Hotels - Lincoln

About  Lincoln

The Lincoln is very well situated for access to Old Havana, Central Havana, Chinatown and Vedado. It is just across the road from one of Havana’s best Art Deco buildings, the Teatro America and from the Casa de la Musica, where those in the know go to dance. The Malecon, Havana’s Ocean Drive, is a short walk away.

When Galiano Street (Avenida de Italia) was a grand shopping street the Lincoln’s restaurant was full of ladies in smart little Chanel suits and stilettoes exchanging scandalous gossip. "The newly restored restaurant is serving the some of best value food in Havana. Good quality at a very low price." said Folke West in a recent interview. The lobby has elegant marble floors and gilt mirrors, but rather too many statues of corpulent cupids for aesthetic comfort. The chandeliers haven’t been washed since the Revolution. They contrast strongly with the chichi charm of the shiny pink marble check-in desk.

One of the quirks of Havana’s history took place at the Hotel Lincoln. On Sunday 23rd February 1958 Juan Manuel Fangio, five times world champion racing driver, was kidnapped in the lobby by a member of Fidel Castro’s 26th July Movement. Fangio was chatting to Stirling Moss, his mechanics and his manager when he was taken at pistol-point out of the hotel and bundled into a waiting car.

This kidnapping of the world’s most famous racing driver made front-page news in Paris, London, New York, Rome, Mexico City and Buenos Aires. The idea was to avoid Fangio’s competing in a race designed to improve the Batista government’s rapidly worsening public image. Fangio was released without harm once the race was over. 

There is little risk of being kidnapped these days and whilst the Lincoln is not Havana’s smartest hotel, it has a certain idiosyncratic charm.

Although now a bit dated, Hotel Lincoln represents an affordable and perfectly-placed hotel for exploring the city.

Fortaleza de San Carlos de La Cabaña, Carretera de La Cabana, Habana del Este

The Cannon Blast Ceremony

The Cannon Blast ceremony (El Cañonazo de las Nueve) is one of the oldest and attractive traditions of Havana. In colonial days, the shots signalled the closing of the gates of the walled city and the rising of the chain across the entrance to the harbour. The tradition of firing a cannon every night at 9:00 pm was kept even after the wall was torn down and is still used for checking your watch.

Calle Trocadero No. 162 e/ Industria y Consulado, La Habana

José Lezama Lima House Museum

The José Lezama Lima House Museum is located in the former house of the Cuban writer José Lezama Lima, in Centro Habana. The museum exhibits several objects belonging to the writer, placed in the same way Lezama had them. The visit to this museum is compulsory for those who wish to get into Cuban literature. In this place were written worldwide known novels, like Paradiso and Oppiano Licario.

calle Prado, Habana

National Capitol

The monumental Capitolio is a replica of the American capitol in Washington, DC. It is one of the most emblematic buildings of the Havana skyline and it occupies an area of 38 875 m². It was the seat of the legislative body of the Republic since its inauguration on May 20, 1929. The facade is mainly of classic style while the interior of the building is characterized by eclectic opulence. From the stairs on we see the imposing porch columns and behind them we find the main gates, fashioned in bronze with bas-relief depicting important scenes of national history. On both sides of the uppermost part of the stairs there are two bronze statues, symbols of two guiding virtues: people and work. These statues are the work of the Italian sculptor Angelo Zanelli. 

Paseo del Prado No.458, La Habana

Gran Teatro de La Habana

The Gran Teatro de La Habana Alicia Alonso (Great Theatre of Havana Alicia Alonso) is one of the architectural jewelry of Havana. It has an incredible neo-baroque façade with the signature of the Belgian architect Paul Belau. Located in a building known as the Galician Centre of Havana, it was inaugurated in 1915 and at the beginnings it was named Tacón Theatre. Not only in its façade there are evidences of its exquisiteness, but also its indoors halls show the luxury and elegance of the time. Its stages have shown the better artistic representations of all times, with outstanding personalities during its history (Sara Bernhardth, Enrico Caruso, Alicia Alonso) The theatre has been home to the Cuban National Ballet and, the main stage of the International Ballet Festival of Havana. Its facilities include theatres, a concert hall, conference rooms, and a video screening room, as well as an art gallery, a choral centre, and several rehearsal halls for danzarias groups and dance companies.

Be the first to write a review

Write a review

Title

Your review

What sort of Trip was this?

  • Business
  • Couples
  • Family
  • Friends
  • Solo

When did you travel?

Add a tip to help travelers choose a good room (Optional)

Do you have photos to share? (Optional)

Name

Email

Skedio, S.L. CIF: B66173931. # Travel Agency Licence: GC-3667 © 2024 Enjoytravel Corporate, All rights reserved