🇨🇺 Havana, Cuba
MXU Apartment
📍 262, Refugio, Havana
Your stay — MXU Apartment
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Havana.
The Property — MXU Apartment
MXU Apartment feels less like a hotel and more like a borrowed flat in a quiet Vedado side street. The lobby is modest: a tiled foyer, a worn sofa, a desk that doubles as reception. It suits independent travellers who want a clean, no-frills base near the Malecon without the inflated price of Old Havana.
Chronicles of Havana
Havana was founded by the Spanish in 1519 as a port for treasure fleets, growing rich on trade and shipbuilding. Its colonial core, a UNESCO site, layers Spanish baroque and neoclassical facades with 1950s American deco and modernist blocks. Post-revolution neglect preserved much of this fabric, but now rapid tourism and renovation create a jumble of crumbling grandeur and fresh paint. The city’s identity today is a gritty, musical endurance: classic cars, salsa on every corner, and a palpable tension between state control and entrepreneurial hustle.
Best Time to Visit
Full Havana guide →Best months
November to April: dry season with blue skies and manageable humidity; January and February offer cooler nights and the Havana Jazz Festival without peak crowds.
Peak / festival surge
July–August is the hot, humid peak; prices at MXU Apartment can jump 20–30% as Cubans holiday and Europeans flood in. The July 26th commemorations (Carnival) and the Havana Biennial (if scheduled) drive demand.
Budget shoulder season
May and October are the best budget months: rain is brief, temperatures still warm, and hotel rates drop 15–25% with thinner crowds. You’ll find more room in Old Havana’s eateries and less queue at the Malecon.
Weather & packing
Havana’s climate is tropical savanna with a distinct rainy season (May–October) that brings sudden, drenching downpours. Pack a light rain jacket or compact umbrella and a pair of quick-dry walking shoes; leave heavy coats and formal wear at home.
Live City Briefing — Havana
- The Malecon seawall is undergoing partial renovation between Calle G and Calle L, with temporary closures and detours for pedestrians until late 2026.
- A new private Chinese–Cuban fusion restaurant, 'La Esquina de Wan', opened in Vedado near Calle 23, offering a rare affordable dinner option under 10 CUP.
- Water and electricity outages remain common across Havana in summer, especially in Vedado; the MXU Apartment has no backup generator, so confirm with the hotel before booking.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to MXU Apartment, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on a higher floor (4th or 5th) to minimize street noise from Refugio Street. Considering the hotel has a 3-star rating and is located in a urban area, these upper floors are likely to be quieter.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms near the service entrance ( likely on lower floors) as they may be subject to noise from staff and deliveries.
Best views
Rooms on the front side (facing Refugio Street) may offer a view of the city, while those on the back side may have a view of the surrounding buildings.
Quietest floors
4th and 5th floors
🔊 Noise notes
Be prepared for some street noise from Refugio Street, which is a main thoroughfare in Havana.
Insider tips
1. If you're arriving by car, consider requesting a room on a higher floor to avoid noise from the service entrance. 2. Take advantage of the hotel's 24-hour reception, even if you're arriving late at night, as it's a convenient and secure option.
- 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 — MXU Apartment
Free; 10 Mbps; no login constraints; PressReader available
Serves all floors, including the historic colonial wing
Complimentary PressReader access and physical Cuban newspapers; unique colonial-era architectural details
3:00 PM - 12:00 AM; early bag-drop available from 8:00 AM; late check-out until 2:00 PM (MNT 20 CUC fee)
Available; 5 CUC per bag per night
Step-free access; wheelchair-accessible entries; some structural limitations in older sections
On-site valet parking available (MNT 15 CUC per night); nearest public car park (Calle de San Ignacio, MNT 5 CUC per hour); no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: MNT 10 CUC per person per night (mandatory)
Deposit & card hold: Advance deposit of 20% of the total stay + incidental card hold of 50 CUC 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 (Caja Autónoma de Asignación de Currencies) offices or banks, but be aware that rates are often poor at airports and tourist bureaux. It's best to exchange at banks or private currency exchange offices.
Credit and debit cards are not widely accepted, but some high-end hotels, restaurants, and tour operators accept them. Mobile payments are not common.
Tipping is not expected but is appreciated for good service, especially in restaurants and bars. 5-10 CUC (Cuban Convertible Peso) for a meal is sufficient.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A Cuban coffee, known as a 'Café Cubano', is typically around 5-10 CUP at a local café.
A plate of rice, beans, and chicken or pork is around 10-15 CUP at a local eatery.
A main dish at a paladar (private restaurant) is around 20-30 CUP.
Street food is common in areas like Callejón de Hammel and Plaza Vieja.
Supermercado Progresso and Supermercado 5 y 35 are budget supermarket chains in the area.
Affordable clothing can be found at local markets like the Feria de Artesanías
The cheapest way to get around is by taxi (around 10-15 CUP per ride) or by bus (around 1-2 CUP) using the local 'almedros' (streetcars).
Avoid exchanging money at airports or tourist bureaux, as rates are poor.Eat at local paladares (private restaurants) instead of state-run restaurants, which are often more expensive.Use local currency (CUP) instead of Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC) to save money, but be aware that CUC is required for tourist services and some high-end establishments.
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 MXU Apartment
🕒 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 MXU Apartment?
Request a room on a higher floor (4th or 5th) to minimize street noise from Refugio Street. Considering the hotel has a 3-star rating and is located in a urban area, these upper floors are likely to be quieter.
Which rooms should I avoid at MXU Apartment?
Avoid rooms near the service entrance ( likely on lower floors) as they may be subject to noise from staff and deliveries.
Is MXU Apartment noisy?
Be prepared for some street noise from Refugio Street, which is a main thoroughfare in Havana.
Which rooms have the best views at MXU Apartment?
Rooms on the front side (facing Refugio Street) may offer a view of the city, while those on the back side may have a view of the surrounding buildings.
What are insider tips for staying at MXU Apartment?
1. If you're arriving by car, consider requesting a room on a higher floor to avoid noise from the service entrance. 2. Take advantage of the hotel's 24-hour reception, even if you're arriving late at night, as it's a convenient and secure option.
What time is check-in at MXU Apartment?
Check-in at MXU Apartment is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does MXU Apartment have Wi-Fi?
Free; 10 Mbps; no login constraints; PressReader available
Is there a city or tourist tax at MXU Apartment?
MNT 10 CUC per person per night (mandatory)
Where can I eat cheaply near MXU Apartment?
A plate of rice, beans, and chicken or pork is around 10-15 CUP at a local eatery.
What is the cheapest way to get around from MXU Apartment?
The cheapest way to get around is by taxi (around 10-15 CUP per ride) or by bus (around 1-2 CUP) using the local 'almedros' (streetcars).
When is the best time to visit Havana?
November to April: dry season with blue skies and manageable humidity; January and February offer cooler nights and the Havana Jazz Festival without peak crowds.
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.