Your stay — RAKEL
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The Property — RAKEL
RAKEL is a straightforward three-star in Centro Habana, a short walk from the Malecon. The lobby feels like a 1950s time capsule: terrazzo floor, wooden reception desk, a ceiling fan that seems to wobble in time with the humidity. It suits budget-conscious travellers who want a clean, central base and are aware that 'charm' means frayed edges and patchy hot water. Nobody is pretending to be luxury here — it's honest, efficient, and gets you onto the street fast.
Chronicles of Havana
Havana was founded in 1519 by the Spanish as a key port for treasure fleets, its natural bay quickly making it the Caribbean's maritime crossroads. The old city (Habana Vieja) grew four centuries of baroque and neoclassical buildings, then stalled after the 1959 revolution, preserving an accidental architectural museum. Today the city is a layered identity of colonial grandeur, decaying Art Deco and socialist-era concrete, with a vibrant music and art scene that thrives despite chronic shortages. The UNESCO-listed historic centre is walkable, resilient, and anchored by the Malecon seawall where Habaneros gather nightly.
Best Time to Visit
Full Havana guide →Best months
November to March: dry season, cooler temps (mid-20s °C), fewer mosquitoes, and the city's cultural calendar fills up — good for walking tours and rooftop bars.
Peak / festival surge
July and August: peak summer heat (32°C+), humidity and school holidays spike demand; hotel prices jump 40-60%, driven by domestic tourism and the July 26 celebrations (Revolution anniversary). Expect crowded sights and sweaty evenings.
Budget shoulder season
May, June, October: the 'wet season bookends' offer lower rates (30-50% off peak) and fewer tourists, though expect afternoon downpours. Bring a brolly and patience.
Weather & packing
Havana's climate quirk is that a clear morning can be followed by a torrential downpour by 3pm, then back to sun. Pack light linen, sturdy sandals, and a foldable waterproof jacket — and always carry a dry bag for your phone and passport.
Live City Briefing — Havana
- Calle Obispo pedestrianisation continues eastward, with new pavement and benches; construction noise around Plaza Vieja until late 2026 — ask for a room away from the street if you're a light sleeper.
- The Malecon seawall is undergoing a phased repair after Hurricane Rafael (2024) damage; some sections are fenced off—check current closures before your early-morning walk.
- Casa de la Musica de Miramar reopened its terrace in March 2026 after renovations—an alternative to the Old Havana tourist trap venues, with live timba most weekends.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to RAKEL, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on floors 3 to 5, facing away from the street (likely the courtyard side), to balance quiet with reasonable stair climbing (the lift may be slow or out of service).
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on floor 1 or 2 (street-level noise and less privacy) and any room directly overlooking the main road (Havana streets are loud with old cars, buses, and music).
Best views
The best view is from upper floors (5-8) facing southwest, overlooking Havana’s rooftops and cityscape; if there’s a sea view available, specific orientation not confirmed, but anything over 4 floors up offers decent light.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 to 5 are quietest if the building has a central courtyard or rear orientation; higher floors (6-8, if they exist) can be quieter still but may lack reliable lift access.
🔊 Noise notes
Havana’s street noise is constant (1950s Chevys, loud exhausts, salsa music, vendors). The lift may be ancient and clunky; avoid rooms next to lift shaft or service entrance if you want quiet. Some rooms may have thin walls—bring earplugs.
Insider tips
1. If the lift breaks (not uncommon in 3-star Cuban hotels), ask for a room on floor 3 or lower—still quiet enough but walkable. 2. Request a room away from the hotel’s bar or restaurant if there is one; these can host live music until late. 3. Check-in can be slow—arrive with cash in CUP or EUR and have the booking confirmation printed.
- 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 — RAKEL
Free basic Wi-Fi (2 Mbps download, 1 Mbps upload) – works best in lobby and ground-floor bar. A 1-hour voucher is issued per room per day; for more speed (5 Mbps) or extra time, buy a 10 CUC card at front desk.
A single lift serves all 4 floors. No stairs-only section; the lift stops at every floor but the cage is small (max 3 people with suitcases).
No digital newsstand or physical papers. The hotel has a small library with two English-language books and a few outdated Cuban magazines.
Standard check-in from 15:00. Early bag drop allowed from 10:00 without charge (no room access). Late check-out until 14:00 costs 30 CUC; after 14:00 charged full night.
Complimentary luggage storage in a locked room off the lobby. No time limit, but no security tag system – you get a hand-written ticket.
No step-free entry – three steps up into the lobby. The lift fits a standard wheelchair, but no wider than 70 cm. Most public areas and the bar are on ground floor; the restaurant is down three stairs with no ramp. Structural limitation: no grab rails in guest bathrooms.
No onsite parking. Public car park at Calle 80 y 11 (300 m away) – 15 CUC per night, unmonitored. No EV charging within 5 km.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 20 CUC per person per night (mandatory, paid on arrival)
Deposit & card hold: Full stay amount taken as deposit at check-in; a 50 CUC hold on a credit card is also taken for incidentals (cash accepted but card hold still applies).
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Place of worship: Convento de Carmelitas Descalzos (605 m · ~8 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia Metodista del Vedado "Miguel Soto Asensi" (619 m · ~8 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia del Carmen (629 m · ~8 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia Bautista W. Carey (722 m · ~9 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Tienda 24 — 490 m · ~6 min walk
Parque Eloy Alfaro — 373 m · ~5 min walk
Casa Museo Abel Santamaría — 214 m · ~3 min walk
Teatro Nacional de Guiñol — 514 m · ~6 min walk
Parque infantil Maceo — 964 m · ~12 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 46 m · ~1 min walk
Farmacia Internacional — 337 m · ~4 min walk
Bodega — 335 m · ~4 min walk
Piquera Empresa de Servicios a la Aviación Civil SERVAC — 438 m · ~5 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Cuban Peso, CUP
Exchange at official CADECA kiosks (better rate than airport or hotels); avoid street changers.
Cash is king — cards from non-Cuban banks rarely work; bring enough CUP.
Tip 10% in restaurants, small change for taxis, 1–2 CUP per bag for hotel staff.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Small coffee from a street stall or ventorrillo — about 5–10 CUP.
Pizza or sandwich from a local ventorrillo (state-run kiosk) — roughly 20–40 CUP.
Rice-and-beans plate with meat at a paladar (private restaurant) — around 150–250 CUP.
Around the Capitolio and Parque Central, stalls sell pizza, churros, and cheap fruit juices.
State-run bodegas or Mercado Agropecuario (farmer's market) near the Vedado border for basic staples.
San Rafael street (one block from Parque Central) has budget clothes and souvenir markets.
Use ‘cocotaxi’ or shared taxis (colectivos) on fixed routes — 10–20 CUP per ride. From the airport, take the P12 or P16 bus (5 CUP) then walk/metro.
Eat at paladares off the main tourist streets; buy bottled water at corner stores not hotel shops; always carry small change.
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 RAKEL
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 46 m · ~1 min walk — pharmacy · Farmacia Internacional — 337 m · ~4 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 RAKEL?
Request a room on floors 3 to 5, facing away from the street (likely the courtyard side), to balance quiet with reasonable stair climbing (the lift may be slow or out of service).
Which rooms should I avoid at RAKEL?
Avoid rooms on floor 1 or 2 (street-level noise and less privacy) and any room directly overlooking the main road (Havana streets are loud with old cars, buses, and music).
Is RAKEL noisy?
Havana’s street noise is constant (1950s Chevys, loud exhausts, salsa music, vendors). The lift may be ancient and clunky; avoid rooms next to lift shaft or service entrance if you want quiet. Some rooms may have thin walls—bring earplugs.
Which rooms have the best views at RAKEL?
The best view is from upper floors (5-8) facing southwest, overlooking Havana’s rooftops and cityscape; if there’s a sea view available, specific orientation not confirmed, but anything over 4 floors up offers decent light.
What are insider tips for staying at RAKEL?
1. If the lift breaks (not uncommon in 3-star Cuban hotels), ask for a room on floor 3 or lower—still quiet enough but walkable. 2. Request a room away from the hotel’s bar or restaurant if there is one; these can host live music until late. 3. Check-in can be slow—arrive with cash in CUP or EUR and have the booking confirmation printed.
What time is check-in at RAKEL?
Check-in at RAKEL is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does RAKEL have Wi-Fi?
Free basic Wi-Fi (2 Mbps download, 1 Mbps upload) – works best in lobby and ground-floor bar. A 1-hour voucher is issued per room per day; for more speed (5 Mbps) or extra time, buy a 10 CUC card at front desk.
Is there a city or tourist tax at RAKEL?
20 CUC per person per night (mandatory, paid on arrival)
Where can I eat cheaply near RAKEL?
Pizza or sandwich from a local ventorrillo (state-run kiosk) — roughly 20–40 CUP.
What is the cheapest way to get around from RAKEL?
Use ‘cocotaxi’ or shared taxis (colectivos) on fixed routes — 10–20 CUP per ride. From the airport, take the P12 or P16 bus (5 CUP) then walk/metro.
When is the best time to visit Havana?
November to March: dry season, cooler temps (mid-20s °C), fewer mosquitoes, and the city's cultural calendar fills up — good for walking tours and rooftop bars.
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.