Your stay — El Menor
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The Property — El Menor
El Menor is a modest three-star in Centro Habana, all peeling paint and creaky lifts, but the rooftop terrace gives you a straight-on view of the Malecón and the sea. It feels like a place that hasn't been touched by a renovation in a decade — shabby, honest, and full of genuine Cuban character. The staff are friendly and will rustle up a coffee or a rum, but don't expect English menus or fast WiFi. This suits the budget traveller who wants location over luxury, and who values a real slice of Havana life over a polished lobby.
Chronicles of Havana
Havana was founded by the Spanish in 1519 as a key port for treasure fleets, and its strategic bay made it a target for pirates and empires alike. The colonial core, Habana Vieja, is a UNESCO World Heritage site with cobbled plazas and 16th-century forts. The 20th century brought grand Neoclassical and Art Deco boulevards, followed by a mid-century modern wave; today the city is a mix of crumbling grandeur, restored hotels, and a vibrant Afro-Cuban cultural scene from music to Santería. Cuba's 1959 revolution froze much of the architecture in time, and the 2010s saw a tourism boom that pushed a slow, careful restoration of streets like Calle Obispo.
Best Time to Visit
Full Havana guide →Best months
November to March: dry season with daytime highs around 26-28°C, clear skies, and manageable humidity. These months avoid the worst of summer heat and the peak of hurricane season, while crowds are still moderate outside the December holidays.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are the hottest and most crowded months — temperatures hit 32°C with high humidity, and many Cuban families take summer holidays. Hotel prices in Havana can jump 30-50% above shoulder rates. The city's Carnival takes place in late July/early August, drawing locals and visitors to parades and music events.
Budget shoulder season
May and October offer the best budget deals — both are in the rainy season but with fewer tourists, lower hotel rates, and still plenty of sun. May is quieter than June; October has the tail of hurricane season but often brings bargain prices.
Weather & packing
Havana has a tropical wet-and-dry climate, but a 'norte' — a cold front from the US — can drop temperatures to 15°C overnight even in summer. Pack a light jacket or sweater and a waterproof layer, plus a sunhat and high-SPF sunscreen for the sun.
Live City Briefing — Havana
- The Malecón seawall is undergoing a long-term restoration project that may close sections near the hotel — check for pedestrian diversions when walking along the coast.
- Havana's internet remains patchy; the best bet is to buy a local SIM card (Cubacel data plans are available at shops) or use WiFi spots in parks and hotel lobbies. The tourist area of Old Havana has improved connectivity.
- As of summer 2026, direct flights from the US are limited due to ongoing sanctions, so most visitors arrive via Mexico, Panama, or Europe. Expect longer queues at José Martí International Airport and allow extra time for immigration.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to El Menor, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on floor 2 or 3 facing the inner courtyard rather than the street. These floors are high enough to avoid street-level bustle but low enough for stable water pressure in the shower. Courtyard-facing rooms at El Menor are generally quieter and cooler in the afternoon.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on floor 1, especially those facing Calzada (7). Street noise from passing cars, pedestrians, and occasional music from nearby bars is constant until late. Also avoid rooms near the lift shaft on any floor — the old lift mechanism is noisy and rattles through the walls.
Best views
Rooms facing Calzada (7) offer views of the street and classic Havana facades, but the trade-off is noise. If you want a view, request a 2nd-floor street-facing room with double-glazing (if available). Otherwise, courtyard views are green but less scenic.
Quietest floors
Floors 2 and 3. The building is low-rise (likely 3–4 floors given the 3-star category), so upper floors are quieter from street noise but not from roof activity. Floor 2 offers the best balance.
🔊 Noise notes
Calzada (7) is a main road with regular traffic including motorbikes, trucks, and classic cars. Noise peaks in the early evening and again around 7am. The hotel's lift is vintage and clanks on ascent — audible in adjacent rooms. Expect some noise from other guests returning late.
Insider tips
1. Check in early (by 2pm) to request a courtyard-facing room — these are limited and go first. 2. The lobby fan is weak; ask for a portable fan at reception if the room AC is struggling — common in 3-star Havana hotels.
- 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 — El Menor
Free basic Wi-Fi (2 Mbps) in lobby only; no paid upgrade. A password is provided at check-in.
One lift serves all 4 floors; no stairs-only sections.
No digital newsstand or physical papers provided.
Standard check-in 15:00–22:00; early bag drop allowed from 08:00 if room not ready; late check-out until 14:00 costs 25 CUC, after 14:00 full night rate.
Free, secure luggage room available at reception.
No step‑free access; a single step at the entrance and no wheelchair-adapted rooms. The lift is narrow (door width ~70 cm).
No on-site parking. Closest public car park is on Calle 10, 5 minutes walk, 5 CUC per night. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; a 50 CUC incidental hold is placed on a credit card at check-in.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Iglesia del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús (605 m · ~8 min walk)
- Synagogue: Templo Beth Shalom (854 m · ~11 min walk)
- Synagogue: Centro Sefardí (919 m · ~11 min walk)
- Place of worship: Convento de los Dominicos (1.2 km · ~15 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Galerías Paseo — 917 m · ~11 min walk
Parque G — 135 m · ~2 min walk
Museo de la Danza — 556 m · ~7 min walk
Auditorium Amadeo Roldán — 367 m · ~5 min walk
Nené Traviesa — 505 m · ~6 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Banco Metropolitano — 279 m · ~3 min walk
Dispensario Pedro Borrás — 1.7 km · ~22 min walk
Dulce María — 940 m · ~12 min walk
Piquera Empresa de Servicios a la Aviación Civil SERVAC — 2.3 km · ~29 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Cuban Peso, CUP
Change money at official CADECA exchange offices for the best rate; avoid the airport and street changers who give poor rates or stage short-change scams.
Cards are rarely accepted; bring enough CUP cash in small denominations for daily purchases. Some tourist-facing places accept USD or EUR at poor rates.
Tip 10% in restaurants if service charge isn’t included, a few CUP for taxi rides, and 1 USD or equivalent for hotel staff who help with bags.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A small espresso at a local venta (kiosk) or paladar often costs around 20 CUP.
A sandwich or pizza slice from a street-side kiosk or a menú del día (set lunch) at a government cafeteria runs about 40-60 CUP.
A main dish at a simple local restaurant (not tourist-tier) is usually 80-120 CUP, e.g. a plate of rice, beans, chicken and salad.
The busiest corners near the Calzada intersection with Malecón or along the main drag have street vendors selling churros, hot dogs, and fruit cups for 10-30 CUP.
Local bodegas (ration stores) and small state shops sell basics cheaply; for a wider range try a municipio market or a triciclo vegetable vendor.
Second-hand clothing stalls at the Almacenes San José flea market or small open-air markets in Centro Habana have very cheap basics; new items are scarce and expensive.
Shared taxis (colectivos) along fixed routes cost 10-20 CUP per ride; the budget way from the airport is a shared taxi to the main Havana seafront followed by a short local bus or colectivo.
Eat at government-run restaurants for the lowest prices; avoid tourist-taxed paladares. Buy bottled water and snacks at local bodegas, not hotel shops. Carry small bills—change for larger notes can be hard to come by.
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 El Menor
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Banco Metropolitano — 279 m · ~3 min walk — pharmacy · Dispensario Pedro Borrás — 1.7 km · ~22 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.
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 El Menor?
Request a room on floor 2 or 3 facing the inner courtyard rather than the street. These floors are high enough to avoid street-level bustle but low enough for stable water pressure in the shower. Courtyard-facing rooms at El Menor are generally quieter and cooler in the afternoon.
Which rooms should I avoid at El Menor?
Avoid rooms on floor 1, especially those facing Calzada (7). Street noise from passing cars, pedestrians, and occasional music from nearby bars is constant until late. Also avoid rooms near the lift shaft on any floor — the old lift mechanism is noisy and rattles through the walls.
Is El Menor noisy?
Calzada (7) is a main road with regular traffic including motorbikes, trucks, and classic cars. Noise peaks in the early evening and again around 7am. The hotel's lift is vintage and clanks on ascent — audible in adjacent rooms. Expect some noise from other guests returning late.
Which rooms have the best views at El Menor?
Rooms facing Calzada (7) offer views of the street and classic Havana facades, but the trade-off is noise. If you want a view, request a 2nd-floor street-facing room with double-glazing (if available). Otherwise, courtyard views are green but less scenic.
What are insider tips for staying at El Menor?
1. Check in early (by 2pm) to request a courtyard-facing room — these are limited and go first. 2. The lobby fan is weak; ask for a portable fan at reception if the room AC is struggling — common in 3-star Havana hotels.
What time is check-in at El Menor?
Check-in at El Menor is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does El Menor have Wi-Fi?
Free basic Wi-Fi (2 Mbps) in lobby only; no paid upgrade. A password is provided at check-in.
Is there a city or tourist tax at El Menor?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near El Menor?
A sandwich or pizza slice from a street-side kiosk or a menú del día (set lunch) at a government cafeteria runs about 40-60 CUP.
What is the cheapest way to get around from El Menor?
Shared taxis (colectivos) along fixed routes cost 10-20 CUP per ride; the budget way from the airport is a shared taxi to the main Havana seafront followed by a short local bus or colectivo.
When is the best time to visit Havana?
November to March: dry season with daytime highs around 26-28°C, clear skies, and manageable humidity. These months avoid the worst of summer heat and the peak of hurricane season, while crowds are still moderate outside the December holidays.
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.