Telégrafo Axel Hotel La Habana

The hotel is in a great location, right across from Central Park. However, be prepared for a less-than-pleasant experience as soon as you step outside—you're likely to be approached by numerous individuals trying to sell something or even scam you. The rooms are spacious, but we encountered a major issue upon checking in: the bed sheets had not been changed from the previous guests. Afterward, I found out that this is a common problem in other hotels in Havana (which is quite surprising). On the positive side, the staff is incredibly friendly and welcoming. The rooms offer a nice view of the main road, though it can be quite noisy.

This review is for the rooftop terrace! Guys, bad cocktail and at ridiculous price! The waitress/bartender, as usual, pushed for the most elaborate drinks, but we played it safe and ordered classic ones. Still, each glass had about a kilo of sugar—inside and all over the rim. Prices are high, there’s a mandatory 10% service charge, and they only accept card payments. No vibe, no atmosphere—not even a dog up there. Totally not worth it.

**DO NOT STAY HERE** My partner and I recently visited Havana, Cuba, fulfilling a lifelong dream for both of us. Unfortunately, our stay at Hotel Telegrafo was nothing short of a disappointment from the moment we arrived. Although the check-in process was smooth, things quickly went downhill. Hungry after a long flight, we attempted to order food on the terrace, only to be outright refused by the staff multiple times. When we raised this with the manager, his dismissive response was “We’ve had a busy day.” He then proceeded to charge us £25 for two cheese sandwiches and a can of soft drink, a truly shocking level of service. The state of the hotel itself was appalling. The building felt like it was on the verge of collapse, with dirty, stained floors and decor that was virtually nonexistent. The lift felt unsafe, and the rooms were dated beyond expectation, with stained pillows and an uncomfortable bed. To make matters worse, our “view” consisted of back alleys that only reflected dire poverty and despair, not the vibrant Havana scenery we’d hoped for. Breakfast was the only meal we attempted at the hotel, and it was a disaster. While we understood the country's food crisis, the poor presentation, constant flies in and on the food and indifferent staff attitude made for an embarrassing experience. To add to our unease, the lack of hotel security was glaring, as people loitered outside trying to lure guests away. The advertised rooftop pool and bar were a particular letdown. The bar was never open, and the pool resembled a puddle more than anything else. Even basic amenities like towels and toilet paper had to be repeatedly requested. Our four-day stay at Hotel Telegrafo was disappointing from start to finish, and we were relieved to leave. The hotel not only failed to meet its advertised standards but also made us question the safety and hospitality of our overall trip.