BEYOND THE LOBBY - MARGAUX

Margaux Hemingway in Havana: A Reunion with Her Grandfather’s Legacy

By Jon @whereismyhotel

In February 1978, renowned actress and model Margaux Hemingway set off for Havana in search of a deeper connection with the legacy of her grandfather, the iconic novelist Ernest Hemingway. Accompanied by photographer David Hume Kennerly, she explored the most emblematic places tied to the author’s life in Cuba, delving into the intimate bond that once united Hemingway and the Caribbean island.

Her first stop was Finca Vigía, the residence where Hemingway wrote masterpieces such as The Old Man and the Sea. Margaux wandered among the books, personal belongings, and rooms bathed in tropical light—connecting with the creative energy that still lingers in the air. Today, the finca is preserved just as Hemingway left it and functions as a museum.

Margaux immersed herself in the lively and evocative atmosphere of Havana. She visited El Floridita, Hemingway’s favorite bar, where she posed beside the famous bronze statue of the author, surrounded by tourists and bartenders. There, among daiquiris and rose-colored walls, the bohemian spirit of the past lives on. She also stopped by the legendary Tropicana Club, the beating heart of Havana’s nightlife, where she felt transported to a glamorous bygone era.

Another site rich in history was the Hotel Ambos Mundos. From room 511, Hemingway wrote countless stories. The hotel has preserved that room as a literary sanctuary in the heart of Old Havana. In other places like the Fábrica de Arte Cubano and the Hotel Nacional, Margaux felt embraced by the weight of history.

As she strolled through El Vedado, she encountered a city vibrant with art and life. Cubanito Ibiza reconnects with that very Cuban essence—from its architecture and nightlife to cafés brimming with music. A creative Havana, a worthy heir to the spirit that once enchanted her grandfather.