Villa Islazul Santo Domingo, The rustic thatched restaurant is a tremendous spot beside the river

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

This reclusive hotel sits on the banks of the Yara river, amid forest at the base of the Sierra Maestra, about 15 miles south of Bartolomé Masó. It's pretty much at the end of the road – just getting here on your own by car has your heart racing on the frighteningly steep hills. The raison d'etre for visiting is to either hike to Pico Turquino (Cuba's highest peak, requiring an overnight on the mountain) or to La Comandancia de la Plata (Fidel Castro's guerrilla headquarters, offered as a day hike).

It was renovated around 2002 and today has 20 air-conditioned bungalows. Although no frills, they're perfectly clean and appealing and, for those who can't abide no TVs, there're satellite TV (with fuzzy reception). The rustic thatched restaurant is a tremendous spot beside the river; it has cowhide chairs and farmhouse decor and serves traditional Cuban dishes (when available) and (more reliably) the usual staples, such as friend chicken. It has a small games room to keep you amused on rainy days.