After years and years of planning and dreaming about it, I finally got the chance to visit the country I wanted to see so badly – Cuba. And it’s capital, the mesmerizing Havana. I don’t have to tell you that Havana immediately became my favorite city on the entire planet. I’ve traveled a lot but never saw anything like Havana. It captured me instantly. Well, how couldn’t it when I have been dreaming about it for the last 15 years to say the least. Havana was everything what I was imagined it to be and more. Words cannot describe it and pictures don’t do it any justice, failing to show just how beautiful and full of soul that city is. I already know that I will be going back every year to my Havana.
And so for my first Cuban trip, I wanted to experience everything and that means different sorts of accommodation, too. So I stayed in a casa particular, beach resort, old-school charm hotels and a new luxury hotel. All unique, all different and all of them very welcoming. Cuban hospitality is something you just cannot miss while on Cuba. Yes, all of the accommodation were very nice, but it’s the people that made every single one of those stays special.
So among my hotel choices in Cuba, well Havana in particular, as I mentioned before, I went with one luxurious option; well, probably the most luxurious on the whole island. Yeah, I’m talking about that one hotel that first comes into your mind when you combine Havana and one of the greatest hotel brands in the world. Yes, Kempinski; precisely – Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski Havana.
As it states on the hotel website; “Opened in 2017. and ideally located in the heart of Old Havana, surrounded by the main UNESCO World Heritage buildings of this vibrant city, the Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski offers the opportunity to relish in the first luxury hotel in Cuba. With a contemporary decoration, the hotel comprises 246 luxurious rooms, including 50 suites, where you can lounge after a stroll through the fascinating and historic city of Havana. You can indulge in the extensive gastronomic outlets, such as the Lobby Bar El Arsenal or at the panoramic restaurant San Cristobal. Or you can enjoy your favorite cocktail in the Bar Constante or smoke a cigar paired with a rum in the cozy tobacco lounge, Evocación. At the end of the day, you can enjoy the breathtaking view from the rooftop while sipping a delicious cocktail, get pampered at their Spa by Resense or have the Meetings or Events in one of the conference rooms.”
I haven’t been in a meeting nor did I attend any of the events there (come on…I was on holiday!), but I sure did sip the cocktails at various times a day, at various hotels bars, watching the sunset from the rooftop and admiring the gorgeous view on the even more gorgeous city.
But first things, first. Let’s get back to the beginning.
The welcome at the hotel was very nice as expected; from the politeness of the people, the welcome drink, the smoothness of the check in; everything was fine. My room was on the fourth floor and by the time I arrived there, my luggage was already waiting for me in my room. The hotel lobby and the passageways all are nicely decorated with paintings and flowers. Clean and minimalistic design with dominant white and grey tones.
Entering the room, you can tell that this hotel is basically brand new. It’s like no one actually stayed here before. Room was spotlessly clean, high ceilings with a huge floor to ceiling window overlooking the quiet courtyard. The bed (it was a twin bed room) was one of the most comfortable beds I’ve ever slept in when it comes to hotels. The bathroom was huge and most importantly had a rainfall shower which was amazing. Taking a shower after a long day exploring Havana was definitely an experience of its own. So good.
The breakfast is served in the restaurant on the 2nd floor and I have to tell you it is one of tastiest breakfasts I’ve ever had in a hotel. Very, very good with so many options. This was definitely the highlight of my stay.
After you’re done with breakfast you can go to the rooftop bar that probably has one of the best views over the city, take a swim in the pool (another highlight that I miss very much) or just relax in the spa. Saunas, jacuzzi, gym, massages are among the things you can find there. I’ve spent an evening relaxing in the jacuzzi and it was such a soothing thing to do after whole day wandering around the Havana.
I loved staying in the pool till they closed it for the night. Experiencing the sunset over Havana while in the pool drinking my favorite drink whilst listening to some Cuban music has been one of my favorite experience of my Cuban trip. Would definitely and hopefully do it again.
Staying in Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski Havana was one of my best hotel experiences overall. I don’t know if it’s because of Havana, which eventually became my favorite city ever, or because of the Cuba and it’s people that I have dearly or just because the room and the hotel itself are so nicely decorated and comfy and the breakfast is one of the best I had… and that rooftop pool is… oh man. I can’t wait to go back.
Thank you Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski Havana for the most amazing stay.
But before you go, check out the few pictures of the presidential suite. No, I haven’t stayed there. Yet :)
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