Hotel Telégrafo

Hotel Telégrafo, now known as Telégrafo Axel Hotel La Habana, stands as a distinguished "Michelin Key Selected" property in the heart of Cuba's vibrant capital. Following a significant renovation under the Axel Hotel group in 2021, this historic establishment has successfully blended its colonial heritage with contemporary design and amenities, positioning itself as a welcoming and stylish choice, particularly noted as the city's first LGBTQIA+ friendly hotel.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for Hotel Telégrafo is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently praising its prime location and unique charm. Reviews indicate an "Excellent" rating of 9.8 based on over 1,000 reviews, with high scores across location, sleep quality, rooms, services, value, and cleanliness. Guests often highlight the successful juxtaposition of old and new design elements, contributing to a stylish atmosphere.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud the hotel's excellent central location, placing Old Havana's attractions within easy walking distance. The property's historic significance, dating back to the 1800s as Havana's first hotel with telephones, adds to its appeal. Post-renovation, the addition of a rooftop swimming pool and sky bar offering spectacular city views is a major draw. The attractive courtyard bar, featuring live music on most nights, is also a guest favorite. The hotel's commitment to being LGBTQIA+ friendly is also a significant highlight for many visitors.

3. Room Quality

The hotel offers 63 rooms, categorized as City (standard), Premium, Junior Suite, and Suite. Rooms are described as "simple but have flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, and some have balconies." They are equipped with minibars, safes, and air conditioning, and feature appealing decorative details. A notable advantage is that the vast majority of rooms benefit from exterior-facing windows. Guests frequently describe the rooms as clean and beautiful.

4. Dining Experience

Hotel Telégrafo features an on-site restaurant that serves all meals, with a complimentary buffet breakfast included in the room rate. Guests have generally praised the breakfast as good or even "genial," offering a selection of cereals, omelets, toast, pastries, fruit juices, yogurt, and sausages. Other meals are available à la carte. There are also two cafes available for guests. While breakfast receives positive remarks, some recent feedback indicates dissatisfaction with the quality of other restaurant meals, with one guest noting issues with price discrepancies.

5. Service & Staff

Feedback on service and staff is largely positive, with many guests commending the professionalism, friendliness, and attentiveness of the hotel team. Specific mentions include Carlos at the reception and the ground bar staff for their excellent service, and Valentín, the restaurant manager, for being very attentive and helpful. Staff are often highlighted for their willingness to assist and guide guests. However, some isolated comments suggest inconsistent attention from some staff members and issues with hotel management.

6. Location & Accessibility

The hotel boasts an "excellent central location," situated at Calle Prado 408, right at the end of Prado Street and facing the Malecón. It's strategically located on a corner of historic Parque Central, making it an ideal base for sightseeing. Major tourist attractions like the Capitolio, Museo de Bellas Artes, and iconic bars such as La Bodeguita del Medio and La Floridita are all within a short walking distance. Its central position ensures easy accessibility to major tourist venues and city attractions.

7. Value & Pricing

Hotel Telégrafo is considered a good value mid-range hotel, especially given its prime location in the heart of Old Havana. One review aptly describes it as offering a "5-star location & 3-star price." While specific price ranges were not provided, the consistent positive feedback on value suggests that guests feel the cost is justified by the hotel's offerings and location.

8. Common Complaints

While generally well-received, some recurring issues and criticisms have been noted. Prior to its 2021 renovation, guests occasionally encountered common Cuban hotel maintenance challenges, such as air-conditioning leaks, cracks in marble steps, and an elevator that was frequently out of service. Post-renovation, some guests have expressed disappointment with the quality of food in the main restaurant (excluding breakfast), with one experience noting unjustified price changes. Other recent complaints include issues with hot water availability in rooms and the hotel's policy of only accepting card payments for certain charges, which can be problematic for international travelers without compatible cards or who prefer cash. Some guests also mentioned the rooftop pool occasionally being "somewhat neglected" with cigarette butts.

Sources

1. beyondtheordinary.co.uk
2. axelhotels.com
3. stayforlong.com
4. oyster.com
5. centraldereservas.com
6. reserving.com
7. havanareviews.com