First US chain hotel in a half- century opens in Cuba

Starwood Hotels on Tuesday took over management of a luxury hotel in central Havana, becoming the first big American hospitality chain with a presence on the island since the Cuban Revolution a half-century ago.

The newly-rechristened Cuba Four Points by Sheraton on Havana's Quinta Avenida -- a hotel owned by the Cuban military -- now will be managed by the American hospitality giant.

Located in Havana's Miramar district, the posh hotel -- formerly known as the Quinta Avenida hotel -- has rooms available from $246 per night, according to its website.

Management of the hotel under the Starwood banner is a point of pride, said Jorge Giannattasio, who oversees the company's Latin American properties.