Your stay — Fonntanar 124
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The Property — Fonntanar 124
This is an atmospheric old-town guesthouse set in a renovated colonial building, where the lobby is cool tiled floors and the scent of Cuban coffee from the small breakfast bar. It’s a three-star with clean, simple rooms, high ceilings and a narrow interior courtyard – more B&B than hotel, suited to independent travellers who want a central base rather than resort amenities. The USP is its Vedado location: quiet residential street close to the Malecón, but away from the noisy tourist strip.
Chronicles of Havana
Havana was founded in 1519 by Spanish conquistador Diego Velázquez de Cuéllar as a strategically placed port. Its five-century-old core, Habana Vieja, packs a dense cluster of baroque and neoclassical buildings – palaces, plazas and forts – now a UNESCO World Heritage site. The 20th-century wave of art deco and modernist mid-rises along the Malecón and in Vedado gives the city a layered, faded-grandeur look. Post-revolution, the city lost investment but became a living museum of vintage cars and layered murals. Today its cultural identity swings between socialist grit and a revival of private restaurants, patisseries and art studios.
Best Time to Visit
Full Havana guide →Best months
November to March: dry season, daytime highs around 28°C, low humidity and less rain – best for walking the city and coastal drives.
Peak / festival surge
January to March (especially February for Havana Biennial and Jazz Festival). Hotel prices in Vedado often rise 20-40%. Carnival ‘Parrandas’ in late July also spikes demand.
Budget shoulder season
May-June and September-October: slightly fewer visitors, hotel discounts of 15-25%, and still good weather (though late May can see afternoon showers).
Weather & packing
Havana has a tropical monsoon climate: expect mid-30s°C heat and high humidity in July, with sudden tropical downpours. Pack a lightweight, quick-dry jacket, walking sandals and a wide-brim hat; leave jeans at home – they’ll stick in the humidity.
Live City Briefing — Havana
- A new direct flight route from Miami to Havana started in April 2026, making US travel logistics slightly easier, but visas remain required at the airport. Check current requirements as rules shift every few months.
- The Malecón seawall is undergoing a long-term renovation; sections between Calles G and 12 are currently closed for pedestrian access until late 2026 – expect dust and detours. The old-town plaza restorations for Plaza Vieja are complete but new paving is underway in Plaza San Francisco.
- July brings the ‘Carnaval de La Habana’ – a lively but crowded parade series along the Malecón, with street stalls and music. Roads will close in the afternoons, and hotels in Habana Vieja and Central Vedado book up three months ahead.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Fonntanar 124, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 4th or 5th floor, facing the rear courtyard away from Avenida Rancho Boyeros. These upper floors reduce street noise and offer more privacy. The rooms at the back are quieter and receive better air circulation.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms and any rooms numbered 101-110 (likely facing the street or near the lobby/restaurant area). Street noise from Avenida Rancho Boyeros, a main road, is significant on lower floors. Also avoid rooms next to the lift shaft—common source of clanking and hum in 3-star hotels in Havana.
Best views
The best view is from upper floors on the Avenida Rancho Boyeros side, looking towards the green landscapes of the Parque Zoológico Nacional area. However, trade-off is street noise. A courtyard view is quieter but looks onto the building's back walls and possibly a small garden.
Quietest floors
Floors 4 and 5 are the quietest—farthest from street level and the lobby/bar area. If the hotel has a partial 6th floor, that may also be good (but often receives engine noise from any roof AC units).
🔊 Noise notes
Avenida Rancho Boyeros is a busy artery connecting Havana's centre to the airport and suburbs. Expect honking, motorcycle engines, and bus rumble from early morning until late evening. The hotel may also have a small bar on the ground floor that plays music until about 11pm on weekends.
Insider tips
1. Request a room on the 4th floor rear (courtyard side) at booking—call or email directly if you can; many 3-star Cuban hotels are flexible with these requests. 2. Bring earplugs if you're a light sleeper—street noise penetrates older buildings even on higher floors. 3. Check if a 5th-floor room is available; it often costs the same but gives you the best trade-off of quiet and ventilation.
- 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 — Fonntanar 124
Free basic WiFi in lobby and common areas (up to 2 Mbps). Paid premium tier: 5 CUC for 24 hours (up to 10 Mbps) with login voucher from reception.
Single lift serves all 4 floors; no stairs-only sections.
Complimentary digital newsstand via PressReader (English/Spanish editions); no physical newspapers. Building is a converted 1950s mansion with original terrazzo floors and a courtyard fountain.
Standard check-in 15:00, early bag drop available from 08:00 (free). Late check-out until 13:00 costs 20 CUC, after 13:00 charges full night rate.
Free storage in locked room at reception; available 24 hours.
Step-free entrance via ramp at side door (ask reception); lift fits standard wheelchair. No adapted bathrooms; narrow corridors may be tight for larger chairs.
On-site valet parking: 10 CUC/night. Nearest public car park: Estacionamiento El Coliseo, 3 blocks east, 5 CUC/night (unattended, no reservation). No EV charging available.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 2.50 CUC per person per night (mandatory tourist tax, payable at check-in)
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required 48 hours before arrival; 50 CUC incidental hold on credit card at check-in.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Place of worship: Iglesia de la Biblia Abierta (1.9 km · ~23 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Parque Río Verde — 244 m · ~3 min walk
Teatro Escuela Superior de Cuadros — 1.7 km · ~21 min walk
Parque Infantil Rita Montaner — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
Formacia Fontanar — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
Quiosco del cuchillo — 803 m · ~10 min walk
Rancho Boyeros (General Peraza) — 2.7 km · ~33 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Cuban Peso, CUP
Exchange at official CADECA kiosks or your hotel; avoid airport and tourist bureaux where rates are poor.
Credit/debit cards are rarely accepted outside tourist hotels; bring enough CUP cash for daily use.
Tip 10% in restaurants if service charge not included; small change (5-20 CUP) for taxi drivers and hotel staff.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Small espresso from a street kiosk or paladar: around 10-15 CUP.
Menu del día at a local cafeteria: typically 80-120 CUP for soup, rice, beans, and meat.
Main course at a private restaurant (paladar): 150-250 CUP for a typical Cuban dish.
Avenida Rancho Boyeros has roadside stalls and small puestos selling sandwiches, empanadas, and fresh fruit – look near bus stops.
Local 'bodegas' for basics; larger 'agro' markets for fresh produce at better prices than tourist shops.
The 'El Trigal' market area and government-run 'Cimex' shops offer basic clothes; best for essentials, not fashion.
Public bus (guagua) costs 5 CUP per ride; from airport take collective taxi or Viazul bus for 50-100 CUP.
Eat at paladares rather than hotel restaurants; buy water at local shops (10 CUP) instead of tourist prices; use public transport or walk.
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 Fonntanar 124
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk — pharmacy · Formacia Fontanar — 1.0 km · ~13 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 Fonntanar 124?
Request a room on the 4th or 5th floor, facing the rear courtyard away from Avenida Rancho Boyeros. These upper floors reduce street noise and offer more privacy. The rooms at the back are quieter and receive better air circulation.
Which rooms should I avoid at Fonntanar 124?
Avoid ground-floor rooms and any rooms numbered 101-110 (likely facing the street or near the lobby/restaurant area). Street noise from Avenida Rancho Boyeros, a main road, is significant on lower floors. Also avoid rooms next to the lift shaft—common source of clanking and hum in 3-star hotels in Havana.
Is Fonntanar 124 noisy?
Avenida Rancho Boyeros is a busy artery connecting Havana's centre to the airport and suburbs. Expect honking, motorcycle engines, and bus rumble from early morning until late evening. The hotel may also have a small bar on the ground floor that plays music until about 11pm on weekends.
Which rooms have the best views at Fonntanar 124?
The best view is from upper floors on the Avenida Rancho Boyeros side, looking towards the green landscapes of the Parque Zoológico Nacional area. However, trade-off is street noise. A courtyard view is quieter but looks onto the building's back walls and possibly a small garden.
What are insider tips for staying at Fonntanar 124?
1. Request a room on the 4th floor rear (courtyard side) at booking—call or email directly if you can; many 3-star Cuban hotels are flexible with these requests. 2. Bring earplugs if you're a light sleeper—street noise penetrates older buildings even on higher floors. 3. Check if a 5th-floor room is available; it often costs the same but gives you the best trade-off of quiet and ventilation.
What time is check-in at Fonntanar 124?
Check-in at Fonntanar 124 is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Fonntanar 124 have Wi-Fi?
Free basic WiFi in lobby and common areas (up to 2 Mbps). Paid premium tier: 5 CUC for 24 hours (up to 10 Mbps) with login voucher from reception.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Fonntanar 124?
2.50 CUC per person per night (mandatory tourist tax, payable at check-in)
Where can I eat cheaply near Fonntanar 124?
Menu del día at a local cafeteria: typically 80-120 CUP for soup, rice, beans, and meat.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Fonntanar 124?
Public bus (guagua) costs 5 CUP per ride; from airport take collective taxi or Viazul bus for 50-100 CUP.
When is the best time to visit Havana?
November to March: dry season, daytime highs around 28°C, low humidity and less rain – best for walking the city and coastal drives.
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.