The 6 Best Boutique Hotels in Cuba

If you are visiting Cuba and looking for a more intimate experience than those offered by the huge hotels that are dotted around, why not check out these boutique options?

Independent Hotel
The 96-room Saratoga was built in the 1930s, and sits across the street from El Capitolio in the centre of Havana. It’s within walking distance of many of the main attractions, and there’s a rooftop pool and spa where you can relax after a long day of sightseeing. Celebrity fans will be pleased to hear that Jay Z and Beyonce stayed at the Saratoga in 2013.
Independent Hotel
Take a trip back in time at the Florida, a grand old hotel in Old Havana. Opulent furnishings, marble columns and an impressive restaurant make for a great hotel experience. Sip on a mojito at one of the two hotel bars, or order a bottle of wine to sip in the courtyard. It’s luxurious without slipping into pretentiousness, and the atmospheric cobbled streets of the old town are just outside your door.

Boutique Hotel, Hotel

The Casa Granda lies on one corner of Parque Cespedes in Santiago de Cuba. Since 1914, the elegant building has housed a hotel that welcomes guests to Cuba’s second city. Sit on the terrace overlooking the square below, or head to the air-conditioned bar to take a break from the heat and humidity.
Boutique Hotel, Resort, Hotel

This 1920s property is the only real boutique hotel among Varaderos all-inclusive resorts. You can almost feel the history here, with Winston Churchill just one of a list of distinguished former guests, and the upstairs bar provides great views. Breakfast, dinner and a round of golf at the Varadero Golf Club are all included in the room rate, which makes a stay here a very good deal.

Budget Hotel, Pop-up Hotel, Hotel

New lodging options continue to pop up as Holguin establishes itself as a tourist destination. Chief among them is the Encanto Caballeriza, a three-star, 21-room property that is housed in a 19th-century building in the centre of town. It was previously a stables, which explains the horse riding theme of the decoration and the El Establo bar. While it’s not a luxury hotel by any stretch of the imagination, the Encanto Caballeriza is a good option for those who want to spend some time in Holguin.
Independent Hotel, Hotel

Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!


Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.


KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.