Hotel in Matanzas, Cuba
Hotel E Velasco
Contemporary hotel in Matanzas overlooking the bay. Modern comfort with local art, rooftop terrace, and excellent base for exploring beyond tourist trail.
Hotel E Velasco is a contemporary mid-range hotel on Calle Contreras 79 in central Matanzas, a city in the northern coastal province of the same name approximately 100 km east of Havana and 30 km west of Varadero. Matanzas — historically known as the "Athens of Cuba" for its nineteenth-century cultural and literary heritage — is an undervisited city that rewards travelers willing to venture beyond the Varadero resort corridor. Hotel E Velasco is part of the E Hotels collection operated by Cubanacán, Cuba's state tourism enterprise, which has renovated a series of heritage buildings in provincial cities as contemporary boutique properties.
The hotel offers guest rooms decorated with commissioned Cuban artwork and contemporary furnishings, a design approach that sets the E Hotels collection apart from the standard state hotel aesthetic. Rooms have air conditioning, WiFi, and private bathrooms; bay-view rooms on the upper floors offer sweeping panoramas across the Bahía de Matanzas and the low hills of the surrounding province. The rooftop terrace is the hotel's most distinctive amenity — it functions as a bar and social space, and on clear evenings provides one of the finest views in any Cuban provincial city.
A ground-floor restaurant serves Cuban and international cuisine with an emphasis on fresh local ingredients, and the bar offers cocktails, local rum, and light snacks throughout the day. The hotel's location on Calle Contreras places guests within walking distance of the Teatro Sauto — one of the finest nineteenth-century theatres in Cuba — and the Museo Histórico Provincial, as well as the river neighborhoods and historic bridges along the Río San Juan and Río Yumurí that give Matanzas much of its distinctive character.
The hotel concierge team can arrange excursions to the Cuevas de Bellamar cave system (5 km), the Río Canímar canyon, and day trips to Varadero beach, all within 30 minutes. Matanzas is also an entry point for visitors to the Bay of Pigs (Playa Girón), approximately 120 km to the south via the Zapata Peninsula.
Amenities
- rooftop terrace
- restaurant
- bar
- WiFi
- bay views
Visit / Book / Contact
- Phone: +53 45 290380
Location
Calle Contreras 79, Matanzas, Cuba
23.0417, -81.5778 — View on map
Highlights
- Rooftop terrace bar with panoramic views across the Bahía de Matanzas and surrounding province
- Contemporary design with commissioned Cuban artwork in a Cubanacán E Hotels heritage property
- Base for exploring Matanzas, the 'Athens of Cuba,' away from the Varadero resort circuit
- Walking distance from the Teatro Sauto and Matanzas's historic river neighborhoods and bridges
Tips
- Request an upper-floor bay-view room at check-in for the best panorama across the Bahía de Matanzas
- The Teatro Sauto is one of Cuba's finest colonial theatres — check the performance schedule and buy tickets at the door
- Varadero beach is 30 km east — an easy day trip by taxi or rental car if a beach day is needed
- The Cuevas de Bellamar cave system is 5 km from the hotel; guided tours run throughout the morning
- Matanzas is quieter than Havana and Varadero — a good base for travelers seeking an off-the-tourist-trail experience
FAQ
Why visit Matanzas rather than staying in Varadero?
Matanzas offers an authentic urban Cuban experience largely untouched by resort tourism. The city has remarkable heritage architecture, a storied music history as the birthplace of the danzón and rumba, and cave systems and river valleys within easy reach. Hotel E Velasco is one of few quality accommodation options in the city.
How far is Hotel E Velasco from Varadero and Havana?
Varadero is approximately 30 km east of Matanzas, about 30 minutes by car. Havana is roughly 100 km to the west, around 1.5 hours by road. The hotel is well-positioned as a base between both destinations.
Does the hotel have a swimming pool?
Hotel E Velasco does not have a swimming pool. The rooftop terrace is the primary outdoor amenity. Varadero's beaches are accessible as a day trip approximately 30 km away.
What are the best sites to see in Matanzas?
The Teatro Sauto, the Museo Histórico Provincial, the Puente de la Concordia, and the river neighborhoods along the Río San Juan and Río Yumurí are the top cultural attractions. The Cuevas de Bellamar cave system and Río Canímar canyon are popular half-day excursions nearby.
Accessibility
Hotel E Velasco is in a renovated heritage building in central Matanzas. Elevator access and accessible room availability should be confirmed with the hotel directly, as heritage building configurations vary. The immediate neighborhood involves some uneven paving typical of Cuban provincial city centers.