Hotel Raquel drew the special attention of Leal the Mayor of Old Havana when it was emaculatly restored in 2005.  The building is 100 years old and for many decades was the business center for Jewish mechants in Old Havana. The rooms have Jewish names, in the lobby is a rock from the hills of Jerusalem with a minora incscribes. On the wall is an original oill painting illustrating the event when the American government turned away a ship of  Jews escaping Nazi Germany.  The ship turned south and was welcomed in Cuba.