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Hotel Sevilla,
Old Havana, Cuba


An Overview by Authentic Cuba Travel®

One of Havana's oldest hotels (the establishment turned 100 in March of 2008), the Sevilla has many stories to tell and is privileged in more ways than one.

The Sevilla hotel is situated off Prado, close to Malecon (Seawall) and to places of historical and cultural interest such as the Capitolio and Gran Teatro (a short walk north or south, respectively, takes you to these locations). It is also well located for touring Old Havana and its colonial centre: nearby Obispo takes you to Plaza de Armas, one of the epicenters of the sightseeing circuit.

Inside, the large, spacious lobby combines elegance with a welcoming, cosmopolitan atmosphere which is altogether refreshing. Unlike other establishments in the area, the appeal of this spot is not exclusively visual or historic: in addition to the traditional Cuban music performed by a trio (a nearly ubiquitous offer), the hotel organizes salsa and campesino music days (when a grille is set up in the patio), and a professional troupe stages flamenco performances twice a week. Once a month, original silent films are projected on a screen assembled in the lobby area, to an amusing piano accompaniment that tries to set the mood, attesting to the establishment's inventive commitment to culture. Other attractive features include the palatial Roof Garden, an enormous and supremely elegant restaurant with great views of the city, an arcade with shops which adjoins the lobby at its far end, a money exchange locale, and a meeting room which can seat up to 45 people. The hotel is also one of three in the area that boasts a swimming pool, and the poolside facilities are surprisingly well equipped (there is a modern gym, a sauna and massage service).

Standard rooms at the Sevilla are delightful: light and spacious, with original Colonial furniture mixed with good replicas. The walls are rag-painted in sunny yellow, the curtains are bright and cheerful and the cool tiled floors a blessing to hot, weary sightseers' feet. The clean, bright bathrooms are tiled in white and grey. There are excellent views over Havana from rooms on the higher floors.

With enough atmosphere to please visitors seeking historically interesting properties, the Sevilla combines class, a lively cultural scene and an excellent location.



Services and Amenities:



  • 178 air-conditioning rooms with city view
  • Telephone- national & international calls
  • Mini bar, satellite television, table and seats for breakfast
  • Hanger, hairdryer and plug for electric razor in the bathroom.
  • Voltage 110v/ 60hz, radio alarm, safe deposit box.
  • Internet on hotel's PCs, laundry & ironing service.
  • Malecon max 5min walk, swimming pool, entertainment programs.
  • Pharmacy, terrace, disabled facilities.
  • Car rental desk, taxis desk, tours & tourist information desk.
  • Elevators/ lifts, post office, secretarial services.
  • Business centre, conference rooms, fax, daily newspapers.
  • Smoke detectors, fire alarms, strobes, extinguishers, sprinklers.
  • Staff trained in first aid, uniformed security personnel 24hrs.
  • Doctor in hotel- on call 24hrs.
  • Lobby bar, a la Carte Restaurant, billiards/ pool table.
  • Nightclub/ disco, poolside snack bar, TV room/bar, cafe/snack bar.
  • Barber, ladies hairdresser, beauty salon.
  • Boutiques, shop(s) with basic supplies, souvenirs & gifts, gallery.
  • Shops max 2min walk, busy street, nightclubs nearby.
  • Mastercard & Visa (not USA bank issued) accepted.
  • Money exchange.
  • Reception staff speak Spanish, English, French, German, Italian.
A popular meeting place for Cuban high society from the time of its inauguration in 1908, the Sevilla has many stories to tell and is privileged in more ways than one.

In the late thirties the property came to be owned by an Uruguayan with ties to the Italian-American mafia (a notorious character like Santo Trafficante owned shares in the venture).

Mobsters, however, would not be the only well-known figures to frequent the hotel: in addition to Al Cappone, luminaries like Enrico Caruso, Graham Greene and Josephine Baker grace the long guestbook.
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