Hotel El Castillo stands atop a marine terrace that looms 40 meters above the city, offering a bird-eye view of the beautiful surroundings, by the east side of the bay of Baracoa.
The building was, originally, El Castillo de Seboruco de Santa Bárbara, a fortress built by the Spaniards (1737 - 1742) to protect the harbor and the city from pirate attack. Parts of the castle walls, including a turret, remain.
It is reached by a winding driveway or an 85-step staircase, probably the hotel's main drawback, since visitors must be in good shape, or take a taxi to get to the top.
The 62 rooms, all Standards, are set around the picture-perfect pool. They feature a colonial style, lofty ceilings, terra-cota-tiled floors and furniture carved from cedar by local craftsmen. They are comfortable, but would definitely benefit from a makeover, as well as the rest of the hotel.
The swimming pool and sundeck offer excellent views of Baracoa, its harbor and the mountains. The tavern-bar overlooks the bay and the Rio Miel (Honey River). The pool and the views are, no doubt, the hotel's best features.
* First aid medical services are provided from 8 to 23 hrs and there's an international clinic a few minutes drive from the hotel.