Santiago de Cuba and its Grand Hotel

This territory, the second and most important city on the Cuban archipelago, is described as one of the first villages founded way back in 1515, and numerous projects have been prepared to celebrate its 500th anniversary.

Click on Santiago de Cuba: A City of 500 Years

The list of actions includes the reconstruction of the once-famous Grand Hotel, nestled in the populous Enramada Street. Some time ago, this building housed the Hotel and Tourism School and it had been previously occupied by Bayamo Hotel.

This is not the first time that hardworking hands, coming from other regions of the country, arrive in the old city so as to support different activities. Once again workers from Granma and Santiago have joined forces to fulfill one mission: the overall restoration and remodeling of this hotel that is planned to begin providing services in July.

A team from EMPRESTUR Granma, made up of over 25 workers and headed by Jorge Hugo Peña Riveron, is in charge of the complex constructive works.

Hugo Peña, detailed the ongoing work and said: “In level zero, right in the first floor, we’re modifying the lobby and service facilities, installing elevators to raise the comfort level and making other internal adjustments.

“All iron hydraulic connections have been replaced for plastic PVC, which are long-lasting pipes and easier to be handled when it comes to solving any problem.

“As for the carpentry, it’s being substituted by precious wood, thus preserving the colonial style of the time just as demanded by the Heritage Office, taking into account that this is a heritage eclectic building that dates back to 1910.

“COPEXTEL workers are also installing new air-conditioning systems. We’re also working on the lamps, furniture and the image.”

Santiago’s Grand Hotel is shining again and the workers are proud to give the city one of its most central hotels, near the Imperial one.

Alianki Sanchez Rivero, a technician from Pilon, Manzanillo, said: “I’ve worked in Santiago several times. In 2013 I was supporting the construction of houses.

“Now I’m here to participate in the works for the 500th anniversary of the village. I love this city and the people are very hospitable. I’ll come here as many times as they need me.”

We were told to meet the investor of the work. Because of the magnitude of his responsibility we thought that we’d meet a man with many years of experience. It was quite the contrary. We were surprised when they pointed at a young man that seems to have graduated short time ago at the Eastern University.

Adrian Ramos Perez, investor of the Tourism Real Estate Agency, said: “I graduated four years ago and this is the first time I face such a work.

“The hotel was managed by Isla Azul, featuring two-star category, but it’s now owned by CUBANACAN so it goes up to four stars and other standards must be met in terms of comfort and services.

“We’ll install two elevators, Los Gaticos Bar stays as such, there will be three room levels, SAID and SASI are going to be installed against fires and intruders, and the air conditioning system is being modified.

“The hotel had 45 rooms, but after the redesign it’ll have 42 rooms and 2 mini suites.

“I’m very lucky to be leading such a project of great importance. I’m applying everything I learned at the academy.

“They trusted me, so the responsibility is huge. The success depends on supervision and control, as well as the fulfillment of technical and design rules.

“It’ll be a dream come true when it’s done. I just can’t imagine it. This is the first time I participate in such a restoration process, but I’m sure that everything is going to be perfect.”