Palacio del Conde de Santovenia (Palace of the Count of Santovenia ), Havana

The Palace of the Count of Santovenia (Palacio del Conde de Santovenia), has a storied history that traces back to the early 19th century. Initially celebrated for its advantageous position that facilitated a cool sea breeze from the Bay, the palace was a cultural hub, notably during holidays when the count permitted the Military Band to perform on its roof for the public in the Main Square (Plaza de Armas).

After the death of the count and the departure of his heirs to Spain in 1866, the property transitioned hands to Colonel Luis Lay, an American from New Orleans, who transformed it into the prestigious Hotel Santa Isabel, relocating it from its previous address on Habana Street. Lay's modifications positioned the hotel as one of the most significant and modern accommodations in Cuba at the time.

The transformation into a hotel marked a new era for the building, capturing the essence of Havana's affluent society. The upper floors, once the private quarters of the counts, boasted elegant furnishings and decor, while the ground level served commercial purposes. The address, Baratillo No. 9, later became the site for the Havana Food Market in 1888, further cementing its place in Havana's commercial and social landscape.

In 1943, a comprehensive renovation was undertaken to preserve its architectural integrity, transitioning it for office use. Following the 1959 Cuban Revolution, the building was nationalized, serving various functions until it became a restaurant in the 1980s, which did not prevent its gradual decline.

Recognizing the building's historical and cultural value, the Office of the Historian of Havana initiated a full restoration in the mid-1990s, culminating in the 1997 reopening of the Hotel Santa Isabel. This restoration revitalized the palace as a luxury hotel, showcasing its original architectural features within a quintessentially colonial mansion ambiance, thus preserving an important piece of Havana's heritage.