View from Havana’s Santa Isabel Hotel

Photo Report by Elio Delgado

Havana Bay with the town of Regla in the background.
Havana Bay with the town of Regla in the background.

HAVANA TIMES, Jan. 29 — Overlooking Havana’s Plaza de Armas stands the Hotel Santa Isabel, in its entire splendor.

Converted to a hotel 1867, this former mansion of the counts of Santovenia was restored in March 1997, exhibiting a vast array of its original architectural elements.

On the top floor is the watchtower, from which one can appreciate Havana Bay, or the former fishing villages of Regla and Casa Blanca, the Castillo de la Real Fuerza colonial fortress and the baroque Palacio de los Capitanes Generales, which today is the city museum.

From the hotel, one can also look down onto the picturesque patio of the Ruben Martinez Villena Library and the alluring gardens of the Plaza de Armas.

In this square numerous booksellers as well as open-air concerts of traditional Cuban and Spanish music every Friday.  From the rooftop terrace, one can enjoy flavorful and refreshing drinks and an engaging sunset.

Click on the tumbnails below to view all the photos in this gallery

Main entrance to the Santa Isabel Hotel.
Portal in front of the Santa Isabel Hotel.
View of the Templete.
View of Havana Bay.
The Ferry that crosses Havana Bay to Regla.
Building on the left side of the Santa Isabel Hotel, behind is the port seawall.
The Emblamatic Castillo de la Fuerza, behind is the Morro lighthouse at the entrance to Havana Bay.
Panoramic View of Obispo St. with the Capitanes Generales Park in the foreground.
Obispo St. with booksellers. At the end of the street is the Santa Isabel Hotel.
View from the lookout of the Capitantes Generales Plaza.
Colonial Patio of the Ruben Martinez Villena public library.
Behind the hotel is a ruin converted into a cafeteria.
Right side of the hotel on Baratillo St.
Havana Bay with Casablanca and the Christ viewpoint in the background.
Interior patio of the Santa Isabel Hotel.
Castillo de la Fuerza, entrance to Havana Bay and the Morro Lighthous and San Carlos de la Cabaña Fortress.
Viewpoint bar of the Santa Teresa Hotel.
Havana Bay with the town of Regla in the background.
Havana Bay with the town of Regla in the background.
Baratillo St. with the El Galeon Tavern and the Casa del Café.
View of the Santa Teresa Hotel with the viewpoint above. In the foreground booksellers.

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