Havana Haven

In its transformation from Caribbean metropolis into 5-star hotel bar, the city of Havana has maintained a few key features, namely a wide range of rums and a love for cigars. The rest of Havana is alluded to with a mosaic of black-and-white-photographs behind the bar. The Grand Millennium Beijing’s premier bar serves delectable cocktails, including one of the city’s few proper caipirinhas (YY70). The shelves are stocked with more than 20 Cuban rums and Brazilian cachaças, ranging from the Mulata Palma Superior (YY65) to the Velho Barreiro Cachaca (YY70). Although the Cohiba and Montecristo cigars are “delayed” as we go to press, we trust that they will be in soon. In the meantime, the bar staff can provide cigarillos and is equipped with cigar cutters and matches should you choose to bring your own. As one would expect from a 5-star hotel of Grand Millennium’s caliber, the service (along with its 15 percent surcharge) is impeccable. The CBD is home to the city’s few hotel bars worth hanging out in. When Havana has a cigar selection worthy of its name, it can proudly join the fold.

Blake Stone-Banks