Hotel Saint John’s

Hotel St John’s fairly narrow street-front implies a small-scale hotel, but look up and it actually soars above the streetscape with 14 stories. The property sits right beside nightlife hubs Calle 23 and La Rampa, so there’s always plenty of activity right outside. On one side of the hotel sits Café Sofia -- an unpretentious bar/cafe with great live Cuban music most nights. On the other, the hotel-owned Italian restaurant, and an open-air espresso bar that’s super popular with the locals. Sister establishment, Hotel Vedado, is just up the road. 

St John’s dated retro facade is not unusual for Cuba, but in this case it hints at a state of neglect within. The deep lobby lacks natural light, although walls in soft yellow and vibrant orange create warmth, along with wicker sofas and burnt orange cushions. The odd tropical plant adds welcome splashes of green. The lobby bar at the rear is adorned with black-and-white photos of vintage cars, and a piano suggests this spot, although nothing fancy, could be lively from time to time. There’s a nightclub on the top floor, which attracts random, and sometimes unsavory characters, according to guests who’ve stayed here -- so families with kids may be advised to stay elsewhere. 

Far and away the Hotel St John’s biggest draw is its excellent location. It's located in a central Havana spot, right in the heart of Vedado. It’s right off Calle 23 and the foot of La Rampa -- so bars, restaurants, and nightlife are in abundance. It’s a 10-minute walk to the iconic coastal stretch of the Malecon, and other walkable highlights include Hotel el Nacional (11 minutes) and Universidad de la Habana (nine minutes). Old Havana requires a drive -- about 13 minutes by car-- although taxis are easy to come by given this central, lively position. Reaching Jose Marti International Airport takes about 30 minutes by car.

Standard Rooms and Suites are arguably even more dated than common spaces, though they are brightly decorated in warm orange tones with tiled floors and heavy wood furniture. Big picture windows above beds let in lots of natural light and frame great uninterrupted views of the city and/or the sea. All rooms feature flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, phones, extra blankets, and safes -- although some guests complain these are faulty. Plain bathrooms are covered in white tiles, with marble-effect vanities and a selection of free toiletries; however unreliable hot water is a common issue. Suites feature bathtubs, while Standard Rooms simply offer shower stalls. Suites also feature separate living areas that are equipped with a second TV. Street-side rooms can endure traffic noise, so light sleepers should request rooms at the rear. Earplugs may also make sense as many guests report being bothered by late night music from the top-floor nightclub. 

On-site features are fairly limited. There is a pool, however it was closed during our visit; a new breakfast restaurant was also underway. In the meantime, a free buffet breakfast is provided at sister establishment, Hotel Vedado, about 150 feet up the road. The hotel owns an Italian restaurant right next door, and there’s also a lobby bar. A nightclub is located on the top floor, but some guests seem to think the crowd is rather questionable. On-site Wi-Fi is not provided, although guests can connect to it at Hotel Vedado.