Havana’s Iberostar Hotel in the Torre K Closes “Due to the Country’s Situation”

14ymedio, Havana, Juan Diego Rodríguez, March 13, 2026 –The Iberostar Selection La Habana hotel, which occupies the skyscraper located on the central 23rd Avenue known as Torre K and was inaugurated only last year, has closed its doors, and no one knows when it will reopen. At its main entrance, there are not even flags … Continue reading “Havana’s Iberostar Hotel in the Torre K Closes “Due to the Country’s Situation””

With the Closure of the Riviera Hotel and the Progressive Death of the Habana Libre, Preparations Are Made for the Arrival of the Torre K

“Not even the fire extinguishers are ready,” says an employee of the Habana Libre 14ymedio, Jorge Lassa, Havana, 16 February 2025 — For decades, the Habana Libre hotel has been an element of beauty and glamour in the skyline of the Cuban capital. But behind its beautiful façade, the central building in El Vedado hides … Continue reading “With the Closure of the Riviera Hotel and the Progressive Death of the Habana Libre, Preparations Are Made for the Arrival of the Torre K”

The Exodus of Hotel Chains From Cuba Continues, With the Departure of the Asian Company Aston

Archipelago Internacional breaks its relationship with Gaesa, following in the footsteps of Spain’s Iberostar and Canada’s Blue Diamond. 14ymedio, Havana, June 2, 2026 / Archipelago International, Southeast Asia’s largest privately owned hotel management group, followed in the footsteps of Spain’s Iberostar and Canada’s Blue Diamond this week by ending its management of hotels linked to … Continue reading “The Exodus of Hotel Chains From Cuba Continues, With the Departure of the Asian Company Aston”

Iberostar Follows Blue Diamond’s Lead and Leaves Gaesa Hotels

The Spanish hotel chain remains active in Cuba through six properties belonging to Cubanacán and Gran Caribe. 14ymedio, Havana, June 1, 2026 — On Monday, the Spanish hotel company Iberostar severed its ties with Gaviota, the hotel chain controlled by the Business Administration Group S.A. (Gaesa), and stopped managing the twelve hotels associated with that … Continue reading “Iberostar Follows Blue Diamond’s Lead and Leaves Gaesa Hotels”

Another Enigmatic 25-Storey Hotel Rises on Havana’s Malecón

It is being built by the French company Bouygues and will have 520 luxury rooms. 14ymedio, Darío Hernández, Havana, November 29, 2025 — After more than three years of construction, the tower rising at 1st and B in Havana’s Vedado neighbourhood continues to grow like a foreign body in the middle of a neighbourhood that … Continue reading “Another Enigmatic 25-Storey Hotel Rises on Havana’s Malecón”

Oblivious to Hurricane Melissa and Its Victims, the French Company Bouygues Continues Building Hotels in Holguín, Cuba

Authorities reprimand state media outlets that show interest in the module factory: “Forget about that plant.” 14ymedio, Havana, 14 November 2025 — While the Cuban Government continues to blame the blockade* for the lack of construction materials, and in the midst of a new crisis caused by Hurricane Melissa, which left more than 76,000 homes … Continue reading “Oblivious to Hurricane Melissa and Its Victims, the French Company Bouygues Continues Building Hotels in Holguín, Cuba”

Five Luxury Hotels in Cayo Cruz, Cuba Are Closed Due to a Water Main Failure

Tourists, mostly Canadians, have been transferred to other facilities in the northern cays. 14ymedio, Havana, 29 July 2025 — All the hotels on Cayo Cruz, in Camagüey, Cuba are closed due to a lack of drinking water. The reason was a “breakdown in the main water line” at the tourist resort, according to Dairon Castro, … Continue reading “Five Luxury Hotels in Cayo Cruz, Cuba Are Closed Due to a Water Main Failure”

The Opening of the Hotel in the Controversial K Tower in Havana Is Delayed

As ’14ymedio’ confirmed, the works are not yet finished. 14ymedio, Jose Lassa, Havana, 17 January 2025 — The opening of the Iberostar Cuba Selection, which occupies the controversial new skyscraper at 23 and K, in Havana’s Vedado, did not occur on January 15, as announced by Havanatur, which promotes the hotel managed by the Spanish … Continue reading “The Opening of the Hotel in the Controversial K Tower in Havana Is Delayed”

An Advisor to the Large Spanish Hotels Asks Cuba To ‘Be More Open’ to Privatization

14ymedio, Havana, December 7, 2023 — The Spanish advisor Francisco Albertí, who has been the financial guru for almost all the large hotel groups in Spain, this Thursday asked the Cuban authorities to allow the companies, “especially Meliá, to be great actors and advisors of the Cuban Government in the tourist recovery,” suggesting, even, that … Continue reading “An Advisor to the Large Spanish Hotels Asks Cuba To ‘Be More Open’ to Privatization”

The 47 Victims of the Hotel Saratoga Explosion

14ymedio, Havana, 30 December 2022 — A ferocious explosion followed by a column of black smoke (seen in great detail in 14ymedio’s coverage) shocked the residents of Old Havana on 6 May at 10:50 in the morning. People’s worst fears were confirmed a few minutes later: the luxury hotel Saratoga, whose reopening was planned for … Continue reading “The 47 Victims of the Hotel Saratoga Explosion”

A Nostalgic Tour of the Closed Hotels in a Havana Without Tourists

14ymedio, Juan Diego Rodríguez, Havana, 20 August 2022 — I walk up and down Obispo, the main street in the historic center of Old Havana that has been, for decades, a commercial and tourist artery of unparalleled importance on the Island. Now, the main hotels located on that street are closed and without visitors, a … Continue reading “A Nostalgic Tour of the Closed Hotels in a Havana Without Tourists”

Cuban Architect Criticizes ‘Pretentiously Gigantic’ Tower K Hotel

14ymedio, Madrid, July 20, 2022 — A building under construction at K and 23rd streets, which promises to be the tallest in Havana, has become the target of criticism by design professionals. The latest to take aim at “Tower K,” popularly known as “Lopez-Calleja Tower,” is Edelberto Diaz Aguilera, a Panama-based Cuban architect. The project … Continue reading “Cuban Architect Criticizes ‘Pretentiously Gigantic’ Tower K Hotel”

The Faces of the 45 Victims of the Gas Explosion in Havana’s Saratoga Hotel

14ymedio, Havana, 12 May 2022 — On Thursday the rescue services found the body of the last person listed as missing since the explosion, last Friday, in the Saratoga Hotel, bringing the death toll to 45. The fatalities are more than a number. However, little is known of their personal histories. With the support of social … Continue reading “The Faces of the 45 Victims of the Gas Explosion in Havana’s Saratoga Hotel”

Deaths from Explosion at Havana’s Saratoga Hotel Rises to 43

Three new bodies were found under the rubble of the Saratoga Hotel on Tuesday, four days after the explosion. With this, the deceased number 43, according to the data revealed by the rescue teams. Two of the latest victims lived in the building next to the hotel, which partially collapsed. They are Juan Carlos Díaz Álvarez, … Continue reading “Deaths from Explosion at Havana’s Saratoga Hotel Rises to 43”

Cuba: Explosion at Havana’s Saratoga Hotel Has Killed 22, So Far

14ymedio, Havana, 6 May 2022 — The Cuban government lamented, this Friday afternoon, the death of 22 people, “including a pregnant woman and a child” due to the explosion of the Saratoga hotel in Havana. In a press conference held by the medical authorities, it was detailed that there are three children in critical condition, … Continue reading “Cuba: Explosion at Havana’s Saratoga Hotel Has Killed 22, So Far”