del Rey Airport and after a smooth check in we board our ATR42 Cubanacan flight (which needless to say is an experience in itself if you know your... Read review

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Advantages: Loads to see and do, great people
Disadvantages: Many hustlers, can become tiring

...'s probably a museum dedicated to it in Havana. We tried the Museum of the Automobile - an old building containing a few dusty old vintage cars, badly lit and half not captioned in any language. We had heard that Che Guevara's Cadillac was displayed here so we asked an attendant who shook her head but gave no explanation as to why we could not see it. She did though point out a rusty old vehicle in almost darkness at the back which she said had belonged to Castro - unlit, unlabelled - so typical of Cuban museums! We left four CP worse of, not really knoing what we'd been looking at other than " some dirty old cars". Two very popular sights are related to the Hemingway Trail. Ernest Hemingway, the US born writer lived for many years near Cojimar just outside Havana and regularly came into the city where he stayed at Hotel Ambos Mundos (you can go... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Close to Centraal Station, good deals online
Disadvantages: Thin walls, expensive extras

...Having read several bad reviews of the Victoria Hotel, Amsterdam, I thought I'd better add my 2 pence worth. I recently spent two nights here after finding a bargain last minute deal on the internet. PROS We booked a triple room, which was two twin beds and a third camp bed (added to the room after we arrived). The beds were comfy, and the room and ensuite were both spotless. The staff were exceptionally helpful and polite - one even recommended a restaurant which served vegetarian food. The swimming pool is free for guests to use, although we didn't. Despite being directly opposite the station, the rooms were lovely and quiet at night. Room service is excellent, and the food is delicious!! CONS The walls were a bit thin - you could hear voices and televisions late at night but this was only a problem on the first night... Read review

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