Habanos Cuban Festival XII - Feb 2010

[cbob]

good points all round mate, think I might go for the hotel

FWIW, the Parque Central is very nice with a great pool and a nice walk-in Casa del Tabaco (NTM the nicest washrooms in the neighborhood) but it's one of the highest priced in the East Centro/Habana Viejo area. If you are going First Class, it's one to look at but there are a number of smaller, older funkier (cheaper) hotels in the neighborhood.
If you are going for the Festival, there is some logic to staying "closer to the action" in Marianao or Playa or at one of the popular Vedado or Miramar hotels. Habana Viejo is great for a visit but most of the best eating, drinking and cigar-buying places are further west. Partagas is OK for "tourist" tours and of course is a great place to hang out to herf but Festival tours will get you closer access to cigar production.

.

[Ryan]

FWIW, the Parque Central is very nice with a great pool and a nice walk-in Casa del Tabaco (NTM the nicest washrooms in the neighborhood) but it's one of the highest priced in the East Centro/Habana Viejo area. If you are going First Class, it's one to look at but there are a number of smaller, older funkier (cheaper) hotels in the neighborhood.
If you are going for the Festival, there is some logic to staying "closer to the action" in Marianao or Playa or at one of the popular Vedado or Miramar hotels. Habana Viejo is great for a visit but most of the best eating, drinking and cigar-buying places are further west. Partagas is OK for "tourist" tours and of course is a great place to hang out to herf but Festival tours will get you closer access to cigar production.

.

Thanks for the info. The pool (and the view from the roof) was one of the things that sold me on the hotel.
It is on the expensive side but I'm sharing a twin room for ?70 a night each, it's the cheapest 5 star hotel I'll probably ever stay in, even if it's Cuban "5 star".
I tried the Conde de Villanueva but they were not taking bookings. It was either too early or already booked out for the festival, I suspect the latter.
The Parque Central looks to be within walking distance though.
Neither of the Melias "did it" for me and I've heard bad things about the service in the Nacional.
Are you going to the festival?

[cbob]

Good value at the PC if you are sharing. Go for it!
The Villanueva only has 4 suites so it fills fast.

I'm going to be "in school" in Havana during the Festival so will try to find out how to pick a few events without taking the whole programme.

My hotel is in Miramar- close to school and great stores like 5ta y 16, Melia Havana and Comodoro but not so convenient to Habana Vieja.

.

[sam12]

Welcome to the forum.Its nice to join it.I want to do my register.'m sure I will definitely enjoy this festival.

[Don Andres]

Really looking forward to the event this year. I hope to be able to meet up with some of our new friends from the UK Cigar Forums.

Cheers
Drew P

[cbob]

Programme now on the Habanos SA website.

http://www.habanos.com/GENERAL%20INFORMATION%20XII%20HABANOS%20FESTIVAL.pdf

So who is going to be in Havana?

[Ryan]

I'll be there, don't think I'll be at the gala dinner though. At the moment, I'm thinking the opening night dinner, factory tours and the plantation tour. That may change though depending on who I meet.
Whatever happens, I plan on being at the Nacional for drinks on the Sunday.

[Flying Cigar]

Hola, buenas tardes Michael,

thanks for the programme - nice change form Karl Marx to better premises at the Gran Teatro, only wish they'd have the Welcome party at the Capitol like a few years back ....... but anything is better than Karl Marx !

As always, I swore not to return again to Cuba ....... so : see you in Havana :-))

I'll be there.

Nino

[Flying Cigar]

Thanks for the info. The pool (and the view from the roof) was one of the things that sold me on the hotel.

The Parque Central looks to be within walking distance though.

Are you going to the festival?

Hi Andy,

you sure had a good hand when booking ..... or maybe "insider info" on the venue of the Welcome Gala ??

Anyway, all you have to do is cross the street and you are there.

Hope to share a Bucanero at the Nacional terrace with you.

Nino

[Ryan]

Hi Andy,

you sure had a good hand when booking ..... or maybe "insider info" on the venue of the Welcome Gala ??

Anyway, all you have to do is cross the street and you are there.

Hope to share a Bucanero at the Nacional terrace with you.

Nino

Hi Nino,

Very glad to hear you're going, I'd very much look forward to a cocktail with you.
No insider information, at least not yet..

Andy

[Flying Cigar]

Will do Andy,

forget sharing a Bucanero, lets have a six-pack and 2 custom rolled ....

[Ryan]

Will do Andy,

forget sharing a Bucanero, lets have a six-pack and 2 custom rolled ....

Sounds like a plan

[cbob]

Is there a plan for a UKCF meet-up /herf? Someone mentioned Hotel Nacional -what date?

[Ryan]

Is there a plan for a UKCF meet-up /herf? Someone mentioned Hotel Nacional -what date?

I'd be certainly on for that, at the moment I have no set plans other than being on the terrace at the Hotel Nacional for the afternoon of Sunday 21st.

[Flying Cigar]

Not sure if I can make it but I'll jot it down and will try to be there.