Hotel Islazul Balcon de la Sierra

Hotel Islazul Balcon de la Sierra is attractive facility that offers visitors a holiday in the midst of the penetrating greenness and fragrance of the Sierra Maestra, Cuba?s most important mountain range.

It is a typical Cuban hotel, distinguished by the natural beauty of its surroundings and its intimacy. It possesses ideal conditions for a nature-contact holiday. Along with the necessary relaxation and the enjoyment of delicious Cuban dishes, the tourist can opt for excursions to nearby places or take walks or tours to admire the surrounding nature.

Hotel Villa Islazul Santo Domingo

This reclusive hotel sits on the banks of the Yara river, amid forest at the base of the Sierra Maestra, about 15 miles south of Bartolom? Mas?. It's pretty much at the end of the road ? just getting here on your own by car has your heart racing on the frighteningly steep hills. The raison d'etre for visiting is to either hike to Pico Turquino (Cuba's highest peak, requiring an overnight on the mountain) or to La Comandancia de la Plata (Fidel Castro's guerrilla headquarters, offered as a day hike).

It was renovated around 2002 and today has 20 air-conditioned bungalows. Although no frills, they're perfectly clean and appealing and, for those who can't abide no TVs, there're satellite TV (with fuzzy reception). The rustic thatched restaurant is a tremendous spot beside the river; it has cowhide chairs and farmhouse decor and serves traditional Cuban dishes (when available) and (more reliably) the usual staples, such as friend chicken. It has a small games room to keep you amused on rainy days.

Hotel Islazul Royalton

This gracious hotel in the Islazul chain enjoys a superb position overlooking Parque C?spedes, in the very heart of the colonial city. The three-story building dates back to the 1940s and was last refurbished in 2002 to bring it up to tourist level. It is far from one of Islazul's better hotels, but meets the bare minimum of standards for a multi-night stay.

The airy lobby has been refitted with modern ceramic floor and leather sofas. Off to one side, a simple caf?-restaurant has a streetfront patio but can usually only muster up a few dishes off the menu, but fortunately two there are a couple of atmospheric restaurants within a few minutes walk.

The best thing about the 33 small air-conditioned rooms are the lofty ceilings and modern bathrooms with showers only. All come with small satellite TVs and phone plus mini-refrigerator, but the furnishings are meager, the mattresses far from comfortable, and the fabrics outdated. Take okne of the four south-facing rooms for balcony views over the square, but be warned that these rooms get more noise.