Cuban content creator Cyntia Garcia shared a video on Facebook detailing her stay at Hotel Capri in Havana, describing it as the worst experience she has ever had in a Cuban hotel. The video features images of damp-stained walls, a dilapidated gym, and a restaurant lacking soft drinks.
"I stayed at the worst hotel in Havana, and the worst part is no one forced me; I went there on my own," Garcia states at the beginning of the video, which has garnered thousands of views and hundreds of comments.
According to her account, the room was sparsely furnished with just sheets, two towels, and basic toiletries. "We literally had the sheets, two towels, and the basic toiletries they usually leave. They didn't even leave us a bottle of water," she notes, concluding that the room "felt more like a motel than a hotel room."
The State of the Hotel Facilities
She documents the state of the walls, showing several damp stains captured on the second day of her stay.
The gym left a strong impression on her. "The ceiling had a lot of mold, and there were even some holes. When I entered the gym, I was speechless. The equipment looked quite neglected, and in my opinion, both the structure and the ceiling were in very poor condition," she describes in the video.
The basement restaurant, which serves lunch and breakfast buffet-style, also fell short of expectations: no soft drinks—only lemonade—limited variety, and food that, according to the creator, "wasn't anything special." The 18th-floor pool, despite offering a view, seemed "quite small" and expensive for what it offers: about $20 a day with three dollars worth of consumption included.
Public Reactions and Hotel History
Other users' comments on the post echo her testimony. "That hotel is awful, terrible food, damaged ceilings, horrible rooms. As you say, not even a motel," wrote one. Another was more concise: "I had the same experience at that hotel. Speechless."
The Capri is one of Havana's most iconic hotels. Opened in 1957 in El Vedado, it reopened in 2014 under the management of NH Hotels—a subsidiary of Minor Hotels—with 200 rooms and a four-star rating. However, in February 2026, Minor Hotels confirmed its exit from Cuba, ceasing management of the Capri and the NH Collection Victoria amid the collapse of tourism on the island.
The hotel had previously been involved in other controversies. In October 2025, residents complained that the hotel held a loud pool party while nearby neighborhoods suffered blackouts lasting more than 12 hours. In 2022 and 2023, it faced accusations of denying entry to Cubans or making them wait to have breakfast until foreign guests were served.
The Broader Tourism Crisis
Cyntia Garcia's video comes amid an unprecedented tourism crisis. The regime acknowledged in July 2026 that 73% of the country's hotel facilities are closed, leaving about 25,000 workers in limbo. Between January and April of this year, Cuba received 328,608 international tourists, a 55.8% decrease compared to the same period in 2025, with a hotel occupancy rate of 21.5%.
"Without a doubt, of all the times I've stayed in hotels in Cuba, this has been my worst experience," Garcia concludes, inviting her followers to draw their own conclusions.
FAQs About Hotel Capri in Havana
What issues did Cyntia Garcia face at Hotel Capri?
Cyntia Garcia reported issues such as damp-stained walls, a neglected gym, limited amenities in her room, and a lackluster dining experience with no soft drinks available.
Why did Minor Hotels cease management of Hotel Capri?
In February 2026, Minor Hotels confirmed their exit from Cuba, including management of Hotel Capri, due to the severe decline in tourism on the island.
How has the tourism crisis affected hotel operations in Cuba?
The tourism crisis has led to the closure of 73% of hotel facilities in Cuba, leaving approximately 25,000 workers without jobs and a significant decrease in international tourist arrivals.