2 Best Hotels in Sancti Spiritus, Central Cuba

The historic Hotel Plaza, which overlooks the Plaza Serafín Sánchez, has airy, charming public spaces with arches, wicker furniture, and potted plants. Guest rooms are a mixed bag, however. Those in the old wing have high ceilings, and evoke the history of the place, but newer rooms in back are small and dark; opt for one in front (Room 201, 202, 210, or 211), as they have small balconies and park views. There's a verdant patio bar next to the lobby. The requisite hotel restaurant is okay, but you can do better dining elsewhere.

Here dozens of two-story, cement bungalows spread around verdant grounds have spacious rooms with white-tile floors, queen-size beds, and lots of windows. The main building houses the reception, a tiny bar, and the restaurant ($), which serves such Cuban classics as pierna asada (roast pork) and ternero guisado (stewed veal), as well as a few Continental dishes. On weekends, light sleepers should request a room at the back of the property, since the discotheque next to the reception area stays open late.