Hotels - Inglaterra

About  Inglaterra

The Inglaterra opened in 1875 and has been one of the preferred hotels in the heart of downtown Havana ever since. Famous past guests include José Martí and Anna Pavlova – will you be next to sign the guest book?

The Inglaterra’s animated and dynamic sidewalk café, the Gran Café el Louvre, has hosted musicians, travelers, poets, professors and visitors of all stripes for over a century. Pull up one of the cast iron chairs to linger for an hour (or three) listening to live music and watching the kinetic street scene unfold.

While Inglaterra means England (for those who didn’t know), it’s rather a fusion of several cultural influences. Consider the restaurant El Colonial, (where breakfast is served) opposite the horseshoe-shaped reception area, with its neoclassical style. On the left, the bar-café La Sevillana, is another inviting spot to while away an hour or two. This whole section is attractively paneled with ceramic tiles from Seville in rich patterns and colors, complemented by ornately carved archways and molding. The entire area feels like it could be in Morocco, rather than Cuba.

But don’t only explore downstairs, for a real treat awaits at the top of the hotel. The Inglaterra’s rooftop terrace, featuring a bar/grill, is consistently ranked as a top Havana experience. During the day, enjoy the Jacuzzi and sun beds in the solarium; at night, have some cocktails accompanied by live music. Needless to say, the view from here is fabulous.

Carretera de La Cabana, Habana del Este

Tres Reyes del Morro Castle

Perhaps the most iconic of all Cuban fortresses. Its construction began in 1589 and was completed in 1630, playing a key role in the defence of Havana against raids by corsairs and pirates.  When the English attacked and captured Havana in the year 1762, the castle was damaged and later as soon as Spain took power again it was rebuilt and modernized. A lighthouse was added to the Morro in 1764. Standing 45 metres above sea level, it has become an unmistakeable symbol of Havana.

Fortaleza de San Carlos de La Cabaña, Carretera de La Cabana, Habana del Este

The Cannon Blast Ceremony

The Cannon Blast ceremony (El Cañonazo de las Nueve) is one of the oldest and attractive traditions of Havana. In colonial days, the shots signalled the closing of the gates of the walled city and the rising of the chain across the entrance to the harbour. The tradition of firing a cannon every night at 9:00 pm was kept even after the wall was torn down and is still used for checking your watch.

Teniente Rey y Villegas, Habana Vieja, La Habana

Santo Cristo del Buen Viaje Church

The Santo Cristo del Buen Viaje Church is a simple yet charming church. It is located in Plaza del Cristo Square, on the western side of Old Havana, away from the city center and tourist areas. The structure of the church is intriguing because of the simplicity of its towers and of its lateral façades, in complete harmony with the character of the works of the 17th century. The church was built in 1732 in the same place where previously there was a Franciscan shrine. Nowadays it has only partially been restored, with its beautiful stained glass windows and brightly colored ceiling being very noteworthy qualities. Inside the church, the image of Jesus on the Cross among travelers and sailors became very popular because it was thought to keep people from harm. On Good Fridays the processions left from the Convento de San Francisco de Asís and ended at the Iglesia del Cristo. The dimensions of the plaza were planned according to the processions that were to take place in it, marking the end of the fourteen crosses or Stations of the Cross. The Plaza del Cristo Square is an ideal place if you want to get far from touristy areas and to witness what real Cuban life is like.

Calle Trocadero No. 162 e/ Industria y Consulado, La Habana

José Lezama Lima House Museum

The José Lezama Lima House Museum is located in the former house of the Cuban writer José Lezama Lima, in Centro Habana. The museum exhibits several objects belonging to the writer, placed in the same way Lezama had them. The visit to this museum is compulsory for those who wish to get into Cuban literature. In this place were written worldwide known novels, like Paradiso and Oppiano Licario.

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