Obsessed with Old Havana Hotels
There’s something really refreshing about how Havana’s old hotels carry their age with pride. They aren’t trying to be shiny or new, and that’s kind of the point. They’ve kept their bold floors, heavy wood furniture, and breezy courtyards, and the result is surprisingly relevant.
Whether you’re dreaming of your next vacation or just want to freshen up your space, Havana’s iconic hotels have design details worth borrowing. Let’s take a tour of the ones bringing retro glamour back in a big way.
Art Deco Style of Hotel Nacional de Cuba
Built in the 1930s, Hotel Nacional is basically a love letter to old-school glamour. Picture marble columns, moody wood details, and chandeliers that deserve their own spotlight. Step into the lobby and you’re transported to a time when elegance was effortless and tailoring mattered, even in architecture.
This hotel’s look is a cheat sheet for anyone craving retro-glam in their home: think geometric floor tiles, jewel-toned velvets, and a well-placed gilded mirror. Want vintage without the clutter? Nacional-style is clean, bold, and iconic.
Colonial Elegance of Saratoga Havana
The Hotel Saratoga knows how to do drama. With wrought iron balconies, rich wood paneling, and checkerboard marble floors, it’s Havana’s answer to old-world luxury with a twist. If your home style sits somewhere between a Parisian apartment and a tropical retreat, Saratoga is your muse.
The color palette? Deep greens, creams, and warm woods. The vibe? Grown-up vintage with a flair for the artistic. Bonus: It’s a reminder that mixing eras (think colonial structure with modern lighting) can be insanely chic.
Mix Era of Iberostar Parque Central
If you love a space that feels grand but still cozy, this one’s for you. Parque Central blends Spanish colonial vibes with a fresh, city feel. Think big windows, open courtyards, and just enough old-world charm to keep things interesting.
The takeaway? You don’t need a complete home makeover. Sometimes it’s about swapping in a vintage armchair or playing with texture, such as linen, leather, stone, and letting those subtle details speak for themselves.
Bold Vintage Style of Hotel Inglaterra
Hotel Inglaterra has been charming guests since 1875, and its style still holds up. Mosaic floors, ornate ceilings, and those showstopper wooden shutters, everything about it says “vintage, but make it luxe.” This is maximalism at its classiest.
If you’re into home spaces that tell stories (or want to start leaning that way), look to Inglaterra for inspiration. Think gallery walls filled with vintage prints, ceramic accents, and antique lighting that winks at the past.
Blue-Tiled Beauty of Hotel Telegrafo
Hotel Telegrafo makes a serious case for using color, especially blue. With its cobalt tile work and clean lines, it’s bold but still grounded.
Not sure how to bring that home? A tiled backsplash in the kitchen, a patterned bathroom floor, or even just a navy accent wall can add that pop without going overboard. Bonus points if you throw in a retro light fixture or two.
Romantic Vibes of Hotel Sevilla
Hotel Sevilla is the kind of place that makes you want to light candles and play slow jazz. It blends Spanish-Moorish details with Havana flair, we’re talking archways, lantern-style lights, and patterned everything.
Want that vibe in your space? Go for curved furniture, soft neutrals, and warm metals. Throw in a terra-cotta accent or two, and maybe hang a sheer curtain just for the drama. Instant romance.
1950s Cool of Hotel Capri
Capri is like stepping into a vintage postcard from the ‘50s. It’s got clean lines, punchy colors, and a fun mid-century vibe, but with palm trees. If you’re into that retro-modern look, think about mixing curved furniture with graphic prints.
A mustard or coral accent chair kind of pairs with everything perfectly. Add in a couple of houseplants, and you’ve got the perfect mix of sleek and sunny.
Hemingway Approved Vibes of Hotel Ambos Mundos
This coral-pink hotel has major literary history; Hemingway stayed here, after all. But it’s also just seriously stylish. The color palette is soft and warm, with dark woods and vintage touches that make the whole space feel thoughtful.
Want to recreate that cozy, collected feel? Go for bookshelves, globe-style lamps, and a soft rug layered over tile or wood floors. It’s a space that makes you want to sit down and actually read that novel you’ve been ignoring.
Understated Glamour of Hotel Santa Isabel
Santa Isabel doesn’t need to scream “luxury”, it just quietly owns it. With its high ceilings, antique mirrors, and creamy color palette, this place feels effortlessly elegant.
Want a similar look? Keep it simple: linen drapes, gold-toned lighting, and maybe a vintage mirror with a little patina. It’s all about quality over flash. Less can really be more, especially when it’s well-chosen.
Vintage Lighting That Sets the Mood
Chandeliers, sconces, globe lights, oh my. Old Havana hotels show us how lighting isn’t just functional, it’s transformational. Swap those boring bulbs for statement lights that tell a story.
Whether it’s a frosted glass pendant over your dining table or a brass wall sconce beside your bed, the right lighting adds instant nostalgia. Look for pieces that feel timeless but not fussy.
Mixing Metals the Cuban Way
Gold, brass, iron, Cuban hotels make mixing metals look effortless. There’s no need to match your curtain rods to your cabinet hardware. In fact, a little contrast makes things feel more layered and lived-in.
Try pairing a matte black lamp with a gilded mirror or chrome faucet with antique brass knobs. The goal? Cohesion with character. Havana hotels master this balance, and so can you, whether you’re redecorating your bathroom or just updating a few accent pieces.
Pattern Play
Havana hotels love a bold floor, checkerboards, florals, and geometrics all coexist like it’s no big deal. It works because they stick to a few colors and let the patterns do the rest.
You don’t need to go full-tile-floor to copy the look. Try patterned pillows, a standout rug, or printed curtains. The trick is to layer with confidence. Trust your eye, Havana certainly does.
Retro Courtyards That Feel Like Escapes
Old Havana’s hotels know the power of a courtyard: tile-lined, plant-filled, and sun-soaked. These semi-private spaces act like a second living room, but outside.
Steal this idea for your own patio, balcony, or even indoor sunroom. All you need is a few potted palms, vintage-style café seating, and a tiled plant stand or two.
Don’t forget string lights for that romantic touch. Craving more old-world charm? Step into Istanbul’s grand interiors next, where texture, detail, and drama turn every room into a work of art.
Palms And Arches Everywhere
Havana hotels don’t shy away from print and pattern, and neither should you. From palm-print upholstery to geometric floor tiles, these spaces prove that mixing motifs can feel elevated, not chaotic.
The trick? Stick to a cohesive color palette and mix scales (big pattern here, smaller one there). If your home’s looking too “safe,” this is your cue to add something unexpected.
Loving the vintage glamour and bold patterns? Now, take a peek at some of the most iconic hotel buildings around the world, where architecture makes just as loud a statement.
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