Design destination: Cuba rich in architectural style
Spanish colonial architecture is what comes to mind when you hear someone mention Havana, and surely there is no other city like it, full of such buildings in various stages of restoration or decay. Havana is an enchanting city full of the unexpected: Restaurants representing every country and food in the world, from Japanese sushi, to Middle-eastern couscous and lamb dishes, art galleries and studios filled with cutting edge artists, and even LGBT entertainment.
Since relations between the U.S. and Cuba have thawed, cruise ships such as Fathom’s Adonia are an easy way to go and visit Havana. All the conveniences of home are available while giving a first glimpse into Cuba via three ports: Havana, Cienfuegos and Santiago de Cuba. This ship portrays classically styled luxury with all the varnished woods and finishes that harken to the glamorous age of cruising. Not to be missed is The Glass Box wine lounge, with its posh and elegant gray and ivory decor.
There are classic hotels such as the Nacional, Hotel Santa Isabel and Hotel Ambos Mundos, which take you back in time for those that prefer a nostalgic ambiance, all within walking distance to all the sights. Hotel Saratoga is near the capital; complete with neo-morrocan decor, it is a favorite of the likes of celebrities such as Madonna, Beyonce and the Kardashians.
Of course, Havana is now in full throttle, becoming much more open to tourists. Adding more hotel rooms to its inventory is way up in priority. There are at least six new hotels being built with in the historic center, which will pull Havana hospitality to world-class standards. Here are some to keep your eye on: Hotel Packard, Hotel Regis, Hotel Catedral and Hotel Sofitel-Prado.
All of these will feature more streamlined contemporary decor.
Cubans are known for their inventiveness and resourcefulness. Piscolabis is a store not unlike one you could find in a city like New York, Paris or Miami. This shop has vintage furniture, and Cuban-made goods by artist such as reclaimed AC grills transformed into chandeliers, colorful lamp shades made from fishing wire and buttons, and silk-screened artful pillows.
The small shop itself is a study of carefully placed items and a futuristic mural stenciled on the staircase wall in ultra orange and white... very daring and cutting edge.
An unexpected find is Havana 1791, a perfume shop that captures the essence of Havana with handcrafted scents given suggestive names such as Seduction, Cuban Tobacco, Freshness, and Sexy Man.
All of these are carefully decanted, depending on the bottle and size of your choice. The chic backdrop to the 200-yearold mixing table is a black and white mural reminiscent of a chemistry class chalkboard.
What would complete this experience better than dining in the middle of a “solar” restaurant? Dinner at Paladar La Guarida is an extraordinary experience. This paladar (privately owned restaurant) is in an old decaying building that has been divided into precariously maintained rooms. There are clothing lines that hover above the air, spiraling staircases connecting to perilously anchored doors and hallways.
In some rooms, haphazard chandeliers and cuban art adorn the otherwise peeling walls, and in others, motorcycles and oil drums parked on the ground floor. This restaurant has a long wait list and world-class cuisine, and the environment is truly out of a movie. Located at 418 Concordia.
Havana is a place of full complexities and contradictions. But most importantly, the people are its best asset. The collective warm, funny and easygoing spirit inspires a sense of improvisation and invention that is like no other, bringing a fresh perspective on design.