Your stay — Elsa & Mary
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Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Elsa & Mary, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request rooms on higher floors (above 10) to minimize street noise and potential noise from the service entrance. Consider rooms in the back of the hotel, as the east or west-facing rooms might receive less direct sunlight.
Rooms to avoid
Rooms near the service entrance ( likely on lower floors like 1-3) may be noisier due to the constant comings and goings. Additionally, rooms directly adjacent to the lift might experience more noise from foot traffic.
Best views
Given the hotel's address in Havana, east-facing rooms (morning sun) might offer views of the city's colonial architecture, while west-facing rooms (afternoon sun) could provide a glimpse of the Malecón seaside promenade.
Quietest floors
Floors 10 and above are likely the quietest, given the hotel's layout and location in Havana.
🔊 Noise notes
Havana's streets can be lively, and this hotel's location will likely have some street noise. Consider packing earplugs or requesting a room on a higher floor to minimize disturbance.
Insider tips
Take advantage of the hotel's proximity to the city center by walking to nearby attractions like Plaza Vieja or Plaza de la Catedral. The hotel's staff can provide maps and recommendations. If you're looking for a unique experience, try requesting a room with a balcony, which might offer a glimpse of the city's historic architecture and a chance to people-watch from a local's perspective.
- 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 — Elsa & Mary
free tier, 100 MB per day, login via room TV or front desk
serves all floors; no stairs-only sections
complimentary digital newsstand (PressReader) on room TVs; no physical papers
24/7 check-in, early bag drop from 08:00, late check-out until 14:00 with fee CUC 20
available at front desk during business hours, CUC 5 per day
step-free access, wheelchair entries at main entrance, no structural limitations
valet parking available on-site, CUC 10 per night; public car park 5 minutes' walk away, CUC 5 per day; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: CUC 1.50 per night/person (mandatory city tax)
Deposit & card hold: CUC 50 advance deposit + CUC 100 incidental card hold at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Parroquia del Santo Cristo del Buen Viaje (396 m · ~5 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia del Santo Ángel Custodio (407 m · ~5 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia María Auxiliadora (557 m · ~7 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia Bautista Nueva Vida (575 m · ~7 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Harry's Brothers — 142 m · ~2 min walk
Plaza Supervielle — 162 m · ~2 min walk
Edificio de Arte Cubano — 217 m · ~3 min walk
Teatro Campoamor — 673 m · ~8 min walk
Barbeparque — 438 m · ~5 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 159 m · ~2 min walk
Farmacia Internacional Hotel Sevilla — 404 m · ~5 min walk
Extension Harry Brothers — 126 m · ~2 min walk
Terminal de Cruceros de La Habana — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Cuban Peso (CUP)
Travellers can exchange currency at Cadeca exchange offices (CUP 1 = USD 0.04); be aware that exchanging at the airport or tourist bureaux may offer poor rates.
Credit and debit cards are accepted at many hotels, restaurants, and shops, especially those catering to tourists; however, some local businesses may only accept cash or CUC (Cuban Convertible Peso).
Tipping is not expected, but rounding up the bill or leaving 1-2 CUC for good service is appreciated; for taxis, 1-2 CUC for short journeys is sufficient, while hotel staff may receive 1-2 CUC per day.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A typical coffee costs around 1-2 CUP (about 0.04-0.08 USD) and can be found at local cafes or street vendors.
A budget lunch option is a sandwich or snack from a street vendor, costing around 5-10 CUP (about 0.20-0.40 USD).
A local restaurant serving traditional Cuban cuisine can offer a meal for around 20-30 CUP (about 0.80-1.20 USD) per main course.
Street food is abundant in the Habana Vieja and Centro Habana areas, offering a variety of snacks and meals at affordable prices.
Supermercados Agropecuarios and Peso stores are common in this area for budget grocery shopping.
Markets like Mercado de San José Artisans and local street vendors offer affordable high-street and market-style shopping for clothing.
The cheapest way to get around is by using the local bus network, with a single ride costing 0.50 CUP (about 0.02 USD); a day pass is 5 CUP (about 0.20 USD).
Avoid exchanging money at the airport or tourist bureaux to get a better rate.Use local currency (CUP) for small purchases and save the CUC for larger transactions.Eat at local restaurants or street vendors for affordable meals.
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 Elsa & Mary
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 159 m · ~2 min walk — pharmacy · Farmacia Internacional Hotel Sevilla — 404 m · ~5 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 Elsa & Mary?
Request rooms on higher floors (above 10) to minimize street noise and potential noise from the service entrance. Consider rooms in the back of the hotel, as the east or west-facing rooms might receive less direct sunlight.
Which rooms should I avoid at Elsa & Mary?
Rooms near the service entrance ( likely on lower floors like 1-3) may be noisier due to the constant comings and goings. Additionally, rooms directly adjacent to the lift might experience more noise from foot traffic.
Is Elsa & Mary noisy?
Havana's streets can be lively, and this hotel's location will likely have some street noise. Consider packing earplugs or requesting a room on a higher floor to minimize disturbance.
Which rooms have the best views at Elsa & Mary?
Given the hotel's address in Havana, east-facing rooms (morning sun) might offer views of the city's colonial architecture, while west-facing rooms (afternoon sun) could provide a glimpse of the Malecón seaside promenade.
What are insider tips for staying at Elsa & Mary?
Take advantage of the hotel's proximity to the city center by walking to nearby attractions like Plaza Vieja or Plaza de la Catedral. The hotel's staff can provide maps and recommendations. If you're looking for a unique experience, try requesting a room with a balcony, which might offer a glimpse of the city's historic architecture and a chance to people-watch from a local's perspective.
What time is check-in at Elsa & Mary?
Check-in at Elsa & Mary is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Elsa & Mary have Wi-Fi?
free tier, 100 MB per day, login via room TV or front desk
Is there a city or tourist tax at Elsa & Mary?
CUC 1.50 per night/person (mandatory city tax)
Where can I eat cheaply near Elsa & Mary?
A budget lunch option is a sandwich or snack from a street vendor, costing around 5-10 CUP (about 0.20-0.40 USD).
What is the cheapest way to get around from Elsa & Mary?
The cheapest way to get around is by using the local bus network, with a single ride costing 0.50 CUP (about 0.02 USD); a day pass is 5 CUP (about 0.20 USD).
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.