Hotel Havana

Hotel Havana, a Michelin Guide Selected Property in San Antonio, to Close its Doors Permanently on October 20, 2025

Hotel Havana, a distinctive property recognized as a Michelin Guide hotel selection, is scheduled to cease operations and close permanently on October 20, 2025, after 15 years of service. Its acclaimed Pan-Latin restaurant, Ocho, already concluded service in June 2025. This boutique hotel, celebrated for its unique charm and historic allure, has been a notable fixture on the Museum Reach of San Antonio's Riverwalk.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

During its operational years, Hotel Havana garnered a largely positive sentiment from guests, often described as a "hidden gem" offering a unique and unforgettable experience. It was praised for its unmatched charm, cozy corners, and vibrant energy. Review platforms indicated high satisfaction with cleanliness (9.2/10), staff and service (9.0/10), and location (8.8-9.5/10). Guests frequently expressed a desire to return, highlighting its blend of homey comfort and luxury.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently lauded Hotel Havana for its distinctive design, prime location, and attentive service.

• Design: The hotel, housed in a historic building from 1914, exuded traditional Cuban glamour with a Mediterranean Revival style. The interiors featured vivid colors, rich textures, intricately patterned rugs, antique furniture, and chic prints. Notable design elements included original Bastrop pine floors, high ceilings, wrought iron beds, and large, colonial shuttered windows, all contributing to a captivating ambiance of a bygone era with a youthful and modern feel. The downstairs Havana Bar, with its dim lighting and red prayer candles, was particularly noted for its Hemingway-esque romance.
• Location: Situated on the Museum Reach of the north Riverwalk, the hotel offered an excellent location, just steps from the renowned River Walk and a short stroll from downtown San Antonio. It provided easy access to popular attractions such as The Alamo, Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, San Antonio Majestic Theatre, and was a convenient starting point for exploring the city.
• Amenities: The hotel offered a range of amenities including complimentary Wi-Fi, 24-hour front desk, concierge services, room service (during limited hours), and a pet-friendly policy with dedicated amenities for furry companions. It also featured a terrace, garden, and conference space.

3. Room Quality

The 27 unique rooms at Hotel Havana were beautifully decorated with old-world elegance and meticulous attention to detail. Each room had a distinct vibe but consistently featured high ceilings, original Bastrop pine floors, antique furniture, Turkish rugs, and linen bed covers. Comfort was a recurring theme, with guests praising the very comfortable beds. In-room amenities included flatscreen TVs, pre-loaded iPods with docks, SMEG refrigerators stocked with mini-bars, and Red Flower toiletries. Many rooms offered balconies with incredible views of downtown San Antonio and the River Walk. Rooms ranged from smaller studio options to "borderline luxury territory" as one moved up in scale.

4. Dining Experience

The hotel's on-site restaurant, Ocho, was housed in an exquisite glass-walled conservatory overlooking the River Walk, providing a breathtaking ambiance. Ocho specialized in Pan-Latin cuisine, drawing influences from Mexico, Cuba, and Texas, and was once recognized among the River Walk's top 10 restaurants. It served breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night snacks. Popular dishes included sweet plantain griddle cakes with carnitas, Cuban Hummus, Pasta Havana, and imaginative breakfast options. However, it's important to note that Ocho closed in June 2025. Breakfast was typically available for an additional charge starting around $20. The Havana Bar, a hidden speakeasy downstairs, was a local nightspot renowned for its cocktails.

5. Service & Staff

Guest feedback consistently highlighted the exceptional service and friendly, helpful staff. The staff was frequently commended for going "above and beyond" to ensure a perfect stay, making guests feel like VIPs. The multilingual staff was also available to assist with local knowledge and itinerary planning.

6. Location & Accessibility

Hotel Havana boasted an excellent and highly praised location at 1015 Navarro Street in Downtown San Antonio, along the serene Museum Reach of the River Walk. It offered direct access to the River Walk and was within minutes of major attractions such as The Alamo, the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, and the San Antonio Majestic Theatre. The hotel was approximately 5.5 to 7.1 miles from San Antonio International Airport, with ride-share and car rental options available as the hotel did not provide airport transfers. Parking was available on-site for a surcharge of approximately $25 per night.

7. Value & Pricing

While considered "pretty expensive" by some, many guests felt the unique experience and high quality justified the cost. Typical nightly rates started around $175, not including taxes and fees, with recent examples ranging from $148 to $315 depending on the room type and day of the week. Sundays and Tuesdays generally offered the best room deals, while Thursdays were typically the most expensive.

8. Common Complaints

While overall sentiment was positive, some recurring criticisms included:

• Noise Issues: Guests occasionally reported noise from the street or hallways, especially in lower or ground floor rooms, suggesting that choosing upper floors or bringing earplugs could be beneficial.
• Limited Amenities: A few reviews mentioned limited amenities in certain areas, although the hotel did offer a range of standard and unique features.
• Parking: The parking charges were sometimes considered high by guests.
• Dim Lighting: Some areas of the hotel were noted to have dim lighting.
• Water Temperature Control: A few guests experienced issues with water temperature control in the showers.

It is important for prospective visitors to be aware that Hotel Havana, a property that was a Michelin Guide selection and beloved for its Cuban-inspired elegance and prime River Walk location, will no longer be operational after October 20, 2025.

Sources

1. mycurlyadventures.com
2. momondo.com
3. michelin.com
4. mysanantonio.com
5. kayak.com
6. thehotelguru.com
7. hotels-texas.com
8. culturemap.com
9. expedia.com