• Central location in the heart of old Havana-opposite the Capitol building.
• Close to Hemmingway’s favourite Restaurant - Floridita.
• Original neoclassical façade from the 1930’s.
• Lovely rooftop terrace with pool and bar.
• Recently renovated, modern rooms
The Whole Story
The city has a very old fashioned smell, and I know that smell, it’s how Delhi used to smell before it became the Asian metropolis it is today. It was a good start that the smell told me Vieja Habana (Old Havana) is not yet spoiled. Just like the Hotel Saratoga. The history of the hotel dates back to the mid 1800s and has been an institution in the city for well over 100 years.
It was at its zenith in the Thirties when an all-girl swing band called Anacaona made the hotel one of Havana’s hotspots. Sadly it closed just after the revolution when the new government turned it into a boarding house. Now, with the city of Havana as a partner, this neoclassical pile just across the street from the impressive Capitolio and Teatro Nacional is starting to re-establish its importance in the old city.
It certainly has, without a doubt, the best view. From the rooftop restaurant and swimming pool you have a 200 and something degree view of the city. From the docks full of some very rusty ships to the entrance to the harbour just down the road, to the Dragones Square in front, even the city’s oldest and most famous Partagás cigar factory are bang in front of the hotel. The original building was nowhere near as tall. In 19th century Cuba everything was about the tobacco, so in typical fashion the ground floor would be for work areas and shops, the first floor would have been apartments and the top floor would have been rented rooms. Additional storeys were added later, and in the renovation of the building much thought was given to preserving the impression of this colonial heritage.
In its newly completed version, Saratoga brings a certain style from the Thirties to its contemporary interior. The restaurant is red and Moroccan, the atrium bar looks like it could still host the all-girl swing band. The rooms, particularly on the first floor where guests have the advantage of 30-foot high ceilings, feature long, slim louvered doors executed in Cuban mahogany. It’s a surprisingly stylish hotel, none of which is obvious from the exterior. Apart from the pool on the roof, which is a very sophisticated and welcome touch, they also must have one of the best located restaurants in the city with Old Havana stretching out below you
The Rooms
Saratoga Rooms
Saratoga Rooms have views of the National Capitol and Fraternity Park. The rooms have high ceilings and a colonial style, with Cuban tile floors and more traditional designs but also some modern furnishings.
Deluxe Patio Rooms
Deluxe Patio rooms overlook the courtyard with its glass skylight, and some rooms look onto the mezzanine. The decoration of the Deluxe Patio rooms features light colour shades with a touch of mahogany, marble and Cuban ceramic tile floors.