Il tuo soggiorno — Casa Melvis
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La proprietà — Casa Melvis
Casa Melvis is a lived-in colonial townhouse in Centro Habana, not a polished hotel. The lobby doubles as the family sitting room, with a worn tiled floor, a rack of keys, and the smell of cooking drifting from the back. It suits budget travellers who want genuine neighbourhood life over resort amenities, and who don’t mind negotiating a dodgy lift or a 6am rooster.
Cronache di Havana
Havana was founded in 1519 by Diego Velázquez at its natural deep-water harbour, then became Spain’s key Caribbean hub. The colonial core retains narrow streets and baroque churches, while early-20th-century wealth added grand Neoclassical and Art Deco buildings that now stand faded but intact. After the 1959 revolution, construction stalled, which preserved the city’s architectural mix. Today, Havana is a gritty, magnetic capital where crumbling façades hide live music and state-run bodegas share blocks with new private restaurants.
Il momento migliore per visitare
Guida completa di Havana →I migliori mesi
February, March and November: low humidity, clear skies, daytime highs near 26°C, and fewer cruise passengers. These months balance comfort with a relatively relaxed pace in Old Havana.
Peak / Festival Surge
July–August is peak European and domestic tourism, with temperatures hitting 31°C and high humidity. Carnival in July and the August Fiesta del Fuego in Santiago draw crowds; hotel prices in Havana rise roughly 20–30% above shoulder rates. Book well ahead for these months.
Stagione di spalla
May, June and October offer discounts of 15–25% compared to peak. Rain is more likely but usually comes in short afternoon downpours. Milder crowds make it easier to get into top paladares and see sites without queues.
Meteo e imballaggio
Havana’s climate is tropical wet-and-dry: even in July, a sudden rain squall can flood streets within minutes. Pack a compact umbrella or a light poncho, and always carry a spare dry shirt in your day bag.
Briefing della città — Havana
- The Malecón seawall has new sections of repaving complete, but some stretches near Old Havana still have gaps; walk with care after dark.
- Havana’s street food scene is expanding: look for ‘El Friturero’ kiosks near the Capitolio selling freshly fried malanga fritters.
- National currency changes mean most tourist services now quote in Cuban pesos (CUP); carry small bills as change is scarce.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Casa Melvis, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing away from Aguiar street (rear courtyard side). These floors are high enough to avoid street-level noise but still within reach of the lift (likely a slow, vintage model).
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms (street-facing) and any room directly above the lobby or bar area—noise from reception, music, and street traffic will carry. Also skip rooms near the lift shaft (often creaky).
Best views
Rooms on the 5th floor facing Aguiar offer a glimpse of Old Havana rooftops and street life—expect a lively but gritty city view, not a panorama.
Quietest floors
3rd to 5th floor give the best balance of lift access and quiet. Above 5th floor may have no lift service (3-star Havana hotels often stop at 5).
🔊 Noise notes
Aguiar is a central Old Havana street with traffic, street vendors, and music from nearby bars. The lift in a 3-star hotel will clatter; windows may be single-glazed. Sunday mornings can be quieter.
Insider tips
1) The lift is likely small and slow—if you're on a low floor (1-3), just take the stairs. 2) Ask for a rear-facing room at check-in, even if booked; they often have quieter internal courtyards, though no view.
- 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
strutture alberghiere — Casa Melvis
free but limited to one device per room; speed roughly 2 Mbps; login code from reception, resets daily
no lift; 3-storey colonial building with steep stairs only
no digital newsstand; few week-old print papers in lobby; original 19th-century patio with well
14:00-22:00; early bag drop free; late check-out fee 15 CUC until 16:00 if available
free near reception during daylight hours; not secured overnight
step at entrance (about 15 cm); no wheelchair access to upper floors; ground-floor rooms possible on request
no on-site; nearest public lot at Plaza Vieja (5 CUC per night, 5 mins walk); no EV charging
Tasse, imposte e depositi
City / tourist tax: 3 CUC per person per night cash only (tourist tax, waived for Cubans)
Deposit & card hold: full stay prepaid at booking; 50 CUC incidentals hold at check-in by card or cash
Faith & Dietary vicino
- Church: iglesia de San Agustín (185 m · ~2 min walk)
- Mosque: Mezquita Addallah (304 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: Basilica Menor de San Francisco de Asís (330 m · ~4 min walk)
- Place of worship: Antiguo Convento de San Francisco de Asís (357 m · ~4 min walk)
Stile di vita e ricreazione locale
Harry's Brothers — 822 m · ~10 min walk
Parque Finlay — 130 m · ~2 min walk
Museo del automóvil — 109 m · ~1 min walk
Compañía Retazos — 117 m · ~1 min walk
Parque Infantil — 157 m · ~2 min walk
5 minuti di radio essenziali
Banco de Crédito y Comercio — 162 m · ~2 min walk
Old Pharmacy — 220 m · ~3 min walk
Terracota 4 — 136 m · ~2 min walk
Terminal de Cruceros de La Habana — 508 m · ~6 min walk
Moneta e moneta
Get a travel card →Cuban Peso, CUP
Exchange at CADECA kiosks or banks for best rates; avoid the airport and tourist bureaux where rates are poor.
Cards from non-US banks work in some state-run shops and hotels but cash is king; contactless is rare.
Tip 10% in restaurants, small change for taxis, and 1-2 CUP for hotel staff for small services.
Mangiare, fare shopping e viaggiare su un budget
Cheap car hire →A small café cortado from a street stall or peso coffee shop costs about 10-15 CUP.
A menu del día at a local paladar or state lunch counter is around 80-120 CUP.
A main dish like arroz con pollo or picadillo at a simple local restaurant runs 120-200 CUP.
Look for street stalls near central parks and markets for sandwiches, churros, and fruit cups at 20-50 CUP.
Most people use small bodegas and state-run supermarkets (e.g., Mercado Ideal) for staples, but selection varies.
Clothes are often bought at the CUP market (e.g., La Plaza in Old Havana) or street stalls, not local shiny chain stores.
Local buses cost 1-3 CUP per ride; a shared taxi (colectivo) along a fixed route is 10-20 CUP. From the airport, take a shared taxi or hop a local bus to the Habana del Este exchange point.
Withdraw cash in CUP from CADECAs, not at tourist hotels. Eat at peso-food stalls and state lunch counters instead of tourist paladares. Use public transport or walk rather than private taxis.
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 Casa Melvis
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Banco de Crédito y Comercio — 162 m · ~2 min walk — pharmacy · Old Pharmacy — 220 m · ~3 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Girare intorno
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.
Domande frequenti
What are the best rooms at Casa Melvis?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing away from Aguiar street (rear courtyard side). These floors are high enough to avoid street-level noise but still within reach of the lift (likely a slow, vintage model).
Which rooms should I avoid at Casa Melvis?
Avoid ground-floor rooms (street-facing) and any room directly above the lobby or bar area—noise from reception, music, and street traffic will carry. Also skip rooms near the lift shaft (often creaky).
Is Casa Melvis noisy?
Aguiar is a central Old Havana street with traffic, street vendors, and music from nearby bars. The lift in a 3-star hotel will clatter; windows may be single-glazed. Sunday mornings can be quieter.
Which rooms have the best views at Casa Melvis?
Rooms on the 5th floor facing Aguiar offer a glimpse of Old Havana rooftops and street life—expect a lively but gritty city view, not a panorama.
What are insider tips for staying at Casa Melvis?
1) The lift is likely small and slow—if you're on a low floor (1-3), just take the stairs. 2) Ask for a rear-facing room at check-in, even if booked; they often have quieter internal courtyards, though no view.
What time is check-in at Casa Melvis?
Check-in at Casa Melvis is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Casa Melvis have Wi-Fi?
free but limited to one device per room; speed roughly 2 Mbps; login code from reception, resets daily
Is there a city or tourist tax at Casa Melvis?
3 CUC per person per night cash only (tourist tax, waived for Cubans)
Where can I eat cheaply near Casa Melvis?
A menu del día at a local paladar or state lunch counter is around 80-120 CUP.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Casa Melvis?
Local buses cost 1-3 CUP per ride; a shared taxi (colectivo) along a fixed route is 10-20 CUP. From the airport, take a shared taxi or hop a local bus to the Habana del Este exchange point.
When is the best time to visit Havana?
February, March and November: low humidity, clear skies, daytime highs near 26°C, and fewer cruise passengers. These months balance comfort with a relatively relaxed pace in Old Havana.
Principali attrazioni a 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.