EPICURE LOOKBOOK
Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski La Habana
The official opening of Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski La Habana in 2017 at the heart of Unesco-protected Old Havana is a big deal – it has encouraged Geneva-based luxury hotel group, Kempinski to open its third property in Cuba, Gran Hotel Bristol, in 2020.
However, in June, President Donald Trump rolled back on Obama’s Cuba policy and tightened restrictions on travel and trade between the two countries. He reinforced the ban on Americans transacting with businesses owned by Gaviota, the Cuban military’s tourism arm. This makes it illegal for U.S. citizens to stay at some 50 hotels owned by the Cuban government. While it’s still too soon to say if these changes will have a major impact on Cuba’s travel industry, for the rest of the world, the majestic
Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski La Habana is a much welcomed addition to a city that previously offered only casa particulars (private homestays) and old hotels that were built before the Cuban Revolution.
GRITTY LUXURY
If Cuba has always been on your bucket list, there’s no better time to head to Cuba than now – when the country is still largely untouched by commercialisation but there’s a new luxury hotel where you can enjoy creature comforts like a 10,000 sq ft spa and a rooftop pool. Make no mistake about it – you are still visiting the country for its rustic 1950s charm and idyllic white beaches. But at least at the end of a sweltering day traipsing through Havana, you can look forward to living it up at Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski La Habana.
Housed in the historic Manzana de Gómez building that’s owned by Gaviota, the original structure was built between 1894 and 1917. It was Cuba’s first European-style shopping arcade, but later expanded to house government offices, theatres, and even a school. Five years ago, husbandand-wife design team Arno and Vanessa Joubert of South African studio Archipolitan, put the wheels in motion for the Manzana de Gómez’s transformation into Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski La Habana.
With accessibility to quality materials and premium furnishings, five-star hotels pop up around the world at top speed. However, the Jouberts weren’t afforded the same luxuries in Cuba given the U.S.’S trade embargo on the country. “The majority of the finishes were imported to Cuba from abroad. Sometimes products that arrived were incorrect or not what we expected, but because there was no time to re-order, we had to find ways to adapt the materials on site,” shares Vanessa. “We know that all eyes are on Cuba at the moment, so felt we needed to create something that would present the very best of Cuba.”
The exterior of the building was restored as close as possible to its original European-style façade, but the interior exudes a more contemporary feel with an emphasis on Cuban details. “Cuba’s history is rich with Spanish influence – this is already evident in the existing facade of the building.
There were many beautiful features, such as the high ceilings with ornate decorative moulding, tall windows with wood louvre shutters, and the original Spanish colonial cement tiles with colourful designs. One of the designs of the original floor tiles became the graphic emblem used throughout the hotel, such as on the gold wall panels and glass elevator enclosure,” says Vanessa.
The design team also studied existing buildings surrounding the hotel to find design elements that were typical of the area, and then reinterpreted them with modern materials. One example would be the detailed ironwork for gates and lattices that are commonly found adorning Cuban homes; they adapted this idea by sandblasting the designs of the lattice onto glass panels in the lobby bar.
CUBA MADE BETTER
Despite the challenges, the design team managed to deliver a 246room hotel that is no less stunning than other luxury properties in other parts of the world. Cuba is infamous for its lacklustre cuisine – largely due to the embargoes on the import of produce – which is why the hotel’s three bars and three restaurants are an oasis in Havana.
Decked in embroidered chairs and floor-to-ceiling windows, the San Cristóbal Panoramic Restaurant offers fresh seafood with a Latin touch. Breakfast is served at Confluencias in the morning, while traditional afternoon tea with freshly baked pastries can be had at El Arsenal’s intimate lounge. In the evening, head over to the vibrant Constante Bar for daiquiris or soak in gorgeous views of Old Havana from El Surtidor Pool Terrace and Bar while indulging in
Hispanic-inspired tapas and locally-sourced cocktails.
The gold faceted bar counter set against a background of emerald green walls in the Floridita Bar is one of the designers’ favourite creations. “The bar pays homage to El Floridita – a famous landmark bar in Havana. The design of the bar counter was influenced by the locals’ boldly hued fashion, accessories and homes,” shares Vanessa.
Meanwhile, the rooms and suites combine an elegant whiteand-grey palette with playful tropical hues. All of them boast 6.5m high ceilings, with many including large French windows or doors that open up to balconies with breathtaking views of the city. Art by contemporary Cuban artists add the finishing touches to the hotel’s spaces.
Respectful of Cuba’s storied history yet delivering uncompromising comfort and luxury, Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski La Habana delivers the hospitality that draws travellers from all over the world to experience this corner of the
Caribbean.