La Habanera is a charming and budget-priced hotel on the main street,just steps from the main plaza, is housed in a recently restoredcolonial-era building dating from 1867. For better or worse, theoriginal colonial tile-work has been replaced with rather soullesscontemporary ceramics, but beautiful hardwood doors are a lovely touch.The location is a major plus for sightseeing, but it comes at a price:At night noise from the partying in the square and the nearby rooftopLa Terraza cabaret can wake the dead.

Lofty ceilings assist air-conditioning in keeping things cool in the 10bedrooms that surround an atrium courtyard, and four upstairs roomsopen onto narrow balconies. Modest yet tasteful tropical-themed rattanfurnishings and lively autumnal color schemes in the bedrooms contrastwith simply colonial-style decor and clinical whites in public arenas.All rooms have lofty ceilings, plus two twin beds – so honeymoonersshould plan accordingly. Four rooms share a balcony over the plaza.Satellite TVs offer four international channels, and modern bathroomssparkle.