Hotel Don Nino

The room was noisy, with the restaurant and road right next to our bedroom. Check-in on Wednesday evening was a much better experience, the front office service was excellent, though I can't remember his name.

The air conditioning was controlled only by the remote kept by the front desk employee, and we would have liked to leave it on longer because the rooms got a little warm at night. Still, the place was neat and clean, and we felt at home. The desk employees were all kind and helpful, which made our stay pleasant. Hostel Don Nino is hard to beat for location, right in the heart of the city and an easy walk from lots of great sights. We had a great visit.

I really recommend the pizza at the restaurant downstairs. I know pizza may not be what you're thinking of in Oaxaca, but it is so freaking delicious. I've stayed at Hotel Don Nino twice, and both visits were excellent. For the price, it's safe, clean, and well located. It's across from El Llano, a lively plaza full of everyday activity and great food vendors, and a lovely spot for people watching. There's a pharmacy across the plaza, an OXXO down the street, and a couple of banks nearby. You're not right in the historic section of Oaxaca, but it's only a quick 5-7 minute walk away. That area is lively at night, while Hotel Don Nino is a little more tranquil. Taxis regularly pass by, and the hotel can arrange a tour.

We liked it enough that when we passed through Oaxaca again the following week, coming back here was an easy choice. Our eight-person dorm was comfortable, the bathrooms were the cleanest hostel bathrooms I've ever encountered, and breakfast was great. We didn't spend much time hanging out at the hostel, but there's plenty of space for that, plus a rooftop terrace, kitchen, and tours on offer. The ADO bus station and Airport Taxis are conveniently close, with the hostel offering a ride for 150 pesos.