Its main entrance on Seventh Avenue, also known as Calzada, retains the stately style of the 20s. Photo: Prensa Latina

Almost a century has passed since that Friday, December 28, 1928, the day on which the Hotel Presidente del Vedado in the capital was inaugurated. They say that the President of the Republic of Cuba himself, the infamous Gerardo Machado, opened his main door with a symbolic golden key. At the time of its inauguration it was considered the tallest building in Havana, elegantly raising its 10 floors, which gave it on that date the category of "first skyscraper" in the city.

Today the Hotel Presidente belongs to the Gran Caribe hotel chain, managed by the Spanish company Roc Hotels, has 158 rooms (two suites, 16 triples and the rest standard, spread over 10 floors, height considered the highest in Havana at the time of its inauguration in 1928. The work was carried out by the architects Eduardo Tella and son and had all the luxury and comfort of fashion at that time, including elevator and an odd crockery manufactured in Europe especially for the hotel.

The director of the Hotel, Moray Pérez, especially highlighted the historical values of El Presidente. Photo: Central American Digital Newspaper

Its general director, Morey Pérez, Arianna Hernández, deputy general director, and Dayana Mejías Varona, Commercial, met with a group of journalists, to report on a day of celebrations in commemoration of the 95th anniversary. From May, every end of the month until December, there will be events related to the date, there will also be a photographic contest about landscapes of El Vedado; another literary contest about the Hotel and its surroundings, which will be extended to all genres, including testimony and interview; a children's drawing contest under the title "The Hotel Presidente and the city", will resume on September 15 and December 15 the usual meetings called "Balcony of the Habano" and other celebrations that will culminate a great show on the date of December 28.

"This is a special occasion, stressed the General Manager, because 95 years are not fulfilled every day and it is a pleasure for me to be in charge of the hotel this December 28, and work in an entity with so much history known worldwide"

This Hotel preserves spaces that take us back to the 20s. Photo: María Alexis Rivero

Arianna Hernández, deputy director general, said that work is already being done on the remodeling of 80 rooms and the redesign of the prototype, on the restoration of the almost 300 works of art, many of them exclusive, as well as the marbles they have, on the textile and furniture renovation and on giving a new image to the lobby. restaurant, bars and other common areas.

Every month the Anniversary Day will be celebrated with typical Cuban dinners and music, in the pool area, and there will be tours along Los Presidentes Avenue to visit and learn about the history of the monuments established there, actions that complement the Cuban Routes developed by the Gran Caribe Hotel Group.

The Lobby treasures furniture and heritage works of art. Photo: Prensa Latina

Fourteen Distinguished Guests and some of the repeaters will be recognized during this day, as well as the winners in the photography and literature competitions for adults and children's painting with allegorical themes, all convened during the course of the campaign.

"We are a reference in the world for our heritage and service," said Morey Pérez, commenting that many personalities of the intelligentsia and art left their traces in this hotel. It has hosted events such as the Casa de las Américas Award, Havana Theater and Ballet Festivals, and the initial meeting of intellectuals for the creation of the Foundation of New Latin American Cinema in 1978, among others.

As mentioned especially, on this occasion the presence of artists and relatives of other deceased will be coordinated, such as the renowned singer Lola Flores, who was the guest of the President with his dance corps.

The Presidente Hotel is managed by the Spanish chain ROC Hotels. The Roc Hotels chain was founded in 1998 in Palmas de Mallorca and has been present in Cuba since 2013, currently operating a total of six four and five star accommodations, located in Havana, Varadero and Cayo Santa María.

Hotel managers announced various cultural activities in celebration of the 95th anniversary. Photo: María Alexis Rivero