Park View Hotel

Built in 1928, the Park View Hotel has a few little touches that convey its jazz-age history. The facade, baby blue masonry with wrought-iron details gives a hint, as does the elevator edged in a gilded frame. But for the most part the narrow, dim lobby feels more dated than historic, with carved wood furniture in a passé print and a little bonsai tree for decoration. Hallways are also dim and unremarkable, save for the Art Deco-style mirrors with swooping designs that brighten things up a bit. By far the best public space is the top-floor restaurant, a sunny spot with molded ceilings sporting corner rosettes and modern wrought-iron lanterns. The entrance is marked by a stained-glass depiction of the Prado (the city's leafy promenade). But the restaurant's best feature is the view looking toward the ocean with a vista out over Havana’s fort. In general the Park View draws tourists looking for a tranquil environment and a simple, no-frills place to make their base camp while they spend their time out exploring the city. Couples, solo explorers, and the occasional student groups make up the clientele, although a few families are drawn here as well.

The Park View’s location is truly it’s best feature. In fact, it’s a prime spot that shares real estate with other more upscale hotels such as the Hotel Mercure Sevilla, Hotel Telegrafo, and Hotel Inglaterra. One of the city’s main promenades, the Paseo del Prado, is half a block away. And the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes (National Museum of Fine Arts) and the Museo de la Revolution (Museum of the Revolution) are both a three-minute walk away. The Malecón, Havana's main waterfront street ideal for people-watching, is a 10-minute walk away. The surrounding blocks have loads of cafes, bars, and restaurants, and right around the corner sits a school for ballet. (It’s not uncommon to see clusters of students adjusting their tights or warming up for a grand jeté on the sidewalk.) José Martí International Airport is a 30-minute drive away.

As with the rest of the property, guest rooms are simple and a touch dated with old-fashioned wood-framed beds topped with faded bedspreads. White tile floors and seagreen walls brighten these spaces that get little natural light. One appealing touch is the artwork: Two side-by-side photos of the same Havana landmark, one recent and one historic, show the passage of time. All rooms include older tube TVs with cable, air-conditioning, safes, and minibars. White-tile bathrooms are equally basic, outfitted with pedestal sinks, hairdryers, and individual toiletries. Some have shower stalls while others have shower/tub combos. Some rooms have partial sea views while others face the interior.

There are few features at the Park View, and its restaurant is far and away the best of the lot. The top-floor restaurant serves all meals along with excellent city views. A free breakfast is served here with a full spread of eggs, juices, fruits, milk, and baked goods. But the food here gets mixed reviews. There’s also a tiny lobby bar that offers cocktails and the usual Cuban rum. Wi-Fi is not available, and on our visit, the Internet corner with a computer workstation was down for repairs. For families, cribs are available on request as is babysitting services. The front desk operates 24 hours a day, and a luggage room is available. There’s street parking at the front of the hotel, and while it isn’t owned by the property, it’s watched over by the staff.