A|S Boutique Residence – Havana, Cuba
Where Art, Heritage, and Havana’s Creative Spirit Converge
Why DNA Hotels Loves It
● A beautifully restored 19th-century colonial mansion transformed into one of Havana’s most design-driven boutique hotels.
● An intimate nine-suite retreat where contemporary art, European design, and Cuban heritage coexist effortlessly.
● A rare opportunity to experience authentic Old Havana through architecture, culture, and local community.
A Love Story Written Into Havana’s Streets
Some hotels begin as business ventures. A|S Boutique Residence began as a love story. The project is the creation of Dutch artist and fashion designer André Visser and Havana-born dancer and musician Sandy Solano Díaz, whose paths unexpectedly crossed in Moscow. What followed eventually led them to Old Havana and a shared vision: creating a hotel that reflected both their worlds while celebrating the city they loved most. Their chosen canvas was far from glamorous. A crumbling 19th-century colonial mansion stood roofless and neglected in the historic San Isidro district. Yet behind the decay they saw extraordinary potential — soaring ceilings, intricate architectural details, original materials, and a character impossible to replicate. After years of careful restoration, the building has been reborn as one of Havana’s most distinctive boutique hotels. A place where art, design, and Cuban culture meet under one roof.
A Colonial Mansion Restored with Respect
The restoration embraces the building’s imperfections rather than erasing them. Original marble columns, handcrafted floor tiles, exposed brickwork, timber shutters, decorative ironwork, and soaring five-metre ceilings remain central to the experience. The building’s age is visible throughout, not as nostalgia but as authenticity. Rather than creating a polished luxury hotel disconnected from its surroundings, the owners preserved the textures and patina that tell the story of Havana itself. Every room reveals traces of the past. Every surface feels connected to the building’s history. The result feels deeply rooted in place.
European Design Meets Cuban Character
What makes A|S Boutique Residence particularly compelling is its highly personal design language. Minimalist European furniture sits comfortably alongside colonial architecture. Mies van der Rohe’s iconic Barcelona Chairs appear beneath industrial lighting. Venetian glass objects introduce colour and texture. Contemporary artworks share space with weathered walls and original ceramic tiles. Throughout the property, André Visser’s large-scale abstract paintings bring movement, energy, and a contemporary counterpoint to the building’s historical framework. The contrast works beautifully. Refined yet relaxed. Artistic without becoming pretentious. Sophisticated while remaining unmistakably Havana.
Nine Suites, Each With Its Own Story
With only nine accommodations — five suites and four junior suites — intimacy defines the guest experience. Each room celebrates the building’s architecture through a combination of exposed materials, original features, custom furnishings, and contemporary comforts. Brushed concrete, exposed brick, original tiles, and bespoke artwork create spaces that feel more like private residences than hotel rooms. The standout suites elevate the experience even further. Deep Roman-style bathtubs, separate lounges, custom-made beds, and carefully curated design objects create an atmosphere of residential luxury rarely found in Havana. Nothing feels standardised. Every suite carries its own personality.
A Living Room for Havana
One of the most appealing aspects of A|S Boutique Residence is its relationship with the local community. The ground-floor Grand Café operates not only as a breakfast room but also as an art gallery and social gathering space. Guests mingle with locals over Cuban coffee, exhibitions, conversations, and occasional live music performances. The atmosphere feels refreshingly authentic. This is not a hotel isolated from the city. It is woven into the daily life of the neighbourhood. The line between visitor and local becomes pleasantly blurred.
Rooftop Havana
Above the city, the rooftop terrace offers one of the property’s most memorable experiences. Comfortable lounges, tropical greenery, cocktails, and panoramic views stretch across Old Havana’s rooftops toward the Caribbean beyond. As the afternoon light softens and the city begins to glow, the terrace becomes an urban sanctuary suspended above the streets below. Unlike Havana’s larger hotels, the scale remains intimate. With only a handful of guests sharing the space, the rooftop often feels entirely your own. A rare luxury in one of Latin America’s most vibrant cities.
At the Heart of Old Havana
The location places guests directly within one of Havana’s most fascinating districts. San Isidro remains deeply authentic, less polished than some of the city’s better-known quarters yet rich in character and cultural life. Horse-drawn carriages, music drifting from open windows, neighbourhood cafés, and centuries-old architecture define the surrounding streets. Many of Havana’s most important landmarks are easily explored on foot, including the Capitolio, Plaza Vieja, Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, Gran Teatro de La Habana, and the city’s historic plazas. The hotel becomes both refuge and gateway. A place to retreat and a place to begin.
A Boutique Hotel with Genuine Soul
Many design hotels impress visually. Far fewer feel personal. A|S Boutique Residence succeeds because every element reflects the passions, personalities, and experiences of its owners. The architecture, art collection, furniture, atmosphere, and hospitality all feel deeply individual rather than professionally manufactured. Nothing feels generic. Nothing feels imported. Everything feels lived-in, thoughtful, and sincere.
A Contemporary Havana Classic
A|S Boutique Residence captures something increasingly rare in hospitality: authenticity without compromise. By combining Havana’s architectural heritage with contemporary art, thoughtful design, and genuine local connection, it offers an experience that feels far richer than a conventional luxury stay. For travellers drawn to culture, creativity, architecture, and meaningful encounters with place, A|S Boutique Residence is one of Havana’s most rewarding addresses. A colonial mansion transformed into a living gallery, a boutique hotel, and a love letter to Cuba itself.
