What happened to the Grand Packard?

It is closed for now. The Grand Packard was run by Iberostar until the Spanish hotel groups all left Cuba in July 2026, and it has not been taking bookings since. The building and the rooftop pool are still there, so it may well reopen under its Cuban owner. We will list it again here when it does. Until then this city break runs from Hotel Parque Central, which is the stronger hotel of the two on location.

Is five nights enough in Havana?

Five nights is the sweet spot for most visitors. You get three full days to explore Havana at a relaxed pace, plus the option of a day trip to Viñales. If you want beach time too, we can extend the trip with a few nights in Varadero (2.5 hours east), ask us to quote for a combined city-and-beach itinerary.

Why is this B&B rather than all inclusive?

Havana's food scene is one of the best reasons to visit, the private restaurants (paladares) serve creative Cuban cuisine that you would miss entirely by eating in the hotel every night. We include breakfast (which is excellent) and leave lunch and dinner free so you can explore. A good dinner at a top paladar costs £20–40 per person including drinks, far less than you might expect.

Is Havana safe for walking around?

Old Havana and Vedado are generally safe for tourists walking during the day and early evening. Normal city precautions apply, keep valuables secure, avoid unlit streets late at night, and be aware of occasional street scams (overcharging taxis, unofficial guides). The hotel concierge can advise on current conditions.

Can I extend the trip with a beach stay?

Absolutely, that is one of the most popular combinations. We can add 3–7 nights in Varadero at an all inclusive resort, with a private transfer from Havana. This turns the city break into a full two-centre holiday. Ask us to quote for your preferred dates.

Do I need travel insurance for Cuba?

Yes, Cuba requires all visitors to have valid medical insurance. Because the FCDO currently advises against all but essential travel, most standard UK policies will not cover Cuba. If you arrive without cover that Cuba accepts, you can buy it at the airport from Asistur, part of Cuba's national insurance company, for about US$3 per person per day.

An aerial view of a cream-colored hotel with a domed tower, palm trees on its roof, and arched windows, situated on a street with cars and a blue bus in a sunny, cloudy urban environment.

LUXURY · HAVANA · ROOFTOP

Luxury Havana City Break

Name: Luxury Havana City Break: Hotel Parque Central
Brand: Travelfab
Rating: 5.0 (3 reviews)

5 nights at Havana’s most iconic five-star hotel, overlooking Parque Central

CubaTailor-Made5 nightsFlights IncludedPrice on enquiry

Hotel Parque Central is the hotel for this trip. The Grand Packard, which we used to run it from, is closed for now. It may reopen, and if it does we will offer it again here.

Hotel Parque Central is widely considered Havana’s best hotel. It overlooks Parque Central, the city’s main square, and puts every major sight in Old Havana within walking distance. It combines genuine five-star service with the best location in the city.

This is not the faded glamour that most people associate with Cuban hotels. Two rooftop pools and jacuzzis look straight across at the Capitolio dome, the breakfast buffet is an excellent international spread, and the rooms are large and properly finished. The hotel has 427 rooms across a restored colonial building and a modern tower wing, and the Capitol Level tier adds a private lounge and a dedicated concierge.

Five nights gives you enough time to explore Havana properly, the plazas of Old Havana on foot, the Malecón at sunset, the jazz clubs of Vedado, the paladares (private restaurants) that have transformed the city’s food scene, and a day trip to the tobacco fields of Viñales.

WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL

Trip highlights

Hotel Parque Central, Cuba's only five-star international hotel, in a restored 1894 building

Rooftop infinity pool, overlooking the Capitolio and the rooftops of Old Havana

Private transfers, airport to hotel and return in a private vehicle, not shared coach

Old Havana on your doorstep, step out onto Plaza de San Francisco and the cobbled streets of the UNESCO World Heritage quarter

Air Europa flights, return flights from London Gatwick via Madrid

Cuban e-Visa included, we handle the application free of charge

ATOL protected, full financial security from the moment you book (licence 10898)

DAY BY DAY

Your itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Havana

Fly from London Gatwick to Havana via Madrid on Air Europa. On arrival at José Martí International Airport, your private driver meets you in arrivals and takes you directly to Hotel Parque Central, a 30-minute drive into the heart of Old Havana. Check in, head up to the rooftop pool for a first glimpse of the Capitolio dome and the city skyline, then walk five minutes to the Malecón for sunset.

Day 2: Old Havana Walking Tour

Spend the morning exploring Old Havana on foot, the hotel is perfectly positioned between Plaza de San Francisco, Plaza Vieja, Plaza de la Catedral and Plaza de Armas. Stop at the Museo de la Ciudad, browse the second-hand book market on Plaza de Armas, and duck into a paladar for lunch, Doña Eutimia (famous for ropa vieja) or El del Frente (rooftop cocktails and ceviche) are both within walking distance. In the afternoon, visit the Fábrica de Arte Cubano if it is open, or walk the length of the Malecón from the Prado to the Hotel Nacional.

Day 3: Classic Car Tour & Vedado

A morning classic car tour is one of Havana's signature experiences, a 1950s Chevrolet or Buick convertible takes you through the Prado, along the Malecón, through Vedado (Havana's mid-century neighbourhood), past the Plaza de la Revolución and back through Centro Habana. In the afternoon, explore Vedado at your own pace, the Fábrica de Arte Cubano, the jazz clubs, and the quieter residential streets with their art deco architecture. Evening: cocktails at Hotel Nacional's terrace bar, followed by live music at La Zorra y El Cuervo (Havana's best jazz club).

Day 4: Viñales Valley Day Trip (Optional)

A full-day excursion to the Viñales Valley, a UNESCO-protected landscape of limestone mogotes (flat-topped hills), tobacco fields and red earth, about two hours west of Havana. Visit a working tobacco farm to see cigars rolled by hand, explore the Cueva del Indio by boat, and have lunch at a farm restaurant in the valley. You will be back in Havana by early evening. Alternatively, spend the day at leisure, the hotel's spa, pool and restaurants are reason enough to stay put.

Day 5: Havana at Your Own Pace

A free day to revisit your favourite corners of the city or explore something new. Suggestions: the Rum Museum (with tasting), the Partagás cigar factory tour, the street art of Callejón de Hamel, or a cooking class at a private home. In the evening, the Buena Vista Social Club show at the Hotel Nacional or live rumba in the courtyard of the Callejón de Hamel make for a memorable last night.

Day 6: Departure

After breakfast, your private transfer collects you from the hotel for the drive to the airport. Fly home via Madrid with Air Europa, arriving back in the UK the following morning.

WHERE YOU'LL STAY

Your hotel

Hotel Parque Central ★★★★★

Hotel Parque Central sits on the square it is named after, between Old Havana and Centro Habana, two minutes’ walk from the Gran Teatro de La Habana and steps from the cobbled streets of Havana Vieja. It is a restored 1894 building joined to a modern tower wing, 427 rooms in total. It traded as the Iberostar Selection Parque Central until the Spanish chains left Cuba in July 2026, and is now run directly by its Cuban owner under its own name.

Rooms are large and well-appointed, marble bathrooms, proper air conditioning, fast Wi-Fi, minibar and effective soundproofing. The Capitol Level premium tier adds upgraded rooms, a private lounge and a dedicated concierge. Breakfast is a generous international buffet with eggs cooked to order.

The roof is the highlight: two pools and jacuzzis with panoramic views over the Capitolio dome and the rooftops of Old Havana. There is a spa, a fitness centre and several restaurants and bars. The hotel runs its own generators, water system and fuel reserve, so the power situation on the national grid does not reach your room.

Why we chose this hotel: Hotel Parque Central is one of the best-run hotels in Cuba, with consistent service standards and a location nothing else in Havana matches. We moved this trip here because the Grand Packard closed. If the Packard reopens we will offer it again as an alternative.

What's Included

Return flights from London Gatwick to Havana via Madrid (Air Europa)
5 nights at Hotel Parque Central (5-star, bed and breakfast)
Full breakfast each morning, international buffet with eggs to order
Private airport transfers, meet and greet, private vehicle, not shared coach
Rooftop pool and spa access throughout your stay
Cuban Tourist Card (e-Visa) included free of charge
ATOL financial protection (licence 10898)

What's Not Included

Travel insurance (Cuba requires medical cover, which you can also buy at the airport on arrival)
Lunch and dinner (Havana's paladar scene is excellent and affordable, budget £20–40 per person per evening)
Optional excursions (Viñales day trip, classic car tour, cooking class)
Spa treatments (bookable at the hotel)
Gratuities
Anything not explicitly mentioned in What's Included

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Plenty of Cuban hotels carry a local five-star rating that would not hold up elsewhere. Hotel Parque Central is not one of them. It was built and is run to international five-star standards, and it is the hotel most experienced Cuba travellers name as the best in Havana. The rooms, the service and the breakfast are all a clear step above the Cuban average.

Ready to Book Your Luxury Havana Break?

Tell our Cuba specialists your dates and we will price five nights at Hotel Parque Central for you. We handle flights, private transfers and your Cuban visa, ATOL protected from the moment you book.

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Tailor-Made Holiday

Price on enquirytailored to your trip

Flights Included

Private holiday

Flexible dates

5 nights (suggested)

Fully customisable

No commitment, we respond within 24 hours

Call us

Real reviews

What our customers say

From travellers who visited Cuba with us

“

Thanks to Fabian's passion, advice and great organisation we had an amazing holiday in Cuba. TravelFab listened to what we wanted and tailored an experience to match. We would recommend TravelFab to anyone wanting to visit the beautiful island of Cuba. Thanks Fabian.

Madeleine and David

“

Great holiday, great service from Fabian at TravelFab, who turned it around for us in just a week! Cuba, such an interesting country in so many ways, politically, economically and culturally. Challenged our expectations and made us think, a country and people to admire and respect. Don't just head for the beaches, which are amazing, but take the time to explore a little. Thank you TravelFab.

Edwina

“

We had a fantastic trip. All the accommodation lived up or exceeded expectations, all the transfers worked well, and Jorge, who drove us for three days to Trinidad and Santa Clara was great company and really informative. Thank you!

Gareth

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Tailor-made · ATOL 10898

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