For travellers in search of inspiration, TripAdvisor publishes an annual list of the ten most popular destinations in the world. More than 260 million users of the travel community have highlighted some of the places that have impressed them most.
From thousands of built-up cities, deserted places, natural landscapes and pristine beaches, TripAdvisor chose Havana as the top destination with the highest increase in positive comments and interest from tourists in 2013.
The Cuban capital, a city oozing with history and culture, captures your imagination like no other. The urban glamour of the 50s intertwines with a carefully preserved colonial area in a wealth of contrasting colours. The long and lively sea wall known as the Malecón, an avenue stretching for 8 kilometres, running parallel to the sea; the Historical Centre of Old Havana, with its cobblestones, churches and horse-drawn carriages; the traditional popular music that can be heard on every corner, the outdoor fairs and all-night parties, are just some of the attractions that draw visitors to this charming city
Meliá Hotels International could not have chosen a better place in which to run three of its finest establishments in Cuba. Five star hotels with strategic locations, stunning views, excellent cuisine and cigar stores, benefiting from the art of good service.
The Meliá Cohiba, is a stylish, majestic building in the middle of Vedado, the modern part of the city. Boasting panoramic views of the sea, thanks to its proximity to the popular promenade of the Malecón, it is excellently located in the area of all the events and sites relating to the city’s cultural life. The extreme comfort of its The Level, the ultimate in luxury and personalised service, as well as the entertainment provided by its Habana Café nightclub, combining contemporary design with a 50s feel, are what make this hotel so special.
The Tryp Habana Libre, one of the most iconic hotels in Havana, is situated in the heart of Vedado, with direct access to all of the capital’s major points of interest. Located in a city which has been a World Heritage Site since 1982, the hotel has witnessed some of the country’s major historical and cultural events. Its guests can choose from three excellent restaurants serving signature cuisine: “El Barracón”, which has successfully modernised the concept of typical Cuban cuisine, the “Polinesio”, the only one in the country to offer the finest dishes from Asian traditional cuisine, and the “Sierra Maestra”, with an unrivalled panoramic view of the capital, offers a menu based on imaginative haute cuisine, on a par with the finest gourmet dishes available in Mediterranean Europe.
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- Restaurante gourmet Sierra Maestra en el Tryp Habana Libre.
If we turn to the most chic area of the city, the home of embassies and large shopping centres, we will find the Meliá Habana. Right on the seafront, opposite the Miramar Business Centre, is a Five Star hotel with a difference, combining nature and comfort. It is renowned for its lobby with its tropical setting, its open areas and the largest swimming pool in the city. Its exclusive The Level, luxurious, comfortable and boasting unprecedented facilities and privacy, guarantees guests an exceptional stay.
The possibility of combining superior-level stays with the historical, cultural and economic attractions of Havana, makes Cuba a destination not to be missed. Whether you are dancing salsa in the purest Cuban style, visiting a cigar factory or sipping a mojito in one of the bars frequented by Hemingway, you will always be surrounded by the energy, joy and warmth of the people of Havana. Equally, the beauty of its architecture, its buildings and the treasures of its museums will draw you into its quiet and safe streets to explore every corner that makes these parts so unique and special.
