It has 42 floors and is 155 meters tall. The new Iberostar Selection Havana hotel is open for business. https://www.ibercuba.com/en/hotels/h...b99a88c8cc02aa

Only in Havana! That hotel does not look Cuban. Probably too expensive for us anyway. I wonder if they offer a day pass for the pool area?

But in all fairness, do any hotels in big cities have the characteristic architecture we think of when we think of those countries?

The link did not work for me.

How's the Kempinski--is that one supposed to be great, if one is looking for big-ticket Havana hotels with a pool?

Wess, I would imagine that they would offer a day pass for use of the pool. Most hotels in Havana offer the use of their pool with a fee that can go towards food and drink at that hotel. Most 4 star and above properties in Havana have a pool.

I made mention of this building being under construction in my report....... Travelling Across Cuba 2024
No, it is not typical Cuban architecture by any stretch.

Yes, I am also curious if and how much a day pass by the pool is for the new Iberostar Selection Havana hotel.
Havana city hotels with pools that I have used over the years include; the Hotel National, the Sevilla and Hotel Roc Presidente. Of course there are many hotels with pools in Havana.

But what is typical Cuban architecture? Spanish Colonial--arches, courtyards, stucco and tile roofs?

I will make this as simple as possible. There is no other building in all of Cuba that looks like Iberostar Selection Havana hotel.

And I am asking a simple question:

What is typical Cuban architecture? Are you referring to architect from southern Spain that was brought by the Colonials to Cuba?
Or the brutalist buildings of Soviet times?

Is there actually a "Cuban style" of architecture?

I don't think you can call any of the Russian built structures "architecture". Anything pleasing to the eye was built by the Spanish.

I agree with you, Simon!!
When I think of "Cuban" buildings I think of the Spanish Colonial style.
I guess we could place the Soviet concrete buildings in a special category of "ugly architecture!!"

A number of architecture styles are prevalent enough in Cuba to be considered typical, I would imagine.
Spanish Colonial would definitely be the most prominent and pleasing to the peepers.
In the countryside, I have seen a lot of wooden homes. Thatched roofs are not uncommon in some parts there either.
A lot of newer constructions in cities are cement akin to the Soviet style. I thinks that's all folks can afford now and who would have the wherewithal to build Spanish Colonial style these days anyhow?
I haven't noticed many derelict buildings but places in need of repair or an upgrade are commonplace.
Many beautiful big old churches and don't even get me started on the Art Deco. It lives in Cuba.