16 Best Hotels in Cuba: Ultimate Cuba Hotels Guide [2024]
Once dominated exclusively by over-the-top beach resorts and bare-bones guesthouses, Cuba has seen incredible growth in both the quality and quantity of hotels, guesthouses, and resorts to choose from in just the past decade. New investments in resorts and hotels in Havana, plus new laws making it easier than ever for Cubans to launch hospitality businesses, make it an exciting time to visit Cuba.
As locals, we’ve had the pleasure of staying in some of the best hotels in Cuba. Read on to find out the best hotels in Cuba that we’d come back to again and again. From modern skyscrapers in Havana to historic palaces turned boutique hotels in Cienfuegos, these are the hotels you can’t leave off your Cuba travel itinerary.
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Best Hotels in Cuba
There’s certainly no lack of impressive hotels in Cuba to choose from. Whether you’re looking for a simple casa particular – a private rental similar to an Airbnb, and long a favorite choice among travelers to Cuba – or a luxurious resort in Cuba, there’s an incredible range of options across the country.
These are our top picks for the best hotels in Cuba, including both boutique and modern hotels, as well as some unique, unexpected picks.
- Best Boutique Hotel in Cuba: La Reserva Vedado
- Best All-Inclusive Beach Resort in Cuba: Cayo Guillermo Resort Kempinski
- Most Unique Place to Stay in Cuba: MogoteArt
- Best Modern Hotel in Havana: Iberostar Grand Packard
It’s hard to pick just one of the best hotels in Cuba, but these are clear winners among the best destinations for all kinds of travel experiences in the country. Read on for all the details about the top-notch amenities, unique and memorable details, and incredible attention and service that make these Cuba’s best hotels.
Read More: Ultimate Guide to Casas Particulares in Cuba
Cuba Hotels
1. La Reserva Vedado
Best Boutique Hotel in Cuba
First-time visitors to Havana usually want to stay in Old Havana, but the seasoned travel pros know that the storied and elegant neighborhood of Vedado is often a much better option. La Reserva Vedado is one of Vedado’s gorgeous restored mansions, with the style, service, and amenities to easily earn it our pick for one of the best hotels in Cuba – it’s our favorite boutique hotel in Cuba.
La Reserva Vedado‘s 11 gorgeous and spacious rooms, each with its own unique design, combine the building’s historic details with modern, comfortable furnishings. Perhaps even more lovely, the expansive garden space, complete with lush greenery and bar, feels like a true retreat from the rest of the city.
Reviews and Bookings: La Reserva Vedado
2. Cayo Guillermo Resort Kempinski
Best All-Inclusive Beach Resort in Cuba
The tiny off-shore cay of Cayo Guillermo is home to Cayo Guillermo Resort Kempinski, our top pick among Cuba hotels for an all-inclusive beach getaway. This resort’s seven incredible overwater bungalows – the first of their kind in Cuba – are a highlight, but even the resort’s “standard” rooms are impressive.
One of the major benefits of opting for a Cuban beach vacation in the cays in Cuba rather than in a beach destination on the Cuba mainland, like Varadero, is that you’ll enjoy a much more laid-back atmosphere. That’s very true here. At arguably the most luxurious resort in Cuba, you’ll be struck most by the unparalleled sense of relaxation and restoration you’ll enjoy from your stay.
Reviews and Bookings: Cayo Guillermo Resort Kempinski
Cuba Resorts Guides
3. MogoteArt
Most Unique Place to Stay in Cuba
The best hotels in Cuba aren’t just hip Havana hotels and massive beach resorts – they’re also one-of-a-kind spots that offer the unique experiences that travelers crave. Nestled among the towering mogotes of the small town of Viñales is MogoteArt, our top pick among the best unique hotels in Cuba.
Located in the heart of the national park, MogoteArt is part organic farm, part guest house, and part eco-lodge – there really aren’t many places like it in Cuba. Chef-prepared meals use organic ingredients picked from the large, lovely grounds. Rooms are a bit basic but totally comfortable, and the national park views are stunning; you’ll feel peacefully off the grid and enjoy Viñales much more than you ever could on a day trip from Havana.
Reviews and Bookings: MogoteArt
4. Iberostar Grand Packard
Best Modern Hotel in Havana
The luxe Iberostar Grand Packard is our top recommendation among the new, modern hotels in Havana, and easily earns a mention among the best hotels in Cuba. While there are a number of impressive and modern hotels in Havana now, the design, friendly service, and incredible views over the ocean and El Morro fortress set this city resort in Havana apart from the rest.
Rooms at Iberostar Grand Packard are spacious and comfortable, with modern furnishings and great views. The covered pool deck and bar area are some of the best spots in the hotel, well worth a visit even if you aren’t staying in the hotel; there’s nothing like a mojito at sunset with these views.
Reviews and Bookings: Iberostar Grand Packard
5. Royalton Habana
One of the newest hotels in Havana, Royalton Habana is among the most luxurious places to stay in the city, with amenities that land it a spot among the best resorts in Havana. Located between Havana’s main pedestrian thoroughfare, Paseo del Prado, and at the start of Havana’s iconic malecón sea wall, it offers both stunning views and incredible access to the best of the city.
Rooms at the Royalton Habana are upscale and modern yet perfectly inviting, and hotel amenities range from an impressive spa to excellent on-site dining and one of the most enviable rooftop pools and lounges in the city.
Reviews and Bookings: Royalton Habana
6. Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski
One of the newer hotels in Old Havana, the storied-meets-modern Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski is among our personal favorite hotels in Cuba.
Kempinski is well known for its elegance and impeccable service, and the brand’s Havana outpost is no exception. While the hotel is filled with modern decor, you’ll find hints of the building’s storied past, with rooms that are spacious and luxurious yet not fussy. Make sure to visit the cigar bar at the Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski – even if you aren’t a cigar smoker, stepping inside the humidor and learning about Cuban cigars is a highlight.
Even if you’re staying elsewhere and are just visiting on a short Havana itinerary, we absolutely recommend visiting the hotel’s rooftop bar to order a drink at sunset. The views overlooking Old Havana are truly spectacular, with the Gran Teatro just across Parque Central and the dome of El Capitolio as magnificent as ever in the distance.
Reviews and Bookings: Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski
7. Casa Colonial Torrado 1830
Considered by UNESCO as one of the best preserved Spanish colonial cities in the Caribbean, stunning Trinidad is a hit with travelers, and it’s no surprise why. To get up close and personal with the age-old history of this charming Cuban city, stay at Casa Colonial Torrado 1830; it’s the only hotel in Trinidad to make our list of the best hotels in Cuba.
Located in the heart of the old town of Trinidad, just two blocks from the Plaza Mayor and all the best things to do in Trinidad, this tiny boutique hotel is the perfect spot for exploring the city. Rooms are simple but maintain historic details; staff will make you feel right at home and consider you family with just a day or two!
Reviews and Bookings: Casa Colonial Torrado 1830
8. Pullman Cayo Coco Hotel
The white sands of Cayo Coco are home to a number of hotels and resorts, though Pullman Cayo Coco Hotel is a favorite Cuban hotel among them. New, modern construction, beautiful furnishings, and delicious food help it stand out among the rest and earn it a spot on our list of best Cuba hotels.
Pullman Cayo Coco Hotel is large, with 566 rooms and suites, but doesn’t feel overwhelming or impersonal, as other hotels of a similar size can feel in other Cuban beach destinations. The hotel offers a family-friendly section and an adults-only area, plus offers endless amenities like 8 restaurants, 10 bars, and 7 pools. The Cayo Coco beachfront couldn’t be any more pristine.
Reviews and Bookings: Pullman Cayo Coco Hotel
Plan a Trip to Cayo Coco
9. Residencia Santa Clara
One of our favorite hotels in Havana, Residencia Santa Clara is a refreshing mix of modern and historic in the heart of Old Havana. Quirky cool design, great location, and excellent service make it unlike any other place in Havana and worthy of a spot among the list of the best hotels in Cuba.
Comfortable and spacious rooms at Residencia Santa Clara offer balconies looking out onto Old Havana streets and a cool rooftop area that offers glimpses over the city. The hotel’s first floor is home to a lovely bar that serves great cocktails and tapas. Breakfast is included in the stay, as is wifi.
Reviews and Bookings: Residencia Santa Clara
10. Royalton Hicacos Resort & Spa
The beachfront in Varadero is filled with resorts, but our top pick for the best resort in Varadero is the Royalton Hicacos Resort & Spa. This impressive adults-only all-inclusive resort has endless amenities, including a golf course, 8 restaurants, a spa, and gorgeous grounds with a number of pools and beach bars for the ultimate relaxing Varadero beach day.
The pristine, white-sand Varadero beachfront and the abundance of activities and entertainment options at Royalton Hicacos Resort & Spa make it the perfect place to escape for a long weekend.
Reviews and Bookings: Royalton Hicacos Resort & Spa
11. Paseo 206
One of the coolest and most popular boutique hotels in Havana is Paseo 206. This historic family mansion dates back to 1933 and reveals all the storied splendor of Vedado, while updated and fresh decor makes it inviting and relaxing for guests.
The hotel offers ten comfortable and stylish suites, all uniquely designed to offer a homey and welcoming feeling for guests. Service is impeccable, and staff help organize tours and transfers to introduce guests to the best things to do in Havana and beyond.
Paseo 206 is also home to a fantastic restaurant, Ecléctico. This stylish spot offers indoor and outdoor dining spaces and delicious Italian cuisine that is among the best in the city. It’s no surprise – the hotel is owned by a Cuban and an Italian couple. Add Ecléctico to your Havana itinerary even if you stay elsewhere!
Reviews and Bookings: Paseo 206
12. Palacio Barón y BalbÃn
Old Havana and Trinidad are known for having the most impressive historical areas of Cuba, but the legacy of French immigration to Cienfuegos means that this charming city has much to offer in the way of historical beauty as well. The historic Palacio Barón y BalbÃn is the perfect place to enjoy all of the city’s rich history and beauty.
Highlights of Palacio Barón y BalbÃn also include a rooftop terrace with water views and a delicious restaurant. Located just two blocks from the central Plaza MartÃ, this beautiful Cuban hotel puts you among the most beautiful and convenient parts of Cienfuegos.
Reviews and Bookings: Palacio Barón y BalbÃn
Plan a Trip to Cienfuegos
13. La Rosa de Ortega
Located just 10 minutes outside of the bustling and busy Havana neighborhoods of Old Havana and Vedado, La Rosa de Ortega feels like the ultimate retreat from the city. Sweeping views, a pool, gorgeous grounds, and charming, spacious rooms make it one of our very favorite hotels in Havana.
While La Rosa de Ortega is located outside the main tourist areas of Havana, we always love it when travelers make this choice for where to base themselves. You won’t find a single other foreigner here (except myself!) and can actually connect with locals. With Old Havana and Vedado 10 minutes away by taxi or bus, you’ll still enjoy easy access to the best of the city.
Reviews and Bookings: La Rosa de Ortega
Travel Insurance
Cuba requires that all travelers have proof of a comprehensive travel insurance policy in order to enter the country. Check out our guide to travel insurance for Cuba for more details. We recommend these brands for Cuba travel insurance:
- Visitors Coverage: Coverage for Cuba travel available to citizens of all countries, though not currently available to residents of New York and Maryland in the United States.
- Insubuy: Coverage for Cuba travel available to citizens of all countries and states of the United States.
14. Iberostar Selection Holguin
You’ll have no lack of places to stay on the beach in Cuba, though Iberostar Selection Holguin is an easy favorite. Nestled between Playa Estero and Playa Pesquero, considered among the best beaches in Cuba, this resort is a truly magnificent spot.
Iberostar Selection Holguin is modern and updated, with great installations across the entire resort. Tons of watersports options and expansive pools with beach beds and loungers make it a lovely place for a beach getaway. Offering both family-friendly areas and adults-only spaces, it’s great for a multigenerational vacation – by far one of the best resorts in Holguin!
Reviews and Bookings: Iberostar Selection Holguin
Plan a Trip to Holguin
15. El Candil Boutique Hotel
Exquisite service and gorgeous, ornate furnishings make El Candil Boutique Hotel in Havana’s gentile Vedado neighborhood among our favorite hotels in Cuba. This restored mansion offers everything from a lovely rooftop terrace and bar to a lovely front patio for whiling away warm Havana evenings.
It’s true that our list of the best hotels in Cuba is mostly populated by hotels in Havana, but that should be no surprise. With the most significant tourism presence on the island, Havana has so many incredible projects, like restored boutique hotels in historic properties like this. They’re a highlight for travelers visiting the city.
Reviews and Bookings: El Candil Boutique Hotel
Travel Essential
Don’t think about traveling to Cuba without a good VPN (Virtual Private Network). Using a VPN while connecting to the internet is an easy way to keep your personal information safe from hackers and trackers. We’ve used NordVPN for years and couldn’t recommend it more – it’s a must for safety online, especially in Cuba.Â
16. La Villa Teresa
Havana’s La Villa Teresa is another beautiful example of hotels in Cuba giving new life to the island’s most historic spaces. This boutique hotel feels like the fanciest casa particular (guesthouse) in Cuba, with a pool, gardens, and spectacular vistas over the entire city and to the oceanfront. Spacious, luxe rooms and impeccable service make this more than just your average place to stay, but an experience to remember.
Located outside of the main tourist areas of Havana, yet just a 10-minute taxi or bus ride to spots like Old Havana and El Vedado, this boutique mansion offers both a retreat from the city and a taste of local life that’s hard to find elsewhere.
Reviews and Bookings: La Villa Teresa
Carley Rojas Avila is a bilingual travel writer, editor, content marketer, and the founder of the digital travel publications Home to Havana and Explorers Away. She is a serial expat and traveler, having visited 40+ countries and counting. Carley has written for publications like Travel + Leisure, MSN, Associated Press, Weather Channel, Wealth of Geeks, and more. Find her front row at a Bad Bunny concert, befriending street cats, and taste-testing every pizza in Havana.