Havana, Cuba: Socialite Paris Hilton began a visit on Thursday to Cuba, where her family lost a hotel a half-century ago when Fidel Castro took power, according to a picture posted online.

The hotel heiress published a picture of herself in Old Havana wearing a dress and sun glasses with the caption ‘Cuba Baby.’

Hilton will be joined on the island by British model Naomi Campbell, who was seen in Havana Wednesday.

Both stars took the trip to the island to appear with other prominent visitors, including former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, following an announcement of rapprochement between Cuba and the US by President Barack Obama.

The US recently relaxed some travel restrictions on the island that has not had diplomatic ties with Washington for more than 50 years.

The great grandfather of Paris, Conrad Hilton, created the family's hotel empire and visited Cuba in 1958 for a hotel opening.

The hotel was nationalised by revolutionary leader Castro in 1960 along with other US properties on the island and is now known as the Habana Libre.