Villa Maguana, one of our favorite provincial hotels in Cuba

By: cubaism Expert, United Kingdom Posted: 2010-04-10

This unique hotel is one of our favorite provincial hotels in Cuba. What was once a fairly simple villa rental on the beach, tucked into a small cove about 20 km west of Baracoa, was recently expanded and upgraded, metamorphosing into an atmospheric lodge on the sands. Backed by thickly forested mountains and edged by mangrove forest, it's a perfect venue for nature lovers to escape the madding crowds. It's also undeniably romantic – a perfect spot to relax on what is virtually your own private beach.

The old bungalow now serves as a simple restaurant, with rockers on the beachfront patio good for enjoying a pre- or post-prandial mojito and cigar. The beach has loungers for sunning, and Gaviota (which runs the hotel) specializes in guided hikes and horseback rides into adjacent Parque Nacional Alejandro Humboldt. If you have snorkel gear, bring it – there's a fantastic reef about 200 meters from shore.

The 16 accommodations are in new, two-story, all-wood, fourplex structures edging right up to the sands (two are further inland). They're air-conditioned, and have spacious oceanfront balconies. You even get satellite TV, phones, plus in-room safes, and dark hardwood furniture, plus bathrooms with modern appliances.