Hotel Casa Colón

Hotel Colón is convenient to most everything in beautiful Oaxaca City--it's just a few blocks from the Mercados de la Merced, 20 de noviembre, and Benito Juárez and another few blocks from the Zocalo and the city's many, many shops and restaurants. Taxis to Zaachila and other outlying markets and towns are even closer. A huge single or double room with double bed and en suite bathroom currently costs 500 pesos per night for one person or 800 for two; an even bigger two-double-bed room runs 800 pesos. The rooms aren't luxurious, but they are definitely adequate for travelers who prefer to spend money on things more important than a room that's used primarily for sleeping and bathing. Closet, dresser, and nightstand space are excellent. The hotel doesn't have air conditioning, but all rooms have a fan and a big window. All plumbing works well and there is plenty of hot water at all hours. Calle Colón is quiet and most of the rooms are upstairs and away from the street. I slept for five nights, completely undisturbed by either street or guest noise. The hotel has no restaurant, but the hotel two doors away serves good, inexpensive Oaxaca-style meals. For breakfast, try the enfrijoladas con cecina, they were wonderful. Coffee and fresh seasonal fruit are included in the breakfast packages. Mine cost 52 pesos and was more than enough fuel to last till the main meal of the day around 3:00PM. The staff is extremely accommodating. One afternoon I needed to stay in my room to work and the young room cleaner went to the corner and brought me a sandwich. The reception desk is super-helpful and taxis to take you anywhere in town pass Hotel Colón's front door for ease in getting around Oaxaca. Downside: the hotel is only minimally accessible for people in wheelchairs or with other mobility issues. There is at least one room on the ground floor, though. It's helpful to have a little Spanish but not mandatory. The best recommendation? I live in Mexico City and often travel to Oaxaca. I will definitely stay here again. Give it a try.