Nacional Hotel

hotel much in need of update rooms smelt musty and stale there were also a lot of mosquitoes coming in through vents in bathroom buffet left a lot to be desired having come from the melia varadero for three nights here the change was quite dramatic no potatoes or good vegatables to speak of also food was quite cold would not stay here again.

We stayed at the Nacional for 3 nights as the second part of a twin centre two week trip to Cuba in July 04. Yes, the hotel is a bit frayed at the edges. The rooms are small and basic and we experienced a 12 hour power cut which are apparently quite common, but as an overall experience it was fantastic. The fact that the hotel has hardly been touched in fifty years must surely add to it's charm. You wouldn't go to Egypt and complain that the sphinx needs a nose job would you? Don't be put off by negative reviews. True, it should no longer be rated as 5 star but i am sure as tourism to Cuba develops that before long an international chain will come along and redevelop the hotel. For me this will just sanitize the experience. The rooms will probably be the same as any other 5 star hotel but the overall ambience will be lost. Take my advice, go soon before it is too late and don't expect Hilton standards. P.s. The views of the malecon are unbeatable.

We spent 3 nights at the Nacional and would go back there again. We found the staff very helpful and friendly and the buffet meals were better than we expected. The room was clean and had a great view of the Malecon and the gardens.Pool area was exceptionally nice. Lots of great spots to sit and people watch in many different areas of the hotel. Our one disappointment was the cabaret show, lots of wonderful costumes but no great variety in the dancing pieces and we were crammed in like sardines.

People obviously have very different reactions to this hotel, and they're all quite understandable when you go there. On one hand, it's a magnificent building in a superb setting and position, with a great sense of grandeur and history. On the other, it's just a bit frayed at the edges, and lets itself down in the service at times. We stayed there for two nights. Our room was pleasant and quiet but not remarkable - everything was neat and clean except the carpet, which was a bit grubby. The bathroom had lots of towels and a hairdryer, and piping hot water. We were thirsty when we arrived, and resented having to pay 2.30 CUC for a small bottle of water from the minibar. There's no other water for sale in the hotel except at bars etc. Later we found a small shop attached to a garage a couple of blocks away, where a 1.5-litre bottle cost 65 cents. Bring your own water! The buffet breakfast was OK, but we had been spoilt by spending the previous week at the Paradisus Rio de Oro, Guardalavaca. In comparison, the food here was less good and much less varied, and the service sloppy. The tables weren't cleared promptly and weren't reset in time for the next people - I ended up stirring my coffee with my fork. At the peak time, the coffee ran out (you have to fill your own cup at an urn, whereas the Rio de Oro serves your coffee at the table) and although staff were told, it took quite some time before they refilled it. The staff did seem a bit world-weary and lacking in friendliness, although our chambermaid was clever enough to write us a little note in English saying she'd enjoyed looking after us - a bit of a fib, I'm sure, which we nevertheless rewarded with some toiletries and a t-shirt left on the pillow for her. The gardens overlooking the sea are a splendid place to sip a mojito, and we had an excellent meal at their "ethnic" Cuban restaurant in the garden. The buffet dinner in the main building also looks good value at 20 CUC, but we enjoyed being in the fresh air and liked the ambiance of the Cuban restaurant. This hotel was the only place on our holiday where we were occasionally troubled by cigar smoke, but as of now there are new regulations that should improve this situation. They offer a guided tour giving highlights of the hotel's history. Our guide had a lot to tell us, in very heavily accented English, including some fascinating stuff about the hotel's role in the Missile Crisis of 1962 and the secret bunker in the grounds, as well the endless list of celebrity guests. Despite its shortcomings, the Nacional is a really special place and we're glad we went there.

what a shame such a stylish and worldwide class a hotel does not have the attitude and service which you normally expect from a 5 star. the hotel is a magnificient monument to classic cuba and on entering the establishment you really can see the classic ambiance. then you meet the rotwielers at reception. the rudeness and arrogance of superiority really gives attitude to guests even the bellboy has attitude. its poitness trying to book the cafe parisen by the net as they loose your booking. the rooms are excellent after the experience of the rest of cuba its a shame that certain staff let the hotel down. the restuarant and bars are excellent but expensive. the gym is very good but they do not tell you its 5 pesos until you get into the gym as are most of the facilities all at a cost. the buffet is 5 star the 24 hour buffet is slow but reasonable. what they do not tell you is do not wear or show any gold leave it in the hotel safe at 3 pesos a day expensive but if you have a bum bag or gold chains are liable to be ripped off. unfortunately crime in havana around the tourist are is rife but it is not made clear until youve had the experience or suffered a loss. cuba was a nice place two years ago now they no what money is a nd appreciate western life and will get it however they can.

After reading some dreadful reviews on your site, we arrived at the Nacional without great expectations! However, we have just returned from a really enjoyable 5 nights stay without a single criticism! The Nacional is a really stylish, old hotel - on a par with many of the hotels on the "Register of Historic Hotels of America". We thought it was a gem! Our large, corner room on the eighth floor was light and airy with two great views. The large bathroom was newly refurbished with loads of sparkling fluffy towels. So what if the carpet was a little shabby.... The restaurant "Comedor de Aguiar" was again a stylish, old world experience, and the oft maligned breakfast buffet was a huge eclectic affair - just don't go down at 9:45 and expect to stroll up to an empty table! Lovely gardens and little hidden away bars, a real Hollywood driveway - a treasure!

This is such a bad hotel. I have travelled around the world and have stayed in many 5 star hotels and the Nacional was a shock. As we pulled up, i was convinced i had chosen well as the grounds and the exterior is beautiful. On arrival the check in clerks looked miserable (as they did the whole time we were there). On going to our room the corridor we were at the end of smelt foul. When we got to our room we found insects on the walls, tables and SHEETS! The A/C had leaked onto the floor as well, providing a nice large damp patch on walking in. The walls were also peeling and badly needed a lick of paint. On telling all this to the check in clerks they looked at us blankly, and eventually gave us another room. This room wasn’t as bad as the last but the paint was still peeling and the top of the room was covered in something black(?). No doubt to say that we changed hotels to Park Centrale (not sure on the exact spelling), which was amazing, a true 5 star hotel and one that I recommend strongly. The Nacional probably was a good hotel, but it needs to be renovated urgently, and if you want a lovely hotel exterior and 2/3 star rooms than this is it. However for the price you pay you would be mad.

The Hotel Nacional is a beautiful construction from the fifties, but that is it. Rooms are way too small, moldy and the is not hot water at night. Staff members are among the world's unhappiest and ruddest. Defenitely not service oriented at all. My overall experience after spending 5 days and having changed rooms three times, could be catallogued as terrible

Stayed in the Nacional for 3 nights 23 - 25 Oct 2004, as part of a 2 centre holiday. The exterior is impressive and the lobby is very grand . the rooms are a little faded but spacious but bathroom was clean (anyway you won't spend much time in your room).The location on the sea is great and a taxi ride to the centre of old Havana about $4 or a 40min walk if you want to walk along the sea front Food - We ate in the restaurant next to the lobby and the food was extremely good , the best meal I had in Cuba (and we stayed at the Paradisis Rio de Oro - see other reviews , which had good food) , I'd recommend the lamb We also had lunch in the outside restaurant in the grounds on our last day , which was also good (and very good value $11 each). We had breakfast , which was fine but sometimes quite busy. Drinks - the cocktails are great here and the service friendly , probably best Mojito's around and nice grounds to sit outside and drink in. Prices very reasonable at $3-4 a cocktail. Service - had no problems checking in, and they were more than happy to securely store our bags for 7 hours on the day of our departure. In summary - this is a great hotel , probably the best in Havana of the ones we saw (and from talking to other people). Yes, the rooms are not European 5 star, but don't take the negative comments on some reviews too seriously, they are in my opinion, small points and the overall ambience of the place means you won't be disappointed

I stayed at the Nacional as part of a two centre holiday with a beach resort, we had the choice of staying at a few in the city but chose this one based upon its monumental status, character and 5 star rating. I was quite overawed buy the forecourt, ornate reception area and porters in there crisp white tunics but departed feeling resentful three days later. To start with every member of staff I came into contact with was both miserable and downright rude, most also want tipping for doing very little. The room small and below average, comprising of crumbling paintwork, mould and a leak from the ceiling just above the toilet. The crowning moment each day was the breakfast which bore more resembled to a battleground - Here we found there were too few staff, tables, cutlery, food and coffee and too many guests - aggression took over and depression set in. In summary I think the Nacional should be rated a 2 star plus at best and could learn a lot from travel lodges throughout the world.