Your stay — Casa 700
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The Property — Casa 700
Casa 700 is a restored colonial townhouse in Centro Habana, its lobby a cool, tiled refuge from the street heat. Think high ceilings, original woodwork, and a small courtyard where you can sit with coffee. It’s a working 3-star with no pretence of luxury, but genuine Cuban character. Fits travellers who want a base in the real Havana, not the sanitised hotel strip.
Chronicles of Havana
Havana was founded in 1519 by the Spanish, its natural harbour making it a key stop for treasure fleets. Over centuries, it built a mix of Baroque and neoclassical architecture, visible in Old Havana’s cobbled streets and the grand Malecón seawall. The 1959 revolution reshaped everything, freezing many buildings in time. Today it’s a city of faded grandeur, classic cars, and a music scene that still pulses from every corner.
Best Time to Visit
Full Havana guide →Best months
January to March: driest, cooler (20–26°C), and fewer hurricanes. Good for walking the Malecón without drenching sweat.
Peak / festival surge
July is peak tourist month, driven by summer holidays and the Carnival of Havana (late July–early August). Hotels fill up; prices at places like Casa 700 can rise 15–25% above low season. Expect big crowds at Habana Vieja and the beach.
Budget shoulder season
April–May and October–November: lower rates (often 20% discount on July), milder heat, and fewer visitors. Rain is sporadic, not daily, so you still get decent sightseeing weather.
Weather & packing
Havana in July is humid and hot (avg 28°C, feels like 35°C with humidity), plus afternoon thunderbursts are common. Pack light cotton shirts, a quick-dry towel, and a small umbrella or rain shell—dry clothes are your best friend.
Live City Briefing — Havana
- The Havana–Varadero highway has had resurfacing works in early 2026; expect occasional lane closures and slightly longer travel times to the beach.
- Restaurants and paladares in Centro Habana are slowly reopening after pandemic-era closures, but cash-only remains common for small places—bring enough CUP (Cuban pesos).
- Internet access via mobile data (ETECSA) was expanded in central Havana in 2025, but hotel WiFi is still patchy; buy a prepaid card at the lobby desk.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Casa 700, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor, facing the interior courtyard (away from Calle 1). These floors are above street-level noise but still walkable via stairs if the lift is down. The courtyard side tends to be quieter than the street side.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms (floor 0) — they suffer from street noise from Calle 1 and foot traffic in the lobby. Also avoid rooms directly adjacent to the lift shaft on any floor, as the old lift can be creaky and audible.
Best views
Request a room on the upper floors (3rd or 4th) facing Calle 1. You'll see old Havana rooftops and street life — but expect some traffic rumble. Interior courtyard views are greener but darker.
Quietest floors
Floors 2, 3, and 4 are the quietest — far enough from the street and lobby, but below the roof terrace if there is one.
🔊 Noise notes
Calle 1 is a main road in central Havana, so street noise (buses, motorbikes, music) is constant until late. The lift is an old model — its clanking travels through walls. Some rooms near the service stairs may hear staff movement early morning.
Insider tips
(1) Check in early afternoon to secure a top-floor room — the reception is often flexible if you ask politely. (2) Bring earplugs, even for a 'quiet' room — Havana's ambient noise is part of the deal, but you can sleep better with them.
- 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
Hotel Facilities — Casa 700
Free basic WiFi in lobby and all rooms; typical speed around 2 Mbps, strong enough for email and messaging. No paid upgrade
One lift serves all three floors. No stairs-only sections
Two complimentary newspapers (Granma and Juventud Rebelde) at reception each morning. No digital newsstands
Check-in from 15:00; early bag drop possible from 08:00 at no extra charge. Late check-out until 14:00 costs 25 CUC (must request by 10:00 on departure day)
Free storage available behind the front desk; no lockers, just a locked room
Level entrance from street, but no dedicated wheelchair ramp; the lift interior is narrow (60cm width), so not fully accessible for most standard wheelchairs
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park at Aparcamiento Obispo (2 blocks east), 15 CUC per night 24h; no EV charging available
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 10 CUC per person per night, mandatory for all guests
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; a 50 CUC cash-only incidental hold upon arrival
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Iglesia de Santa María y Santa Elena (565 m · ~7 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Los Delfines — 702 m · ~9 min walk
Casa Museo Che Guevara — 600 m · ~8 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Cuban Peso, CUP
Best to exchange at CADECA exchange offices in the city; avoid airport and hotel desks for poor rates.
Cards widely accepted in hotels and state-run shops but cash essential in private restaurants, taxis, and markets.
10-15% tip expected in restaurants, small change for taxi drivers; hotel staff appreciate 1-2 CUP.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Espresso or cortadito from a state coffee kiosk or street cart: 10-15 CUP.
Menu of rice, beans, meat or fish at a local paladar (private restaurant): 200-300 CUP.
Main dish like ropa vieja with sides at a casual paladar: 250-400 CUP.
Pizza triangles and ham croquettes from street-side vending machines or kiosks around Obispo and Neptuno.
State-run bodegas for basics; small private 'agromercados' for fresh produce.
Buy from market stalls on Calle San Rafael (near Parque Central) or the artisan market at Almacenes San José.
City bus (guagua) 1-2 CUP per ride; shared taxi (colectivo) 20-40 CUP along major routes. From airport: take a shared taxi (colectivo) to Habana Vieja for ~200-300 CUP.
Always exchange at CADECA, not on the street. Eat at paladares for better value than state-run restaurants. Carry small bills; many places lack change.
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 Casa 700
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
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.
About Havana
Wikipedia ↗
Havana (, US also ; Spanish: La Habana [la‿aˈβana] ) is the capital and largest city of Cuba. The heart of La Habana Province, Havana is the country's main port and commercial center. It is the most populous city, the largest by area, and the second-largest metropolitan area in the Caribbean region....
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Casa 700?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor, facing the interior courtyard (away from Calle 1). These floors are above street-level noise but still walkable via stairs if the lift is down. The courtyard side tends to be quieter than the street side.
Which rooms should I avoid at Casa 700?
Avoid ground-floor rooms (floor 0) — they suffer from street noise from Calle 1 and foot traffic in the lobby. Also avoid rooms directly adjacent to the lift shaft on any floor, as the old lift can be creaky and audible.
Is Casa 700 noisy?
Calle 1 is a main road in central Havana, so street noise (buses, motorbikes, music) is constant until late. The lift is an old model — its clanking travels through walls. Some rooms near the service stairs may hear staff movement early morning.
Which rooms have the best views at Casa 700?
Request a room on the upper floors (3rd or 4th) facing Calle 1. You'll see old Havana rooftops and street life — but expect some traffic rumble. Interior courtyard views are greener but darker.
What are insider tips for staying at Casa 700?
(1) Check in early afternoon to secure a top-floor room — the reception is often flexible if you ask politely. (2) Bring earplugs, even for a 'quiet' room — Havana's ambient noise is part of the deal, but you can sleep better with them.
What time is check-in at Casa 700?
Check-in at Casa 700 is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Casa 700 have Wi-Fi?
Free basic WiFi in lobby and all rooms; typical speed around 2 Mbps, strong enough for email and messaging. No paid upgrade
Is there a city or tourist tax at Casa 700?
10 CUC per person per night, mandatory for all guests
Where can I eat cheaply near Casa 700?
Menu of rice, beans, meat or fish at a local paladar (private restaurant): 200-300 CUP.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Casa 700?
City bus (guagua) 1-2 CUP per ride; shared taxi (colectivo) 20-40 CUP along major routes. From airport: take a shared taxi (colectivo) to Habana Vieja for ~200-300 CUP.
When is the best time to visit Havana?
January to March: driest, cooler (20–26°C), and fewer hurricanes. Good for walking the Malecón without drenching sweat.
Top Attractions in 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.