Description:  Hostal Meson de la Flota is a lovely, two-story colonial hostel on Mercaderes Street that has been entirely restored to provide visitors with delightful surroundings. Located just a short walk away from the Plaza Vieja, the building’s décor is imbued with a distinctly maritime feel.

Rooms:  The rooms are very large with heavy wood furniture, double-high ceilings, and private baths. If you get one of the streetside rooms, you will have a balcony overlooking the street.    All 5 rooms come with air-conditioning, cable TV, private bathroom, minibar and safe.

Facilities and dining:  Open courtyard inside the hotel,  ground floor restaurant seats up to 80 people, the  bar-restaurant is themed around a Spanish Bodega and is Havana's first genuine tapas bar with a menu listing such old favourites as papas bravas and some tropical inventions like cheese-stuffed plantain. Live music is provided nightly by flamenco-based musicians.