MIAMI, USA – Iberostar Cuba Hotels & Resorts has announced the grand opening of the Iberostar Selection La Habana, also known as Torre K, through an official Facebook post. "The wait is over! Iberostar Selection La Habana [Torre K] opens its doors to enjoy impressive views of the city. Our five-star hotel is located on the central 23rd Street, a quintessential cinematic avenue. Welcome to Havana from its highest point!" the company wrote.

The inauguration of the 44-story, 500+ room skyscraper occurs amidst controversy, as the project has been criticized for its impact on traditional Havana architecture, the high cost of its construction, and the prohibitive prices of its rooms.

According to information published by Online Tours, rates at the Iberostar Selection La Habana range from 147 to 325 euros per night. The cheapest room in Torre K is equivalent to 31 times the average retiree's salary on the island, according to the conversion of the Cuban peso in the informal market.

Tourism in Cuba

The hotel is located in what was known as "Hueco de 23," a plot of land in front of Coppelia and near the Habana Libre Hotel. "The approximate height will be 154 meters above sea level, spread over 44 floors and two basements," explained Alfredo Ledón Llanes, the building's design engineer, in statements to the magazine Juventud Técnica in 2023.

Since the beginning of its construction, Torre K has generated mixed opinions. "From its formal conception, it winks at contemporary architecture and the most internationally valued Cuban architecture, such as the Focsa building and the Hotel Tryp Habana Libre," defended Osviel Carrillo, an architect from the Havana Projects Company.

However, various sectors of the population see this skyscraper as an element foreign to the city's identity. Nevertheless, not all comments on social networks have been of admiration, as specialists, architects, and Cubans in general consider that the construction of the hotel has represented a multimillion-dollar investment in a country facing a severe economic crisis, characterized by the scarcity of food, medicines, and constant blackouts.

Others question whether the building will withstand the hurricane-force winds that affect the island. "The relationship between its height and width, or slenderness, is a very important factor when designing a tall building. The more slender it is, the more sensitive it is to the wind. However, we have applied the Cuban standard to measure the wind load," assured Ledón.

The opening of the Iberostar Selection La Habana highlights the deep economic inequalities that the country is going through. While the Cuban regime promotes the exclusivity of this hotel, the majority of citizens face difficulties in accessing basic products and essential services.

The inauguration of the hotel continues to fuel the debate on the development model promoted in Cuba, where investments in tourism contrast with the precariousness of the population's living conditions.

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