for someone who has never been to Cuba I always recommend Varadero as a good starting point. Many will disagree with this though (kind of like visiting Disneyland when you want to visit the USA). But it is not isolated like many of the otehr resort areas. It is close to havana for that exploratory day trip, and yet misses the big city hustle and bustle of Havana.
If all you’re looking for is nice beach etc, there are numerous resort areas that offer that, but will be somewhat isolated.
In Havana itself, there are many good hotels near the old city if that’s what you’re after.
I was just in teh Playas del Este area, which is about 15-20 miles south-east of the. There is a budget hotel, the Tropicoco as well as the soewhat better Club Atlantico that offer free shuttles to the old part of Havana. A couple miles from there, although it is more isolated, is the still better Blau Club Arenal Hotel.
All in all it depends on what you are looking for.
