A beauty of a building and one of the few genuine art nouveau structures in Havana, the Raquel induces historical hallucinations with its grandiose columns, sleek marble statues and intricate stained-glass ceiling. Behind its impressive lobby, the rooms are a little shabbier (some have no exterior windows), with maintenance issues not always ironed out as quickly as they should be.
As consolation, there's a small gym and sauna, an occasional band playing when you eat breakfast, and a great central location.