The Hotel Tryp Habana Libre launched a promotional video on Facebook this week to announce its "day pass" offer for 30 dollars per person, a package that includes breakfast, access to a room with panoramic views, a pool, lunch, and a drink.
The post, signed by the official account of the hotel with the hashtags #Offer and #summervibes, describes a comfort experience that starkly contrasts with the reality faced by the Cuban population.
A host tours the hotel facilities and showcases the entire process, from check-in at eight in the morning to a refreshing dip in the pool. "The lemonade was exquisite," she comments at one point during her stay, before concluding with the price: "The cost of this offer is 30 USD per person. Don't miss out!"
Breakfast is offered in buffet style at the Las Antillas restaurant or as a set menu in the La Rampa cafeteria, depending on the hotel's availability that day. The rooms accommodate a maximum of four people.
The reaction of the Cubans
Users on social media were quick to react. Some praised the hotel, stating: "The pool is always crystal clear, the water has a super pleasant temperature, and the service is top-notch."
However, others made clear the distance that separates that offer from everyday life on the island: "I was never able to do it when I lived in Cuba, but well, maybe I'll get to try it when I go on vacation one day."
The energy inequality between hotels and neighborhoods was also evident: "Is the power going out?" asked a user.
This topic has been documented in viral videos showing hotel towers lit up surrounded by streets completely in the dark in El Vedado.
The hotel operates with independent power supply systems and backup generators controlled by GAESA, the business conglomerate of the Cuban Armed Forces.
The Ministry of Tourism itself acknowledged that the sector has a "solid energy backup that guarantees the continuous operation of hotels," while the surrounding neighborhoods remain in the dark.
El Habana Libre is currently operated under Cuban management following the cessation of operations by Meliá Hotels International in 15 hotels linked to GAESA, announced on June 3, 2026, due to the threat of secondary sanctions from the Donald Trump administration. Hotel occupancy in Cuba has not exceeded 10% this year, a level at which no establishment generates profit.
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