The 4 Best Cuba Luxury Hotels

Cuba: A Hidden Gem of Unpolished Beauty

Cuba is a place where time stands still and still somehow manages to stretch. Havana hits fast, music reverberating, classic cars rolling past, cigar shops on every corner, and buildings paused between decay and revival. There's a rhythm here you fall into.

And that rhythm includes luxury access to private guides and experiences that feel special and rare. You'll go from cruising the Malecón in a 1950s convertible on a vintage car tour to gaining behind-the-scenes access to ballet rehearsals at the Gran Teatro de La Habana. You'll find the best luxury resorts and hotels in Cuba are located in the historic district of Old Havana, where you'll find cigars and rum are second nature. And you can't go to Cuba without tapping into intimate cigar and rum tastings with masters who've been perfecting their craft for centuries.

Outside Havana, things quiet down and yet are still alive with adventure. Head west to the wide-open landscapes and slower days in Viñales, where you can explore tobacco plantations on private horseback tours. Or head east to Cienfuegos and dine out on luxury at the Palacio del Valle, an ornate and historic Moorish-style villa. You can stay in restored colonial mansions or boutique hotels in the UNESCO city of Trinidad, where you'll party at the Ayala Disco, a nightclub inside a natural cave.

With all of these unique experiences to be had, you might forget that Cuba is a Caribbean island. Sail off into the sunset on Varadero's clear waters in a chartered yacht, and Cuba will not soon be forgotten.