We stayed here because our tour started here - certainly would not choose it. If I wanted a budget hotel in a good location, then I might choose it as it is at least clean. We also ate one night in the attached cafe, and the food is dirt cheap and acceptable. However, if I returned to Havana I think I would pay a little bit more for a hot shower.

My one week package to Havana Cuba was at the Hotel Caribbean on Prado, in Havana. It's approx 3 long blocks from Parque Central (central park). The location is fantastic. It appears to be a medium budget hotel, that had European tourists, as well as the odd Cuban businessman travelling. The rooms were small sized and plain, but clean. Room 408, what i was originally given was too tired in the decor/plumbing dept. Miraculously, Juanita, the maid, asked if I wanted the more sumptuous room 401 and i grabbed it immediately and threw her a few CUC's for the upgrade. It does face the Prado so you get all the noisy traffic/night club noise but after 14 hours a day out and about i crashed when my head hit the pillow. Mind you the large window overlooking the main drag was a great view. You could open it up if you wanted to dry a towel or a shirt. Room 408 had a small window that opened up the the hallway - too noisy and no sunshine.
The room was easily kept cool with the functional wall air conditioner and the TV worked well. There was plenty of hot water early in the week until the hotel filled up and it was zen like cold showers for the last 3 days. The hotel was safe with a door person at all times and an attentive reception desk. The staff had good English and were able to answer my questions and handle my needs. The cafe/restaurant attached to the hotel lobby was popular with guests and locals. The prices were very good/cheap and the meals simple - the spaghetti and pizza were very tasty. My package included breakfast only - a one egg omelette, dinner roll with peach jam, a small fruit plate, juice and coffee. It's not the mountain of food i eat from a Veradaro buffet but it actually was all i really needed. Check out was noon, however my bus for the airport would be a 11pm pick up so i got to keep the room for the extra 12 hours no charge. Classy move.
For what the hotel lacks in elegance, the staff certainly make up the difference. Would I stay here again? Well the Parque Central Hotel would be a nice treat, and i found some apartments on Calle San Rafael for $25 CUC's a night (with kitchen) - i'd stay at the Caribbean hotel if i could get the best room in the house (401/301?) again. I hear other rooms weren't so....."sumptuous".

I just came back from Cuba and spent two weeks at the Caribbean Hotel in Havana. I travel with Sunwing and I usually stay at the Tropicoco. However, since I spend most of my night life in Havana, I decided to stay at the Caribbean this time.

The hotel is about 50 + years old (according to the staff at the hotel) and is centrally located in front of the Paseo del Prado and close to restaurants, Malecon, ATM machine, parks, museums, Casa de la Musica, etc. My room (which you can see in the video) was large enough for me and I had no complaints with cold water or bugs, etc. However, when I booked my hotel with Sunwing, I requested to stay in a room with view of the Paseo del Prado. I am not 100% sure, but I believe most of the rooms in this hotel have no windows facing the streets. A thing I noticed is that the elevator is very small and it can be a problem for a large guy (like me). They also don't have a terrace or patio at the top of the hotel.

Staff was friendly and helpful. It was funny but they all knew my name, including the girl who does the cleaning, and they all call me by my first name. The restaurant was okay and my favourite meals were the spaghetti napolitana and the Cuban chicken (I couldn't eat it all!!!); the restaurant is open for he public, as well, so you will see a lot of Cubans coming to the restaurant to buy pop. beer, smokes, etc. This hotel does not allow tourists to bring their Cuban friends to their bedrooms, and the staff explained that to me the first day... I stayed in room 201, but I would suggest that you request to stay in rooms 301 or even better in rooms 401 or 501. Room 201 is just above the main floor and the noise from the street could be a problem for some people. I did not mind the Caribbean and I may stay there again for my next trip to Havana.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Q8XArGU2s0&feature=endscreen&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTMGl7jQlIM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZM9i14klG2I

We were staying at a three star hotel in Varadero. We loved it, a little gem, (Club los Delfines). We took a moped to Havana, and it was getting late. So we looked for a hotel for an overnight stay, then return to our hotel. There was a festival, and this hotel had one of the few rooms left. So we took it.

Well for my wife it was a joke, and not a funny one. The double beds, were two single beds, and I mean cot size single beds. The shower was cold at night, and I mean ice cold. The pillows were flat as pancakes, as viewed. My wife slept in her clothes worried about bugs, or someone crawling through the hallway window. Yeah, that's right, the room had a window which opened to the hallway. You could look at the wall outside. The elevator was a two man elavator. Each floor was painted a different color, so if your drunk, you just go to your color, (pink, yellow, purple,blue). The bathroom was moldy, and not clean. Before bed we had to shut the water off on the toilet because it just started to run on its own, (haunted?).

Now breakfast was a one egg, greasy, stale bread, and some fruit. Go down the street, and pick up some baked goods.

The only thing positive I can say is the location. Your right on the front strip. Your down the street from the capital, old Havana.

P.S. I have driven my motorbike across country, and stay outside if needed. If you take this hotel, go alone, don't take your partner, unless they live in the bush, and think roadkill meat is great.