Date of publication 23/08/2019
Caribbean tourism Cuba’s colonial charm
This is what this style looks like and is experienced on the island
Plaza Vieja (Havana)
Havana doesn’t just feature colonial architecture — it could be considered the world capital of this style brought by the Spanish to the New World. Using the cities of the Canary Islands as a testing ground, the urban planning of the new territories was driven by the need to build solid and sober structures that, over time, were decorated and painted with clear local and European Baroque influences. The result remains a visual delight, where the eye gets lost among the bright colors, arches, and arcades of the magnificent Plaza Vieja, the heart of the Cuban capital. But this is only the beginning. Looking for hotels in Havana for your next Caribbean vacation? You’re in the right place!
Palacio Brunet (Trinidad)
Trinidad has so many colonial gems that choosing just one is no easy task. In fact, its cultural value is so remarkable that the city was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988, becoming the first protected property in Cuba. Like any Latin city, its heart is the Plaza Mayor, where most of the town’s main monuments are located. Among them shines this former palace, now a Romantic Museum, showcasing the beauty of the building and the 19th-century memories of Count Brunet. It’s a fascinating journey back in time through the most glorious era of Trinidad, surrounded by curiosities, vintage objects, and handcrafted furniture.
The Iberostar Grand Trinidad invites you to experience the true Cuban spirit while staying at a 5-star hotel right in the heart of Trinidad, the country’s great open-air museum city.
Iberostar Heritage Iberostar Grand Trinidad
The other main hub of Trinidad is Parque Céspedes (or Plaza Carrillo), a broad square surrounded by stunning landmarks such as the Town Hall and the Church of San Francisco de Paula. Yet, standing above them all is the palace that houses Iberostar Heritage Iberostar Grand Trinidad, a splendid 16th-century historic mansion fully renovated, where past and present come together. In other words, where colonial elements like the courtyard and high arches blend with all the luxuries expected from a 5-star city hotel.
Parque Gibara
The heart of Gibara, a charming town in northeastern Cuba, blends a cosmopolitan feel with European charm. In a simple garden square stand symbols of both religious and commercial power — the church of San Fulgencio and the grand colonial mansions built by its most prominent merchants. It’s no surprise that this city is known as the “White Town” for its bright walls, which, together with a large battery of cannons, once protected its port and warehouses. A glorious era that remains intact today, reflected in the colorful facades and balconies that have made it the town with the greatest cultural and tourist potential in Cuba, as well as a deep passion for cinema. In fact, its streets and landscapes have featured in dozens of Cuban films and host one of the country’s most important international film festivals.
To discover this and more, Iberostar offers a complex of three 4-star hotels in Gibara: Ordoño, Arsenita, and Plaza Colón.
Iberostar Ordoño (Gibara)
This magnificent hotel is the finest example of Gibara’s eclectic and colonial charm. It stands out for its size, being the tallest building in the city, and for the art it preserves. Restored just five years ago, its renovation respected the stunning frescoes painted by the Canary Islands–born artist León Hernández Cáceres nearly a century ago. This thoughtful restoration makes staying here feel like stepping back into the golden twenties and thirties, when travelers and merchants visited the mansion of merchant Felipe Ordoño — only now with the comforts of the modern age.
Iberostar Arsenita (Gibara)
The most photogenic house in Gibara is one of the finest examples of a Cuban colonial mansion with American influences, a blend that instantly evokes the charm of New Orleans when you look out from its balconies. Once the home of the teacher María Arsenia Martínez Cruz, Arsenita, it is now a boutique hotel in Gibara with twelve rooms that still preserves its soul as a cultural house. Indeed, where this teacher once gave lessons, lively discussions now take place and films from the city’s film festival are screened.
Iberostar Plaza Colón (Gibara)
The connection between Gibara and the sea can be both felt and enjoyed in this beautiful house built at the beginning of the 20th century. In fact, the name of this establishment pays tribute to the square that, in turn, honors Christopher Columbus. The admiral and the town share a close relationship, as when he first saw it, he described it as “a river of seas, of better air, and gentler people.” That spirit has endured over time and is reflected in this building through a nautical-inspired décor, both in its colors and in its details. Another legacy of the past is its love of music, since its first owner was a music teacher, a memory that today inspires the concerts and performances held at this hotel.
Parque Céspedes (Santiago de Cuba)
Just like in Trinidad, Parque Céspedes is where everything happens in Santiago de Cuba. And saying that about the country’s second-largest city means fun, culture, and vibrant life. In one spot, you can find three unique and historic buildings: the Town Hall, the Casa de Don Diego Velázquez (the oldest in the entire country), and the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Assumption. A true display of colonial architectural variety applied to different purposes.
And to make it easy for you to explore all these treasures, Iberostar offers the best hotels in Santiago de Cuba.
Iberostar Heritage Casa Granda
Beyond the city’s major landmarks, in Parque Céspedes stands a building that stands out for its elegance. Its style lies somewhere between Europe’s minimalist Art Deco trends and colonial arabesques, making it a truly unique construction. Even more so when you see it for what it is: the most sophisticated and authentic way to experience the daily life of this vibrant square — whether it’s watching the day fade from its spacious rooms, feeling the pulse of the street from its terrace, or taking in Santiago’s distinctive skyline from its lively rooftop.
Iberostar Heritage Imperial
Located just 100 meters from Parque Céspedes, this impressive building is one of the most refined and delicate examples of its kind. Its moldings and balconies, almost mannerist in style, form a stunning display of intricate details that have made it one of the most admired landmarks in the city. After a complete renovation, it now houses the Iberostar Heritage Imperial, a hotel that highlights every detail of its façade and interiors while creating new spaces that promise to become favorites — such as its roof garden, from which you can glimpse the edges of the city.
Iberostar Heritage San Félix
José Antonio Saco Street is undoubtedly one of Santiago’s most charming commercial arteries. It is, in fact, the city center’s main avenue — the one that connects power to the port. Here, you’ll find colonial buildings of every style, since the appearance of a business has always been the best way to attract potential clients. In this case, beyond the blue and white tones, what stands out is its neoclassical flair, a style that here blends softly with the colonial but still bears its hallmark in the love for classical forms. Inside, however, the future takes over with spacious rooms, bars, and lounges.
