Hotel in Plaza de Armas, Havana, Havana
Hotel Habaguanex Santa Isabel
A magnificent boutique hotel in a restored 18th-century colonial palace facing Plaza de Armas. Just 27 rooms surround a gracious courtyard. Jimmy Carter and Jack Nicholson have stayed here. Considered one of the most charming hotels in the Caribbean.
Hotel Habaguanex Santa Isabel occupies an 18th-century colonial palace on the western edge of Plaza de Armas, Old Havana's oldest and most historically significant square. The building, formerly the palace of the Count of Santovenia, was constructed around 1700 and underwent extensive restoration in the 1990s under Habaguanex, the commercial enterprise responsible for rehabilitating Old Havana's historic properties. The resulting hotel, with just 27 rooms, is widely regarded as one of the most intimate and historically authentic luxury properties in the Caribbean.
Plaza de Armas — the cobblestoned square immediately outside — hosts a daily second-hand book market and is surrounded by the Palacio de los Capitanes Generales (now the City Museum), the Castillo de la Real Fuerza (the oldest fortress in the Americas), and the Palacio del Segundo Cabo. Guests at Hotel Santa Isabel step directly into this living UNESCO World Heritage zone, with the Malecón seafront a 10-minute walk north and the commercial Obispo pedestrian street two blocks south.
The hotel's 27 rooms — comprising Superior Rooms, Deluxe Rooms, and Junior Suites — are arranged on three floors around a gracious interior courtyard with a central fountain and tropical plantings. Rooms feature period-appropriate colonial furniture, high ceilings, marble floors, and wooden shutters opening onto plaza or courtyard views. Upper-floor rooms with balconies facing Plaza de Armas are the most coveted, offering views across the book market and palm trees toward the harbor.
Dining centers on Restaurante Santa Isabel, which serves Cuban and international cuisine in a formal colonial setting. A small bar adjacent to the restaurant provides cocktails and light snacks throughout the day. The hotel's service is tailored and personal, consistent with its boutique scale; the intimate size allows for attentive concierge support including arrangements for private city tours, tobacco and rum tastings, and access to Old Havana's lesser-known heritage spaces.
Jimmy Carter and Jack Nicholson are among the notable figures documented in the hotel's guest history. The property features consistently on lists of the finest historic hotels in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Amenities
- Restaurant
- Bar
- WiFi
- Courtyard
- Concierge
Location
Calle Baratiilo 9, Plaza de Armas
Highlights
- 18th-century palace setting
- Plaza de Armas views
- Intimate boutique atmosphere
- Central courtyard
Tips
- With only 27 rooms, Hotel Santa Isabel books up many months in advance for the November–April high season; reserve as early as possible for peak travel dates.
- Request an upper-floor room with a balcony facing Plaza de Armas; the view over the book market and the square at dawn and dusk is exceptional.
- The Plaza de Armas second-hand book market, directly outside the hotel, operates daily and is worth browsing for Cuban literature, vintage maps, and revolutionary-era memorabilia.
- The hotel concierge can arrange access to City Historian heritage programs including guided visits to restored palaces and artisan workshops not widely advertised to general visitors.
- The hotel's UNESCO World Heritage zone location puts most of Old Havana's major sites — Plaza Vieja, Plaza de la Catedral, Obispo Street — within a 10-minute walk.
FAQ
How many rooms does Hotel Habaguanex Santa Isabel have?
Hotel Santa Isabel has just 27 rooms, comprising Superior Rooms, Deluxe Rooms, and Junior Suites arranged across three floors around the central colonial courtyard. Its small scale is central to its appeal but means availability is limited and advance booking is essential.
Who has stayed at Hotel Santa Isabel?
The hotel's guest register includes Jimmy Carter, Jack Nicholson, and various heads of state. Its combination of historical authenticity, intimate scale, and prime Plaza de Armas location has made it a preferred choice for high-profile visitors to Havana.
Is the hotel suitable for families with children?
Hotel Santa Isabel's intimate scale and formal colonial atmosphere make it better suited to couples and individual travelers. Families with young children may find the relatively small rooms and formal setting less comfortable than larger properties offering dedicated family amenities and pools.
What is the significance of Plaza de Armas?
Plaza de Armas is Old Havana's oldest square, established in the 16th century as the administrative heart of Spanish colonial Cuba. It is surrounded by the Palacio de los Capitanes Generales (City Museum), the Castillo de la Real Fuerza, and the Templete memorial — all significant heritage sites within the UNESCO World Heritage zone.
Does Hotel Santa Isabel have a swimming pool?
Hotel Santa Isabel does not have a swimming pool; its amenities center on the colonial courtyard garden, restaurant, and bar. Guests seeking pool facilities should consider larger properties such as the Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski or Iberostar Parque Central nearby.
Accessibility
Hotel Santa Isabel is located in a restored 18th-century colonial palace with architectural constraints typical of historic buildings; elevator access reaches upper floors but some corridors and bathrooms have limited space and uneven stone surfaces. Guests with significant mobility requirements should contact the hotel in advance to discuss available accommodation and access arrangements.