Hotel Armadores de Santander boutique hotel in Habana Vieja, Cuba

On a corner on Havana’s Avenida del Puerto stands the majestic Armadores de Santander Hotel, which architectural style and decoration resemble the buildings from that beautiful maritime province in Spain.

Santander's coat of arm decorates the facade of the edifice.

Big lanterns, like those used in ancient vessels, hang from the ceiling in the spacious porch.

The hotel consists of three buildings (painted in different colors).

Two of them are numbered 356 and 358 on San Pedro St., and a third one is numbered 2 and 4 on Luz St.

The latter is the main building of the hotel. The first edifice is eclectic, and the second one is neoclassic, with a Roman facade and Corinthian columns. Both were built in the 19th century.

The initials J.C. are printed on the main door, after the constructor and proprietor of the building, José Cabrero Mier.

The hotel’s name comes from the fact that many "armadores" (ship-owners) from Santander, including the Count of La Mortera, who owned a fleet of ships that transported goods and troops between that Spanish city and Cuba, had their offices in the building.

Nearby places of interest: Saint Francis of Assisi Square, Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi, Museum of Religious Art, Museum of Rum, Cafe Taberna "Benny Moré", Mesón de la Flota Restaurant, Plaza Vieja (Old Square), Santo Angel Restaurant, House of Alexander V. Humboldt, Church of San Francisco de Paula, Convent of Saint Claire.

Nearest airport: Havana's "José Martí" International Airport, 20 Km / 12.42 miles.