“The only worthy autograph of a person is that he leaves his works in writing”
Jose marti
What could be more attractive for a traveler who is an art lover than to book and stay in hotels with their most artistic heritage. When someone wanders around the numerous hotels in Cuba, beautiful artwork overrun their eyes with their magnificence and authenticity.
Nacional de Cuba is a landmark hotel that preserves architectural and decorative splendor that has fascinated visitors for more than seven decades. Announced by the National Monument for its generic value in 1988, in its recognized 426 rooms, amazing lounges and modern comfort, this hotel displays great value, including the oil landscape of Enrique Domingo Ramos.
The property is filled with columns and arches, which show a unique fusion of neoclassical and neocolonial designs with art deco. Some rooms still have original flooring, beds and furniture from the 1930s. In fact, there is a historic floor where many celebrities left their presence, for example, Ava Gardner, Johnny Weissmuller and Bola de Niva.
When you walk around the busy corner of 23 and L in the area of El Vedodo, there is always a work of art that attracts attention. This is a stunning painting by Amelia Pelaez on the facade of the Tryp Habana Libre Hotel (formerly Havana Hilton). This object, opened in the late fifties, contains an extensive collection of contemporary Cuban art, which includes Clipsidra, Rita Longhi's sculpture in the foyer and paintings, renamed artists such as René Portocarrero, Mariano Rodriguez, Servando Cabrera and Alfredo Sosabravo.
Since 2007, this modern hotel has added a wall painting made by artists from the project “Somos lo que hay Project”, a beautiful fresco that was placed in the lobby. It brings together artists of different generations and aesthetics, such as Nelson Dominguez, Lian and Lee Dominguez Fong, Esteban and Alejandro Leyva, Ever-Fonseca, Ernesto García Peña, Eduardo Roca, Juan Moreira, Alicia Leal, Javier Guerra, Sandor González , Hermino Escalona, Vicente R. Bonaché, Kik Wong, Enrique de la Ouse, Rafael Perez Alonso, Eduardo Abela and Mayito González.
Among the hotels in Havana on the Havana Riviera are also offered valuable works of art. This hotel, built in the style of “born in the fifties”, is located next to the sea wall of Havanana (malecón), has an original architectural structure. The magnificent sculptures and duomas of the great Florencio Gelabert were restored, as well as the internal painting on the painting by López Diruba, the witch remains the artistic heritage of the hotel.
The Melia Cohiba Hotel recognized the work of some of Cuba’s best contemporary artists. This luxurious object is recognized for its outstanding decoration, which presents works by famous artists Flora Fong, Lopez Oliva and Zayda del Rio.
If you are looking for a colonial atmosphere in your sample in Cuba, there are wonderful hotels in Old Havana that boast a classic atmosphere and a rich cultural heritage. In this place of Cuba, art lovers can enjoy the charming ancestral places, the colonial and eclectic architecture of their buildings and the fusion of various styles.
The Sevilla Hotel is one of these accommodations that have retained their priceless artistic heritage. Visitors who are looking for historically interesting objects will be happy with this object because it is one of the oldest hotels in Havana (established in March 2008, turned into 100 people) with excellent furnishings in a large spacious lobby and rooms.
This traditional and classic property demonstrates a truly Spanish atmosphere, which can be appreciated as the hotel displays various architectural and decorative elements of the noticeable influence of Mudejar. The traveler will immediately notice this, looking into the intricate facade. Some of the hotel’s artistic features are the Jakopi sculptures and the Aldeana portrait by Ramos Martinez.
On the other hand, the Hotel Inglaterra, opened in 1875, is one of the oldest hotels in the city, and this is another excellent example of Cuban hotels related to the visual arts. Due to its preservation, relations with history and national culture, the Hotel Inglarra was declared a national monument in 1981. Travelers will discover part of Cuba’s heritage on this site.
Contrasts of different architectural styles and designs will be interesting. The building has a beautiful neoclassical facade, and the interior decor recreates the atmosphere of the colonial period with a strong Mudejar spirit. The interior spaces are decorated with magnificent stained glass windows, colorful mosaics, Spanish heraldic symbols, window bars and luxuriously decorated ceilings that confirm the eclectic tension of this city and its period. There is also a beautiful sculpture "La sevillana" Perinata, which symbolizes the Spanish dancer and collective paintings. In addition, if you stay there, you will find out that Cuban artists have designed a menu every 3 months for this hotel.
Hotel Plaza is one of the attractive options for those who recognize the value of the colonial era hotel, which retains its glamor at the turn of the century. Opened in 1909, the Plaza boasts an attractive facade and incredibly beautiful lounges that return us on time. Most visitors can not fail to notice the impressive lobby with an elegant bronze chandelier. Other attractive features of this classic hotel are its colonial courtyard, a picturesque fountain from the same period, abundant vegetation, exotic birds, sculptures and colorful stained glass windows.
Hotel Raquel is another interesting offer in Old Havana hotels, which reflects the Jewish flavor. This intimate building demonstrates Art Nouveau style and expressive eclectic architecture, while some of its spaces allegorically evoke Hebrew culture. It also exhibits magnificent artistic features, such as the majestic ground floor sculpture and beautiful marble columns. In addition, this hotel has impressive stained glass windows. All hotel floors and rooms are decorated with works of prestigious Cuban artists.
But if you prefer a house with a postmodern talent, visit the Hotel Parque Central, which combines colonial and modern architectural styles. This unique complex is full of tropical woodwork and lush greenery, and some of its acquisitions include pieces of the best contemporary artists of Cuba, such as Sosabravo, Flora Fong and Adigio Benitez.
Hotel Santa Isabel, the former mansion of the Counts of Santovenia, also houses plastic Cuban artists. pieces and pieces in rooms and lounges to recreate the elegant atmosphere of the 19th Cuban century. The facade of the hotel serves a colonial flavor, in which colorful stained glass windows are the main part of the decor. Its halls are decorated with lamps, vases and drawings of great value. The entire ornament forces the visitor to be transported back in time.
Art lovers can also find generic works of art elsewhere in Cuba. Only a few rooms, on the beach of Varadero, Hotel Varadero Internacional features a fountain of 1950 and a marble and stone table surrounded by walls decorated with beautiful paintings. Hotel Jagua in the province of Cienfuegos offers its guests the opportunity to enjoy beautiful views of the Gulf of Cienfuegos or the green nature of Sierra del Escambraya, and also offers beautiful décor featuring porcelain vases, a Mudejar-style bronze lamp and a painting by Aldo Menendez González to catch any visitor’s eye.
In the hot city of Santiago de Cuba, the Casa Granda Hotel has a marble statue of Venus, and the El Colony Hotel at the International Dive Center in Isla de la Juventud (Youth Island) features Rita Longhi sculptures and beautiful E. paintings. Garcia Mata, who represents “treasure island” with colorful pirates.
So, if art is your business, and you plan to visit Cuba, you can live the cultural experience of Cuban art in your own house. Just drop and discover these inner treasures in the hotels of Cuba.
