Iberostar Grand Packard

During our tour of Cuba we had three separate stays in Havana. The tour company had told us that we were booked into the Iberostar Parque Central for each of these stays. However on the drive from Cienfuegos back to Havana our guide told us there was a last minute change of hotel for our final night in Havana and instead of returning to the Parque Central we were now booked into the newer Iberostar Grand Packard. On arrival, there was a long queue of people waiting to check in with the only receptionist on duty. Half an hour later when it was finally our turn, we were told our room was one of only 3 not ready and we would have to wait 30 minutes. We were handed a welcome drink of ice tea which was awful. An hour later our room was still not ready, thirty minutes later and after 5pm and with our room still not ready we were given another room (not sure why this couldn’t have happened at 3.30pm!). After a shower and change we left to enjoy our last night walking back to the old town of Havana and going out to dinner. On our return we looked for the mini bar price list but couldn’t find one - there was no remote control for the TV either - we could turn it on using a button on the TV but couldn’t change channels (it was the only time during our time in Cuba that we had wanted to watch TV). I rang reception and she told me that all drinks in the mini bar had to be paid for and only the water not in the mini bar was free. I explained that we didn’t have any complimentary water, a mini bar price list or a TV remote! She said she would send someone up. A young girl arrived with a bottle of water - when I asked about the TV remote and mini bar price list she gave me a blank look as she didn’t understand English. The complimentary water needed a bottle opener to open it and there wasn’t one in or around the mini bar so my husband had to take it to one of the hotel bars to get it opened! When I turned down the bed I noticed the bottom sheet was all crumpled, stained and littered with body hair! It was after midnight by this time and we had an early pick up for the airport the next morning so we just pulled the quilt back up and slept on top of the bed! I advised reception at check out of all the issues with our room and suggested they correct them for the incoming guests. She apologised. Apart from all the issues with check in and our room, this hotel lacks the old world charm of the Iberostar Parque Central, the location isn’t as central and the staff are nowhere near as efficient, helpful or friendly. We were so disappointed that our final night in Havana was not at the lovely Iberostar Parque Central that we had been looking forward to! Read less

We stayed on the 10th floor in a 120 m2 suite with a nice view to the harbour entrance and the castle, nicely lit up during the evening and night. Everything OK but it is part of a hotel chain so everything is standardized but for Cuban standards its the best you can get in Havana. Clean white walls and white lounge seating with 'plastic' leather and a bit uncomfortable. Good king size bed, well working and quiet airco's and big plasmas in de sleeping room as well as in the sitting room. Rain shower was not working only handhold shower but the jacuzzi was working well and lots of hot water. Something special for Cuban hotels. Wifi was unlimited but slow; that's the fun part of Cuba! Very nice and relaxing infinity pool on the 6ht floor with drinks and snacks. Service for the snacks was a bit slow! Read less

I loved staying at the Grand Packard. The location is good, the hotel is still new and looks very well maintained. My favorite part was spending time at the pool drinking mojitos. We also tried out the cigar lounge which was a unique experience for us. Be warned that credit cards don't work at the hotel (we have Canadian credit cards) so bring extra cash. Also, the plugs are European so bring an adaptor as the hotel does not provide these to guests. Read less

Extremely pleasant.....very clean ....luxurious.......helpful staff (specially Edidyamis) who checked us in at 1.30 am.....and explained everything necessary to make our 3 day stay fully satisfactory and enjoyable. We were two couples (senior citizens) from Canada on our first visit to Cuba......There is a gorgeous swimming pool......The breakfast is delicious and very generous.... While waiting for our transport to pick us up.....I couldn't help but....listened to a small informal meeting by the Director (Mrs Irene Fuertes) with the Ckeckout employees. It was obvious to me why everyone in the Hotel is so pleasant, so polite, and so helpfull. We shall definitely return in 2020....for longer than 3 days. Signed : Argousy.....(Retired Psychology Professor) Read less