On this page you will find reviews sent by travelers about casas particulares in Habana Vieja who are not listed (yet) in our main Habana Vieja casa pages
March 3 2013
Name: Ana Linares
Country: Canada
I stayed here at: 01/01/2012
Doña Lily
Address: Empedrado No. 505, Havana Vieja, Cuba
Tel: 05 808-1038
My review about: We were referred to Doña Lily from another casa particular listed on Cuba Junky (Maura).
The casa is conveniently located in Old Havana near La Floridita, the Musuem de la Revolucion, and Obispo street.
She charged us $30 CUC and then $5 extra per person for breakfast. It is an individual suite with a full kitchen, a bedroom with 2 beds to fit one couple or up to four people, and a bathroom. It is clean and safe and located near a public parking lot for those who have rented cars to park in.
Casa specifics: Fantastic hosts, Comfortable, Cozy, Hidden gem, Roomy, Charming, Safe
Amenities: TV, Private entrance, Airconditioning, Private bathroom, Breakfast service, Queensize bed, Extra bed available, Bathroom with tub, Bathroom with shower, Private parking
How was your room?: It is a decent sized one bedroom casa. Very clean, no bugs, no bad smells. Be sure to ask her to show you how to properly open the doors because the locks are old and jam up.
The bedroom was a typical sized bedroom with a queen bed and then another bed that was about twin size. It had dressers and closet. The bed was nicely made with nice big pillows and she provided towels.
At night you could hear the TV, music, and chatter from neighbours but after midnight it is very quiet. We brought ear plugs and slept like babies. There is a window but there is very little air circulation in the house but there is an air conditioner available.
How was the food they offer?: The food was fresh and delicious and it was more than enough for two people! She made us eggs (we like ours scrambled) with tomatoes and green pepper and a spread of fresh seasonal fruits, fresh cheese and meat slices, fresh bread, butter, fresh guava juice, and coffee. It was better food than what we ate at our resort in Varadero.
She also told us she tries to meet dietary needs. For example, the guest prior to us was pregnant so she made meals specific to her cravings/dietary needs.
Other services they offer: Her son is a cardiologist and he speaks 2 or 3 other languages so when she needs help translating she calls him to come over if he is available to help.
She referred us to a public parking lot one block over where we left our rental car at night for $2 CUCS. During the day you can park out in the front but at night it is best to park in a parking lot.
We were staying at a resort in Varadero and she offered to have a taxi to come pick us up. In the end we decided to rent a car because we had plans to go to Viñales for a day trip, but if you need a taxi to pick you up she can arrange that for you at reasonable prices. She quoted us $80 CUCS one way from Varadero.
Other comments: We were referred to Doña Lily by another casa particular. We had some communication glitches and due to our own error we were not able to get a hold of Doña Lily but she managed to contact us at the hotel we were staying at in Varadero. So we felt like she went the extra mile to ensure we got to her casa safely. We really appreciated this about her.
She just started her casa particular business in November so she is just starting to build her clientel. She does not have email or a website. For those who want to have a more intimate experience with a Cuban family, she did tell us her son often invites guests to his house for dinner (I believe this is also an additional charge but I can't remember exactly).
Doña Lily is very sweet, talkative, very funny, and aims to please. She is recently retired and family is everything to her. She wants to make sure you feel like you are at home and happy. She does not live on site, she lives a few blocks away but always has her cell on her and you can reach her at any time for whatever and she will come to you.
She is also very respectful of personal space so she can be as little or as much involved with your experience as you like. If you just want to go there to sleep and you want to be out all day, she understands that too. Just let her know. Also, if you are OK w/ her not coming every day to change towels and clean, etc., let her know too. We didn't feel like she needed to come clean up after us so we told her not to worry and change towels, etc. She is very accomodating this way.
Also, her neighbours are very friendly and keep an eye out for her guests. You feel very safe here. For men, if you want a hair cut, go see the barber down the street at suite 404. He's super nice. Also, when you hire a bictaxista, they might try to persuade you to go to "the best restaurant in Havana" called El Guarajito. Don't go. It is overpriced and average food. We eventually realized you can get yummy street food from local vendors for super cheap.
Feb 14 2013
Name: garry gallagher
Country: canada
I stayed here at: 01/19/2013
Casa Aurora & Julio
Address: Merced 14, Habana Vieja, Cuba
Tel*: 53 7 863 0536
Email address casa: castellanosotero@hotmail.com
My review: Quiet, well located apartment in Habana Vieja near the artist market. Generous and thoughtful hosts. Julio speaks english and has a great outlook and sense of humour.
Casa specifics: English speaking, Quiet, Fantastic hosts, Comfortable, Colonial, Roomy, Safe
Amenities: Private bathroom, Breakfast service, Extra bed available, Bathroom with shower
How was your room?: Spacious and comfortable, windows and blinds, fridge, bottled water supplied
How was the food they offer?: Generous portions of fresh, well-prepared food and good coffee
Other services they offer: Highly recommend their friend and taxi driver Bernardo
Cel 53 5388 6466 & 53 5264 0874
June 17 2011
Name: RichardGreen
Country: England
I stayed here at: 9/6/2011
Casa Wilfredos
Address: calle carcel no. 59 morro y zulueta, havana vieja
Tel: 537 8602515
My review: Very friendly, great location. clean room. nice family. Sat on the balcony smoking a cigar and practicing my spanish with wilfredo was a very cuba experience.
Casa specifics: Quiet, Fantastic hosts, Comfortable, Colonial
Amenities: Private bathroom, Balcony, Breakfast service, Bathroom with shower
How was your room?: Comfy, ensuit and access to balcony
How was the food they offer?: We only had breakfast, fruit, eggs bread and coffee
Other comments: Was a good casa mto stay in and explore old havana
Casa Janine Arriaga Fernandez
Date: 31-12-2008
Author: Kostas
Country: Greece
We stayed last may at yanin's and we recommend it. The location is perfect and the casa is nice.
Casa Lina Rufin
Aguiar 110 between Chacon and Cuarteles
Habana Vieja
Tel: +53 7 861 9908
Date: 06-08-2008
Author: Elis
I just got back from Cuba and would highly recommend staying at the following casa:
She has two rooms both 30CUC a night, one with 2 twin and one with a full sized bed. The room with a full sized has a fantastic AC and kitchenette which is located outside of the main apartment, so it has privacy coming and going. The bathroom is in the hall outside of the main apt. The rm w/ twin beds has an AC that does not work so well, and a private bathroom. You get a key to the main door, so no need to wake anyone up coming home late!
Optional
Breakfast: 3CUC
Dinner: 5CUC
Habana is absolutely amazing and I would encourage all to go. The cuban culture is very special and as a lone woman traveler I have never encountered such a respectful, passionate and gentle culture.
I highly suggest you make friends with cubans, and they will take you to the nontouristy spots. Plan to buy them drinks because after all YOU are at a financial advantage and a few cheap beers will gain you a tiny bit of access into a culture that exists fully on networking.
Happy travels! |
