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Captivating Cuba
Wed, 08 Apr 2009
Stay in a Palace on your Cuban Holiday
I ask you, have you ever stayed a night in a palace?
After my travels around Cuba, I can't help thinking back on how distinctive the hotels look. I'm proud of our buildings in Cuba. They have style and I'm happy that they are open for the world to enjoy as hotels.
I'll start with the famous Nacional Hotel in Havana. It is all about size. It is a favourite treasured building in Cuba, it leans over you when you stand there. From the Nacional you can see a long way out to sea, looking over the waterfall fountains.
The Colon Hotel in the old quarter of Camaguey is amazing to look at, too. It is all turquoise. This might not be good for everyone, but I think it is fun and unique. And I know some of you will like it. The walls outside and inside, the stone pillars and the balconies are all painted bright turquoise. Different, for sure! You will not see a building like that everywhere.
It you like castles, the Hotel El Castillo in Baracoa is a real old Spanish fortress in Baracoa that has been made into a hotel. It is located on a hill with a view of the bay and everything around.
But if I get to choose where I stay, my choice of building would be Beltran De Santa Cruz. This building is almost a secret. It is hidden near the Plaza Vieja, in Havana. Inside it feels graceful and intimate. Here you can stay where King Philippe I of France stayed before he was king. So that makes this hotel a palace, yes? Remembering this hotel made me want to talk to you about palaces.
I hope I helped you find a palace that you will like in Cuba.
Jasna
Image 1 creative commons, Flickr, LuRoGo; Image 2 creative commons, Flickr, Egretta777; Image 3 creative commons, Flickr, Jakeo
posted at: 11:22 | path: /jasna | permanent link to this entry | 2 comments
Posted by Claire at Tue May 5 10:21:20 2009
After reading this blog I really want to visit The Colon Hotel in Camaguey as part of my next holiday. But I have never heard of this place before, is there much to do there? Claire
After reading this blog I really want to visit The Colon Hotel in Camaguey as part of my next holiday. But I have never heard of this place before, is there much to do there? Claire
Posted by Jasna at Tue May 5 11:28:21 2009
Hi Claire,
Camaguey is Cuba's best maintained city .You can reach Camaguey by short domestic flight from Havana or by road. If travelling by road it would take at least 10 hours drive from Havana. I wouldn't recommend to stay in this place for more then 2 days as it's more of a stop over for people travelling across the country.Hiring a bicycle with a driver is a very good way of getting around a town and visiting the main sights, Church of La Soledad, Workers Square, Park Agramonte ( one hour will cost around £5). I'd recommend a visit to the biggest meat and food market in the town too.
Best Regards,
Jasna
Hi Claire,
Camaguey is Cuba's best maintained city .You can reach Camaguey by short domestic flight from Havana or by road. If travelling by road it would take at least 10 hours drive from Havana. I wouldn't recommend to stay in this place for more then 2 days as it's more of a stop over for people travelling across the country.Hiring a bicycle with a driver is a very good way of getting around a town and visiting the main sights, Church of La Soledad, Workers Square, Park Agramonte ( one hour will cost around £5). I'd recommend a visit to the biggest meat and food market in the town too.
Best Regards,
Jasna
