Reading reviews of Havana and seeing the repetitious recommendations for the Nacional or the Inglaterra makes me wonder if the reviewers visited anywhere else. OK, so both have a 'history', but then so do several others if you're a Hemingway or Graham Greene buff, but that's no reason to actually stay there. No, in Havana there are two primary considerations: location and functionality.

The Nacional is a characterful hotel which is great to visit and sip a mojito overlooking the Malecon, but it is miles from the centre of things and a taxi ride to everywhere. The Inglaterra is certainly well-located but if you're going to stay on the edge of both the old town and central park there is no better choice than the eponymous Parque Central.

Because of its location you can break your day up and dive back to the hotel between forays; a major benefit when it's hot and humid. It's modern (translation: the architecture is out of step with the fine old buildings around it) and so everything works and after a hard day's sightseeing the rooftop pool is THE place for a cooling dip, with fabulous views towards the Capitolio.

Neptuno, esquina Prado y Zulueta Habana Vieja, Havana;
tel: +53 78 606627; fax: +53 78 606630;
email: nhparcen@nh-hoteles.cu;
www.nh-hotels.com

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Restaurant reviews of Havana inevitably mention the Floridita, where Hemingway sank an epic number of Daiquiris and it is this - rather than the cuisine or value-for-money - that is its primary claim to fame (the same applies to the Bodeguita del Media but in that case it was an epic number of Mojitos). If you were to order a pizza at the Floridita what you won't realise is that these are made in the kitchens of Il Gentiluomo, which it adjoins round the back.

Far better to go there to start with, watch your pizza being made and ideally be entertained by a fabulous quartet while you're waiting (just as well as the service is fairly glacial; ask them to play 'Oye Como Va' or 'Chan Chan', rather than the more stereotypical fare). You'll save 30-50% over the Floridita's prices and be able to see what you're eating!

behind El Floridita, on Calle Obispo

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