Hotel in Old Havana, Havana, Havana
Hotel Sevilla
A historic Moorish-style hotel built in 1908 where Graham Greene set part of 'Our Man in Havana.' The rooftop restaurant offers spectacular views over the city and the Malecon beyond.
Hotel Sevilla is a landmark Moorish Revival building at Trocadero 55 in Old Havana, one block from Parque Central and the Prado boulevard. Opened in 1908, the hotel takes its name and its distinctive Andalusian aesthetic from the Seville region of southern Spain, with intricate Moorish tile work, carved plasterwork, and arched loggias decorating the ground floor and public areas. The Sevilla's fame rests partly on its literary connections: Graham Greene used it as the fictional setting for much of his 1958 novel "Our Man in Havana," naming the hotel explicitly and depicting its rooftop restaurant as the stage for several pivotal scenes.
The hotel was renovated extensively in the 1990s and has been operated under the NH Hotel Group portfolio. Its 178 rooms and suites are distributed across seven floors, with room categories ranging from Standard to Junior Suite. Rooms feature in-room minibar, safe, and satellite television; upper-floor rooms on the north-facing side offer partial views toward the Malecón seafront. Colonial-style furnishings and tiled floors maintain the building's period character throughout.
The rooftop restaurant and bar is the hotel's standout feature — a seventh-floor terrace with panoramic views of the city, the Capitolio dome, and the Havana harbor mouth on clear days. The restaurant serves Cuban and international cuisine and is open to non-guests, making it a popular destination for visitors not staying at the Sevilla. A ground-floor lobby bar operates throughout the day.
A small outdoor pool on the building's inner terrace is available to hotel guests, alongside a modest fitness area. The hotel's proximity to Parque Central means the Gran Teatro de La Habana, El Capitolio, the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, and the Museo de la Revolución are all accessible on foot within 15 minutes. Concierge services include classic-car city circuits, tobacco factory visits, and day trips to Viñales and Varadero.
Hotel Sevilla's mid-range price point, prime Old Havana location, and literary credentials make it consistently popular with independent travelers and first-time visitors to Havana.
Amenities
- Pool
- Restaurant
- Bar
- WiFi
- Gym
Location
Trocadero 55, Old Havana
Highlights
- Graham Greene literary connection
- Rooftop restaurant with city views
- Historic Moorish architecture
- Excellent location
Tips
- The rooftop restaurant is open to non-guests and is one of the best elevated dining experiences in central Havana; reservations are recommended during the high season.
- Ask hotel staff about the Graham Greene connection; the ground-floor areas display photographs and memorabilia relating to the period of Greene's stay and the writing of 'Our Man in Havana.'
- Upper-floor rooms on the north side offer partial views toward the Malecón; request these when booking to maximize the view from the room.
- The hotel is one block from the Prado boulevard, Havana's tree-lined promenade — a pleasant morning walk south leads toward the Malecón and the sea.
- The small inner-terrace pool receives good sun in the late morning and is best used before tour groups return in the early afternoon.
FAQ
What is the connection between Hotel Sevilla and Graham Greene?
Graham Greene's 1958 spy novel 'Our Man in Havana' features Hotel Sevilla as a central location, with the rooftop restaurant depicted explicitly in several key scenes. Greene is believed to have stayed at the hotel while researching the book, and the Sevilla's Moorish atmosphere informed much of its Cuban setting.
Is Hotel Sevilla's rooftop restaurant open to non-guests?
Yes. The rooftop restaurant is accessible to non-guests and is a popular dining destination for travelers exploring Old Havana. Reservations are recommended during the November–April high season.
How does Hotel Sevilla compare to nearby luxury properties?
Hotel Sevilla is a four-star mid-range property priced significantly below the nearby Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski and Iberostar Parque Central. It offers strong location value and historic character, with more modest room standards than the five-star properties on Parque Central.
Does Hotel Sevilla have a swimming pool?
The hotel has a small outdoor pool on the inner terrace, available to hotel guests. It is modest in scale compared to the rooftop pools at nearby properties but is a useful amenity during warm-weather stays in Havana.
Accessibility
Hotel Sevilla is a historic 1908 building with elevator access to most floors; some ground-floor and common areas have steps and uneven tiled surfaces consistent with the building's Moorish design. Wheelchair-accessible rooms with adapted bathrooms are available on request, and staff can assist guests with specific access requirements.