153 Obispo St. on the corner of Mercaderes St., Old Havana ,
Havana, Cuba
(+53) 78609529
yes
About
Ambos Mundos
Much is made of Ernest Hemingway’s predilection for staying at the Hotel Ambos Mundos. He wrote the first few chapters of ‘For Whom the Bell Tolls’ in room 551, which is now maintained as something of a shrine.
The rooms are comfortable and this also applies to the ground floor bar area, with its cosy, squishy modern sofas. The roof terrace has great views of the Plaza de Armas and environs; for the main advantage of staying in the Ambos Mundos is proximity to all the best and most beautiful parts of Old Havana.
Clients can derive a warm philanthropic glow from the fact that since the hotel is run by the Office of the City Historian of Havana through its company called Habaguanex. All its profits are reinvested in the restoration of the city’s historical centre.
From 15th June 2014 the Hotel Ambos Mundos will start renovation on their 5th floor. All rooms on this floor (including Ernest Hemingway’s museum room) will be closed. The renovation will last for at least 6 months.
Calle Cuba No. 610 e / Sol y Luz, Habana Vieja, La Habana
Santa Clara Convent
The Convento de Santa Clara (Santa Clara Convent) is located at the south of Plaza Vieja Square of Havana. This is the biggest and oldest convent in all of Cuba, built between 1638 and 1643, and it is a good example of early Spanish influenced architecture. It was actually the first female convent in the city. The temple stopped serving for religious purposes in 1920, housing for some time the Ministry of Public Works. It is currently part of the restoration team of Old Havana. It being recommended to visit the Colonial-style interior patio, where the first public fountain of the city was found; the cloister, the cells of the nuns and the small cemetery.
San Ignacio y Empedrado, Habana Vieja
Cathedral Square
The sumptuous Cathedral Square isthe focus of Old Havana life. Of particular interest in the Cathedral Square are the Cathedral, a baroque church, and the Museo de Arte Colonial, housed in a handsome palace dating from 1622. Tourists linger at El Patio’s outdoor café, sipping coffee or mojitos and tapping their toes to Cuban son.
San Ignacio No.61 (Plaza de la Catedral), Habana Vieja, La Habana
Colonial Art Museum
The Museo de Arte Colonial (Colonial Art Museum) is housed within the oldest construction in Old Havana, the Condes de Casa Bayona Palace, a mansion rebuilt in 1720 by Cuban Governor, Don Luis Chachón. The palace’s Classical patio and coffered ceiling made intricately of wood stand out within this construction. The palace boasts a wonderful location, right in front of the San Cristóbal de La Habana Cathedral. This small museum has a Colonial furniture and decorative art exhibition, amongst which will stand out some pottery with Colonial Cuba motifs, as well as several scenes of Colonial dining rooms and a fantastic collection of ornamental flowers.
Tacon e/ Obispo y O'Relly, Habana Vieja
Arms Square
Plaza de Armas surrounds a statue of the patriot Céspedes and is ringed by shaded marble benches and second-hand bookstalls. This square, founding in 1519, was the city's first open space, around which the most important political, military, religious and civil institutions were located. The palaces that surrounded it during the 18th century are worthy exponents of Cuban Baroque architecture. On the square’s eastern side a small neoclassical temple, El Templete, marks the spot where the first Catholic mass was celebrated in 1519. Next door is one of the city’s most luxurious hotels, Hotel Santa Isabel. To the north, the squat but angular and moated Castillo de la Real Fuerza (Fort of the Royal Forces) is one of the oldest forts in the Americas.