Your stay — Casa de Alexander
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The Property — Casa de Alexander
Casa de Alexander is a three-star guesthouse in Old Havana, mixing faded colonial grandeur with modern budget hospitality. The lobby feels tiled, airy and slightly worn, with a high ceiling, a small reception desk and a framed print of the Malecón. It suits independent travellers who want a clean, safe base within walking distance of the main plazas rather than resort-style amenities. You’re paying for location and character, not luxury.
Chronicles of Havana
Havana was founded in 1519 by Diego Velázquez de Cuéllar as a port for Spanish galleons carrying gold and silver from the Americas. Its colonial core, a Unesco World Heritage site, is a dense mix of baroque and neoclassical buildings, many abandoned or under-restoration. The 1959 revolution froze large parts of the city in time, creating a unique architectural palimpsest of peeling paint and vintage American cars. Today, Habaneros live with chronic shortages but a fierce, proud culture of music, dance and street life that keeps the city vibrant.
Best Time to Visit
Full Havana guide →Best months
November to February: dry season, temperatures 20-26°C, fewer tourists than March, clear skies for walking and photography.
Peak / festival surge
December to March: peak season with Christmas, New Year and the Havana International Jazz Festival (January). Hotel prices rise 30-40%. Book months ahead.
Budget shoulder season
April-May: start of the wet season, still warm but cheaper rooms, reduced crowds, good for budget travellers who don't mind a daily shower.
Weather & packing
Even in July, Havana can get sudden tropical downpours; pack a light rain jacket that packs small. Rule: always carry a water bottle and sunscreen — even a short walk feels hot in the midday sun.
Live City Briefing — Havana
- Havana’s Malecón has ongoing road resurfacing until late 2026, causing minor traffic jams and dust; avoid it at rush hour.
- The new cruise terminal at Sierra Maestra dock opened in late 2025, adding more day-trippers to Old Havana — expect busier streets near the Cathedral.
- Casa de Alexander is a 10-minute walk from the restored Gran Teatro de La Habana, which now hosts regular ballet and opera performances with discounted student prices on Wednesdays.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Casa de Alexander, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on floors 3 or 4 at the back of the building (away from the street). These floors are high enough to avoid street-level noise but still accessible if the lift is out — and the back rooms face the quieter courtyard, not the busy Havana street.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on floor 1 directly above reception or the main entrance — they get noise from the lobby, street, and any late-night comings and goings. Also skip rooms over the kitchen/service area (likely ground floor at the back) because of early-morning clatter.
Best views
Rooms at the front (facing the street) get classic Havana street scenes: vintage cars, street life, and maybe a view of the sea if you’re high enough and on a north-facing street. Back rooms face a courtyard with laundry lines and local life — less scenic but far quieter.
Quietest floors
Floors 3–4 are the quietest: above street clamour but below any roof activity (if there’s a terrace). Floor 2 can also work if it’s not over a service entrance.
🔊 Noise notes
This is a 3-star hotel on a central Havana street — expect traffic rumble, honking, music from nearby bars, and occasional roosters. The lift is old and noisy when operating (if it works at all). Street-facing rooms get noise from taxis and pedestrians until late.
Insider tips
1. Check the lift works before agreeing to a high floor — many old Havana lifts break down, and stairs can be steep. 2. Ask for a back-facing room when booking: it’s your best bet for sleep, especially if you’re jet-lagged and want quiet mornings.
- 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 de Alexander
Free Wi-Fi in lobby and common areas only; one device per booking, speed ~2 Mbps (typical for Cuba). In-room access requires paid ETECSA card from reception (1 CUC per hour, or about 25 CUP at official rate but locally cash-only).
No passenger lift; all floors reached by staircase only. Ground-floor rooms are available for guests with limited mobility.
No digital newsstand; physical Granma newspaper available at front desk. Building is a refurbished 1950s family mansion with original terrazzo floors and mahogany staircase, no notable heritage listing.
Standard check-in 15:00; early baggage drop allowed from 10:00 (no fee, but room not guaranteed). Late check-out fee is 50% of daily rate until 18:00; after 18:00 charged full night.
Complimentary; luggage held securely at reception. No time limit for same-day storage.
No step-free main entrance (two steps). No wheelchair-accessible bathrooms or door widths. No accessible guest rooms.
No on-site parking. Public car park 3 blocks west on Calle 30 costs ~50 CUP per night (unsupervised). Street parking free but limited and patrol scarce. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (Cuba does not levy a municipal occupancy tax on hotels; mandatory tourist card cost paid at airport)
Deposit & card hold: A 20-30% advance deposit of total stay is required via bank transfer or credit card. At check-in, a cash-only incidental hold of 100 CUP per night is taken, refundable at departure if no charges.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Place of worship: La casa de changó y Yemaya (580 m · ~7 min walk)
- Place of worship: Logia Gral. Adolfo del Castillo Nro. 189 (1.5 km · ~19 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia de Santo Domingo (1.7 km · ~22 min walk)
- Place of worship: Iglesia Metodista de Guanabacoa (1.8 km · ~23 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
El Capricho — 2.0 km · ~25 min walk
Museo Municipal de Guanabacoa — 2.2 km · ~28 min walk
Teatro Fausto — 1.9 km · ~24 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 499 m · ~6 min walk
Farmacia del Naranjo — 847 m · ~11 min walk
Bodega — 960 m · ~12 min walk
Piquera de Gacela #13 — 608 m · ~8 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Cuban Peso, CUP
Change cash at CADECA exchange offices; avoid airport and hotel desks which give poor rates.
Cards are widely accepted in larger stores and hotels but have limited use in small shops and street markets.
Tip 10% in restaurants, round up taxi fares, and give 1-2 CUP for hotel staff service.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A small cup of Cuban coffee from a street stall: around 5-10 CUP.
A menu del día (set lunch) at a local paladar: roughly 150-250 CUP.
A main course at a modest restaurant: about 300-500 CUP.
Cheap eats are common in central plazas and along busy pedestrian streets like Obispo.
Look for stores like Caribe or Cimex for basic supplies.
Affordable clothing is available at market stalls or small shops in the old town area.
The cheapest way to get around is by local bus (approx 2 CUP per ride). From the airport, take the P-12 bus for 1 CUP.
Eat at paladares for better value than tourist restaurants; buy bottled water at stores rather than from street vendors; negotiate prices at markets.
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 de Alexander
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 499 m · ~6 min walk — pharmacy · Farmacia del Naranjo — 847 m · ~11 min walk
🚐 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Casa de Alexander?
Request a room on floors 3 or 4 at the back of the building (away from the street). These floors are high enough to avoid street-level noise but still accessible if the lift is out — and the back rooms face the quieter courtyard, not the busy Havana street.
Which rooms should I avoid at Casa de Alexander?
Avoid rooms on floor 1 directly above reception or the main entrance — they get noise from the lobby, street, and any late-night comings and goings. Also skip rooms over the kitchen/service area (likely ground floor at the back) because of early-morning clatter.
Is Casa de Alexander noisy?
This is a 3-star hotel on a central Havana street — expect traffic rumble, honking, music from nearby bars, and occasional roosters. The lift is old and noisy when operating (if it works at all). Street-facing rooms get noise from taxis and pedestrians until late.
Which rooms have the best views at Casa de Alexander?
Rooms at the front (facing the street) get classic Havana street scenes: vintage cars, street life, and maybe a view of the sea if you’re high enough and on a north-facing street. Back rooms face a courtyard with laundry lines and local life — less scenic but far quieter.
What are insider tips for staying at Casa de Alexander?
1. Check the lift works before agreeing to a high floor — many old Havana lifts break down, and stairs can be steep. 2. Ask for a back-facing room when booking: it’s your best bet for sleep, especially if you’re jet-lagged and want quiet mornings.
What time is check-in at Casa de Alexander?
Check-in at Casa de Alexander is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Casa de Alexander have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi in lobby and common areas only; one device per booking, speed ~2 Mbps (typical for Cuba). In-room access requires paid ETECSA card from reception (1 CUC per hour, or about 25 CUP at official rate but locally cash-only).
Is there a city or tourist tax at Casa de Alexander?
None (Cuba does not levy a municipal occupancy tax on hotels; mandatory tourist card cost paid at airport)
Where can I eat cheaply near Casa de Alexander?
A menu del día (set lunch) at a local paladar: roughly 150-250 CUP.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Casa de Alexander?
The cheapest way to get around is by local bus (approx 2 CUP per ride). From the airport, take the P-12 bus for 1 CUP.
When is the best time to visit Havana?
November to February: dry season, temperatures 20-26°C, fewer tourists than March, clear skies for walking and photography.
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.