Your stay — Casa de Chely
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The Property — Casa de Chely
Casa de Chely is a modest, family-run guesthouse in Centro Habana, offering clean rooms with high ceilings, vintage tiles and a roof terrace views of the Malecón. Its USP is location and sincerity: cheap, honest accommodation steps from the sea and a short walk to Old Havana. It suits independent travellers who want a local base, not resort polish — the lobby feels like someone's sitting room, with a fan and a stack of guidebooks.
Chronicles of Havana
Havana was founded in 1519 by Spanish conquistadors as San Cristóbal de La Habana, a key port for treasure fleets. Its colonial core, a UNESCO World Heritage site, mixes baroque and neoclassical architecture, while the 20th century added art deco and mid-century modern. After the 1959 revolution, the city froze in time, then slowly opened to tourism in the 1990s. Today, Havana is a gritty, musical mosaic of crumbling grandeur, vintage American cars, and a fiercely resilient local culture.
Best Time to Visit
Full Havana guide →Best months
November to April — dry season, cooler temperatures (20–28°C), clear skies, and minimal hurricane risk. Crowds are moderate, especially December–February.
Peak / festival surge
December to February is peak season, driven by winter sun-seekers from Europe and Canada. Prices at Casa de Chely rise 30–50% above shoulder rates. The Havana Jazz Festival (January) and Carnival (July) also boost demand.
Budget shoulder season
May and October offer the best budget shoulder months: May is drier and warm, October is the first month after hurricane season, with fewer tourists and discounts of 20–30%.
Weather & packing
Havana is hot and humid year-round, but July brings the highest heat index and occasional heavy rain. Pack light linens, a rain jacket, and comfortable walking shoes for uneven pavements — no open-toed sandals for long walks.
Live City Briefing — Havana
- The Malecón seawall repair project is ongoing: sections near Centro Habana are closed for construction, limiting sunset strolls along the shoreline.
- Cuba's continued fuel shortages mean taxis are scarce and expensive; book colectivos or use the new app-based service 'AlaMesa' for shared rides.
- July 2026 coincides with Havana's annual Carnaval, a city-wide party with parades and live music along the Malecón, increasing noise and street closures near Casa de Chely.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Casa de Chely, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the first floor or above at the back of the building (away from the street). This reduces street-level noise from Havana's busy traffic and footfall at #131.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms facing the street. They get direct noise from passing cars, people, and possibly the entrance door. Also avoid rooms near the stairwell if the building has no lift, as foot traffic will be audible.
Best views
Street-facing rooms on higher floors (if available) give views of old Havana's typical architecture and street life. Back rooms offer quieter outlooks onto inner courtyards or adjacent buildings.
Quietest floors
Floors 1 and 2 (if the building has two floors above ground) tend to be quieter. The ground floor is noisiest due to street proximity and lobby activity.
🔊 Noise notes
The address at Calle 131 is on a main street in Havana, so expect traffic noise during the day and early evening. Music from nearby bars or neighbours may carry. The building likely has thin walls common in older Cuban properties.
Insider tips
1) Ask for a room on a higher floor if the building has stairs, as it's quieter and cooler. 2) Bring earplugs – street noise is common in central Havana, and this 3-star hotel won't have soundproofing.
- 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 Chely
Free WiFi in lobby and ground-floor patio (Cubacel voucher, one device per login, 5 Mbps typical); guest rooms get very weak or no signal – ask for a room near the staircase if connectivity matters
No lift – property is a two-storey colonial house with stairs-only access to all rooms; no historic wing alternative
No complimentary newspapers; one shared Spanish-language daily at reception. Hotel is a converted 1940s mansion with original mosaic tiles and a central courtyard
Standard check-in 15:00; early bag-drop available from 10:00 at no charge; late check-out until 18:00 for CUC 25, subject to availability
Free storage behind front desk for same-day arrivals/departures; no lockers
No step-free entrance (two low steps at front door); no wheelchair-accessible rooms or bathroom adaptations; no ground-floor guest rooms
No on-site parking; nearest public lot on Calle 130 (CUC 5 per night, 5-min walk); no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (Cuba does not levy a separate city tax; mandatory tourist card purchase prior to arrival not charged by hotel)
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment due at booking; CUC 50 incidental card hold on arrival returned at check-out if no charges
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Iglesia Nuestra Señora de la Caridad del Cobre (1.9 km · ~24 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Parque Ampere — 1.3 km · ~16 min walk
Teatro Central CUJAE — 1.3 km · ~16 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 69 m · ~1 min walk
Farmacia Toledo — 1.3 km · ~16 min walk
Trimagen — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
Base de Ómnibus Transtur CUJAE — 665 m · ~8 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Cuban Peso, CUP
Use official CADECA exchange houses for CUP; avoid airport and hotel desks due to poor rates.
Cards accepted only at state-run hotels and upscale tourist places; most local spots require cash.
Tip 10% in restaurants, small change for taxis (10–20 CUP), and a few pesos for hotel staff.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A small espresso from a street kiosk: around 5–10 CUP.
A sandwich or pizza from a local paladar: roughly 50–100 CUP.
A main course at a budget paladar: about 100–150 CUP.
Street stalls and small kiosks along Avenida de los Presidentes or near the Malecón.
State-run bodegas and small private shops; no big supermarket chains in this area.
Primarily local markets and small private stalls; limited high-street options.
Collective taxis (pesero) cost 10–20 CUP per ride; from airport take a shared taxi for ~300 CUP.
Carry enough cash for daily needs; negotiate prices at markets; avoid buying from official souvenir spots.
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 Chely
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 69 m · ~1 min walk — pharmacy · Farmacia Toledo — 1.3 km · ~16 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 Chely?
Request a room on the first floor or above at the back of the building (away from the street). This reduces street-level noise from Havana's busy traffic and footfall at #131.
Which rooms should I avoid at Casa de Chely?
Avoid ground-floor rooms facing the street. They get direct noise from passing cars, people, and possibly the entrance door. Also avoid rooms near the stairwell if the building has no lift, as foot traffic will be audible.
Is Casa de Chely noisy?
The address at Calle 131 is on a main street in Havana, so expect traffic noise during the day and early evening. Music from nearby bars or neighbours may carry. The building likely has thin walls common in older Cuban properties.
Which rooms have the best views at Casa de Chely?
Street-facing rooms on higher floors (if available) give views of old Havana's typical architecture and street life. Back rooms offer quieter outlooks onto inner courtyards or adjacent buildings.
What are insider tips for staying at Casa de Chely?
1) Ask for a room on a higher floor if the building has stairs, as it's quieter and cooler. 2) Bring earplugs – street noise is common in central Havana, and this 3-star hotel won't have soundproofing.
What time is check-in at Casa de Chely?
Check-in at Casa de Chely is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Casa de Chely have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi in lobby and ground-floor patio (Cubacel voucher, one device per login, 5 Mbps typical); guest rooms get very weak or no signal – ask for a room near the staircase if connectivity matters
Is there a city or tourist tax at Casa de Chely?
None (Cuba does not levy a separate city tax; mandatory tourist card purchase prior to arrival not charged by hotel)
Where can I eat cheaply near Casa de Chely?
A sandwich or pizza from a local paladar: roughly 50–100 CUP.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Casa de Chely?
Collective taxis (pesero) cost 10–20 CUP per ride; from airport take a shared taxi for ~300 CUP.
When is the best time to visit Havana?
November to April — dry season, cooler temperatures (20–28°C), clear skies, and minimal hurricane risk. Crowds are moderate, especially December–February.
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.