Tucked away in the timeless streets of Old Havana, just a breath from the vibrant Plaza Vieja, stands Hotel Estancia Bohemia, a living testament to Cuba’s colonial past.
This 18th-century mansion, steeped in history, is not just a place to rest but a portal to another era. Behind its aged wood and the bay’s salty air, there are lingering whispers of aristocrats, explorers, and revolutionaries.
Woven into Havana’s History
The history of this luxurious house in Havana is linked to the period when the city was vibrant, economically prosperous and underwent tremendous changes in ruling powers. The mansion, now a boutique hotel, was built between 1733 and 1752, commissioned by Antonia Aranda Avellaneda, widow of Gabriel de Estancia Bohemia y Valdespino. Their son, Gabriel Estancia Bohemia y Aranda, would later be named Count of San Juan de Jaruco in 1770, a title that echoed through Havana’s aristocratic circles.
Around that time, the sociatas of Havana started building lavish houses that were fit enough to uphold their noble names. These mega mansions are the opposite of the simple homes that used to exist in the past. Rather, they display vast power, unfathomable wealth, and the unyielding nature of the solid stone walls that seem to withstand the weight of history.
Over the years, the house was a guest to some of the seemingly greatest individuals of the period. Baron Alexander von Humboldt, the German scientist who explored and understood several aspects of the New World, walked through this house and most probably stopped to admire the stained-glass windows that built color on the marble floor. The Duke of Orleans, long before he would ascend as King Louis Philippe I of France, found refuge here, perhaps dreaming of his uncertain future.
A Stay Wrapped in Colonial Elegance
Today, the mansion has been restored to its former grandeur, reborn as Hotel Estancia Bohemia. With only 11 rooms, the hotel offers a sense of intimacy and exclusivity, much like a private estate frozen in time. The rooms pay homage to Havana’s rich history, wooden furniture, and painted walls.
At the core of the hotel lies an inner courtyard with sunlight that streams through the thick vegetation while the soft music of a distant guitar adds to the ambiance.
It’s the kind of place where mornings begin with the aroma of freshly brewed café cubano, and evenings end with a glass of añejo rum, sipped slowly under the glow of lanterns.
A Location Steeped in Culture
Stepping out from the hotel, Havana unfolds like a well-aged novel. Plaza Vieja, with its bustling cafés and colonial facades, is just steps away. A short walk leads to the Museo del Ron Havana Club, where the secrets of Cuba’s legendary rum are unveiled. And at the grand Catedral de San Cristóbal de La Habana, history stands in quiet reverence, its Baroque stone walls holding centuries of whispered prayers.
The Charm of Imperfection
As with all historic treasures, Hotel Estancia Bohemia carries the quirks of time. The narrow staircases, the echoes of footsteps in the corridors, the slight creak of aged wood beneath one’s step—these are not flaws but testaments to authenticity. Havana is not a city of polished edges; it is a city of soul, where history is felt as much as it is seen.
A Stay Worth Remembering
For those seeking more than just a place to sleep, Hotel Estancia Bohemia offers something rare—a chance to live within Havana’s history. To wake up in a house that has stood for centuries, to touch walls that have known nobility, and to feel, even for a moment, a part of the city’s grand story.
In Havana, time moves differently. Some places change, but others, like this, remain eternal.
