Your stay — Don Gregori House
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The Property — Don Gregori House
Don Gregori House is a restored colonial mansion in Old Havana with high ceilings, original tilework, and a courtyard dotted with tropical plants. It feels lived-in rather than polished, with a laid-back roof terrace overlooking the city's jumble of rooftops. The couple running it keep things personal, serving a simple breakfast of fresh fruit, eggs, and strong coffee. It suits independent travellers who want a genuine casa experience but with hotel basics — breakfast included, air conditioning, and a secure front door.
Chronicles of Havana
Havana was founded in 1519 by Spanish colonists as a port for treasure ships, and its deep bay soon became the Caribbean's busiest. Over centuries, the city layered Spanish baroque with neoclassical and art deco, then American 1950s modernism, creating a unique architectural mix. Its Old Town was declared a UNESCO site in 1982, sparking gradual restoration after decades of neglect. Today Havana is a living museum — crumbling but vibrant, its streets filled with classic cars, music, and a fiercely proud local culture that draws visitors from everywhere.
Best Time to Visit
Full Havana guide →Best months
December to April: driest and coolest, with average highs around 27°C and low humidity. This coincides with Havana's cultural peak but also its busiest tourist season.
Peak / festival surge
January to March is the absolute peak for weather and crowds, with numerous music festivals and the Havana Marathon in November. Hotel prices double over Christmas and New Year, and advance booking is essential.
Budget shoulder season
May and October offer lower rates and thinner crowds, though expect more rain and occasional storms. June and September can still be decent value if you don't mind humidity and a higher chance of showers.
Weather & packing
Havana's climate is tropical with a distinct wet season from May to October, bringing sudden afternoon downpours. Pack a compact umbrella and quick-dry clothing — no denim unless you're happy to have it damp for a day.
Live City Briefing — Havana
- Old Havana's pedestrianisation scheme is expanding; expect some street closures on Obispo and Mercaderes, making walking easier but driving a headache.
- Several new private paladares have opened in Centro Habana, offering farm-to-table menus at lower prices than Old Town tourist spots.
- Cuba's blackouts remain intermittent in summer; Don Gregori House has a backup generator.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Don Gregori House, 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 inner courtyard (if available) — these floors are high enough to escape street-level noise but still within easy reach by stairs if the lift is busy.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor (lobby and foot traffic noise) and any room facing the main street directly — Havana traffic, music, and street vendors can be loud from early morning.
Best views
Ask for a room with a side or courtyard view — you'll still catch Havana's eclectic rooftops and parrots in nearby trees without the full blast of the busy street.
Quietest floors
3rd to 5th floors are generally quietest; the top floor may have less street noise but could be hotter and slower to get to via the lift.
🔊 Noise notes
Havana's streets are loud with vintage car horns, music from radios and bars, and early-morning day-trippers. The hotel's central location puts you near walking tours and markets, so expect foot traffic chatter until late evening.
Insider tips
1) Check-in can be slow — bring a small note of your preferred room request in Spanish to hand to the receptionist. 2) If you're sensitive to heat, the top floor rooms might be stuffy; ask for a portable fan if the air-con is weak.
- 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 — Don Gregori House
Free WiFi throughout (2 Mbps typical, slower during peak evening hours). Login with room number and surname; no time limit.
Ground floor only; all rooms across two floors accessed via stairs (historic building, no lift).
Free digital PressReader access via lobby tablet; no physical newspapers. Building is a restored 18th-century colonial mansion with original inner courtyard.
Standard check-in 15:00, check-out 12:00. Early bag drop available from 10:00 (free). Late check-out subject to availability, charge 25 CUC until 18:00.
Free storage in locked room behind reception; accessible 24h.
No step-free access: two steps at entrance and no lift. Ground-floor rooms exist but threshold is about 5cm. Wheelchair users may find the building very difficult.
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park is Parking El Capitolio at Calle San Rafael, 10-minute walk, 8 CUC per night. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: 30% advance deposit required at booking; 50 CUC incidental hold on credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Place of worship: Unión Cubana de la Iglesia de los Adventistas del Séptimo Día (127 m · ~2 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia Santa Lutgarda (130 m · ~2 min walk)
- Place of worship: Iglesia de la Biblia Abierta (1.4 km · ~17 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Parque de Lutgardita — 96 m · ~1 min walk
Museo del Campesinado Cubano — 668 m · ~8 min walk
Parque Infantil — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 1.4 km · ~18 min walk
Farmacia Baluarte — 1.6 km · ~21 min walk
El Rápido — 602 m · ~8 min walk
Rancho Boyeros (General Peraza) — 388 m · ~5 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Cuban Peso (CUP)
Exchange euros or CAD at local Cadeca exchange houses for the best rate; avoid airport kiosks and hotel desks which offer poor rates.
Cards and contactless are rarely accepted outside state-run hotels and a few upscale places; carry enough CUP cash for daily life.
Tip 10% in restaurants if no service charge added; small change (5-10 CUP) for bellhops and housekeeping; taxi drivers appreciate a few extra pesos.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Local espresso (cafecito) from a street kiosk: 5-10 CUP.
Menu of the day (pork, rice, beans, salad) at a paladar: 150-250 CUP.
Simple pasta or pizza main at a casual paladar: 200-350 CUP.
Pizza from sidewalk stalls in Centro Habana, tamales and churros sold near the Capitolio.
State-run 'bodegas' sell basics; local 'agro' markets have fresh produce for cash.
City bus (guagua) for 2 CUP per ride; from the airport take the P-12 bus to El Vedado, then connect.
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 Don Gregori House
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 1.4 km · ~18 min walk — pharmacy · Farmacia Baluarte — 1.6 km · ~21 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 Don Gregori House?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing the inner courtyard (if available) — these floors are high enough to escape street-level noise but still within easy reach by stairs if the lift is busy.
Which rooms should I avoid at Don Gregori House?
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor (lobby and foot traffic noise) and any room facing the main street directly — Havana traffic, music, and street vendors can be loud from early morning.
Is Don Gregori House noisy?
Havana's streets are loud with vintage car horns, music from radios and bars, and early-morning day-trippers. The hotel's central location puts you near walking tours and markets, so expect foot traffic chatter until late evening.
Which rooms have the best views at Don Gregori House?
Ask for a room with a side or courtyard view — you'll still catch Havana's eclectic rooftops and parrots in nearby trees without the full blast of the busy street.
What are insider tips for staying at Don Gregori House?
1) Check-in can be slow — bring a small note of your preferred room request in Spanish to hand to the receptionist. 2) If you're sensitive to heat, the top floor rooms might be stuffy; ask for a portable fan if the air-con is weak.
What time is check-in at Don Gregori House?
Check-in at Don Gregori House is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Don Gregori House have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi throughout (2 Mbps typical, slower during peak evening hours). Login with room number and surname; no time limit.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Don Gregori House?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Don Gregori House?
Menu of the day (pork, rice, beans, salad) at a paladar: 150-250 CUP.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Don Gregori House?
City bus (guagua) for 2 CUP per ride; from the airport take the P-12 bus to El Vedado, then connect.
When is the best time to visit Havana?
December to April: driest and coolest, with average highs around 27°C and low humidity. This coincides with Havana's cultural peak but also its busiest tourist season.
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.