We were pleasantly surprised by the Holiday Inn Express in Guanajuato, where we stayed from September 11 to 14, 2006. We were looking for a romantic hotel or B&B with local flavor, but our rock bottom requirements were: air conditioning (for a health problem), free internet access, and a good quiet location. The charming hotels we called from Mexico City either had no a/c in the rooms, no internet service, or were located too far out of town. The charming hotels within the city center are limited by local building codes -- most lack air conditioning, and use floor fans for ventilation. The Holiday Inn offered all we required and ,surprise, a free daily buffet breakfast (eggs, cereal, fruit, yoghurt, juice, coffee & tea, different fresh breads, as well as tasty mexican dishes such as refried beans and enchiladas). The rate including taxes was MX$ 1404 for a double room per night, or about $140, and was our choice. We travelled comfortably to Guanajuato on an ETN bus out of Mexico City's Norte Station (the highest quality busline with prompt departures, wide and comfortable seats with seat belts, movies & music, toilet, even a simple bag lunch with a soda or water, for about 350 pesos: about US$35 one way). Guanajuato's Terminal de Autobuses (bus station) is only a 1 to 2 minutes away from the hotel by cab (about 30 pesos or $3). It's a 10 minute ride to downtown (the old colonial part of Guanajuato, very easy to walk around), but the hotel has a free shuttle bus several times a day & at other times cabs are cheap & easy to find. If you would like to walk to town, let me suggest you take the shuttle bus first, and see if it's doable or not.
This is a newer hotel located in the commercial main drag into the city, painted in a terra cotta shade, and decorated with warmth and charm with local art from Guanajuato state. Its popular with airline crews and businessmen. Don't miss the stained glass panel above the entrance. There are two atriums or interior courtyards: one for the dining room, the other for the indoor swimming pool (open 8AM-8PM). Each room has a tiny balcony with views overlooking one of these two interior courtyards. There is a good size gym open 24 hrs with bicycles, weight machines and treadmills. The rooms are soundproof with the french doors closed. There are over 160 rooms and suites, which are well sized and comfortable with TV, internet and safe for valuables. We had our choice of two double beds or a king, smoking or non. There are ice machines on each floor, and a soda & snack machine on the main floor. Service is very good, the staff is eager to please; the assistant manager called to welcome us & if we needed anything at all, to just call the reception. Theme: HotelComparison: about averageDirections: Located on the main drag into the town, about 1 to 2 minute cab ride from the bus station, and a 10 minute hotel shuttle bus or cab ride to the colonial (pedestrian) part of Guanajuato.Other Contact: maerose285@yahoo.com
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