The Cuban content creator Dani Boggeano documented on Instagram her three-day, two-night stay at the Hotel Habana Libre in Havana, where she went to celebrate her 27th birthday. The experience turned out to be a mix of memorable moments and setbacks that were hard to overlook.
In two reels published on the 9th and 11th of March, Dani detailed his experiences at one of the most iconic hotels in the Cuban capital. "I stayed three days at the Hotel Habana Libre and this is what happened," he wrote at the beginning of the first video.
The first night set the tone for the unpleasant surprises. Dinner was not included in their reservation, so they ordered food from a restaurant. Dani and his partner waited three hours for a sushi order that not only took a long time to arrive but also failed to meet their expectations. However, that wasn't the hotel's responsibility; the real surprise in the iconic building was yet to come.
On her birthday, Dani woke up happy and eager to try the buffet table at Habana Libre, but upon leaving her room, she faced an unexpected issue: none of the hotel elevators were working.
"We had to go down 22 floors by the stairs," she explained. The rest of their stay was spent using the service elevators, which Dani described as "the elevators of terror".
Upon arriving at the restaurant, they discovered that there was no buffet table in the morning, as originally stated in their reservation. The hotel had very few guests and prepared their classic "continental breakfast" à la carte.
The young woman assures that the experience also had its highlights. The room on the 22nd floor included two large beds, a desk, a television, a minibar, a safe, and a "very clean" bathroom. The views from that height were what impressed the Cuban the most.
"We woke up to the most beautiful views of Havana I had ever seen up to that point." The breakfast on the third day was indeed a buffet by the pool. "Simple and small but with everything we needed."
The highlight of the celebration was the birthday dinner at a restaurant in Old Havana. "There was no better way to end this day. Without a doubt, I give the place a thousand out of ten. The food, the service, the atmosphere, the vibe, the energy. I loved everything," he stated.
The total cost of the stay for two people at the Hotel Habana Libre was 47,200 Cuban pesos. This amount is significant within the Cuban economic context. What Dani paid for two nights is equivalent to almost a year's salary for an average state employee.
This type of experience is not unfamiliar in the debate about luxury in Cuban hotels that contrasts with the economic crisis facing the population.
The Habana Libre Hotel, a symbol of the capital since 1958, remains one of the most iconic destinations for those looking to stay in the heart of El Vedado, despite its notable shortcomings.
Dani was clear about the nature of her videos: "This is not a promotion, I'm just sharing my experience," she said. The young woman makes it clear that her story, with its ups and downs, reflects the reality of staying in one of the most iconic hotels in Cuba.
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