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Cuba Luxury Travel

LUXURY TRAVEL IN CUBA


OVERVIEW

The birthplace of salsa, the land of Che and revolution with a Caribbean twist, Cuba is a destination working to catch up with the rest of the world while still holding onto remnants of the past. There has been enough time for the development of luxury boutique hotels and a growing sophistication in Havana’s culinary scene, but even as the country’s doors continue to open wider to visitors around the world there are plenty of hidden gems waiting to be uncovered. Classic Cuba is still there, with its vintage Cadillacs, salsa clubs, smoky jazz bars, cigar factories and rum distilleries. Step back in time to explore old Havana, discover long stretches of unexplored white sand beaches in sleepy, secluded Baracoa, immerse yourself in the cultural hub of Trinidad, and experience the authenticity of the Afro-Cuban pockets of Santiago. Now is the time to go to Cuba.

WHAT WE LOVE

  • Explore Havana: Get lost in both time and place as you meander the colorful streets of old Havana, where live salsa music fills the air and a certain crumbling elegance in the architecture nods to the city's past grandeur

  • Havana’s boutique hotels and luxury villas - With tourism blossoming in Cuba a new generation of less-discovered boutique hotels, private apartments, and luxurious villas have opened up

  • Classic cars: You can’t leave Havana without cruising the streets on a Hemingway or taking a ‘mafia tour’ in a sleek open-topped Cadillac

  • Cuba’s highest peak: Experience Cuba’s tallest mountain range in a variety of ways, whether it’s hiking to Fidel’s remote “Commandancia,” from where he plotted the revolution, or, for the most adventurous travelers, scaling its peak: the Pico Turquino, considered a Cuban rite of passage

  • Magical Baracoa: Set at Cuba’s southeastern tip, Baracoa has unspoiled personality in spades and is the perfect jumping-off point for incredible hikes, bird-spotting, surfing and swimming in rivers

  • Afro-Cuban culture: Enjoy the warm embrace of Santiago, Cuba’s vibrant, authentic, musical and creative beating heart

  • Trinidad off the beaten path: The cobblestoned, traffic-free, pastel-hued beauty of Trinidad with its red tiled roofs and winsome views have been well documented, but there are still secret waterfalls and diving spots waiting to be explored

  • ‘Robinson Crusoe’ beaches: With creamy-white sand and lagoon-like turquoise waters, the tiny cayos of the Jardines del Rey, off the northern coast, are a dazzling discovery

  • The world’s third largest reef: Go scuba diving in Cuba’s wildly remote Jardines de la Reina

REST & REJUVENATE

  • Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski La Habana: Housed in a beautiful historic building that was once a 19th century shopping arcade in the heart of Havana’s old city (a UNESCO World Heritage site), Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski La Habana is Cuba’s first true luxury hotel. The design blends tasteful elegance with vibrant pops of color, and modern amenities include a rooftop pool with breathtaking panoramic views of the old city’s historic sites, and a luxurious European-style spa. Take advantage of your surroundings and sip on the finest Cuban rum and a curated selection of aged spirits in one of several hotel bars, indulge in an authentic Cuban cigar in the hotel’s unique cigar lounge, and then retire to your room and breathe in the sites and sounds of the lively city below from your private patio.

  • La Reserva: La Reserva is a charming boutique hotel situated in Vedado, Havana’s most cosmopolitan neighborhood with a budding culinary and arts scene. This is a hot spot for exploring the best of the Cuban capital. Housed in a restored colonial mansion and purposefully built using Cuban materials, incorporating vintage furniture and a collection of modern art by Cuban artists, La Reserva’s handful of rooms and suites each have their own character. For a small property, La Reserva is a destination it its own right, with an in-house art gallery, relaxing tropical garden, and a beautifully quaint cocktail bar. This lovely property’s five rooms can be booked individually or for exclusive use.

  • Paseo 206: Owned by a Cuban-Italian family, Paseo 206 is an intimate boutique hotel with just 10 rooms and suites, giving it the warmth of a private home without sacrificing the comforts of a luxury hotel. With luxurious linens, velvet sofas, restored wooden mouldings, the decor was carefully chosen with old-world glamour in mind. Relax in the elegant central library room or have dinner in the hotel’s lauded onsite restaurant before heading out to experience the nearby nightlife scene in Vedado and La Rampa… or opt to stay in for the night: rooftop suites have beautiful views and private hot tubs, and the delicious restaurant offers room service.

  • Malecon 663: Located on the Malecon, the coastal esplanade in central Havana where locals head out for an evening stroll and fishermen cast their lines, Malecon 663 is housed in a beautifully restored building that was completely renovated in 2016 with creative reinterpretations of traditional cuban design. The hotel doubles as a unique 24/7 concept store - everything inside Malecon 663 is for sale, including vintage furniture or furnishings that have been reimagined by avant garde young designers.

  • La Casona Trinidad: La Casona Trinidad is a ranch-style, eight-room hacienda surrounded by mango groves, and situated between Trinidad village and the Santa Rosa Valley. The hotel decor makes for a deliberately rustic, peaceful environment, with terracotta walls, hammocks for lounging, and saddles hanging from the walls. Go for a ride on one of more than a dozen thoroughbred horses living on the ranch to take in views of Trinidad’s gorgeous valleys and rolling hills, or simply relax at the pool or terrace bar for a different vantage point of the same lovely surroundings that are also home to some exotic bird species.

  • Villa Maguana Baracoa: With a coral reef just offshore and long stretches of white sand considered by some to be the most beautiful beach in all of Cuba, Villa Maguana Baracoa is a small and secluded resort set in a private cove a few miles/kilometers outside of Baracoa city. This resort is an ideal place for die-hard divers who want to explore the incredible reefs, or active travelers interested in adventurous mountain hikes and bird watching. With four spacious 4-room cottages, Villa Maguana is ideal for families or for couples looking for a little more space.

  • Iberostar Imperial Santiago De Cuba: Santiago de Cuba is the country’s second largest city, known for its revolutionary history and colonial architecture as well as authentic Afro-Cuban festivals. Sitting at the edge of a bay near the old town is the charming, 39-room Iberostar Imperial, a hotel built in 1916 that remains a symbol and a celebration of classic Cuban design. Relax and take in magnificent city views from the rooftop cocktail bar or your room’s private balcony.

WHAT TO KNOW

  • When To Go: Cuba’s wet season starts in May and ends in October, with a hurricane season that officially starts June 1 and peaks in August and September.