Votre séjour — Edificio Altamira
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La propriété — Edificio Altamira
Edificio Altamira is a no-fuss, clean 3-star in Centro Habana, a few blocks from the Malecón. The lobby feels like a time capsule of 1950s Havana: tiled floors, a slow ceiling fan, and a reception desk that probably hasn't moved since Batista. It's practical, safe, and a decent base if you're more interested in the streets than the hotel itself. Best for budget-conscious travellers who want a central location without paying for the Old Town markup.
Chroniques de Havana
Havana was founded in 1519 by Diego Velázquez de Cuéllar on a natural deepwater harbour, quickly becoming Spain's key Caribbean port. The Spanish colonial grid still shapes Old Havana's streets, but the city's architectural identity is defined by the late-19th and early-20th centuries: a mix of Neoclassical, Art Deco and eclectic styles built during Cuba's sugar boom. After the revolution, little new construction happened, so the city freezes a pre-1959 snapshot. Today, Havana is a lived-in museum — crumbling but vital, where classic cars share cobbles with tourists and locals alike.
Meilleur moment pour visiter
Guide complet de Havana →Meilleurs mois
December to March: driest, coolest weather (24-27°C), low humidity, clear skies. January and February see fewer cruise ships than peak December, so Old Havana feels less crowded.
Peak / Festival surge
July and August: peak of the wet season with heavy afternoon storms and humidity above 80%. Also domestic summer holidays (July-August) plus the July 26th Carnaval de la Habana drive up hotel prices 20-30%.
La saison des épaules
April-May and November: lower prices (15-25% off peak), still decent weather (April/May warmer but less rain than summer, November starts the dry season), thinned crowds.
Météo & Emballage
Havana's wet season means sudden, drenching afternoon downpours that clear as fast as they arrive. Pack a compact umbrella and quick-dry walking shoes — you'll be grateful after a two-minute cloudburst on the Malecón.
Briefing de la ville — Havana
- The Malecón seawall repair project near Centro Habana (between Calle G and Calle L) is ongoing; expect one lane closed alongside pedestrian diversions through late 2026.
- New direct flights from Madrid to Havana resumed April 2026 on Iberojet; check if inbound customs queues still run 1-2 hours at José Martí Airport.
- The Obispo Street pedestrianisation trial (between Bernaza and Aguacate) is now permanent — quieter walking, but some shops and bars have shorter opening hours due to reduced car traffic.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Edificio Altamira, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
High floors (4th or 5th) on the rear side of the building, away from Calle O. These will have less street noise and better airflow. If available, a corner room facing east gets morning light without the traffic rumble.
Rooms to avoid
Low floors (1st–2nd) fronting Calle O. That street is a main thoroughfare in Havana – expect honking, buses, and pedestrian chatter from early morning. Also avoid rooms next to the lift shaft on any floor: the old Otis-style lifts here are clunky and audible.
Best views
Request a room with a west-facing window on a high floor – you’ll look over the low surrounding rooftops towards the sea (smog permitting). East-facing rooms on Calle O get a view of the lively street life, but you pay for it in noise.
Quietest floors
Floors 4 and 5. They’re high enough to rise above street-level noise, and the building’s concrete construction muffles sounds from below. The 5th floor may also have fewer neighbours above.
🔊 Noise notes
Calle O is a busy residential and commercial street in Vedado – expect taxi horns, street vendors' calls, and music from nearby bars up to midnight. The building’s lift motor emits a low hum that’s noticeable in adjacent rooms. Service trucks often unload at the side entrance between 7–9am.
Insider tips
1. Bring earplugs even for high floors – the building’s single-glazed windows are not soundproof. 2. Check in early to request a rear-facing room; the front desk is often flexible if you ask politely for a ‘tranquilo’ room away from Calle O.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hôtel Facilités — Edificio Altamira
Free Wi-Fi in lobby only; speed adequate for messaging but not streaming; login via paper slip from reception
One lift serves all four floors; no stairs-only sections
No digital newsstand or physical papers; building was a 1950s apartment block converted to hotel, retains original terrazzo floors and brass fixtures
Check-in from 15:00; early bag-drop allowed from 09:00 if room not ready; late check-out until 14:00 costs CUC 25 (subject to availability on weekends)
Free luggage storage after check-out; leave with front desk, collect before 22:00
No step-free entry – one step at main door; no wheelchair-accessible rooms; lift is narrow (60 cm door) – limited for larger chairs
No on-site parking; nearest public car park is at Calle 23 & L, CUC 10 per night (24-hour); no EV charging
Frais, taxes et dépôts
City / tourist tax: None (Cuba does not levy a separate city or tourist tax; all taxes are included in the room rate)
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment is required at booking; a refundable CUC 50 cash deposit or card hold is taken at check-in for incidentals
Faith & Dietary à proximité
- Place of worship: Convento de Carmelitas Descalzos (605 m · ~8 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia Metodista del Vedado "Miguel Soto Asensi" (619 m · ~8 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia del Carmen (629 m · ~8 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia Bautista W. Carey (722 m · ~9 min walk)
Style de vie et récréation
Tienda 24 — 490 m · ~6 min walk
Parque Eloy Alfaro — 373 m · ~5 min walk
Casa Museo Abel Santamaría — 214 m · ~3 min walk
Teatro Nacional de Guiñol — 514 m · ~6 min walk
Parque infantil Maceo — 964 m · ~12 min walk
5 minutes de radios essentielles
Nearest — 46 m · ~1 min walk
Farmacia Internacional — 337 m · ~4 min walk
Bodega — 335 m · ~4 min walk
Piquera Empresa de Servicios a la Aviación Civil SERVAC — 438 m · ~5 min walk
Monnaie & Monnaie
Get a travel card →Cuban Peso, CUP
Change cash (Euros or USD) at CADECA exchange booths, not hotels or airport; airport rates are poor and a 3% penalty applies to USD.
Cards are rarely accepted outside upmarket hotels or a few official shops; bring plenty of cash in small denominations.
Tip 10% in pesos at restaurants if no service charge, 5–20 CUP for taxis, and 20–50 CUP per day for hotel housekeeping.
Manger, faire du shopping et voyager sur un budget
Cheap car hire →Espresso or cortadito at a walk-up window or state café, around 10–20 CUP.
Menu del día (fixed meal) at a local paladar or cafeteria, roughly 150–250 CUP.
Pork or chicken dish with rice and beans at a casual paladar, main around 200–350 CUP.
Obi Pan pizza slices or ham-and-cheese sandwiches from street carts along Calle O and nearby side streets.
State-run bodegas and pequeñas (small kiosks) for basics; no budget supermarkets with consistent stock.
Quisicuaber community project shops or roaming vendors on Malecón; don't expect fast-fashion ranges.
Ride prívate colectivo taxis (shared route) for 10–20 CUP per short trip; from airport take the P12 bus (5 CUP) to central stops, then walk or taxi.
Always ask the taxi price before getting in; eat at paladares that clearly price menu del día in CUP rather than tourist menus; fill your reusable bottle at casa particular filtered water (avoid bottled water costs).
Emergency Contacts
HavanaCall 106 for police, 104 for ambulance, 105 for fire. For tourist assistance, dial 103 (Cuban tourist police). Mobile networks work; local SIMs (ETECSA) are reliable. Save these offline.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Havana, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Edificio Altamira
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 46 m · ~1 min walk — pharmacy · Farmacia Internacional — 337 m · ~4 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →S’entourer
Central Park bus stop → Alamar (via 5ta Avenida)
💡 Hop on the Malecón route—bus P5 or P7 pass through Old Havana. Payment is by coin or phone card only; exact change essential. Expect the bus to be packed and hot during peak hours.
Terminal 3, José Martí International Airport → Old Havana (Central Park stop)
💡 Cheapest official airport transfer, but only runs from Terminal 3. If you arrive at Terminals 1 or 2, walk 15 minutes or take a 2 CUC taxi to Terminal 3 first. Space is first-come, first-served.
Old Havana taxi rank (e.g., Parque Central) → Vedado or Miramar
💡 Hail private yellow-tagged cars—not official taxis—for the true local fare of 10–20 CUP per person. Tell the driver 'Vedado' or your intersection. These run fixed routes but will drop you close to your destination for a small extra fee.
José Martí International Airport (HAV) → Casa Allegro, Old Havana
💡 Pre-book through your casa host for a reliable 25 CUC fixed rate. Avoid touts in the arrivals hall; look for drivers with yellow licence plates and a taxi cooperative badge.
Questions fréquemment posées
What are the best rooms at Edificio Altamira?
High floors (4th or 5th) on the rear side of the building, away from Calle O. These will have less street noise and better airflow. If available, a corner room facing east gets morning light without the traffic rumble.
Which rooms should I avoid at Edificio Altamira?
Low floors (1st–2nd) fronting Calle O. That street is a main thoroughfare in Havana – expect honking, buses, and pedestrian chatter from early morning. Also avoid rooms next to the lift shaft on any floor: the old Otis-style lifts here are clunky and audible.
Is Edificio Altamira noisy?
Calle O is a busy residential and commercial street in Vedado – expect taxi horns, street vendors' calls, and music from nearby bars up to midnight. The building’s lift motor emits a low hum that’s noticeable in adjacent rooms. Service trucks often unload at the side entrance between 7–9am.
Which rooms have the best views at Edificio Altamira?
Request a room with a west-facing window on a high floor – you’ll look over the low surrounding rooftops towards the sea (smog permitting). East-facing rooms on Calle O get a view of the lively street life, but you pay for it in noise.
What are insider tips for staying at Edificio Altamira?
1. Bring earplugs even for high floors – the building’s single-glazed windows are not soundproof. 2. Check in early to request a rear-facing room; the front desk is often flexible if you ask politely for a ‘tranquilo’ room away from Calle O.
What time is check-in at Edificio Altamira?
Check-in at Edificio Altamira is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Edificio Altamira have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi in lobby only; speed adequate for messaging but not streaming; login via paper slip from reception
Is there a city or tourist tax at Edificio Altamira?
None (Cuba does not levy a separate city or tourist tax; all taxes are included in the room rate)
Where can I eat cheaply near Edificio Altamira?
Menu del día (fixed meal) at a local paladar or cafeteria, roughly 150–250 CUP.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Edificio Altamira?
Ride prívate colectivo taxis (shared route) for 10–20 CUP per short trip; from airport take the P12 bus (5 CUP) to central stops, then walk or taxi.
When is the best time to visit Havana?
December to March: driest, coolest weather (24-27°C), low humidity, clear skies. January and February see fewer cruise ships than peak December, so Old Havana feels less crowded.
Principales attractions à Havana
💡 Go early (8-9am) before tour groups arrive. The adjacent Museo de Arte Colonial costs a couple of CUP but gives rooftop views of the plaza for free once you're inside.
💡 Start at the Hotel Nacional end, walk east towards Havana Vieja during late afternoon when the breeze picks up. Watch for crumbling seawall sections after storms.
💡 Take a bus or taxi from central Havana (about 15 mins). No security or fences around it; it's a regular neighbourhood park. Best visited late afternoon when it's cooler and the sun makes the bronze glow. The nearest cafe sells decent iced coffee.
💡 Skip the overpriced audio guide. Bring small CUP notes for the locked donation boxes in some rooms. The Granma Memorial outside (the yacht used in the 1956 landing) is free to view through the fence; you can see it from outside the museum grounds.
💡 Arrive by 8pm on Thursday or Friday to avoid huge queues. Pay in CUP at the door if you have it; the card machine sometimes fails. Check their Facebook page for schedule changes.