Wide & Stilvolles Haus in Hav., CUBA

Carlos' house in Havana was even better than expected. In addition to being very spacious, it's filled with premium art & antiques, and felt very safe--he lives upstairs. After returning from La Vieja all day, we really appreciated the quiet neighborhood (in general, there are lots of chickens & roosters in Havana so bring your earplugs if you don't like to wake by rooster crowing), and lack of car emissions (i.e. nice clean air to breathe). The bed was comfortable, the shower water hot, large bath towels, and a working in-room safe. The ladies who work in the house are very sweet and the breakfast and the coffee was good. Carlos was kind enough to make us some dinner reservations at some hard-to-get-into restaurants (we don't speak Spanish), which we really appreciated.
Playa del Estes is a beautiful public beach that is 40 min. away. A 1-way cab ride cost us $35 CUC (approx $35 USD). Bring beach towels or a mat, as beach towels are not common in Cuba. If you walk 15 min (or $10 CUC cab ride) you can use the swimming pool at Copicabana Hotel. Also it is a wonderful modern space to watch the sunset + drinks and appetizers are good & cheap.

Ha sido una gran experiencia el haber llegado a vivir estos días en casa del Señor Carlos, un gran ser humano con un gran corazón.
Nuestra estancia en casa de Carlos fué la mejor parte de nuestro viaje, ha sido una gran experiencia y la mejor opción que pudimos elegir.
A mi regreso a México me siento una persona muy bendecida porque Dios pone grandes personas en mi vida, una de ellas al Sr. Carlos que nos acogió en su hogar y nos hizo sentir como en casa.
Todas las atenciones de el, y las personas que colaboran con el, siempre muy amables y atentos en todos los aspectos.
Una casa hermosa que además de bonita, cada espacio cuenta una historia por sí solo, cargada de experiencias vividas.
Es una familia muy amable, todo está impecable de limpio, la comida es muy buena, El Señor Carlos es un gran anfitrión. Quedamos complacidos al 100% de haber elegido la casa de Carlos para vivir unas vacaciones inolvidables.
Nuestra estancia ahí ha logrado que estas vacaciones fueran perfectas.
Gracias Carlos y familia.

Carlos and his family were fabulous hosts ! Our family rented two rooms that had a shared bathroom. All was very well laid out and very clean ( my wife is a stickler for that). We had full access to the kitchen, front terrace and most of the time had the entire house floor to ourselves.
It was just the right balance of local interaction and privacy.
Carlos speaks excellent English and we've had a few very entertaining discussions.
If we go back to Havana, I would definitely try Carlos' place first !!!

Carlos' house was amazing! He was very helpful when my wife and I had questions about things to do, places to eat, and even calling us a taxi. He is very knowledgeable about Havana and made us feel at home.

¡La casa de Carlos fue increíble! Él era muy servicial cuando mi esposa y yo tuvimos preguntas sobre cosas que hacer, lugares para comer, e incluso llamándonos un taxi. Él conoce a La Habana muy bien y nos hizo sentir como sí estuviéramos en nuestra casa.

My teenage daughter and I stayed with Carlos and his family for just over a week. We had a fantastic time in Havana and Carlos' home is just as described - beautiful, exceptionally clean and an oasis of peace in a very busy city!

Havana is completely different to Scotland and very hot and humid in July. We enjoyed experiencing a totally different way of living. I loved the fact we were mostly wifi and other gadgets free - great for parents of teens as they have to speak to you for a change as wifi is so slow and very unreliable everywhere you go! Also no distractions like UK style shopping centres - another plus for parents!! For myself and my daughter, it was a pleasure to be able to go out safely at any time of the day or night; be treated respectfully and be welcomed wherever we went. Ordinary Cuban people are amazing !!! There is so much to see and do! We would recommend the Parisienne show at Cuba's National Hotel; Salsa in Hotel Florida, in Old Havana; food at Cha Cha Cha restaurant, in Havana and the food in Streetburger right opposite Carlos' House. A trip to the San Jose market at the harbour is good for souvenirs and the bars Hemingway used to go to in Havana and Cojimar are worth seeing for the atmosphere. Lots of lovely parks and walks too. Teens will love a tour of the city in the moto bike "bubble" taxis and the "hop on, hop off "buses as well as in old style taxi cars.

You will love staying in Carlos' house, especially if you know about history and enjoy being in an authentic location.

Thank you again Carlos and Naomi and the lovely lady who works for you.

Kim and Serena, Aberdeenshire, Scotland , UK.