Schwarzerstein
Google
Truth be told, we have stayed at better casas throughout our trip in Cuba, but nowhere compared to the family feeling and the personal warmth they extended to us during our stay there.||||Carlos was exceptionally friendly and considerate and his pre-arrival emails prepared us for a smooth check-in and he informed us of everything that we needed to be aware of. Casa Carlos Gil Lemes is located on one of Trinidad's major thoroughfares, about 2-min. walk from the Iberostar Grand Hotel, and the major sight Plaza Mayor is not that far away either. The casa was one of the earliest in town and also featured in Lonely Planet. However, with the rapid emergence of casa particulares, as its current Tripadvisor ranking indicates, the place has lost some of its charm over the years. There starts to appear other casas which are better equipped, more recently renovated, and probably more professionally run, as we can testify through our stays elsewhere, yet this was the most homie experience we had throughout our entire trip.||||The entire family lives in this historical house, and only Carlos speaks English. The family had a proud history prior to the revolution. Carlos' parents were so lovely they reminded me of my grandpa and grandma. Sr. Gil Lemes did not speak a word of English yet he was always smiling and sometimes he even brought out newspaper and tried to share with me what he learned in today's news. Other times, I'd say hi to Sr. Gil Lemes and his wife on my way out to explore the town or coming back to the casa while they were people-watching. This was arguably the only place where I did not feel like staying in another bed & breakfast but was staying with a local family.||||The house was a late 19th century creation with a courtyard and a proper function. Sometimes when people visit and/or the guests (such as us) took an interest in the fountain, Sr. Gil Lemes would actually turn on the fountain to show how it works. Given that this place was more like a home stay, it showed signs of wear and the real living conditions of Cuban families.||||At the time of our stay, the main guest room was still under renovation, so we were put into the room without bathroom. The guest room was decently sized and clean, with one double bed and a single bed next to it. The bathroom was 2-3 rooms down the alley next to the kitchen and dining room. It was very very basic but clean. To put it simply, it would not be what you expect from most casa particulares, with everything a bit worn and outdated. ||||Breakfast was on par with what other casas offer but felt a bit closer to what Cubans might really eat. Carlos was always ready to help and happy to recommend places to go. What I appreciated was how he always kept our best interests at heart, trying to help us economize, pointing us to places where we would like, etc. We only learned in the morning of our departure that Carlos has some trustworthy friends dealing cigars at great prices so we missed that opportunity, which is something future guests might be able to entertain.||||All in all, Casa Carlos Gil Lemes was not the best casa we stayed at in Cuba in terms of amenities, but it was a special place to us because of the family and the personal touch. We wish them all the best in the future and I am sure the casa will catch up in terms of amenities and comfort as well once the long overdue renovation is done. We look forward to coming back to this place when we visit Cuba again.
