Within a 20-minute walk of the historic downtown, this waterfront hotel on the Malecón boulevard is also just one block from the Club Cienfuegos bar, restaurant, and nightclub. The neo-classical building began life in 1921 as a private mansion capped by a Mughal-style domed turret. In 2004 it reopened as a seven-room hotel operated by Cubanacan.

The ambiance throughout clings to the hotel's 1920s roots. A restoration has left the structure and its highlights, such as the colonial style tile floors, intact. And the lofty ceilings lend a sense of airy spaciousness. The bedrooms are named for flowers, such as Orquidea, Dalia, and Margarita. The modest furnishings in subdued pastels are a tad bland, but the rooms are comfy enough and have both air-conditioning and en-suite bathrooms with shower-tubs. Satellite TV, refrigerators, and in-room safes are standard. Rooms on the second floor are the best bargain, especially Dahlia, which has fine view over the bay. Six of the rooms have balconies (Mariposa does not).

Facilities are limited to a small restaurant serving from a limited criolla and continental menu, and the nearby Club Cienfuegos offers variety plus options for a lively nightlife ranging from billiards to live music.