Havana, Inglaterra v Sevilla Hotel, travel co has changed booking....

gentlepurr

I've booked a holiday to Cuba, and originally booked Inglaterra Hotel in Havana for four nights. However, I've had a letter from the travel company today (The Holiday Place) saying they have downgraded the Inglaterra from 4* to 3* and are therefore offering me to stay at The Sevilla Hotel in Havana instead.

Has anybody stayed in either, or both hotels that could give me any opinions as to which may be the best choice? One of the main reasons i originally booked Inglaterra is because its in the centre of Old Havana, which is where i want to be, but Sevilla also looks as if its fairly central as well, but i cant indentify which one is better suited for exploring places of interest. Add into this conundrum that since booking the holiday i have broken my leg and have damaged ligaments, and at best, expect to be using a walking stick or some such to get around on, so the nearer to amenities and places of interest, the better.

Alternatively, has anyone got any thoughts on whether this change of hotel/hotel rating (albeit only for four nights of a two week holiday) may be enough for me to get a full refund if i decided to cancel the holiday? Thinking that this could be a good move to make if i could justify it to travel company as i would rather visit Cuba without the encumberance of stick or wheelchairs

Any thoughts or experiences would be appreciated, thank you

gp xx

BillTrac

In case no-one comes back to you or no-one has stayed at either hotel, you could always visit the holidaytruths website. They have a raft of hotel reviews and if theres is no review for either hotel I dare sya someone there will have stayed at them

I have managed to see a review on almost every hotel we have stayed at

good luck

naz17

gentlepurr wrote: »

I've booked a holiday to Cuba, and originally booked Inglaterra Hotel in Havana for four nights. However, I've had a letter from the travel company today (The Holiday Place) saying they have downgraded the Inglaterra from 4* to 3* and are therefore offering me to stay at The Sevilla Hotel in Havana instead.

Has anybody stayed in either, or both hotels that could give me any opinions as to which may be the best choice? One of the main reasons i originally booked Inglaterra is because its in the centre of Old Havana, which is where i want to be, but Sevilla also looks as if its fairly central as well, but i cant indentify which one is better suited for exploring places of interest. Add into this conundrum that since booking the holiday i have broken my leg and have damaged ligaments, and at best, expect to be using a walking stick or some such to get around on, so the nearer to amenities and places of interest, the better.

Alternatively, has anyone got any thoughts on whether this change of hotel/hotel rating (albeit only for four nights of a two week holiday) may be enough for me to get a full refund if i decided to cancel the holiday? Thinking that this could be a good move to make if i could justify it to travel company as i would rather visit Cuba without the encumberance of stick or wheelchairs

Any thoughts or experiences would be appreciated, thank you

gp xx

I think you could probably claim that this invalidates your agreement with them, i wouldn't personally tell them that you have a damaged leg though. Also in my experience of Cuba you'd be at a pretty big disadvantage with a stick, let lone a wheelchair especially if you want to go exploring (ie potholes in the streets, lack of disabled access).

Also if this is your first trip please bear in mind a Cuban hotel with a 4* rating is not going to be like a UK hotel with a 4* rating. I've never personally stayed in either of the ones you've listed - but the thing to bear in mind about Cuba is there are shortages of certain things (because of the trade embargo). If i was in your position i would suggest that you were just about comfortable staying in a 4* in Cuba and say that you're wholly dissatisfied that they've changed that. :cool::cool::cool:

blindman

gentlepurr wrote: »

I've booked a holiday to Cuba, and originally booked Inglaterra Hotel in Havana for four nights. However, I've had a letter from the travel company today (The Holiday Place) saying they have downgraded the Inglaterra from 4* to 3* and are therefore offering me to stay at The Sevilla Hotel in Havana instead.

Not good reports on the Inglaterra from Tripadvisor

Sevilla not much better but is in a better location.

lfc321

Have stayed at the Sevilla (about 9 years ago, though). It was fine.

A pretty good hotel, really - in its heyday it was a really, really good hotel and v famous. Nice old building (slightly rough around the edges, but in pristine condition compared to the rest of Havana!). Lovely courtyard bar. Has a decent outdoor pool. The room we stayed in was fine. Excellent location - most things you'd want to visit are within walking distance.

Don't know about the Inglaterra, but I'd happily go back to the Sevilla.

gentlepurr

Thanks all for your thoughts. I had looked at both hotels on tripadvisor, as is usually the case, you get your good and your bad reports, and both seem to have what i would call that "jaded film star" look about them, as you say lfc, a bit rough round the edges, but im of the school that thinks charm rather than horribly worn out iykwim.

Its great to hear your thoughts on here though, because they are "thoughts" rather than "opinions". On a balance, i do think the Sevilla looks really good, with the pool and live music (im going with my son!) and the free upgrade to breakfast on the highest rooftop restaurant in Havana, so, assuming that i will still be able to go on the holiday after my visit to the consultant on Monday, I'm thinking to gratefully accept the upgrade the company have offered.

Naz17, i had thought that getting about with a stick might be a bit precarious, but given that whats happened has happened, i might just have to make as best of it as i can!

naz17

gentlepurr wrote: »

Thanks all for your thoughts. I had looked at both hotels on tripadvisor, as is usually the case, you get your good and your bad reports, and both seem to have what i would call that "jaded film star" look about them, as you say lfc, a bit rough round the edges, but im of the school that thinks charm rather than horribly worn out iykwim.

Its great to hear your thoughts on here though, because they are "thoughts" rather than "opinions". On a balance, i do think the Sevilla looks really good, with the pool and live music (im going with my son!) and the free upgrade to breakfast on the highest rooftop restaurant in Havana, so, assuming that i will still be able to go on the holiday after my visit to the consultant on Monday, I'm thinking to gratefully accept the upgrade the company have offered.

Naz17, i had thought that getting about with a stick might be a bit precarious, but given that whats happened has happened, i might just have to make as best of it as i can!

Well if you approach it with a positive air - I'm sure you'll manage just fine. Lots of people who live there seem to, remember to take really comfortable footwear, pls pls pls only drink bottled water. The best thing you can do is go exploring - meet the locals and go a bit off the beaten track - you will definitely find it rewarding

---

honestly its the most fascinating and interesting place i've ever visited.

lfc321

naz17 wrote: »

Well if you approach it with a positive air - I'm sure you'll manage just fine. Lots of people who live there seem to, remember to take really comfortable footwear, pls pls pls only drink bottled water. The best thing you can do is go exploring - meet the locals and go a bit off the beaten track - you will definitely find it rewarding

---

honestly its the most fascinating and interesting place i've ever visited.

Agree with all of this - have a great time!
(Except I would drink both bottled water and mojitos)

gentlepurr

Thanks for your thoughts both. Gotta look on the positive side, its cost me far too much money not to enjoy it lol!

Just hope im gainly enough on me pins to enjoy a few mojitos, lol! Back to the fracture clinic tomorrow, im hoping they'll give me a leg brace and let me start load bearing a bit, gotta get plenty of practice in lol!

xx

rodhull

I stayed at the Sevilla in November last year and thought it was excellent. We had a fairly large room (I think some others are smaller, but I'm sure they'll be fine too). It's close to everything you'd need to do in the city and you can always get a taxi from the front door. Live music every day, cafe and pool both very good, as is the reception area. Breakfast was also good.

Go and have fun - you'll enjoy the hotel and Havana.