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Beltran de Santa Cruz Hotel
Along San Ignacio Street and a short skip from one of Old Havana’s most beautiful squares, the Plaza Vieja is this mansion restored and converted by the Cubano de Bienes Culturales (Foundation of Cuban Heritage Culture) into the Hotel Beltrán de Santa Cruz.
The inner court yard hosts fascinating works of art by a local artist called Roberto Loreto Marin Rodriguez. A graduate in industrial design and architecture, Loreto’s three-dimensional works of art renders marvelously the soul of the architecture of colonial Havana. Although, not directly related to this hotel his master of ceramics, which integrates several materials including cement, metal and wood, illustrates the richness of the architectural details of many of the buildings here.
The Beltran de Santa Cruz Hotel is actually part of a greater complex known as Palacio de los Condes de Jaruco, which, incidentally, is next door. The whole complex therefore was built by the parents of Gabriel Beltran de Santa Cruz y Aranda, who in 1770 received the title of Count of Jaruco and resided in this former palace still known as the Casa de los Condes de Jaruco.
At the beginning of the 19th century the palacio was divided up and occupied by various people. It’s probably at this stage that this part of the mansion passed to the descendants of one of Havana’s most illustrious citizens, the Marquis of Cárdenas de Monte Hermoso. His guests over the years included the eminent German scientist Baron Alexander von Humboldt and three French princes: the Count of Beaujolais, the Duke of Montpensier and the Duke of Orleans, who later became Louis Philippe I of France.
There are ten standard rooms and one Junior suite. Next to the suite is this ornately decorated reception room with antique furniture. Among the highlights here are paintings and contemporary sculptures by the artist Catalan dating from 2002. The rich decorative elements certainly suggest a past connection with the Royal guests who once stayed and further demonstrates that this is not merely a commercial stunt but a real link with Cuba’s colonial past.
Finally, this door leads into the Junior Suite which is firstly introduced by a small, ornate entrance. It also serves as a good impression for what lays behind the door into the bedroom. This is the most luxurious room in the building and deservedly reflects its status. A restored ceiling really shows off its almost 300 years old age. The balcony hangs out over San Ignacio Street. A spacious ensuite is located behind the King sized bed while more eye catching features include hand-painted walls and antique ornaments.
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