Sam Allen
Google
**DO NOT STAY HERE**
My partner and I recently visited Havana, Cuba, fulfilling a lifelong dream for both of us. Unfortunately, our stay at Hotel Telegrafo was nothing short of a disappointment from the moment we arrived.
Although the check-in process was smooth, things quickly went downhill. Hungry after a long flight, we attempted to order food on the terrace, only to be outright refused by the staff multiple times. When we raised this with the manager, his dismissive response was “We’ve had a busy day.” He then proceeded to charge us £25 for two cheese sandwiches and a can of soft drink, a truly shocking level of service.
The state of the hotel itself was appalling. The building felt like it was on the verge of collapse, with dirty, stained floors and decor that was virtually nonexistent. The lift felt unsafe, and the rooms were dated beyond expectation, with stained pillows and an uncomfortable bed. To make matters worse, our “view” consisted of back alleys that only reflected dire poverty and despair, not the vibrant Havana scenery we’d hoped for.
Breakfast was the only meal we attempted at the hotel, and it was a disaster. While we understood the country's food crisis, the poor presentation, constant flies in and on the food and indifferent staff attitude made for an embarrassing experience. To add to our unease, the lack of hotel security was glaring, as people loitered outside trying to lure guests away.
The advertised rooftop pool and bar were a particular letdown. The bar was never open, and the pool resembled a puddle more than anything else. Even basic amenities like towels and toilet paper had to be repeatedly requested.
Our four-day stay at Hotel Telegrafo was disappointing from start to finish, and we were relieved to leave. The hotel not only failed to meet its advertised standards but also made us question the safety and hospitality of our overall trip.