Up till recently,discerning visitors have bemoaned the lack of a really luxurious hotelin Havana. The Saratoga, which opened in November 2005, has rectifiedthe situation.

Standing on the western edge of the Historical Centre of the city, itselegant façade overlooks the other nineteenth century architecturalglories of the Prado and Parque Central. The interiors, designed byEuropean consultants, are simple, spacious, elegant and exceedinglycomfortable.

We particularly recommend the seventh floor ‘Saratoga’ roomsoverlooking the street, which have inviting window seats upon which oneis terribly tempted to recline for hour upon relaxing hour, reading orwatching Havana’s street life from the air conditioned quiet in thehotel – mercifully the designers thought to double glaze the windows,so the usual Havana cacophony does not prevail.

The pool, gym and bar on the roof are also oases of calm and havewonderful views over the city and the sentinel angels on the roof ofthe Gran Teatro de La Habana.

All the rooms have up-to-the-minute technology, the mudéjar-stylerestaurant is very attractive and the central courtyard has been glazedover and air conditioned so that neither extremes of heat nor Cuba’soccasional torrential downpours need interrupt guests’ enjoyment oftheir mojitos.

Excellently located for evenings at the opera and ballet, drinks anddinner at the Floridita and exploration of Old Havana, the Saratogadefinitely has the Cubaism seal of approval and might win our Hotel ofthe Year Award if its service continues to develop along its presentexcellent lines.

It is run by the Office of the City Historian of Havana, so much of itsprofits are reinvested in the restoration of the city’s historicalcentre.

Christmas and New Year's Eve At The Hotel.