Hotel Azul Oaxaca

Sara in the restaurant is a gem and makes you feel at home. The staff are top tier, and the terrace and courtyard restaurants are hard to beat. I came back for a second stay at Hotel Azul, and it was just as amazing as I remembered. I’d return just to see the staff again. At lunch, my favorites were the tempura fish tacos and limonada. The included breakfast was fantastic, with lots of preferences accommodated and remembered when you stay more than one night. Housekeeping is five-star, the laundry service is quick and efficient, and the room amenities are plentiful if you’re happy with typical hotel fare. The simply decorated rooms were clean, the beds comfortable, and the evening chocolate and turndown service was a highlight. A couple of things to know: every room opens onto the courtyard, most don’t have typical windows, and the birds are noisy early in the morning. Internet can be tough both in the rooms and in Oaxaca generally. If you’re traveling from abroad, saving maps offline, downloading entertainment, and using WhatsApp are vital. Still, I had a fantastic stay and would recommend it to anyone visiting Oaxaca.

We came back twice for dinner and once for lunch because this became our reliable choice. Traveling with children, we found healthy, tasty options for them here, while we got to try a wide range of authentic Oaxacan dishes. Every plate was carefully prepared, and the service stood out most of all. It’s a simple idea, done extraordinarily well. Congratulations to the team. Places like this make traveling to Mexico such a remarkable experience.

It was fine, but after arriving in Oaxaca and seeing how many lovely boutique hotels offer more for the money, I wouldn’t book this one again. The reviews had made me excited to stay, but the value didn’t live up to what else is available.

Everything we wanted to see was an easy walk from Hotel Azul, and the staff were excellent. The hotel itself is beautiful. We had a wonderful three-night stay and would highly recommend it.