The Santa Isabel commands a glorious spot at one end of pretty Plaza de Armas square. The grand colonial building was once inhabited by the Count of Santovenia, and many period details remain, including beamed ceilings, crystal chandeliers, velvet couches and brass beds. Breakfast can be taken directly on the Plaza de Armas or in the hotel's lovely courtyard under palms and beside a gift shop selling cigars. Sting, Jack Nicholson and various other celebrities have stayed here while visiting Havana, and it was once the nicest boutique property in town.

The best rooms are those with balconies and views—through stained-glass windows—of the Plaza de Armas. As in all of Old Havana's hotels, beds, bedding and bathrooms leave much to be desired, and lighting in the rooms is abysmal. Upgrades at the Saratoga, Parque Central and San Felipe Y Santiago de Bejucal have all raised the bar, so hopes are that the Santa Isabel soon follows suit.

With spectacular views of both Havana and the Gulf of Mexico, Melia Cohiba is a touch of modern luxury sitting on the edge of preserved Old Havana. One of the top choices for travelers who desire a large hotel with lots of amenities and services, the rooms are bright, comfortable and well appointed, though furnishings are dated and, on occasion, a bit musty. “The Level,” the most exclusive section of the hotel, offers its own reception and lounge and the suites have panoramic views of the coast, a spacious layout and personalized service. WiFi is complimentary on this level, which is a rarity in Cuba. (Wifi is expensive and slow throughout the rest of the hotel.)

Guests can choose from seven restaurants and four bars, which serve both Cuban and international cuisines. Music lovers will enjoy Habana Café’s live music and shows, and cigar aficionados will love Casa del Habano, which offers a superb cigar selection as well as cocktails. The pool is surrounded by palm trees and palapas, and drinks and snacks are served poolside. The hotel also boasts a fitness room, beauty salon and spa as well as a squash court.

The original wing of Old Havana's important Parque Central occupies an historic building on the Central Park. The best rooms, in fact, face the park and the Gran Teatro de la Habana.

Inside however, there is a distinct lack of historic design elements; in fact the lobby atrium most closely resembles a 1980s Hyatt. The 427 guest rooms are also missing a sense of place or charm but they do feature basic comforts such as mini-bars, TVs with international channels and modern bathrooms. The best guest rooms are in the hotel's newest tower, which is accessible only through a strange interior hallway.

The hotel has a bar and restaurant on the main floor and a small fitness room on the top floor. There is also a rooftop pool with gorgeous city views, a bar and food service.

Managed by the Spanish hospitality group Iberostar, the hotel offers some of the most reliable service in the city. Many educational groups, like Harvard and Stanford alumni tours, stay in the Parque Central and have come to trust their staff and standards.

San Felipe Y Santiago de Bejucal is set on the Plaza San Francisco in a Baroque building that was once the home of the Marques de San Felipe y Santiago. It has since housed Havana's Historic Preservation Society offices.

The grand, significant mansion has been tastefully converted into an intimate hotel that merges historic details with contemporary Cuban art and architecture. Every one of the 27 rooms features furniture and art by Cuban artists and sleek modern bathrooms. There is a terrace on the roof and a bar and restaurant on the first floor, but there is no pool nor gym.

The best rooms are the four suites facing the square. These rooms, however, have large bathtubs at one end, so those who like more of a division between bathing and sleeping areas will prefer a standard room.