We stayed in Las Terrazas Sept.7-14, 2011. reception: (53) 797-1636, 797-1315, or 797-1317.
ROOMS: As noted elsewhere in TripAdvisor, these apartments are not housekeeping - there is no stove, nor kitchen supplies - I am surprised to see mention in one review that someone found kitchen supplies. Perhaps they were left by an earlier tourist. Some apartments have a large fridge, some have only a bar fridge. They are spacious apartments by Cuban terms - excellent if you want to have a few people over for drinks. The rooms have air conditioning but ours had no fan -- which would have been more comfortable and is the usual Cuban solution to the heat. Reception was more than 100 meters from our room, and there were narrow stairs and no elevators to our third floor room, and because we had brought a lot of stuff (for Cubans) it was quite a journey to the room but 3 Cuban staff helped us.
POOL and BEACH: The swimming pool is open to the public so was busy on the weekend,but was closed (and drained empty) during the week, in this off-peak time of year. The beach is great but the waves can be rough and therefore unsafe for young children and non-swimmers - hence the popularity of a pool just meters from the ocean.
FOOD: Breakfast: the coffee was bad but the food was bearable. The ambience - beside the pool - is very pleasant but not quite as sociable as down the road at the Tropicoco. The independent restaurant found right on the hotel property charges only 2-4CUC for acceptable pizza and 1CUC for a beer. If you want really decent food, go to Havana and take a flight to Mexico because you're in the wrong country.
NIGHTLIFE: Taxi to nearby Guanabo is about 5CUC, 10 minutes, and there are 2 discotecas. Walk 300 meters west to the Tropicoco hotel to catch the tourist bus (3CUC) to central Havana (parque Central), a taxi is expensive (15-20CUC). If you speak Spanish enough to understand detailed instructions you can take the #405 bus to the main highway, then the #400 to Havana. Cost is 2 cents/ride = 4 cents total but the buses are very crowded.
PRECAUTIONS: The mosquitoes were numerous because of stagnant water next to the hotel, so **bring insect repellent** as mosquitoes in Cuba can carry denge fever. Do not bribe the guard to bring in a unknown Cuban, as you can legally register a Cuban guest for only 15CUC and they can stay for breakfast and to use the pool (that is, they receive a guest bracelet) and both you and the guest will be far more secure as everything will be legal and documented. Be aware that other guests are bribing guards to bring in Cubans, and your valuables are at risk accordingly. Door locks might politely be described as "Mickey Mouse".
OUR PERSONAL EXPERIENCE: This hotel was quite satisfactory. I went with a friend who enjoyed the room to herself while I spent most of the week in Havana. We ate out for less than the additional cost that an all-inclusive would have charged. We enjoyed having *trusted* *long-term* Cuban friends (known from previous visits) to our apartment - some we signed in, and others came to know the security guards and could come and go freely. We had no theft problems but I would be more cautious in future given some of the reports in the reviews of this hotel.

first of all to clear this up this is a series of appartments(not a hotel) across the beach at playa del este which is kinda like a suburb of havana ,, old havana is a 20 min cab ride..for cuban stadards these apartments a good , satelite tv,, balcony , kitchen area ,sitting area ,seperate beadroom,and swimming pool downstaires...if you know cuba this is a good place as a home base to go visit family and friends if your not planning to stay in the appartment 24 hours a day..i say this because the apartments are spread out and you don't realy have entertainment or daily activities set up, like a hotel does, or not much socialising with other guest because there is not a lobby bar or common area.....but you will meet a lot of locals at the beach because you will use the public beach across the street ....there is a red air conditioned touristy bus that goes to old havana every 30 min it cost only 3 cuc and it includes returne.....las terazzas has one resturant this is where you will eat you buffet breakfast which is included with the price,,,,there is also a pizza and pasta resturant around the courner and you can take out pizza and bring it to the pool sitting area if you want ... no real night clubs in this area but the town of guanabo is a big town 5 minutes away by cab and has a very good disco busy on weekends,,,, or havana clubs are always busy with popular local bands ......overall i feel this place was fine as long as you understand what it is ...

The two bedroom apt. was great, the kitchen had all the utensils and pots and pans. We had a view of the ocean and the staff and maids did the upmost to make our stay enjoyable.
We had booked a two week stay back in May of this year and only read the reviews after we booked, we were quite concerned and worried about all the negetives comments about the hotel, but once we arrived, we were pleasently surprised. I really do not understand how people can put down a hotel in these reviews!! the mention of prostitution, bad meals, safes and appliences not working, maids stealing!! come on!! you get caught stealing in Cuba, you go straight to jail!! this is all "hearsay" by dissatisfied guests who expected 5** accomodations and service at a clean, safe and well run budget hotel. You get what you pay for. All in all, we had a great stay and we are returning again in two weeks. BTW, where else can you get a 2 bedroom apt with kitchen and living and balcony with a view !! at a grat price?
Daniel, Toronto,Ontario

We actually booked this hotel because it was the cheapest way to get to Havana, but the reviews were terrible. Our plan was to just get there and move somewhere else. I would not advise people who want to enjoy the hotel itself to stay there. This is a cheap way to get to Havana and enjoy the beach , nothing else.

Staff was very friendly to us, usually what we asked for we will get it. The cleaning lady was very hard working, every afternoon our room would be completely clean, floors, bathroom, kitchen, etc.

Rooms are in pretty bad shape, but at least the ACs were working, we had a balcony with a view to the sea, and there was hot water. Breakfast was big, but average at most, the dinning area was open by the pool and there are a lot , i repeat, a lot of stray dogs and cats running around and by your table. There are a couple of small restaurants in front of the hotel, you can have lunch and dinner there for a very low price. Entertainment was 0 , nothing until the weekend. There was a grocery store pretty close, and you can buy most of the stuff there. There was a fridge in the room.

We didn't experience any of the horror tales about security guards under the bed to rob you, etc, but , we took always our valuables with us everywhere.

Beach was GREAT, and we all had lots of fun.