Ambos Mundos in Havana

The 3 star Ambos Mundos in Havana was once the home of Ernest Hemingway and its refurbishment rekindles those images of the city's past. As in the 1930s, Cuba's Ambos Mundos hotel has become the central point in an area of the city boasting bars, restaurants and pavement cafes. Indeed, its location is absolutely spot on for the best of sightseeing - although a steady stream of Havana's tourists will be coming in and out of the Ambos Mundos Hotel's Room 511 - the place where Hemingway wrote the beginning of ``For Whom the Bell Tolls''.

Despite this longing for the past, Havana's Ambos Mundos refurbishments are welcome indeed, though its art-deco 1920s design and quirkiness is still in tact. The rooms are all air conditioned, with satellite TV, minibars and safes as standard, and have a nice selection of period hardwood furniture. The Ambos Mundos Hotel's rooftop restaurant has a lovely atmosphere, offers splendid views over Havana and makes for a perfect evening - though for those looking for a drink and a little entertainment, the hotel's piano bar will be more suitable.

There's a reason this distinguished building was held in such regard by Hemingway, and travellers to this day cannot help but fall for the charm and character of the Havana's Ambos Mundos Hotel, Cuba.