My wife and I spent a week at the El Presidente on a tour that included New Year's Eve. We enjoyed the historic nature of the building (restored Art Nouveau), the view of the Gulf of Mexico (we were given a large, top-floor room on the ocean side of the building), the several architecturally interesting buildings in the vicinity, at least three interesting restaurants within walking distance, and the quiet nature of the neighborhood (as opposed to the noise of Old Havana). That said, this is a hotel that caters to tour groups and it can be difficult to deal with the front desk if a group is arriving or checking out. The breakfast food was adequate, but the coffee was dispensed from a push-button device that made four varieties (black, with milk, etc.), all of them bad. There is a money changing bureau on the premises. A taxi into Old Havana ran three to four pesos, depending on how hard you wanted to bargain. After-dinner drinks on the veranda were quite pleasant. Laundry was available. There were four internet stations in the lobby; access was via cards purchased from the front desk (6 pesos for one hour). The bell boys were exceptionally pleasant and helpful, on two occasions walking us to good restaurants in the area (from which they presumably got a commission) that we never would have found on our own because they were on upper floors in apartment buildings. The ladies at the front desk were the weak link in the personnel chain. While we were on a tour that included accommodation, the rack rate was 120 pesos. Overall, a reasonably pleasant place to stay and a lot cheaper, even if one includes cab fares into town, than the several hotels we priced in Old Havana.l
- Presidente Hotel Havana
