The Hotel Inglaterra in Havana, lauded as Cuba's oldest continuously operating hotel, is poised to mark its 151st anniversary on December 23. Since opening its doors in 1875, it has played host to a myriad of figures from the realms of politics, culture, and the arts.
Nestled on the Paseo del Prado between San Rafael and San Miguel streets, opposite Central Park, the hotel is steeped in a past intertwined with pivotal events and personalities from the 19th and 20th centuries in Cuba.
Antonio Maceo's Revered Stay
Among its illustrious guests was General Antonio Maceo, who stayed at the Inglaterra during his visit to Havana in 1890. He resided there from February 5 to July 24, while he remained actively engaged in the struggle for Cuban independence.
Maceo occupied room 117, drawing a significant stir in Havana. Veterans, intellectuals, the youth, and citizens from all walks of life flocked to meet the independence hero, who was even honored by Spanish military officers as a general. In light of assassination rumors, a group of young men from the famous Acera del Louvre took it upon themselves to be his makeshift escort, ensuring his safety. Maceo was admired not only for his military prowess but also for his stylish attire, which included an English frock coat, a top hat, and a belt adorned with the Cuban Republic's coat of arms.
Winston Churchill and Other Distinguished Visitors
Another notable name associated with the hotel is Winston Churchill, who first set foot in Cuba in December 1895 as a young British officer keen to witness the conflict between Cuban insurgents and Spanish forces. During this visit, Churchill stayed at the Hotel Inglaterra, according to the establishment's records. On his second visit to the island in 1946, he chose the Hotel Nacional.
In 1895, Churchill accompanied a Spanish army column led by General Álvaro Suárez Valdés, which was combatting the independence forces commanded by Máximo Gómez and Antonio Maceo.
Other prominent figures who graced the hotel's halls include world chess champion José Raúl Capablanca, Nicaraguan poet Rubén Darío, Russian ballerina Anna Pávlova, French actress Sarah Bernhardt, and Mexican singer and actor Jorge Negrete.
The Scandal of a Forbidden Romance
The Hotel Inglaterra was also the backdrop for one of the most sensational love scandals in early 20th-century Havana high society.
In 1905, Catalina Lasa, a famed Cuban beauty married to Luis Estévez Abreu, son of patriot Marta Abreu, embarked on a clandestine affair with wealthy landowner Juan Pedro Baró, who was also married. Suspicions prompted Catalina's husband's aunt to hire a private detective, who caught the lovers in a suite at the Hotel Inglaterra. The incident ignited a scandal that led to Catalina being thrown out of her home and losing custody of her children.
The Lasa-Baró duo eventually relocated to Europe and, following the enactment of Cuba's Divorce Law in 1917, were able to formalize their relationship. They married and returned to live in Havana, their love story becoming one of the most renowned of the 20th century in Cuba.
From a Havana Café to a 151-Year-Old Hotel
The origins of the Hotel Inglaterra trace back to 1844 when the location housed the establishment known as El Escauriza Saloon. It later became Café El Louvre before the building was transformed into the Grand Hotel of England, inaugurated on December 23, 1875.
The structure has undergone various expansions and upgrades. Noteworthy improvements were made in 1901, when it introduced electricity, telephones, and private bathrooms. In 1914, a third floor was added, with most architectural features present today stemming from this period. It shut down in 1931 during the Great Depression but reopened in 1939. Subsequent renovations have helped preserve its structure and decor.
Declared a National Monument in 1981, the Hotel Inglaterra boasts 83 rooms and stands out for its legacy spanning three centuries. It remains a vital part of Havana's historical and cultural memory, yet today, few tourists savor its classic porches, and only a handful of Cuban couples can afford a romantic getaway there.
Frequently Asked Questions about Hotel Inglaterra
What makes Hotel Inglaterra historically significant?
Hotel Inglaterra is notable for being Cuba's oldest active hotel, hosting significant figures from history and being intertwined with key events from the 19th and 20th centuries.
Who are some of the famous guests that stayed at Hotel Inglaterra?
Famous guests include General Antonio Maceo, Winston Churchill, chess champion José Raúl Capablanca, poet Rubén Darío, ballerina Anna Pávlova, actress Sarah Bernhardt, and singer Jorge Negrete.
How did Hotel Inglaterra contribute to a major societal scandal in Cuba?
In 1905, the hotel was the site of a scandalous affair between Catalina Lasa and Juan Pedro Baró, which was exposed by a detective, leading to a major uproar in Havana's high society.