Hotel Raquel
Historic Art Nouveau with a Jewish heritage theme. Grand public spaces — sculptural lobby, inner patio with raw stone columns — contrast with rooms that are deliberately understated. Colonial-era wrought iron beds, patterned tile floors, and cream-colored draperies keep things elegant without being overwrought.
Request a room on the upper floors (third floor has Galilee, Sinai, and Jordan rooms) to minimize street and school noise from the floors below
Why It Matters
One of the few hotels anywhere that centers a coherent Jewish heritage narrative throughout its architecture, decor, room names, and dining. The building itself — designed by Venezuelan architect Naranjo Ferrer between 1905 and 1908 as a fabric importing house — is among the finest examples of early 20th-century commercial architecture in Havana. Restored by the Office of the City Historian of Havana under Habaguanex S.A., it sits in the former Jewish quarter of Old Havana, near the oldest Sephardic synagogue in Cuba.
Hotel Raquel is a 25-room Art Nouveau boutique hotel that opened on June 5, 2003, after an extensive restoration of a 1905 commercial building in the heart of Old Havana. The entire place is a love letter to the neighborhood's Jewish heritage — biblical names on every room door, a Star of David carved in stone at reception, mezuzahs on doorposts, and a restaurant that actually serves Jewish cuisine in Cuba. The lobby alone is worth walking in off the street for: marble columns, period sofas, and a giant stained glass skylight that floods the atrium in warm yellow light.
Where You'll Stay
2 room types available
Junior Suite
4 junior suites offering noticeably more space than the standard rooms. Each has a terrace or balcony and can be configured with a double bed or twin beds. The Salomón suite is on the second floor; the third floor houses Galilee, Sinai, and Jordan — the top-floor location on this level means quieter nights and better rooftop views. Same Art Nouveau decor palette as standard rooms but with more breathing room and the added outdoor space.
Double or Twin
Standard Room
21 standard rooms distributed across three floors around the central atrium. Deliberately austere compared to the hotel's grand public spaces, but comfortably appointed. Cream-colored walls, high ceilings, wrought iron beds, dark wood furniture, patterned tile floors, and opulent curtain-draped tall windows. Most have balconies looking out onto Mercaderes street. Bathrooms are spacious with both tub and shower. Only 2 of the 21 standard rooms have double/matrimonial beds — the rest are twins. Each room carries a biblical name (Abraham, Isaac, Jabbok, Samuel, Joseph, Benjamin, Reuben, Jeremiah, Elijah, Nehemiah, and David on the first floor; Esther, Rebecca, Sarah, Leah, Ruth, Miriam, Tamar, Zipporah, Elizabeth, and Hannah on the second floor).
Twin or Double (only 2 rooms have matrimonial/double beds)The Property
Eat & Drink
2 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
The multilingual concierge team helps guests plan city activities, book excursions, and arrange taxis. Given that Old Havana's top sights are all within walking distance, this is particularly useful for mapping out day trips beyond the historic center.
A small but complete gym located just below the lobby entrance. Good for maintaining a routine; not a full health club but functional for the property's size.
The hotel itself functions as an informal exhibit of Jewish heritage in Cuba. Staff are known to welcome curious passersby for a tour of the lobby, atrium, and public spaces. Stone Star of David at reception, mezuzahs on doorposts, biblical-themed paintings throughout — it adds up to a genuinely distinctive cultural experience.
The rooftop solarium is one of the hotel's genuine highlights — a charming wrought-iron gazebo surrounded by greenery, with views over the rooftops of Old Havana. Guests consistently rate it as one of the better elevated vantage points in the city. Open to guests for relaxing under the Cuban sun.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Elevator available. Note: steep entrance steps with limited handrails make initial entry challenging for guests with mobility issues.
Meeting and event space available for business travelers.
Complimentary internet access in lobby and public areas. In-room Wi-Fi availability has been noted as unreliable by some guests — confirm current status at check-in.
Babysitting available on request.
Standard hotel check-in and check-out times.
There is no pool on the property.
Round-the-clock reception with multilingual staff offering currency exchange, safe deposit boxes, concierge assistance, and security services.
Bureau de change available on-site.
In-room service available.
Parking options are available near the hotel. No dedicated on-site parking garage given the historic urban location.
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