Hotel Telegrafo
Travel Blogs from Havana
Vamanos a Cuba!
... tacky with hideous decorations- our shower curtain was an illustrated image of a huge toilet with men jumping into the bowl with plungers as a nun looks on from then lid. Step 7 was finito.
We finished our night with a walk through our neighborhood and ended up eating a great cheap dinner of grilled pork, rice and beans, with a $1 local Cristal beer outside on the Malecon, as a band played and blew us kisses. Perfection. I exhaled in ...
Back to the myth
... the Havana backpackers hostel. This hostel is the realization of a dream, common among travellers, of a mexican guy, David.
So, I take a cab to the given direction and get out in front of a blue 15-floors building that is just on the other side of the national baseball stadium. There are no signs for the hostel and I don't know where to go. Fortunately, someone does see me from the balcony and comes rescue me. We then go upstairs and enter an apartment... At ...
Hustling Havana
... common. Many items are in low supply so you will randomly receive a secondary item, with no warning.
Since our casa was a bit outside town, we often took taxis downtown for the day. We quickly learned the best way was to follow the locals. Just go the corner of any main street and wait for cars to come by. Hop in, pay them a few peso's and you get to your destination. Since most Cubans don't own cars, any gov't vehicle must stop to pick up people. And the ...
Viva Cuba Libre!
... of my first jaunt through Havana, which was about a week. This family is the parents, sister and nephew of a friend of mine in Portland, Eduardo, who emigrated (via raft and refugee camps!) from Cuba to the U.S. in 1994. I stayed with them again for several days during my second jaunt thru Havana several weeks later, but eventually I had to move into different lodgings (into a registered ¨casa particular¨--see below) in order to provide needed ...
Do you like Pina Colada's??
... Govt. money exchange houses) and exchanged £600 into CUC (Cuban Convertible Peso) at an exchange rate of 1.53. It all went pretty much as expected and we are outside and getting a cab to the Hotel National. The trip was quick and cost 25 CUC, we tipped our driver an additional 5 CUC at his prompt ("where is my tip?" how much do you want? “5”).
When we check in, it is all going so well and we even have ...
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Historical Traveler Reviews Hotel Telegrafo Havana
Good rooms but poor service
Stayed here for almost 2 weeks in Dec,03/Jan,04. Great rooms (provided you are overlooking the street,not the atrium which can be very noisy) and a good position on the border of Old Havana. Housekeeping staff were pleasant as was the lady who runs their restaurant at breakfast,the lady on the travel desk and the constantly pressured clerk on the front desk, but forget about the rest. Wake up call requests were ignored, the hotel would not cash travellers cheques and the "food" was terrible(even on Cuban standards). Furthermore the security guards on duty in the evenings constantly attempted to sell "cheap cigars" , and chicas (girls)who they offered to bring to your room , provided you paid both them and the girl of course.The one internet connection was always busy or "down" and international phone calls were charged at $4US a minute (in cash thankyou). There are better hotels than this in Havana. The NH Parque Central, situated across the road, seemed to offer far superior service and a much better atmosphere.
Great hotel
We stayed at the Telegrafo for the first 3 nights of our "Cuban Splendors" tour (which was terrific, by the way) and really liked the hotel. The lobby and reception are very nice but the real beauty is the rooms. They have very high ceilings and are really tastefully decorated. Our room looked over the park which was lovely, although some of the rooms had a back view which apparently was not nice. The bathrooms are also nice, although the water can be a little erratic.
One night the water ran out (about 2.30 in the morning) but was restored by 6am. the aircon is also very quiet and very effective.
The food is the restaurant isn't the best, but is standard fare for the island. The drinks are reasonable and there is an outside terrance onto the street to enjoy a drink and watch the world go by.
PS - if staying in Havana make sure you go to the Tropicana. It is expensive but worth the experience. Don'y spend extra on the expensive seats - we got the lowest price and were right by the stage with a great veiw.
Just Right!
I stayed at the Hotel Telagrafo during a trip to Havana and Varadero in May. I read the reviews and was not disappointed - totally met my expectations.
Great location - on the edge of La Habana Vieja. My room was on the second floor, overlooking Parque Central.
No problems with noise or otherwise. Breakfast buffet is okay. Only problem was I had to wait for the water to heat up in the shower (5 mins.). If that's the least of your worries in Cuba - no big deal!
The hotel was very accomodating. I decided to stay an extra day in Havana. Left my bags with the concierge for the day (and evg. - stayed at a private house). No problems - friendly service.
Internet access in the lobby of the hotel was a real bonus.
Great option in Old Havana
My husband and I stayed here on our honeymoon and it was (for the most part) a delight. Management upgraded us to a suite at no extra cost and even threw in a little bottle of Cava, which was a very charming touch. The hotel is very modern, safe and comfortable and much more welcoming than some of the better-known Havana institutions. Service is patchy in places but this is a problem all across the city, not just here. The internet cafe in the bar is a real boost. You won't be disappointed.
Better value elsewhere
I am always surprised when I read the reviews about the Telegrafo. Haven't these people stayed anywhere else?Yes, the Telegrafo is fine, but there are places with more charm and are of better value. The thing I don't like about the Telegrafo is that they allow the 'street girls' into the rooms at night and I don't think this is good for security. Most of the staff are very nice, and the bar/coffee shop/dining room is good. However, it could do with a refurbishment around the accommodation areas.
Very Good Central Hotel
Great hotel on the fringe of Old Havana. Very clean, safe and modern with very helpful and obliging staff. Good restaurant and house bar was a bit different and interesting. Have stayed twice now with no complaints at all. Recommended.
My favourite
stayed here 3 times. Really nice rooms with excellent no noise a/c and HIGH ceilings like an Italian palace. New building with old traditional feel. Great location. Human scale hotel not so big that its lots of stupid bus tour guests walking by/leaving rooms at 6.30am.
Nice One!
A really good find, the Telegrafo was great value with nice new rooms. The other places round the location might have a bit more character but rooms in the Telegrafo are more comfortable and the bar, built around the remains of the original is the best on the Parque Central
Spectacular
The staff was attentive to our needs. We loved the courtyard cafe with it's blend of old and new architecture,,the entire domed glass roof opens to allow nature in. Our room was very clean and well decorated. Excellent local.
Telegrafo
Very new (November 2001), pleasant hotel with modern facilities including internet cafe. Good location and good value, although without very much character.
TripAdvisor Reviews Hotel Telegrafo Havana
