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This New 5-Star Cuban Hotel Will Run You up to $1,600 per Night

May 27, 2017
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2 min read
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This New 5-Star Cuban Hotel Will Run You up to $1,600 per Night
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Since President Obama lifted travel restrictions between the United States and Cuba in 2014, Americans have flocked to the long-forbidden island. But for many travelers used to top-notch hotels and first-class service, Cuba has had little to offer.

That all changed with the opening of the five-star Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski in Old Havana this week. Owned by Swiss luxury hotel group Kempinski Hotels, the Gran Hotel Manzana occupies Havana’s historic Manzana de Gómez building, which opened as Cuba’s first European-style shopping mall in 1917. The newly-renovated hotel retains that original style while mixing in an unmistakably Cuban flair. Designed by South African studio Archipolitan, its 246 rooms and suites match high ceilings and French windows with contemporary Cuban artwork. Many of the suites have balconies overlooking Old Havana’s city streets, and a few even have sleeping quarters on a second floor.

The hotel’s four bars and two restaurants are modeled around aspects of Cuban culture, with each offering a different take on island life through local cuisine and style. An in-house tobacco lounge, called La Evocación, allows guests to select cigars and rums from the island to try.

Rendering of La Evocación courtesy of the hotel.

The hotel also sports a full set of modern amenities — from a 10,000 square-foot spa to a rooftop pool overlooking El Capitolo, the seat of Cuban government before the revolution. That's in addition to a variety of luxury boutiques on the ground floor and a gym on the top level.

The Gran Hotel Manzana doesn't run cheap, however; tourists can expect to pay between $440 and $2,485 a night depending on room type. And while you’ll meet plenty of fellow travelers during your stay in Cuba’s premier hotel, don't expect to run into any locals. In a country where the average monthly salary hovers around $30, few can afford to stay in such an expensive place.

H/T: Condé Nast Traveler

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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
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  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.