Hotels - Nacional de Cuba

About  Nacional de Cuba

So much has been written about the charismatic Hotel Nacional de Cuba. Built in 1930, the Nacional boasts a long and rich history – palpable today – and is part of what makes a stay here so unique.

From the palm-flanked pool to the breezy garden terrace, the Nacional has many attractive areas to linger or lounge. Tuck into one of the Chesterfield sofas under stunning chandeliers and carved wooden ceiling to see why this is a favorite spot of foreigners and Cubans alike.

The sloping garden with aerial Malecón views is perfect for enjoying a cappuccino, tuna sandwich, Cuban cigar or stiff cocktail. Dotted with palms and archetypical wicker furniture, it’s an oasis of tranquility. It is a popular meeting spot for local business people, visiting dignitaries and Cuban cultural icons.

Everything here channels the glory days of the 1950s, from the Bar Hístórico to the vintage American cars parked outside in the long, sweeping driveway. For full effect, rent one (with obligatory driver) for an hour or two. Hotel Nacional has always been allied to the film industry and is the headquarters for the annual Festival of New Latinamerican Cinema of Havana.

Music and dance are equally represented at the Nacional where extravagant shows are hosted nightly at the Cabaret Parisien, second only to the Tropicana. Meanwhile, Salon 1930 is dedicated to Compay Segundo (of Buena Vista Social Club fame) and his successors perform here weekly.

Calle Paseo, Plaza de la Revolucion

Jose Marti Revolution Square

The Revolution Square has been the scene of the largest demonstrations of the Cuban people and a permanent site for defending revolutionary principles, sovereignty and independence. In this historic Square, there is the José Martí Memorial, an enormous marble sculpture of the National Hero of the Republic of Cuba and a star-shaped obelisk at the base of which are four exhibition halls and a function hall. At the top of the memorial is the city's highest viewing point. In the other site of the square, two building facade bears a representation of the face of other two national heros: Che Guevara and Camilo Cienfuegos.

Calle 17, e / Calle D y Calle E, Vedado, La Habana

National Museum of Decorative Arts

The Museo Nacional de Artes Decorativas (National Museum of Decorative Arts) is housed within a rather interesting building in the district of Vedado, Havana. If you are on your way through Vedado and have free time, it’s worth visiting this museum, or at least to see the building itself. The construction was designed by French architects Virad and Dastugue, surrounded by beautiful gardens with sculptures. The Museum exhibits in its spacious rooms valuable works of European and Oriental art dating back to the 18th to 20th centuries. Among the items stored within the museums and the ones on display in its exhibition rooms, this museum has more than 33,000 works of high artistic and historic value from the reigns of Louis XV, Louis XVI and Napoleón II, as well as some oriental pieces dating from the 16th to the 21st centuries. It also has a Hall of Oriental Lacquers, with Chinese parabanes from the 17th to the 21st century; and a dining room in the Regency style and with Italian marble. You will find very carefully preserved furniture, ceramics, porcelains, paintings, and sculptures as well as works of applied arts. This museum offers several services with guided tours and specialized tours, and also features a library with cultural activities.

Calle San Miguel No. 1159 esq. a Ronda, Habana

Napoleonic Museum

Very close to the bicentennial University of Havana is the Napoleonic Museum. This museum, the finest dedicated to Napoleon Bonaparte outside of France, is housed in a small Florentine palace built in line with plans for a villa designed for the Medici family. It houses more than 7,000 pieces: weapons, military equipment, furniture, Sèvres porcelain, paintings, coins, books, personal items used by the Bonaparte family and even the death mask of the prisoner of St Helena, brought to Cuba by his last doctor. The Napoleonic Museum is considered to be one of the most important of the world, It is unique in its type in Latin America.

Calle 3, esq Calle G, Vedado, La Habana.

Casa de las Américas

The Casa de las Américas House is a cultural center located in Calle G Street, next to El Malecón of Havana, in the quarter of Vedado. This cultural center was founded by Haydee Santamaría, survivor of the assault on Moncada in 1959. Its objective is to investigate, support, reward and publish the works of writers, musicians, theater practitioners, and other artists from the continent.  The literary contest in holds annually is considered one of the most important of Spanish language. It is a meeting point and forum for dialogue concerning innovative ideas with a unique atmosphere. The House has exchanges with institutions from all over the world. Conferences and exhibits on Latin American and Caribbean art are held in its headquarter, as well as concerts and interesting events. Its interior houses an art gallery and a bookshop, both with an intellectual atmosphere.

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