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destination UPDATE Cuba
FIRST IMPRESSION: Cuba is quite simply one of
the best and most underestimated long haul destinations I have visited for a
very long time. A sweeping statement, yes, but few Caribbean destinations can
equal the quality of the new state-of-the-art coastal properties that Cuba has to offer and none offer an exciting
and fascinating city like Havana.
Add to this prices between 20%-30% lower than other Caribbean destinations,
in my opinion this makes Cuba
a very safe and exciting choice for even the most demanding client.
The current schedules of
Virgin, with 2 flights a week from the UK
(Wednesday & Sunday) makes for either a single destination city or resort
programme, but also a 2-night Havana,
2-night beach programme. Cubana - Cuba’s national airline is not
really suitable for our market; even allowing for its significantly lower
fares, providing a service more akin to that offered by low cost carriers.
There is a CUC25 departure tax.
With such a new destination
I will keep this ‘Update’ fairly simple, basing it on Havana and the coastal resort of Varadero,
which offers the properties for our industry. With the imminent opening up of
Cuba to the American
market, now is an excellent time to visit the island, the largest in the Caribbean, before hoards of cruise ships change the
face of this fascinating country forever.
DMC: HAVANATUR
We are fortunate to have
one of Cuba’s leading DMCs
- Havanatur as our Partner in Cuba.
Their in-depth local knowledge and attention to detail of the needs of the
incentive & conference market is second to none, with every activity
checked in advance of the arrival of your guests to ensure quality throughout
the programme.
Further to this you have UK
contacts in Gemma Richardson and Matthew O’Sullivan, whose knowledge of the
island, gained over many years, is second to none. They can be contacted on
01707 871905 and 01707 871901 respectively.
HAVANA: What an exciting, vibrant and historic city; a
city that no other Caribbean
Island can offer.
The city reflects the
rich past of colonial rule and influences from both Europe and North America. The nightlife is rich and varied with
music wherever you go and the ubiquitous Mojito (white Rum, crushed mint,
sugar syrup and soda water over ice) and Daiquiri cocktails (white rum,
crushed ice, lime juice and preferred fruit) ever present in every bar. If
you want to try either cocktail, go to where they were invented; for the
Mojito, the La Bodeguita del Medio and for a Daiquiri, Hemingway’s favourite
haunt; La Floridita.
HOTELS: I have chosen a small selection of what I
consider to be the best hotels in the city for incentive and conference
groups. As Cuba is an emerging market it
should, under normal circumstances be more than possible to get rooms at any
of these properties for your group. As a guideline, hotels in Havana are approximately 1* below their official rating
and in the coastal areas, the new properties, in my opinion, don’t just meet
their star rating criteria and they often exceed them against similar
properties in the Caribbean.
The Hotel Parque Central
5*: Ideally situated in the centre of the historic
part of the city.
It is within easy walking
distance of the major sights of interest in the old part of the city, along
with its many bars and restaurants.
The hotel overlooks the
Parque Central and the Prado. The hotel rooms all have the facilities you
would expect in a hotel of this type, along with internet access. It has 2
restaurants, a lobby bar and rooftop pool bar.
Room numbers: 287, including 8 suites and 18
junior suites
Wi-Fi: Yes
Number of meeting rooms: 5
Conference capacity maximum: 200
Banquet capacity maximum: 160
Reception capacity maximum: 260
Swimming pool: yes
The Saratoga Hotel: This delightful 5* property is situated just down
the road from the Parque Central and almost opposite the Capitolio Building.
It has recently been completely rebuilt behind the historic original façade
and it found universal favour from all of us who visited it. The Saratoga offers 2
restaurant/bars and an all-day bar on the Mezzanine floor.
Room numbers: 96, including 7 suites
Wi-Fi: Yes
Number of meeting rooms: 2
Conference capacity maximum: 20
Banquet & Reception capacity maximum: n/a
Swimming pool: yes
Meliá Cohiba: This modern 5* property is situated on the
waterfront, some 6 kms from the Old
City. The property has
a pool, gym and squash courts. It also offers numerous restaurants and bars
and one of the city’s leading entertainment venues - the Habana Café. One of
the strengths has to be the hotels meeting potential. I personally feel that
the superb meeting facilities would be the major reason for choosing this
property. Being so far from the old town and the coastal area and not being
up to other major resorts elsewhere, it falls between two stools for use for
incentive groups.
Room numbers: 342
doubles, 60 Suites, 39 Junior Suites, and 21 Senior Suites with whirlpool
Wi-Fi: Yes
Number of meeting rooms:
8
Conference capacity
maximum: 600
Banquet capacity maximum:
500
Reception capacity
maximum: 1000
Swimming pool: yes
The Nacional Hotel: Although a 5* property and one of Cuba’s most historic buildings,
unfortunately the old lady is really starting to show her age. The lobby is very
dark and more reminiscent of an old railway booking hall and the rest of the
property is generally run down and a little shabby. I am sure that in the
years to come major investment will restore this fine, old building to its
former glory; until then I would visit it out of curiosity just to enjoy its
history.
Room numbers: 457, 15
suites, and Presidential Suite
Wi-Fi: No
Number of meeting rooms:
4
Conference capacity
maximum: 250
Banquet capacity maximum:
180
Reception capacity
maximum: 200
Plus La Pérgola terrace
admits up to 500 persons for a reception and 300 persons for dinner
Swimming pool: yes
WHAT TO SEE
AND DO
THE OLD CITY
Havana is the largest city in the Caribbean
and the historic centre is a Unesco World Heritage Site. It has been run by numerous
Colonial Powers in the past, including the UK, but Spain and more latterly
the US have had the most influence on how the city is today. The city is a
mixture of many architectural styles, ranging from Colonial and Baroque,
through to Art Nouveau and Modernism. The historic centre is a charming mix
of small lanes, crumbling buildings and great characters. Much is being done
to restore many of these fine buildings, my only hope is that they don’t over
restore this area and change its character too much.
Among the
must-see sights in the city are:
El Capitolio Nacional, built in
1929 as the Senate and House of Representatives, it is almost an exact copy
of the Capitol Building
in Washington.
This colossal building is recognisable by its dome, which dominates the
city's skyline. Inside stands the Statue of the Republic, the third largest
indoor statue in the world.
The Great Theatre of Havana, famous particularly for the acclaimed National
Ballet of Cuba, it also occasionally hosts performances by the National
Opera.
Plaza de la Revolucion, the venue for the first mass rallies and
parades after the revolution in 1959. The square is surrounded by Government
buildings, including the Ministry of the Interior, with its iconic portrait
of Che Guevara and other cultural institutions, such as the National library
and Theatre. The square is dominated by the Memorial to Jose Mart,i set in
the middle of it, which offers panoramic views of the city and sea beyond.
Museo de la Revolución, located in the former Presidential Palace, it’s
a bit dusty and heavy on the printed word. Outside is a display of some of
the improvised hardware and air power used in the revolution along with the
yacht - Granma, which brought Fidel Castro and some of his comrades from
Mexico to start the revolution against the then President, Batista.
OTHER THINGS TO DO
Cigar Factory, many factories offer tours of one of Cuba’s
most famous exports, showing the complete process of cigar making, from leaf
selection through to the production of the boxes. An interesting visit, only
spoilt a little because, due to a few unruly tourists, photography is now
banned.
Rum Distillery Tour, a short tour of the Havana Club museum showing
the history and the making of one of the Caribbean’s most famous products
followed by a tasting, makes this a pleasant little visit to add to any city
sightseeing.
City Tour or transfer by Old American Cars, One of the most famous sights in Cuba
is a hangover from the days of trade with the USA, big old American cars. Due
to the lack of parts many now have very different engines and some are even
rumoured to have Lada engines in place of the big V8s. I would suggest that
they are best used for evening transfers, as even the convertibles get very
hot and it is easier to load them when there is less traffic around.
NIGHTLIFE
AND BARS
El Floridita, the home of the Daiquiri.
Both a restaurant and bar, this is where the daiquiri was invented and
enjoyed by Ernest Hemingway, whose life sized statue props up the bar.
Bodeguita del Medio, another haunt of the author and adventurer
Hemingway which is probably not surprising as this is the spiritual home of Cuba’s
National drink, the Mojita.
It is now very touristy, but has, in the past, been the haunt of many
celebrities who have left their autographs around the building.
El Patio Restaurant, situated on
Cathedral Square
in the old city, this restaurant is located in an 18th century mansion. El
Patio offers both local and International cuisine. The courtyard
fountain makes a relaxing
spot to eat after a tour of the old city and the square is a Mecca for every
eccentric character in the neighbourhood.
Tropicana Founded in 1939 it is probably the most well
known cabaret nightspot in Cuba.
In all honesty it is stuck in a time warp offering a dinner and a 2-hour show
that is somewhat repetitive and fairly expensive. My suggestion would be to
eat elsewhere and find one of the excellent music venues, such as the Casa de
la Musica or the Habana Café.
Restaurant Cafe del Oriente, an
International restaurant that has the reputation for some of the finest
dining in Cuba.
Situated on the Plaza San Francisco in the old part of the city, this elegant
silver service restaurant also provides live music during your meal.
Casa de la Musica, an amazing live music venue interspersed with a
DJ. Agreed by all that it was one of the best live music evenings we had ever
experienced, which, when you consider the combined experience of those that
visited, it is remarkable. It must also be noted that after the 10CUC
entrance fee, drink prices were very reasonable. A definite must during any
visit to Havana.
Club Habana, for a private function,
either informal during the day or a little more formal in the evening is a
perfect venue. The club-house was originally the Havana Yacht and Country
Club and now offers ideal facilities for sport, with tennis courts, sailing,
jet skiing and teambuilding events or just relaxing on their own beach. In
the evening the beach can be used as a dinner venue.
OUTSIDE HAVANA
Sierra del Rosario Nature
Reserve - Las Terrazas Community, just
under an hour west of Havana is the community
of Las Terrazas, nestling within the boundaries of the Sierra del Rosario - a
part of unspoilt Cuba
given Biosphere Reserve Status by UNESCO. Las Terrazas offers a great escape
from the hustle and bustle of the city. Apart from the more obvious pastimes
of viewing the native flora & fauna that the area is famed for, there are
also more active pursuits, such as swimming in the San
Juan River and a canopy tour, where you are strapped into a
harness and launched across forests and lakes whilst attached to steel
cables. This gives an exhilarating
view of Las Terrazas and the surrounding areas.
Lunch can be taken in a Farmhouse restaurant featuring some of the best local
cuisine we experienced during our visit. The rustic atmosphere was further
enhanced by two old musicians who appeared to be in their late eighties and
still capable of getting up to a great deal of mischief between them. All
round a great experience of real rural Cuban life.
VARADERO
Varadero is a purpose
built resort, approximately a 2 hour transfer from Havana. The route takes you along the northern
coastal highway offering an insight into life outside Havana. Surprisingly there is even an oil
exploration with drilling rig and nodding donkeys abutting the shoreline. A
recommended stop, either on the outward or return transfer, is the Bacunayagua Bridge
- the highest bridge in Cuba
spanning the Yumuri
River. Not only are
there superb views over the countryside there is also a small kiosk that
serves what must be the best Pina
Coladas you can get
anywhere, a bold claim, but fresh blended coconut and pineapple to which you
add your own measure of rum was simply superb.
Varadero is Cuba’s top purpose built resort.
While not having a great deal of history, what it does have is
state-of-the-art hotels, many offering a superior all-inclusive service
operated by such leading hotel groups as Iberostar, Melia and Tryp.
The Paradisus Princesa del
Mar, this superior adults only 5* all-inclusive
property offers everything you could want for a group; superb all-suite
rooms, a wide choice of restaurants, including Italian and Japanese and
superior brands of alcohol in all the bars. If your budget allows, the Royal
Service accommodation is situated in an exclusive area, with butler service,
exclusive pool and beach plus private a la carte dining in the Hilltop
Hideaway Restaurant. There is also a wide choice of sports and beach
activities. Royal Service guests also have unlimited free use of the nearby
golf course.
Room numbers: 360 junior suites, 24 Imperial Romance suites, 48 Royal Service
suites, 2 Presidential suites
Wi-Fi: Yes
Number of meeting rooms:
4
Conference capacity
maximum: 400
Banquet capacity maximum:
360
Reception capacity
maximum: 475
Swimming pool: yes
The Paradisus Varadero is one of the sister properties of the Princesa del
Mar, offering similar standards throughout except for the Royal Service,
which will be available shortly. This is a property that should be viewed
during the inspection process. A wide range of bars and restaurants are
available and like the Princesa del Mar it is a superior all-inclusive
property.
Room numbers: 409 junior suites, 12 suites, 1 Garden Villa
Wi-Fi: Yes
Number of meeting rooms:
3
Conference capacity
maximum: 225
Banquet capacity maximum:
175
Reception capacity
maximum: 125
Swimming pool: yes
Iberostar Varadero, for those
on a tighter budget, this all-inclusive 4* property is well worth
considering. Of course, when compared directly to the other Ultra 5*
mentioned above it would appear to lack those finer finishing touches, but it
is a good honest property with all the facilities one would need for the
right type of group.
Room numbers: 324 double rooms, 60 junior suites, 2 Presidential suites
Wi-Fi: no
Number of meeting rooms:
4
Conference capacity
maximum: 442
Banquet capacity maximum:
216
Reception capacity
maximum: 442
Swimming pool: yes
WHAT TO DO
On the Sea, one thing everyone wants to do around warm
tropical waters is to enjoy a day onboard a boat and Cuba is no exception,
offering boats for most size groups, from Catamarans for larger groups or a
sports cruiser for smaller groups of around a dozen. The day at sea includes
exploring the coral reefs, snorkelling, a visit to meet the Dolphins and
lunch on an island. Aboard the smaller vessels, lunch includes lobster that
is caught during the trip and cooked for you onboard.
Golf - Varadero has an excellent golf club built around
the former Du Pont mansion ‘Xanadu’ built in the 1930’s. The Varadero is an
18 hole, par 72 course. The Xanadu mansion is the clubhouse and is a
delightful venue for private receptions and dinner, especially from the
terrace overlooking the beach and sea beyond.
SUMMARY: Well, is Cuba a future
contender for the incentive and conference market? In my opinion it is not
just a future contender; it is more than ready now to provide a first class
infrastructure and service.
Yes, there are still a few rough edges, but this just makes the destination
even more fascinating. Cuba is due for rapid change; it has just been
welcomed back and recognised by the Organization of American States after
some 47 years, so surely recognition from the US must not be that far behind?
My advice is to go sooner rather than later and enjoy the country, the music
and most of all the people as well as the exceptional value for money that this
amazing country has to offer.
WHAT OTHERS SAY:
'Cuba es fantástica' Breathtaking sights to the friendliest people, Cuba as a
destination accommodates all and leaves you wanting more. *Best Caribbean
destination* Yasin Demir - Account Executive, UK Group Sales - Virgin Atlantic
It’s best not to compare with other Caribbean destinations – quite aside from
its unique recent history, it is essentially Hispanic in character, as best
portrayed by Havana, which has the feel of a large Latin-American city dropped
onto a Caribbean shore. Wonderful!
Roger Parker Director - Event Operations -AddingValue
Cuba
offers fantastic culture, colonial history, classic cars, great salsa music,
beautiful white beaches, crystal clear waters, wonderful people, rum and fabulous
Mojito cocktails and there are some ideal properties on the coast to suit
incentive groups, offering interesting activities, experiences and value for
money! What more can you ask for when you are looking for a different
incentive destination. Hayley Trussell - Senior Account Manager - dbmt
Limited
June 2009
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