My expectations on this place was a little higher than the actual visit, that was my only major let down. For those that don't know, La Casa del Habano is the official importer of the Habanos S.A., the Cuban brands of cigars. The store is actually inside the very well designed Conservatorium Hotel with other luxury retailers. I thought the design of the La Casa del Habano was going to be better with maybe separate rooms or a better layout. But the place is just a square room with high ceilings and displays of cutters and lighters in the middle. I was taking photos when I entered and the host of the facility said "you take many photos" in a very blunt way, I assume he didn't like me taking photos, so I stop. After talking with him, it turns out he is a nice guy, so I continue taking more photos but the humidity vapors were fogging up my lens, so I stop because the photos near the cigars were coming out foggy.
The huge shelf of racks on the wall have massive amounts of Cuban cigars, pretty darn wide as about three cars bumper to bumper. The host literally needed a 20 feet ladder to reach the ones on top. The place is bright considerably due to the huge windows that allow the daylight in. La Casa del Habano overlooks a fine restaurant called Tunes. One end of the store are the shelf of cigars; in the corner there is a piano lined inside with cigars. The other end of the store are fine champagnes like 2000 Dom Perignon and Moet to accompany your cigar if you choose to purchase one or the host will offer coffee, a quality bean: Jamaican Blue Mountain. This end where the champagnes are displayed are 4 leather couches and little coffee tables on your side with ash trays where you can smoke your purchase. The ones I bought to go are placed inside a light cardboard or thick paper like protector, included are long stick matches with the Habanos S.A. logo. The Behike 52 I smoked there was cut very smoothly and torched perfectly by the host. While smoking my cigar the host did his own work on his laptop then took a moment of time to smoke his own vintage Romeo y Julieta accompanied by a wine with me. He was attentive when I spoke and answered without hesitation when I asked questions or inquired of something but also let me concentrate on my reading and work while I relaxed with my smoke. There's minor reading material available like a cigar magazine and an up to date issue of National Geographics. After I thanked him, he thanked me as well for the time. If you have an hour to spare while in the Museum district go for a smoke or just to check it out. read more