Hotel Raquel, elegance and culture in the heart of Havana [en/es]

in #hive-17870811 months ago

A few days ago I had the opportunity to participate in an activity in a showroom located on Amargura Street. As I was walking down that street, I came to the corner of Amargura and San Ignacio and my eyes stopped at a spectacular construction: the Hotel Raquel. Although it has only three floors, its imposing baroque style façade stands out from the other buildings around it, which are simpler and lower.

Hace unos días tuve la oportunidad de participar en una actividad en una sala de exposiciones situada en la calle Amargura. Mientras caminaba por esa calle, llegué a la esquina de Amargura y San Ignacio y mis ojos se detuvieron en una construcción espectacular: el Hotel Raquel. Aunque sólo tiene tres plantas, su imponente fachada de estilo barroco destaca sobre los demás edificios de alrededor, más sencillos y bajos.


If you look closely at this beautiful façade, it seems infinite. The more you look at it, the more you can't take your eyes off it. It's like taking a trip through the years, a connection to the last century. Although it is more than 100 years old, it was not until 2003, after an exquisite restoration carried out by the City Historian's office, that the building reopened its doors as a beautiful four-star hotel. Previously, it had been the headquarters of a fabric importing house and several companies, with impressive lounges and libraries. However, in 1999 it was decided to renovate and change its purpose.

Si observamos detenidamente esa hermosa fachada, parece infinita. Cuanto más se mira, no se pueden apartar los ojos de ella. Es como hacer un viaje a través de los años, una conexión con el siglo pasado. Aunque tiene más de 100 años, fue hasta el año 2003, tras una exquisita restauración llevada a cabo por la oficina del Historiador de la Ciudad, cuando el edificio reabrió sus puertas como un hermoso hotel de cuatro estrellas. Anteriormente, había sido sede de una casa importadora de tejidos y de varias empresas, con impresionantes salones y bibliotecas. Sin embargo, en 1999 se decidió renovarse y cambiar su propósito.


This hotel is a testimony of the link that exists between Cuban culture and Judaism, from its name, Raquel, an emblematic figure of Hebrew culture, to the architectural elements and the design of its decoration..

Although it always caught my attention every time I passed by that street, I was usually in a hurry. However, on this occasion, I was more relaxed and decided to enter. The entrance consists of three huge varnished wooden doors topped with stained glass windows, above which beautiful carved woodwork stands out.

Este hotel es un testimonio del vínculo que existe en la cultura cubana y el judaísmo, desde su nombre, Raquel, figura emblemática de la cultura hebrea, hasta los elementos arquitectónicos y el diseño de su decoración.

Aunque siempre me llamaba la atención cada vez que pasaba por esa calle, normalmente tenía prisa. Sin embargo, en esta ocasión, estaba más relajado y decidí entrar. La entrada se compone de tres enormes puertas de madera barnizada rematadas con vitrales, sobre las que destaca una hermosa carpintería tallada.


The interior style is fascinating. I would have loved to go up to the rooftop veranda, as I was told, but unfortunately it was not possible, as the hotel was closed for repairs, although from the outside it didn't look like it.

I went up one of the two marble staircases leading to the lobby , the ones bordering a central descending one leading to the rooms. At the top of the staircase, two sturdy marble columns rise to the ceiling. Both the staircase and the handrails are made entirely of marble, a true luxury. In the center of the foyer is a beautiful white marble statue.

El estilo interior es fascinante. Me hubiera encantado subir al mirador de la azotea, como me dijeron, pero por desgracia no fue posible, ya que el hotel estaba cerrado por reparaciones, aunque desde fuera no lo pareciera.

Subí por una de las dos escaleras de mármol que conducen al vestíbulo , las que bordean una central descendente que lleva a las habitaciones. En lo alto de la escalera, dos robustas columnas de mármol se elevan hasta el techo. Tanto la escalera como los pasamanos son completamente de mármol, un verdadero lujo. En el centro del vestíbulo hay una hermosa estatua de mármol blanco.


In the photos you can see, there is a sequence of columns inside the lobby, which give it a great attraction. But the most beautiful thing I saw was a stained glass window in the shape of a vault that covers a large part of the ceiling. It is a true work of art, my gaze could not take my eyes off it. It is one of the largest stained glass windows I have ever seen, made as detailed by Cuban artist Rosa Maria de la Terga.

En las fotos que se pueden ver, hay una secuencia de columnas en el interior del vestíbulo, que le dan un gran atractivo. Pero lo más bonito que vi fue un vitral de colores en forma de bóveda que cubre gran parte del techo. Es una verdadera obra de arte, mi mirada no podía apartar los ojos de ella. Es una de los vitrales más grandes que he visto, realizado según se detalla por la artista cubana Rosa María de la Terga.


The entire lobby area of the hotel is beautiful and permeated with elements of Jewish culture. The place where the folder is located, is semicircular, made of highly polished dark wood, and in the center is a clock. Right next to the folder, there is a plaque explaining the significance of a large rock in the mountains of Jerusalem, which has carved a 7-armed candelabrum, symbol of universal enlightenment, a replica of the one found in the Arch of Titus in Rome, after the victory over the Jews.

To the right of the folder is an old style elevator, which is used to ascend to the upper floors. It is a real relic.

Toda la zona del vestíbulo del hotel es preciosa y está impregnada de elementos de la cultura judía. El lugar donde se encuentra la carpeta, es semicircular, de madera oscura muy pulida, y en el centro hay un reloj. Justo al lado de la carpeta, hay una placa que explica el significado de una gran roca de las montañas de Jerusalén, que tiene tallado un candelabro de 7 brazos, símbolo de la iluminación universal, réplica del que se encuentra en el Arco de Tito en Roma, tras la victoria sobre los judíos.

A la derecha de la carpeta hay un ascensor de estilo antiguo, que se utiliza para subir a los pisos superiores. Es una auténtica reliquia.




At the back, there is a lobby bar called Lejaim, a Hebrew word meaning "a toast to life", a beautiful message . Almost every room and room in the hotel has a Hebrew name. On both sides of the bar are large paintings depicting women of this culture.

En la parte trasera, hay un bar en el vestíbulo llamado Lejaim, palabra hebrea que significa "un brindis por la vida", un bonito mensaje . Casi todas las habitaciones y estancias del hotel tienen un nombre hebreo. A ambos lados del bar hay grandes cuadros que representan a mujeres de esta cultura.


Next, to the right of the bar, separated by panels of stained-glass windows, predominantly blue, is the restaurant called Jardín del Edén (Garden of Eden). The furniture is upholstered in blue and is surrounded by large windows that open to let in daylight and the bustle of the streets, frequented by Cubans and tourists from all over the world who are fascinated by this old part of the city.

A continuación, a la derecha del bar, separado por paneles de vitrales de colores predominando el azul, se encuentra el restaurante llamado Jardín del Edén. Los muebles están tapizados en color azul y están rodeados de grandes ventanas que se abren para dejar entrar la luz del día y el bullicio de las calles, frecuentadas por cubanos y turistas de todo el mundo que quedan fascinados por esta parte antigua de la ciudad.



Throughout the lobby you will find paintings, beautiful furniture and large hanging lamps. The ceilings are decorated with moldings and the floors are gleaming, with a marble entryway and further on is polished granite that creates beautiful darker lines.

En todo el lobby encontrará cuadros, hermosos muebles y grandes lámparas colgantes. Los techos están decorados con molduras y los suelos son relucientes, con una entrada de mármol y más adelante es de granito pulido que crea hermosas líneas más oscuras.


It was a shame not to be able to go up, as everything looked so beautiful and luxurious that I imagine it would be a great experience. However, I plan to make another trip here so I can go up so I can share my experience with you.

It was a lovely and fascinating tour of the lobby of the Hotel Raquel. I enjoyed it very much and I send my regards to all of you, enjoy and I'll see you all!

Fue una pena no poder subir, ya que todo parecía tan bonito y lujoso que imagino que sería una gran experiencia. Sin embargo, planeo hacer otro viaje aquí para poder subir y así poder compartir mi experiencia con ustedes.

Fue un recorrido encantador y fascinante por el lobby del Hotel Raquel. Lo disfruté mucho y les mando un saludo a todos, ¡que lo disfruten y nos vemos!


Postal.png

Las fotos fueron tomadas con mi teléfono Xiaomi Note 11, unidas en canva

Utilice Traductor DeepL

Las fotos fueron tomadas con mi teléfono Xiaomi Note 11, unidas en canva

Utilice Traductor DeepL

For some data, see the next page / Para obtener algunos datos, consulte la siguiente página.
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What a beautiful architecture of the Hotel, it is beautiful my sister @lileisabel , happy day 🌹🌷🌺🪷🌸💐💮🏵️🌼🌻☘️

Yes, sister @taniagonzalez, the number of times I have passed by there, that facade had always shocked me and I had never entered. It's a shame that it's not providing services, it's very beautiful, I wanted to go up to the viewpoint but it was possible ❤️😘

Next time for sure you will be able to come up, happy day 🌹🌷.

🙏🙏🙏

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La arquitectura del lugar es preciosa, y su historia lo hace aún más atractivo todo. Gracias por compartir tu visita a Raquel, porque a pesar de sus características arquitectónicas no es un hotel tan conocido en nuestra ciudad y merece la visita

The architecture of the place is beautiful, and its history makes everything even more attractive. Thank you for sharing your visit to Raquel, because despite its architectural features it is not such a well known hotel in our city and it is worth the visit.

Gracias amiga @indipnash91 en verdad esa edificación lleva ahí más de 100 años , pero muy poco tiempo como hotel, parece desde afuera un museo , no un hotel , gracias por pasar , tenemos que coordinar una visita al mirador que tiene, cuando abra, debe ser una magnífica experiencia.

Thanks friend @indipnash91, the truth is that building is more than 100 years old, but it has only been a hotel for a very short time, from the outside it looks like a museum, not a hotel, thanks for stopping by, we have to coordinate a visit to the viewpoint when it opens, which It must be a magnificent experience.

Sí!!! Estaremos al tanto a su apertura, ya deseo conocerlo.

Yes!!! We will keep an eye out for your opening, I am already looking forward to meeting you.

Manually curated by brumest from the @qurator Team. Keep up the good work!

Un lugar muy lindo y cargado de una linda historia que merece ser contada. Lindo post.

Gracias querida , es un hotel elegante , con historia y fenomenal arquitectura 👌❤️

Thank you dear, it is an elegant hotel, with history and phenomenal architecture 👌❤️

That hotel is absolutely beautiful, like many buildings in Havana. I loved!

Si querida es bello, quedé muy complacida

Very nice pictures, I didn't know about this hotel, it's beautiful. Those stained glass windows give it a spectacular touch. In general it is a building that attracts attention. Thank you for such a nice tour of its interior. Nice day to you.

Thank you very much @manani, it was a great experience to visit it, I am sure I will return, thanks for stopping by dea

wow, I am in awe of the beauty of the hotel, it has so many details to admire.

Yes, and just walk through the lobby and its exterior beauty, it is an architecture that captivates.

Yay! 🤗
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Front architecture of this hotel is impresive

That's right, it's impressive, it looks like a museum, it has super beautiful baroque architecture 👋❤️

Looks ancient.. laf it

Hello friend, what a beautiful building, the decoration of the ceiling is great as well as the color of the walls, which creates a warm and cozy atmosphere, the stained glass windows are my favorite part there are so many to choose from that it is difficult to choose one, they are all spectacular, this building is undoubtedly a great architectural jewel of Cuba, thanks for your detailed explanation, it is a pleasure to read your lines.

Have a nice day!

Gracias por apreciar amiga , fue una experiencia extraordinaria 👋❤️

Thank you for appreciating my friend, it was an extraordinary experience 👋❤️

Oh my friend what a beauty that hotel, what a good restoration they did, everything is taken care of in detail, beautiful, I did not imagine that there was so much beauty enclosed in that beautiful structure, from the facade to its interior everything is beautiful. Thank you for discovering and sharing this place with us.

oh amiga qué belleza ese hotel, que buena restauración hicieron, todo está cuidado al detalle, hermosísimo, no imaginaba que había tanta belleza encerrada en esa hermosa estructura, desde las fachada hasta su interior todo es hermoso. Gracias por descubrir y compartirnos este lugar.

Así es querida fue una muy bonita experiencia, desde siempre el exterior me llamaba mucho la atención , pero nunca imaginé que en su interior sería tan cautivador, a veces no sabemos de estos lugares que tenemos al alcance de la mano, gracias por pasar amiga ❤️

That's right, dear, it was a very nice experience, the exterior always caught my attention, but I never imagined that inside it would be so captivating, sometimes we don't know about these places that we have within reach, thank you for stopping by friend ❤️

Wow, these sites are really impressive. I am really struck by, among other things, the design of the stained glass windows, it is breathtaking.

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Raquel Hotel is truly a very differently designed place. The interior design is very impressive. Its exterior structure resembles the old buildings in Istanbul. If you happen to come to Istanbul one day, I recommend you to come to Istanbul. Thank you for sharing, it was very nice.

I'm very glad you like it and I hope that one day you can go there and appreciate that impressive architecture that I see in movies and novels. 👋❤️

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Thank you so much @aplusd, Grateful to enjoy and share in this community 👍

Same here dear @lileisabel. Thank you for your full support and incredible A+D stories. Keep up the awesome projects! 😀

gracias por su post, muy interesante