Checking out : Iberostar Grand Packard in Havana

Our content director, Catherine Maisonneuve, went to Havana to discover the Iberostar Grand Packard, the newest hotel of the Spanish chain to be established in the Cuban capital. The chain now has 20 establishments in Cuba.

"The Grand Category is the most luxurious collection of hotels in our portfolio”, said María Barrera, Marketing Director for Iberostar Group in Cuba. “The Grand Packard is our newest hotel in Havana, and we now have 20 establishments in Cuba. Iberostar has three establishments in the capital."

Comprising 321 rooms and suites, the luxurious lifestyle hotel located on the popular Promenade (Prado) has been completely renovated with care by the hotel group to meet the standards of the Grand Distinction.

Major renovations have allowed the historic Biscuit Hotel, opened in 1911 in Havana, to become the majestic Iberostar Grand Packard it has been since its official inauguration, which took place on September 11, 2018.The tour de force of these major renovations concerns the upper part of the hotel, which has been cleverly added to the historic building, skillfully combining modernity and history.

In this "new portion" of the building, there is an infinity style outdoor pool and a bar and restaurant that offers a panoramic view of the city from its terrace. In addition, a high-end gym and spa complete the service offer on the upper floors, while three other restaurants, a cigar lounge and a piano bar are located on the ground floor.

A surprising hotel on several points

What is most surprising at the Iberostar Grand Packard is without a doubt the level of quality that is offered. Cuba is not a recognized destination for the quality of its infrastructure or its offer of food and drink, so we are pleasantly surprised by the beauty of the place, the clean and modern decor of the rooms, the quality of service, but especially by the satisfactory supply of food and drink, in a country that has never been recognized for this aspect.

Indeed, dishes and presentations are sought after while the effort in the kitchen is obviously there. Although we are in Cuba, we feel the staff at Grand Packard Iberostar have a real desire satisfy a demanding client, who dreams of a comfortable stay, in an opulent setting, and also, who wishes eat well.

On the other hand, we must remember that we are in the Caribbean and that the service is polite and attentive, but we must not be in a hurry either.

An inspiring setting

The 321 rooms are all ultra-modern, offering a sleek decor with touches of yellow and blue reminiscent of the Caribbean. The Deluxe Room, which is the basic category, is quite spacious. Covering an area of 387 square feet, it offers large windows, an office area and a large bathroom with a glass shower. The Deluxe Prado (Promenade View), Deluxe Atlantic (Ocean View) and Premium Deluxe (Seating) categories are also offered, in addition to some themed suites.

Note: The Iberostar Grand Packard, like most "urban" hotels, does not offer all inclusive. The price per night includes breakfast buffet (very generous and varied) and Wi-Fi (which works relatively "good", considering the technical difficulties the country’s known for).

María Barrera explains: "In the city, people do not instinctively look for the all-inclusive formula. When you are in a good location, guests want to walk around and out in the city. They are offered here the European plan formula, but for lunch or dinner, travelers can choose from our five a la carte restaurants or go out exploring the city."

The average price per night is around $350 per night in low season, and this includes breakfast and internet. Havana remains a very expensive city, which continues to want to develop and improve its offer to tourists. Despite some technical difficulties (the wifi system is still not optimal in the country) and sometimes missing ingredients in the kitchen (the supply of fresh products remains a challenge in Cuba), the improvement was easily noticeable once at destination. Especially when big tourism players decide to impose their standards to the delight of many travelers.