Hostal The German Zenen and Yanelis

Zenen was a perfect host. At the appointed time of our arrival, Zenen greeted us with fresh beverages and bananas he grows himself. He was always ready to accommodate, helping us arrange taxis and recommending landmarks and activities. He rented a bike on my behalf, personally escorted me to the nearest bank when I needed to exchange currency, helped me find a good deal on Cohiba cigars, presented my family with coffee grounds as a parting gift to bring home, and countless other gestures of hospitality.

The meals Zenen offered were another highlight of our trip. Breakfasts included a fruit platter of papaya, bananas and pineapple, an omelet, a fruit smoothie, ham, cheese, bottomless café con leche, and baklava, all for 5 CUC per person. For dinner, his sister prepared massive, delicious lobsters along with rice, salad and fried plantains.

The room itself was also great. We stayed in the room overlooking the courtyard behind the house, which had a private bathroom as well as a private porch. Very clean, with a beautiful set of custom built cabinets and air conditioning. The only fault we found was that the water stopped working after about 10 pm. Also, expect to hear a few roosters around dawn.

Overall, very positive first experience traveling in Cuba. Zenen treated us like family and worked hard to make sure we were always satisfied. 10/10 would recommend.