Hotel el Dorado

The A/C was the only good part. I booked for three people, but they charged extra for another person when I got to the desk, and the price had gone up. They charged taxes too.

We found the room quiet, spacious, and very clean, with comfortable beds. The building also felt secure, and the front desk staff were friendly and helpful. The A/C took about five minutes to kick in, then blew cold enough to make the room frigid within an hour or two. The bathroom was clean, though our shower only had room temperature water, which was fine in that heat. We stayed the night as a stop before San Pedro Sula, and for the price, it was hard to ask for more. There are restaurants, a big grocery store, two gas stations, and an ATM within a couple of blocks. The hotel also sells half-liter bottled drinks for 22 lempira, about 90 cents US, less than at the gas station. If we come back to La Ceiba, we'd stay here again.

I was able to switch rooms because the reception staff were kind and accommodating, and there are restaurants nearby. The hotel is across the street from the bus terminal, which is convenient. I stayed one night in July 2024, and the online photos gave a misleading impression. The first room, the one shown online with yellow walls, was in awful shape: stained sheets with hair and burn marks, black floors, crusty towels, chipped paint, dark smudges on the walls, a sink not properly attached, a dripping shower, and ceiling boards sitting unevenly and out of place. The second room, pictured online with white walls, was better, but its sheets and towels still weren't clean. Given the poor condition and cleanliness, it wasn't good value.

We arrived very late, around 11 PM, and I appreciated that he waited for us. The stay itself was good. The host didn't speak any English, and he charged us $10US more than our booking price. Since we couldn't communicate, we paid anyway.