THE APARTMENT
Economía is an elegant, meticulously restored townhouse apartment, blending classical antiquity with clean modern taste, and all modern amenities possible in Cuba.
Airy high-ceilinged, timber-beamed rooms are arranged around a quiet interior courtyard, and feature a selection of antique and modern furniture. The tiled floors are reproductions of the originals, and the 110+ year-old ironwork and woodwork have been carefully restored or reproduced. The house is furnished with a tasteful blend of Cuban antique and modern furniture.
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Walls are hung with works of notable Cuban artists including Pedro Pablo Oliva and his protégeé Elvis Cellez.
The open layout of the formal rooms, with a mix of old-style fans and air-conditioning will ensure comfort in the Havana heat, offering a place of repose away from the hustle-bustle of the old city.
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The roof terrace features a garden and pergola for alfresco dining or evening cocktails. Entertain your friends there in the night-lit garden.
In addition to the spacious main salon, the house comprises 3 air-conditioned bedrooms, rented individually, each with a dedicated bathroom. Two of the rooms contain double beds, and the third, twin beds. It sleeps six comfortably. The apartment in its entirety is available for rental to families only.
Adjacent to the kitchen is a dining room opening out on the interior patio. Above, a library, laundry, and storeroom.
The house is fully secure with CCTV, alarms, and a video entry-system.
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The restoration was designed by one of the architects on the team restoring the Capitolio.
Classical elegance meets modern comfort, in a quiet corner of Old Havana
THE TOUR
Economía 156 is within the UNESCO designated World Heritage Site in Habana Vieja (Old Havana). It lies directly between the newly-restored Capital and the Central Station (under restoration), in the popular Parish of Jesus Maria. Located in the less developed and touristic part of Old Havana the house is closer to the realities of Havana life, which are endlessly fascinating.
The house is perfectly positioned to access on foot all the major sights and sounds of Old Havana -- via picturesque streets with their soundscape of street-criers, banter, and the strains of rumba and Afro/Cuban drums emanating from behind the crumbling facades.
A 15-minute walk takes you along the Prado promenade to the ‘must-see’ Contemporary collection of the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, and, adjacent, the Museum of the Revolution. Or to the Plaza Vieja, the cruise ship docks, and the ferry to Casablanca.
It’s a 5-10 minute stroll to the Parque Central, and the splendidly restored Gran Teatro (home of the Cuban National Ballet), the beautiful José Martí Theatre, and the hotels, bars, and restaurants that were Hemingway’s stamping ground. Nearby is the fascinating House of the Orishas (Yoruba gods are still worshipped in Cuba in the Santerîa cult), José Marti’s birthplace, and the San José dockside art market.
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Opportunities for fine dining in Old Havana have improved exponentially in recent years. Havana is increasingly cosmopolitan and one can find cuisine from all over the globe. Your host will give you recommendations to accommodate your tastes. Most restaurants and bars will be within walking distance. We serve you a Cuban-style dinner at home, by prior arrangement.
TRANSPORTATION
With the American blockade and the vagaries of the Venezuelan petrol supply, there is a fuel crisis in Cuba. Public transport has become infrequent and overcrowded and the shared taxi system (boteros) disintegrating. Visitors are strongly advised to use yellow taxis, or private taxis organised by your hosts. Bicycle rentals and bicycle tours are available. Additionally, in Old Havana bicycle rickshaws (bicytaxis) are ubiquitous. There is a regular bus to the local beaches and El Moro Castle departing regularly from the Parque Central, a 10-minute walk from Economía.
FEATURES
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Breakfast served daily at your convenience, and to your requirements, on the roof, or in the patio dining room. Tropical Cuban fruits and fruit juices in season.
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Cuban mobile phone for local calls, WhatsApp, and queries to the concierge.
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A landline for local calls and incoming international calls.
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Purchase of SIM card for data.
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Cotton towels and linens.
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Daily cleaning and laundry service. Towels replaced twice daily and linens every second day, unless soiled.
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Laundry and ironing service on request.
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Evening turn-down.
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Safe deposit boxes in each room.
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Hair dryers.
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Fresh flowers.
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Yoga mats and early a.m. exercise on the roof (pre-booked).
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We can arrange airport transfers, guides, and transport.
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Full concierge service available at additional cost for organising tours, restaurants, and specific needs including onward travel.
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LED screen TV for local & satellite programming (Spanish only), and digital ports for movies and music. Bluetooth speakers.
TOUR OF THE HOUSE
LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION
HAVANA - ENDLESSLY FASCINATING
THINGS TO NOTE
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Visas: US citizens are allowed, under US Government regulations, to visit Cuba under the pretext of several different 'reasons for travel.' The one most frequently used is 'support for the Cuban people.' Check with your airline, travel agent or tour operator for the evidential requirements attached to that category. For all nationalities a Cuban tourist visa is required to visit. This can be purchased online https://evisacuba.cu/en/inicio A health and customs form needs to be completed online the day prior to arrival: https://dviajeros.mitrans.gob.cu/inicio
To non-USA travellers who hold an ESTA visa for the USA, beware! Since Donald Trump declared (without justification) that Cuba is a 'terrorist country' Europeans and others will not be able to use the ESTA visa to enter the USA once having travelled to Cuba. A simple way to circumvent this is to ask that your passport NOT be stamped upon entry to Cuba. In any event one cannot then travel from Cuba to the USA on an ESTA and you should route via Mexico, Bahamas, etc., or obtain a US B2 Visa from your Embassy - a lengthy process.
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Orientation: it's useful to download maps.me or similar for Cuba before you come.
Money: The basic currency in Cuba is the Cuban peso, called the CUP, used in markets, for taxis, and for day-to-day items. The denominations are very small, given that the prices of many things are upwards of 1000 CUP. One ends up carrying bundles of cash. However, there are shops and businesses which ONLY accept $US or Euros, and a few which only accept credit cards. At times US credit cards are not accepted. Changing at banks or exchange kiosks (CADECA) , or via credit cards is at the official rate which is dramatically higher than the unofficial rate. Asks you hosts about arranging exchange.
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Wifi: we have given up wifi at Economía, because the signal is so feeble. We use data via a mobile phone SIM, and connect to our computers when needed, which functions well. WhatsApp is widely used in Cuba. You can purchase a SIM for your phone in advance at this website and others: https://suenacuba.com/tourist_sim_card_cuba_buy
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YOUR HOSTS
WELCOME
3 rooms are available for bed and breakfast, 2 with double beds, and 1 with twin beds. The entire apartment is rentable for families only.
Rates are seasonal. Enquire using link below.
Jazz is a dual nationality Cuban/British theatre director. He has directed plays in London and Havana and is currently working more in film.
Stephen is a director and producer, formerly of film and more recently of theatre. He was formerly Director of the National Film and Television School in Britain, and is a professor at Cuba’s Escuela Internacional de Cine y Televisión.
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We are 'arts' oriented, and visitors have included actors Sir Ian McKellen and Mark Strong, playwright Tom Stoppard, and composer-pianist-conductor Thomas Adès.
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We are LGBTQ+ friendly and are interested in people of all colours, races, creeds, and nationalities. We have enjoyed receiving people from the four corners of the Globe.