The Hotel Lincoln: Habana, Spies & Lies- AVAILABLE NOW!

[Z_Major]

Hello Cubamania Book Club,

Along the lines of our mutual interest, I thought you might want to check out the new modern-day Habana novel: THE HOTEL LINCOLN.

Its available through Amazon.com, bn.com, and pretty much through any other book seller... check it out. So far, the reviews seem pretty good.

[Rick]

Sounds interesting! I will check it out as I have stayed there many times as it's one of the few hotels that permit Cuban guests ... just not on the same floor. The problem is that the price continues to increase but the quality stays the same.

[radar]

I spent two nights there in February.
The breakfast on the roof was nice. The main floor was being renovated so food was served upstairs.

Rick we did not have hot water. Staff blamed it on the renos.
Did you have hot water during you stays?

[felo]

I have never being in the lincoln but i have stayed in the nearby sevilla and the whole area is lovely is the real gateway to havana city holidays and to the life in havana and in cuba in general, is very easy to walk around and just be in the street and therefore be part of people's life since they actually live on the street as much as they do at their homes

[radar]

I have never being in the lincoln but i have stayed in the nearby sevilla and the whole area is lovely is the real gateway to havana city holidays and to the life in havana and in cuba in general, is very easy to walk around and just be in the street and therefore be part of people's life since they actually live on the street as much as they do at their homes

I would not call the Lincoln and the Sevilla nearby.
I would not call the area the Lincoln is in lovely. You must be thinking of another hotel.

[MiguelDiablo]

Hotel Lincoln, isn't that just across, or up the street, from a major music venue (I forget which)? Also, near that pedestrian mall which starts between the Inglaterra and/or the National Theatre and goes to Galiano. Also near the park where El Encanto used to be. Looks interesting. In 2004 I wanted to book there, but my (Havana) travel agent advised against (probably because she was getting a better gratuity from the place she eventually put me). It is also near the (former) Hotel Roosevelt (corners Amistad and San Miguel) where I stayed the whole summer of '59, but, lamentably, is now about to fall down (large parts of its facade already have). Perhaps not a "nice" neighborhood, but still a very interesting neighborhood, with plenty of street life. Just use common sense at night, esp. late night. The Lincoln has a very colorful history. It was where the famed race-car driver Juan Fangio was kidnapped in 1957 or 1958, as a publicity stunt to embarras Batista.

[Rick]

Sorry, didn't notice this question, the answer is 2 out of 4 times I stayed there I had hot water in my room, radar. I don't think the area is bad It's right in the heart of the shopping zone for the local Cubans as well as their entertainment venues: cine y El Rapido! Very close to the Malecon as well. I have never felt unsafe even at night with some beer in my belly.

[radar]

Thanks Rick.
Last week I dropped by the Lincoln. Renovations are still continuing on the main floor.
The industrial kitchen equipment has been delivered and is sitting on the terrace streetside.
Breakfast is still being served on the roof.

The area is full of life. It is what it is and has it's own beauty.