THE HOTEL

The Hotel Habana Libre occupies an area about 90 thousand square meters. The total height of the building is 126 meters above the ground.

It has 630 rooms and 42 suites, distributed to the 25 floors above the large lobby and the mezzanine. Two levels below the ground floor are occupied by the closed car parking with a capacity of about 500 cars.

The hotel has three restaurants and three bars. The restaurant Polinesio was put to service as a chain of the American Trader Vic’s in 1958. Trader Vic’s is a Polynesian-themed restaurant chain, headquartered in California. When the Hotel Hilton Habana was nationalized, the Trader Vici’s of the hotel changed its name to Polinesio. Today, much of the original Trader Vic’s exotic-themed decoration is preserved in Polinesio that still operates with the original Tiki bar concept, serving especially rum-based cocktails. The restaurant El Barracón is specialized in Italian and Cuban food, whereas the restaurant Las Antillas in Creole food. In front of the hotel there is also the Cafetería La Rampa.

The Casa del Habano, located in the lobby, has an area of 160 square meters that makes it the largest Casa del Habano in Cuba. La Casa del Habano is an internationally registered trademark, owned by Corporación Habanos SA. In this place you can taste your favorite Cuban cigar without being disturbed, get the vitola that pleases you and keep it in the appropriate humidor until your next visit, or simply accompany your Cuban cigar with a good Cuban rum or a freshly brewed Cuban coffee.

The 25. floor is occupied by the Sierra Maestra Panoramic Room that offers an incomparably attractive view of important places in the city and the bay, and the Disco Cabaret Turquino. The Disco Cabaret Turquino has glass all around and a retractable roof. When everyone hits the dance floor around midnight, the roof slides back and everybody dances under the light of the moon and the brightness of the stars. There is often a popular band and disco following the cabaret show; consequently, the decoration is definitely disco. It is open from 22:00 to 04:00 (for reservation call (+53) 7 8346100).

The building is enriched by several plastic artworks.

The mural by Amelia Peláez, called La Frutas Cubanas (the Cuban Fruits), is mounted over the main entrance in front of the hotel. This giant work that is about 70 meters in length and occupies an area of about 670 square meters, was made according the sketch of Amelia Peláez in 1957. It consists of tesserae (small colored glass pieces). The artist restricted the chromatic range to white, black, gray and nine gradations of blue. However, it was dismounted only a year after the opening of the hotel, as many of the tesserae came loose. It was restored in cooperation with Mexico and inaugurated in 1997. The preparation and assembly of the mural were directed by the Italian Luis Schodeller at a cost of 300 thousand dollars.

The mural by René Portocarrero, called Historia de las Antilles, consists of glazed terracotta tiles. It was made in 1957. It is placed at the mezzanine bar, overlooking the pool terrace.

The mural by the sculptor Alfredo Sosabrova, called Carro de la Revolución (Car of the Revolution) is located on the mezzanine, just at the entrance of the Buffet restaurant. It is made of about 550 glazed red clay pieces that were modeled by hand. The artist completed his work in 1973. It corresponds to the modern avant-garde of the 20th century.

The electroacoustic fountain, called Clepsydra, was mounted in the lobby; unfortunately, it is moved from there. It is the work of the sculptor Rita Longa. Clepsydra is an ancient device for measuring time by the gradual flow of water (water clock). The sculptural work is made of metal and glass. A few seconds before giving the hour, the music of the composer Juan Blanco is heard, while the bottom of the pond is illuminated, and water starts to come out of the jets. Suddenly music stops, and another sound is heard, while the water comes out of one of the twelve plates, indicating each hour. The lights slowly fade and only the plate indicating the time remains on.

Apart from these artworks, many paintings of prestigious Cuban painters decorate the walls, whereas the works by renowned potters, sculptors and craftsmen are also placed in the halls, corridors and the hotel rooms.