What rum is made in Cuba: history, brands, and features

In this article we have collected the best hotels in Cuba 5 stars, among which you will definitely find the right option. The country beckons with palm trees and the glow of the Atlantic, but the impressions of luxury holidays here are not only created by the scenery. In 2025, the best 5-star hotels on the island offer more than just the standard idea of luxury. As our review shows, true comfort in Cuba is measured not by the glitter of marble, but by impeccable attention to detail, quality of service and that unique atmosphere where Caribbean flavour blends harmoniously with the highest level of service.

Best Cuba 5 star hotels in Varadero

A neighbourhood where every residential complex is like a Swiss watch, only in the tropics. Here the best 5-star hotels in Cuba turn holidays into a system of precise decisions: without failures, without compromise, with a clear focus on comfort and style. Varadero has long worked not for the wow effect, but for sustained trust.

Iberostar Auswahl Varadero 5*

The hotel demonstrates the fine-tuning of service to meet the needs of families and couples. It was erected on a long beach and opened 386 rooms with laconic interiors and ocean views. Cuba’s best 5-star hotels are developing an all-inclusive format. The system offers rum, seafood and round-the-clock service – all included in the price.

Families have access to kids’ clubs with animators and areas with shallow pools. The hotel offers meals in six restaurants, one of which specialises in Japanese cuisine. Tourists note the high level of staff on Tripadvisor, and reviews on TopHotels record a high score for “service”.

Melia International 5*.

A flagship among hotels with an emphasis on deluxe categories. The complex comprises 946 rooms divided into zones for families and adults. The spa services centre covers more than 1000 m², making it popular for wellness tours. Children’s programmes, gourmet restaurants, a gym with sea views – a complete package for the discerning holidaymaker.

Best Varadero 5 star hotels for adults only

When no playgrounds or animation is required, the scene gives way to silence and choice to taste. Cuba’s best 5 star hotels offer a format where adult holidays take on a new dimension. There are private zones, gastronomy without compromise and a secluded atmosphere. Varadero confidently holds the bar in the “18+” niche – strict, discreet and without fuss.

Royalton Hicacos Resort 5*

Resorts promote the all-inclusive format for adults – it is valued for its comfort and privacy. 404 rooms, four swimming pools, eight restaurants, separate areas for couples. The resort managers have staked on “relax-first”. They have created a spa area, launched water sports and included jazz in the evening programme. The complex offers a high level of privacy and service, especially in the premium Diamond Club area.

Melia Las Americas 5*

The only hotel in the region integrated with the Varadero Golf Club. It is considered a suitable option for a business holiday combined with a beach holiday. The rooms offer views of the fairways and the restaurants offer Caribbean cuisine. Premium All Inclusive, including transfers, excursions and VIP service.

Cuba’s best 5 star hotels on Cayo Coco and Guillermo

The archipelago sounds quieter than your heart on relaxation – this is where Cuba’s best 5 star hotels take the concept of seclusion to a level where silence becomes luxury. No unnecessary fuss, no mass trails – just turquoise water, white sand and service.

Melia Cayo Coco 5*

Accommodation in water bungalows creates an atmosphere of privacy. Cuba’s all-inclusive adult hotels are ideal – only adults have access. Rooms are equipped with mini-bars with imported alcohol, wide terraces and direct access to the water. A gastronomic restaurant with lobster, grill and fusion cuisine is open daily.

Grand Muthu Cayo Guillermo 5*

Located in the Guillermo neighbourhood, surrounded by mangroves. Includes 500 rooms decorated in a minimalist tropical style. The complex is included in the price segment of Cuba’s 5-star all-inclusive hotels, offering accommodation from $280 per night – a bargain compared to similar resorts. Premium all-inclusive hotels offer imported drinks, snack bars, poolside service and evening shows with live music.

Top hotels in Cayo Santa Maria

Here, silence is not an accident, but part of the concept. Cuba’s best 5-star hotels on this island create a chamber atmosphere. They form a space from secluded beaches to impeccable service. Everything here is subordinated to the idea of exclusivity and the concept of “only for your own”. Cayo Santa Maria does not work on the flow, but on the impression.

Royalton Cayo Santa Maria 5*

A boutique hotel with an emphasis on couples holidays, the all-inclusive format in Cuba offers a room stock of 122 suites with Jacuzzi, personalised service and panoramic views. Personalised service and private beaches set it apart from its peers. It is regularly ranked in the top 3 on Tripadvisor and TopHotels for 5-star all-inclusive hotels in Cuba.

Cuba’s best 5-star hotels: premium openings 2024-2025

Fresh names have quickly joined the ranks of Cuba’s top 5-star hotels – thanks to demand. New properties are not copying, but shaping standards: technology, boutique style and a focus on experiences. A new format of luxury is being born here – modern, thoughtful and targeted.

Gran Muthu Imperial 5*

A modern hotel launched in early 2024. It was built right on Pilar Beach, one of the most photogenic beaches in Cuba. The architects designed it to suit European tastes: simple interiors, stable Wi-Fi and English-language management. The team implemented eco-technologies and installed its own solar energy system.

Mystique Casa Perla 5*

A boutique option for those looking for quietness and high service. Includes 10 designer rooms, each decorated in a special architectural style. The resort is set right in the heart of historic Varadero. The hotel combines beach holidays with culture: it holds readings, tastings and rum masterclasses.

Iberostar Coral Esmeralda 5*

A modern complex specialising in family holidays. Includes clubs for children from 3 to 12 years old, nanny-on-call system, allergen-free menu. 10 hectares of land with direct access to the beach. The property is actively receiving positive reviews due to its balanced price and quality level.

Why choose five-star hotels in Cuba

Tourists choose Cuba’s top resorts for their reliable service, ideal location and unlimited comfort. Each resort offers a format ranging from private beaches for adults to accommodation in bungalows on the water. Tourists choose them for their combination of comfort, ratings and rich infrastructure.

Comparison of key indicators:

1. Royalton Cayo Santa Maria 5* – 9.4 on Tripadvisor, $320/night, adults only, private beaches.
2. Melia Internacional 5* – 9.2 rating, $290/night, family and adult holiday area.
3. Gran Muthu Cayo Guillermo 5* – 8.7 rating, $260/night, emphasis on active leisure.
4. Iberostar Coral Esmeralda 5* – 9.1, $280/night, for families with children.
5. Melia Cayo Coco 5* – 9.0, $275/night, accommodation in water bungalows.

These hotels are shaping the standard of premium Cuban holidays, offering guests a thoughtful experience rather than just accommodation. Whatever the purpose of the trip – romance, retreat or family holiday – it’s easy to find an option here without compromise.

Conclusion

Cuba’s best 5-star hotels in 2025 demonstrate a balance between the island’s atmosphere and the demands of international service. Sustainable quality, local cuisine, all-inclusive format, attention to detail and personalised service are becoming markers of true luxury. The principle of “nothing too much, everything to do”. Cuba’s resorts attract those who want not just a holiday, but a tropical experience.

The capital of Cuba is not just a city, but an open-air chronicle. Every corner is a frame from a historical film, every street is an invitation to dialogue with epochs. Havana’s landmarks are not gathered in a museum hall – they are scattered throughout colonial quarters, bustling squares, and waterfronts with the scent of the sea and rum. A city that cannot be “seen” in one day – it must be felt.

Old Havana – the heart of the city and the cultural core

Cobbled stone streets, baroque facades, wrought-iron balconies, street musicians, and the aroma of coffee – everything here is imbued with the spirit of the past. The district is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, and not by chance: it is here that the immersion into the history of Havana, its architecture, and way of life begins. Havana’s landmarks are most often associated with such a district, as it concentrates the highest number of colonial monuments.

Plaza de Armas – the colonial epicenter

The oldest square in the city and, essentially, its symbolic foundation. Once military parades took place here, and now it hosts antique fairs and tours. The square is surrounded by important buildings – the Museum of City History, the Governor’s residence, the library. Tourists come here not only for beautiful photos but also to feel the rhythm of the old city, where each facade tells its own story.

Cathedral Square – a sacred and architectural gem

The square is a true baroque parade. Here rises the Cathedral of Saint Christopher, better known as Havana Cathedral. Its facade is asymmetrical, emphasizing the beauty of architectural lines. The square is one of the quietest and most atmospheric in the city. Looking for spirituality and visual harmony in Havana? This is the place.

Plaza Vieja – Cuban painting in urban format

Rich colors, balconies with greenery, modern sculptures, and architecture without unnecessary pathos make Plaza Vieja one of the liveliest in the city. Artists meet here, children play, and you can fall in love with Cuba through the eyes of its residents. The space is not about the past, but about the present – gastronomy, music, Cuban culture in all its expressiveness.

Capitol of Havana – a symbol of the renewed capital

The monumental building in the style of the American Capitol has been restored and reopened for visits. It is not just an administrative structure but an important point on the tourist map. The interiors impress with marble, frescoes, and statues, while outside – endless columns. Among Havana’s landmarks, it plays a special role – a symbol of the city’s modern face, striving to preserve the past and move forward.

Malecon – a waterfront where epochs meet

The Havana waterfront stretches for almost eight kilometers along the sea and serves not only as a promenade but also as an open-air theater. Lovers, fishermen, artists, and passersby meet here. The sunset view from Malecon is a separate pleasure. One of those landscapes that are impossible to forget. It lives in every film about Cuba, and it is here that tourism in Havana is best felt.

Hemingway Museum – the writer’s personal history in Cuba

The Hemingway House-Museum is located slightly off-center, but it is worth a visit for anyone interested in Cuban literature and culture. Here, the writer’s personal belongings, his library, hunting trophies, and the famous yacht Pilar are preserved. Tours allow you to touch the life of a man who called the country his home and inspiration. Not just a museum, but a part of the city’s living cultural memory.

El Morro Fort – a military shield and panoramic viewpoint

The entrance to the bay is guarded by a powerful stone structure – a fort built in the 16th century. It impresses with its size, system of underground passages, and observation platforms offering panoramic views of the city and the ocean. In the evening, a cannon firing ceremony is held here – a tradition that has been preserved since colonial times. One of the most recognizable landmarks in Havana that should not be missed.

What else to do in Havana besides exploring landmarks: active options

In addition to historical routes and museums, the capital of Cuba offers many other ways to immerse yourself in the atmosphere. Here’s what you can do if you want to add dynamics to your vacation:

• Take a ride around the city in a vintage convertible, feeling the spirit of the 50s;
• Attend a carnival or street concert at Revolution Square;
• Visit the legendary bars El Floridita and La Bodeguita del Medio;
• Browse boutiques of local designers and buy authentic souvenirs;
• Sign up for a masterclass in Cuban dance or cigar rolling.

Such activities fill the trip with emotions and personal discoveries, turning the tour into an adventure.

Cuba and tourists: what you need to know before your trip?

Before visiting the island, it is important to consider several aspects. Cuba has local laws for tourists that may differ from familiar norms: respect for culture is valued here, cautious behavior in political matters, and an understanding that not everything is available in digital format. The internet is unstable, it’s better to prepare cash for payment, and conversations with locals sometimes replace any guidebooks. Let’s look at some practical tips:

• Do not use drones without permission – it is prohibited by law;
• Always have your passport or a copy with you;
• Do not photograph military and police facilities;
• Respect private homes, even if they look like ruins;
• Find out in advance which areas to avoid.

Following the rules makes tours in Havana not only interesting but also safe.

Onward to exploring Havana’s landmarks!

Havana’s landmarks are not just a list of places, but a reflection of its temperament, tragedies, and celebrations. The city tells its story through museums, squares, fortresses, hotels, monuments, and lively streets. In every building, glance, sound, and scent – there is Cuba, which you want to not just remember but feel.

If you are still wondering what to see in Havana, start with the heart – the old city. But don’t stop there – open up the panorama from the fort, chat with the bartender at El Floridita, feel the surge of emotions on Malecon, and perhaps you will understand: you will return here again.