There are many ways one can experience Havana. But taking up residence in the ICONIC Hotel Nacional somehow is a life altering experience. You are right there in the heart of Vedado. You've been there many times before; but nothing, I repeat, NOTHING, is in this league. Your room overlooks the Garden and the Malecon. Small, and dated; but if it was good enough for Sinatra, Ava Gardner, Nat King Cole, Sartre, Disney; Rita Hayworth; then I'm lucky to even be allowed to enter these hallowed grounds, let alone sleep in the same bed. The charm is at night. All the gawking tourists have gone. Now it's just residents only time. You mosey on over to the 24 hr garden bar. Order mojitos, plenty of tables with large wicker cane chairs available. You sit at a vacant table, and ponder the history this hotel has experienced, you sip on your mojito, order another. The call of the resident peacock breaks the silence of the night. The next evening you sit at one of the tables at the Rooftop Bar. The sun slowly turns an orange glow as it sets into the blue sea You sip on your second Pina Colada. The lights on the Malecon below and the rest of Cuidad Havana begin to twinkle and sparkle like diamonds. The dome of the Capitolio glows in the distance. The sound of a Sax player performing in the garden bar below drifts up and mixes with the music the DJ is playing up here. A cool breeze blows in from the sea and ruffles your hair. Later that night the sharp crack of cannonfire booms out over the bay from Castello del Morro signalling the hour of 'Nueve de la Noche.' From your vantage point atop Hotel Nacional you survey the city of La Habana that lies below you, and are marvelled and seduced by the spectacular view. A vibrant city? Yes!!
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