Hotel Telegrafo boutique hotel in Havana, Cuba

Cuba’s oldest hotel, the establishment first opened its doors to the public around 1860, some years after the first telegraphic station was created in the country (the property’s name may in fact have been inspired by this).

Moved to its present location in 1888, by around 1914 the hotel rooms and restaurant boasted telephones that afforded guests both national and international services, at a time when even public restrooms were a rare and novel luxury. The creation of a third floor in 2001, when the hotel officially re-opened for business, marks the culmination not only of restoration efforts begun in the late 90s but also of the vertical expansion of the building, which was originally one-storey high.

Standing at the intersection of Prado and Neptuno, the hotel is a short walk away from the seawall, close to several and renowned places of interest in Old Havana – the Capitolio is practically next door – and well located for an exploration of the colonial part of the city. Inside, only the high ceilings and supporting arches offer an inkling of the establishment’s past: the lobby, re-done in a colorful, eclectic style and tastefully appointed with modern furnishings, has the feel of modish art gallery. The style carries over to the large snack bar, where the remains of tall, brick arches (retained from the original structure) contrast artfully with the newer décor.

The spacious rooms, too, have been modernized and are comfortably appointed (only some have the preserved remains of original walls).

Though the hotel guest list includes a number of interesting personalities and figures (such as archeologist Heinrich Schliemann, credited with the discovery of the city of Troy), the privileged location and robust facilities (including a classy restaurant) will likely be more appealing to guests than the establishment’s history.