Malecon Havana Cuba
Malecon Havana is more than just Havana’s coastal boardwalk; it’s the pulse of all of Cuba and heritage of every Cuban. Strolling along its expansive sidewalk, lapped by waves, you´ll hear music, you’ll see lovers, you’ll see retirees mingling with young Reggaeton dancers trying out their latest acrobatic moves. An almost spiritual awakening and a perfect introduction to Cuba.
In many ways, the 8 km (5 miles) stroll along Havana’s Malecon will tell you more about Cuba than the best guide book can. It’s the melting pot of Cuban life condensed into a tiny stretch of picturesque esplanade. Its where Habaneros and Habaneras congregate, where you’ll meet your first Cuban friends and from where your lasting memories of Cuba will originate.
On this official website, you’ll learn more than you need to about Malecon Havana. The whole point is that you do the “walk” and get up-close and personal with Havana’s mythical Malecon.
Malecon Havana Hotel Riviera Habana
Hotel Riviera on Havana’s legendary Malecon Boulevard is, by star rating, slotted right between the 5 star Hotel Nacional de Cuba and the 3 Star Hotel Deauville. Nevertheless, Hotel Riviera Habana has something different on offer while still being firmly rooted on Havana’s Malecon. The Hotel Riviera Habana is the purest 50s style hotel from the total group of 4 hotels located on Malecon Havana. Its art deco design is completely intact, thankfully not having been removed during one of the hotels many refurbishments since it opened in December 1957.
The Gran Caribe Habana Riviera features 350 rooms, all of which afford guests unhindered views of Havana Malecon and the expansive ocean filled horizon. Because the hotel used to be a 1950s casino, conceived as a Las Vegas style escape by its original owner, mobster Meyer Lansky, today these previous gambling halls are employed as numerous authentic Cuban bars, amphitheaters for live concerts and, an ample shopping arcade, complete with boutiques and stores. Yes, the Hotel Riviera is a large hotel, yet it offers a nice mix of services, allied to huge ground level lounge area, complete with high domed ceilings. It’s the only hotel on the El Malecon that offers views of the chic neighborhoods of Miramar, which denotes the end of the Malecon and the start of Havana’s famous 5th avenue. Guests at Hotel Riviera Habana have the convenience of both collecting and returning their Cuba Car Rental vehicle at CubaCAR Hotel Riviera Habana.
A stay at Habana Riviera Hotel on Havana’s Malecon is sublime. Bring your garish 50s sunglasses though.
When you click “Reserve at Riviera Habana Hotel” you will be comparing rates and availability from all three possible sources:
- All major international suppliers of Hotel Riviera Malecon Havana
- The Cuban tourism ministry
- Direct with Hotel Riviera Habana itself
Our booking process is unique because it shows the best rate from all of these for Riviera hotel on the Malecon in Havana and the types of rooms available. Our Hotel Riviera on Malecon Havana rate comparison is an industry first for Cuban Hotels.
Once you’ve compared the rates, finalizing the booking at Riviera Hotel takes just seconds and an immediate confirmation is provided in real-time.
No Prepayment – No booking fees – No Charges
Malecon Havana Hotel Nacional de Cuba
Hotel Nacional de Cuba evokes the type of profound feelings that many hotels simply never attain. You see, the Hotel Nacional Havana is better than the sum of its services. Take its apparently 5 star rooms in isolation and you’ll be undoubtedly underwhelmed. Eat a meal at its 5 star restaurant and you’ll somehow feel that something’s lacking. Yet, time and time again, guests return to the hotel Nacional de Cuba because of its pure “chicness”, oozing with history. Simply put, you get to feel like you’re a legend.
Guests of the hotel Nacional de Cuba list as; Sir Winston Churchill, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Ernest Hemingway, Edward VIII (Prince of Wales), Jack Dempsey, Tom Mix, José Mujica, Buster Keaton, Emilio Roig, Amadeo Barletta, Rita Montaner, José Raúl Capablanca, Tito Guizart, Trío Matamoros, Ñico Saquito, Errol Flynn, and the mobsters Santos Traficante (godfather), Meyer Lansky, need we go on?
But Hotel Nacional de Cuba is featured here not because of its “who’s-who” list, but because its rear terrace, north facing rooms and outside patio bar afford guests some of the best views of Malecon Havana obtainable. Yes, we know, there’ll be some of you who say that Hotel Nacional de Cuba is not technically located on the Havana Malecon and, you’d be right. If we go by street address only, then Hotel Nacional de Cuba does not have the all important “Malecon” moniker. However, between Hotel Nacional de Cuba and the Malecon there’s a lot of nothingness. In fact, as you can see from the above photo, the only thing between its massive outdoor gardens and Havana’s Malecon is a waterfall which cascades down to? You guessed it, the Malecon.
Guests at Hotel Nacional de Cuba have the convenience of both collecting and returning their Cuba Car Rental vehicle at CubaCAR Hotel Nacional de Cuba.
Staying at Cuba’s most historic hotel, looking out onto Cuba’s most historic boulevard? Priceless.
When you click “Reserve at Nacional de Cuba Hotel” you will be comparing rates and availability from all three possible sources:
- All major international suppliers of Hotel Nacional de Cuba Malecon Havana
- The Cuban tourism ministry
- Direct with Hotel Nacional de Cuba itself
Our booking process is unique because it shows the best rate from all of these for Nacional de Cuba hotel in Malecon Havana and the types of rooms available. Our Nacional de Cuba Malecon Havana rate comparison is an industry first for Cuban Hotels.
Once you’ve compared the rates, finalizing the booking at Nacional de Cuba Hotel takes just seconds and an immediate confirmation is provided in real-time.
No Prepayment – No booking fees – No Charges
Malecon Havana Hotel Deauville
The Havana Malecon’s cheapest hotel, The Deauville turns out to be a gem, and not just because of its stunning location. As they say, it’s all about “location, location, location” and Hotel Deauville certainly ticks all the right boxes in this respect. With this prime location come the stunning and inimitable views of the Malecon Havana. If things couldn’t get better for Hotel Deauville, throw in an exclusive rooftop pool and Hotel Deauville just became the bargain hotel of Havana.
Want some exclusive photos of Malecon Havana? From East to West it overlooks the whole of the Malecon right to the Habana Riviera Hotel. Northward, your views are of the huge expansive ocean and the emblematic Morro Castle and lighthouse.
But, Hotel Deauville doesn’t just have the best views of Malecon Havana, allied to the lowest room price on this mythical oceanfront boulevard, it’s also just a few steps from the Old Colonial city of Havana’s Old Town, yet it’s also 10 minutes from the modern sections of Havana like Vedado and Nuevo Vedado.
Overall, Hotel Deauville encapsulates so many virtues, of course its primary being its location, yet its price belies its offerings and that’s why it’s probably the most economical yet intelligent way of staying on Malecon Havana.
Guests at Hotel Deauville have the convenience of both collecting and returning their Cuba Car Rental vehicle at CubaCAR Hotel Deauville.
When you click “Reserve at Deauville Hotel” you will be comparing rates and availability from all three possible sources:
- All major international suppliers of Hotel Deauville Malecon Havana
- The Cuban tourism ministry
- Direct with Hotel Deauville itself
Our booking process is unique because it shows the best rate from all of these for Deauville Hotel on Malecon Havana and the types of rooms available. Our Deauville Malecon Havana rate comparison is an industry first for Cuban Hotels.
Once you’ve compared the rates, finalizing the booking at Deauville Hotel takes just seconds and an immediate confirmation is provided in real-time.
No Prepayment – No booking fees – No Charges
Malecon Havana Hotel Terral
Hotel Terral Havana is the newest addition on the prime oceanfront real estate of the Malecon. For those wishing to stay in arguably Havana’s best hotel location, Hotel Terral on Malecon Havana could well be it.
Hotel Terral features just 14 rooms, each with amazing and unique views over the bay of Havana that only this special location can provide.
With its 4 star rating, chic address and large rooms, the Hotel Terral was sold out month after month just after its inauguration in 2012. Today, we have assured room allotments, allowing our website visitors to have preferential confirmations at Hotel Terral.
The divine panoramic views of Malecon Havana are in themselves unique. Blend these with the avant-garde 50s décor, luminous glass façade, large rooms and trendy furniture and guests are in for a real treat. Naturally, if you are a photographer hunting for the ultimate shots of Malecon Havana, staying at Hotel Terral is probably more of an obligation than a choice. Guests at Hotel Terral have the convenience of both collecting and returning their Cuba Car Rental vehicle at CubaCAR offices of CubaCAR Galeano y Concordia right behind the hotel.
When you click “Reserve at Terral Hotel” you will be comparing rates and availability from all three possible sources:
- All major international suppliers of Hotel Terral Malecon Havana
- The Cuban tourism ministry
- Direct with Hotel Terral itself
Our booking process is unique because it shows the best rate from all of these for Terral Hotel on Malecon Havana and the types of rooms available. Our Terral Malecon Havana rate comparison is an industry first for Cuban Hotels.
Once you’ve compared the rates, finalizing the booking at Terral Hotel takes just seconds and an immediate confirmation is provided in real-time.
No Prepayment – No booking fees – No Charges
Old American Cars on Malecon Havana
It’s what we dream about when we think of Cuba. Way before we arrive in Cuba, our thoughts wander, creating mental images of the legendary Malecon Havana and the Old American Cars driving along it. Somehow in our dreams these two images of Cuba unite all by themselves. When you do the Malecon Havana “walk” you’ll be spoiled for choice, as 100s of American cars drive past you. Was that a Chevrolet 49 or a 50s Belair? Maybe a Cadillac Convertible? The Old Car Club of Cuba is growing all the time.
Getting a ride in one of these beauties is as easy as hailing the word “Taxi!” from any place in Havana and, even easier on our beloved Malecon Boulevard, where they are passing by every few seconds. Walk from one end of Malecon Havana to the other, starting at Prado in Old Havana and ending at the Tunnel under the Almendares River and you’ll have covered 100% of Malecon Havana. Why not get an Old American Car back? Sound like plan?
Romance on Malecon Havana
Like a powerful invisible magnet, Malecon Havana has drawn generations of lovers to its walls. Couples walk while holding hands, others sit glaring into each other’s eyes and, another couple meet for the first time. Yes, Havana’s Malecon is synonymous with love and passion. Best of all, it’s the Cubans who think of it as a romantic venue. It is unclear if it’s the rhythmic motion of the sea, the sunsets or the tranquility but, Havana Malecon has united generations of Cubans and non-Cubans in a lasting loving embrace.
The naturalness of the venue and its close proximity to numerous outside patio bars, ice-cream parlors and, later on, nightclubs, makes Havana Malecon the center piece for; meeting, dating and wooing that special person.
Malecon Havana Architecture
Malecon Havana is the epitome of colonial style architecture and 50s style. While the whole of Cuban architecture has assimilated various outside influences over the last 600 years, mixing Moorish, Baroque, Art Deco and more, the Malecon Havana architecture is firmly placed within the last 18th and 19th centuries.
Ornate Arabesque Design and Colors
Successful Renovations of Havana Facades
Havana’s dilapidated buildings soon to be restored
Partly Restored Malecon Havana clashes with Old Look
Latent Potential of Havana’s Malecon taking shape
Havana’s Malecon at dusk is truly unique
Breathtaking Architecture continues in the interior of Havana Malecon Properties
Havana Malecon Building under initial restoration
Carnival on Malecon Havana
The Havana carnival usually starts around the end of July and continues on until mid August. The celebration dates back to the slave trade era and continues today featuring a traditional parade of colorful comparsas and floats down Malecon Havana.
Over 20 popular Cuban groups perform during the festivity at Havana carnival and the whole event is a hoot for tourists who happen to be in Havana.
As the night gets older the Havana Carnival gets decidedly “adult” in content. Provocative dancing, scantily clad Cuban bombshells and sensual tunes dominate the night and early hours of the morning. It gets "caliente" so you've been warned!
Malecon Havana Beach and Leisure Area
The office of Eusebio Leal, Havana’s Historian and CEO of Habanaguanex, is currently studying various plans to create a beach at the beginning of Havana’s Historic Malecon. Despite Cuba’s Tourism Ministry’s best efforts to promote other destination such as Varadero, Cayo Coco and the Jardines del Rey Archipelago, Havana and, of course, Colonial Old Havana continue to be the main tourism draw for the island. The lack of a beach in the city has drawn criticism from major tour operators and tourists alike.
It is known that Mr. Leal secretly visited the City of Paris during the summer of 2012. Every year the Paris city hall erects a fully fledged beach, complete with sand, parasols, games, and even beachside cafes on the Seine River. The success of this “summer only” metropolitan synthetic beach has been well documented since 2002. It is said to be the inspiration behind Eusebio Leal’s “Habana Malecon Playa” renderings shown here.
Will Malecon Havana have its own beach by 2020?
