Hostal Conde de Villanueva botique hotel for cigar lovers in Havana, Cuba

Conceived with cigar-lovers in mind, this tastefully restored 18th-century mansion has a rustic colonial charm and intimate feel to it that makes it just as ideal for sightseers and couples seeking a relaxed, quiet atmosphere.

The hotel's prime location - quite literally the heart of the Old Town - is somehow spared what some might consider attendant drawbacks, such as hectic traffic or noisy thoroughfares: opposite a small, shaded park, on narrow and cobbled streets that are pedestrian-only, the property is pleasantly situated in an airy and soothing context.

Earthen tones and open, sun-drenched spaces predominate inside, where restoration efforts have left fragments of colonial mosaics and fixtures from the period intact, for an overall effect of authenticity and unassuming grace. A mere nine rooms are arranged around the inner courtyard, on two levels. The sense of privacy and calm is heightened by the thick, limestone walls that keep both noise and heat outside the accommodations.

Cigar aficionados, tobacco enthusiasts and smokers in general can savour a broad range of brands —and even custom-made habanos—in the cloistered penumbra of a small smoking lounge, located on the mezzanine. One of the wings of a well-stocked and low-ceilinged walk-in humidor and cigar shop, here you can order Cuban cocktails as you nestle into comfortable leather armchairs.

The San Diego del Valle meeting room, with capacity for 60 people, may be rented for conferences, cocktail parties and business rendezvous.

A well-located and intimate establishment, the Conde de Villanueva stands out for its simple and discrete atmosphere.