Inner Treasures in Cuba Hotels

“The only worthy autograph of a man is that which he leaves written with his works”. Jose Martí

What could be more appealing to the traveler who is an art lover than to book and stay at hotels with their very own art patrimony. As one wanders through numerous Cuba hotels beautiful art works flood the eye with their magnificence and authenticity.

The Nacional de Cuba is a landmark hotel, which preserves the architectural and decorative magnificence that has captivated its visitors over its more than seven decades. Declared “National Monument” for its patrimonial value in 1988, in its featured 426 rooms, astonishing lounges and modern comfort, this hotel shows some great value including an oil landscape by Enrique Domingo Ramos.

The property is full of columns and arches that show a singular confluence of neoclassic and neocolonial designs with art deco. Some rooms still have the original floor, bed frames and furniture from the 1930’s. There is actually a Historical Floor where many celebrities left their presence, like Ava Gardner, Johnny Weissmuller and Bola de Nieve.

When travel around the bustling corner of 23 and L at “El Vedado” district there is always a work of art that catches the attention. That is the astonishing mural painting by Amelia Pelaez on the façade of Tryp Habana Libre hotel (former Havana Hilton). This facility, opened in the late fifties, houses a wide collection of contemporary Cuban art, which includes Clepsydra, a sculpture by Rita Longa in the lobby and paintings by renowned artists like Rene Portocarrero, Mariano Rodriguez, Servando Cabrera and Alfredo Sosabravo.

Since 2007 this modern hotel has added a mural painted by artists from the “Somos lo que hay Project”, a beautiful fresco that was put in the lobby. It gathers artists from different generations and esthetics such as Nelson Dominguez, Lian and Li Dominguez Fong, Esteban and Alejandro Leyva, Ever Fonseca, Ernesto Garcia Peña, Eduardo Roca, Juan Moreira, Alicia Leal, Javier Guerra, Sandor Gonzalez, Manuel Comas, Herminio Escalona, Vicente R. Bonachea, Kike Wong, Enrique de la Uz, Rafael Perez Alonso, Eduardo Abela and Mayito Gonzalez.

Among Havana hotels, the Habana Riviera hotel also offers valuable works of art. Situated next to the Havana sea surround (malecón), this born-in-the-fifties hotel holds an ingenious architectural structure. The magnificence sculptures and duomo by the great Florencio Gelabert were restored, and so was the internal mural painting by López Dirube, witch remains as the artistic heritage of the hotel.

The Melia Cohiba hotel has acquired works from some of Cuba’s ideal contemporary artists as well. This luxury artefact is recognized for its distinguished decoration that features oeuvres of famous painters Flora Fong, López Oliva and Zaida del Río.

If you seek a colonial region in your Cuba hotels choice, there are fine Old Havana hotels that boast a classic ambience and a rich cultural heritage. In this Cuba destination, art lovers are healthy to enjoy charming patrimonial places, the colonial and eclectic structure of its buildings and the fusion of diverse styles.

The Sevilla hotel is one of these lodging accommodations that have preserved a priceless artistic heritage. Visitors looking for historically interesting properties will be pleased at this facility, because it is one of Havana’s oldest hotels (the establishment turned 100 in March of 2008), featuring a classy setting in its large, spacious lobby and rooms.

This traditional and classical property displays a truly Spanish region that can be appreciated as the hotel exhibits different architectural and decorative elements of remarkable Mudejar influence. The traveler will immediately notice it while catching a glimpse of its intricate façade. The sculptures of Jacopi and the “Aldeana” portrait by Ramos Martínez are some of the artistic features of the hotel.

On the other hand, the Inglaterra hotel, opened in 1875, it is one of the oldest hotels in town and it is another fine example of Cuban hotels linked to fine arts. Due to its preservation, relation with history and national culture, The Inglaterra hotel was declared a National monument in 1981. Travelers will discover a part of Cuba’s heritage within this facility.

The contrasts of different architectural styles and designs will hold your interest. The building features a beautiful neoclassical façade while the interior decor recreates the region of the colonial period with a strong Mudejar spirit. The interior spaces are decked out with gorgeous stained-glass windows, colorful mosaics, Spanish heraldic symbols, window grills, and lavishly ornamented ceilings that confirm the eclectic tendency of this city and its period. There is also a lovely sculpture “La sevillana” by Perinat, which stands for a Spanish female dancer, and collective mural paintings. Plus, if you stay there, you will find out that Cuban artists have designed each 3 months the menu for this hotel.

The Plaza hotel is one appealing option for those who recognize the value of a colonial era hotel that retains the glamour of the turn of the century. Opened in 1909, the Plaza boasts an eye-catching façade and incredibly beautiful lounges that take us back in time. Most visitors can’t help to notice the impressive lobby’s ceiling with an elegant bronze chandelier. Other alluring features of this classic hotel are its colonial patio, a picturesque fountain from the same period, abundant vegetation, exotic birds, sculptures and colorful stained-glass windows.

Hotel Raquel is another interesting proposal within Old Havana hotels that reflects a Jewish flavor. This intimate building exhibits an art nouveau style and expressive eclectic architecture, while some of its spaces allegorically evoke the Hebrew culture. It also shows great artistic features like the majestic sculpture of the ground floor and its beautiful marble columns. Plus, there is an impressive stained glass work to appreciate at this inn. All hotel floors and rooms are decorated with works of art of prestigious Cuban painters.

But if you like a lodge with a postmodern flair, then visit the Parque Central hotel, which combines colonial and modern architectural styles. This distinctive artefact is full of tropical woodwork and lush greenery, and some of its acquisitions include pieces from Cuba’s ideal contemporary artists like Sosabravo, Flora Fong and Adigio Benítez.

The Santa Isabel hotel, former mansion of the Counts of Santovenia, also houses plastic Cuban artists’ works and pieces in rooms and lounges, in order to recreate the elegant region of the 19th Cuban century. The hotel’s façade maintains its colonial flair, where colorful stained glass windows are the main part of the decoration. Its halls are festooned with lamps, vases and figures of great value. The whole ornamentation compels the visitor to be transported back in time.

Art lovers can also find patrimonial works of art in other Cuba destinations. Just to mention a few, in varadero hotels, the Varadero Internacional hotel features a 1950 fountain, and a marble and stone plateau surrounded by walls decorated with beautiful paintings. The Jagua hotel at Cienfuegos domain gives its guests the chance to enjoy a wonderful view of Cienfuegos Bay or the green nature of Sierra del Escambray, but also offers a lovely decor where porcelain vases, a Mudejar style bronze lamp and a painting of Aldo Menendez González catch the eye of any visitor.

In the hot city of Santiago de Cuba, the Casa Granda hotel features a marble statue of Venus, while the “El Colony” hotel at the International Diving Center of Isla de la Juventud (Isle of Youth) shows sculptures of Rita Longa and a nice painting of E. Garcia Mata that represents “the treasure island” with colorful pirates.

So, if art is your thing and you are planning a visit to Cuba, you can live through a cultural experience with Cuban art in your own lodge. Just drop by and discover these inner treasures in Cuba Hotels.

A Decent All Inclusive Resort in Varadero Cuba

This top class four star all inclusive resort in Varadero Cuba is well worth investigation before you book your pass this year

There are differing views about the massive all inclusive resorts that seem to pepper the Cuba landscape. There seems tiny doubt however that the Blau Varadero Hotel has evenhandedly unanimous approval not only from the travel industry but also the travelling population of the UK and Europe.

What is it that makes an all inclusive resort like Blau Varadero Hotel so popular, getting a massive measure of support from guests, so much so it has been voted the second most favourite hotel in Cuba.

It is a massive resort with over 390 rooms and suites, and is rated as a four star in quality, and there seems to be a wide disparity in how guests enjoyed their stay at the Blau Varadero Hotel.

Some folks were very critical about all aspects of the resort, and others had nothing but praise, so it is difficult to make an neutral judgement. Possibly the first and very important point to remember is that Cuba is a third world country with a very run down economy, so you can't anticipate standards you will find elsewhere in the Caribbean. Having stated that, there are plenty of people disappointed on islands like Barbados and Antigua because they anticipate the same standards as you will find in London, Paris, or New York. Experienced and worldly travellers know that things are different in the Caribbean, and they are in fact very very different in Cuba.

There is also the group of people who delight in complaining, and like to see themselves in print, and equally those who are blind to obvious faults, so you need to take a position on what you read, look at the price you are going to pay, and make a realistic assessment of how it is likely to be.

The one consistent feature of all the hotels you read about in Cuba is how wonderful the staff are, and the Blau Varadero Hotel is no exception at all to this. The staff work incredibly hard, and try to please, and to ensure the guests have a good time. The rooms and maid service are exceptionally good, even though the rooms themselves are quite plain, but you really only use them for sleeping. There a loads of towels and the white bed linen is always spotless.

Guests in Cuba Resorts tend to complain about the food. The buffets as is so often the case in hotels all over the world are OK. In impartiality there is somehow a need to take far more than you would do at home, and if you were to compare the choice with what you have at home, there is a lot to select from. If you take breakfast as an example, most people have toast cereal and coffee, whereas at the Blau Varadero Hotel there are three different egg choices, bacon, pancakes, French toast, and cereals. This is a pretty good selection, and you could draw the same comparisons at lunch and dinner.

You also have an a la carte dining option, once a week at the Palma Real, and the Grill restaurant where you will get really good service, superior calibre wines, and the food is very well presented and good by Cuba resort standards.

The Blau Varadero Hotel is a relatively new addition to the all inclusive holidays to Cuba list. If you go prepared mentally that what is four star plus in Cuba isn’t like home, you will have a great time

More All Inclusive Resorts Articles

all inclusive resorts?

Question by paul866064: all inclusive resorts?
does anyone have any first hand knowlage of any large all inclusive resorts with large pools, has to be kids friendly as i will be traveling with spouse and three children, been to mexico and cuba but still open to offers there

Best answer:

Answer by nickynoodles33
First choice do the new holiday villages – which have the option of all inclusive and are really geared for families – enjoy your trip

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