Hotel Saratoga (Havana, Cuba)

For most guests, the main selling point of the hotel is its rooftop pool and bar area. Open during the day, it provides guests with an ideal place to relax after a day of sightseeing; enjoy a light meal, a soak and a cocktail, while enjoying views of the City.

With its 1880's neo-classical building setting and placement in the hubbub of the old Havana, Saratoga exudes Cuban charm. Everything is nearby, with restaurants, museums and the Malecon within easy reach.

Rooms are spacious and elegantly styled, with comfortable beds, excellent air conditioning providing welcome relief from the heat, and beautiful bathrooms; some with free-standing roll-top baths and his and hers sinks.

Saratoga is situated on a busy main street and, as such, guests are likely to experience traffic noise (especially those in front-facing rooms). While some will find it disruptive, others may consider it par for the course in a busy City. Either way, room balconies are the ideal spot to enjoy a drink and watch the classic cars coursing through the streets below.

The vast majority of guests will enjoy excellent service, however, some previous guests have suggested that service does not always come with a smile. The receptionists, in particular, have been described as 'surly' on occasion.

A boon for some and a bugbear for others, mandatory tipping is a practise adopted by the hotel bar. Some guests find it useful as it saves carrying cash, however, for some it is underhand and presumptuous, and takes away the option of giving more or less, depending upon the service you have received.