Hotel Jiménez

Hotel Jimenez worked as a place to sleep while I explored Oaxaca, though it felt pretty rustic. The location was the best part: I could walk around the city, visit markets, look at the colonial buildings, eat well, and take in the local culture. There’s no air conditioning, so keeping the window open is basically necessary for airflow. That also let in nonstop street noise, from horns and music to people talking and the usual city sounds, especially at night. Bring earplugs if you’re a light sleeper. It’s a no-frills bed in a convenient spot, but not a quiet or luxurious stay. If location and affordability matter more to you than amenities and silence, it may do the job.

After a full day of travel, my husband and I just wanted to shower. The water never really warmed up, and the pressure disappeared when we turned it halfway toward hot. The woman at the front desk came to check after we told her, but said she couldn’t do anything. We asked to switch rooms and even offered to pay extra for a better one. She refused, saying the room we’d arrived in an hour earlier had already been used and wouldn’t be rented again since there were no other customers. She also said we had less than 30 minutes before the hot water would be turned off, as if it were limited. If you’ve been traveling for hours and need a shower, I wouldn’t recommend this hotel.

The staff were the highlight for us. They were quick to help with questions and problems, and gladly kept my mother-in-law’s wheelchair for us when we returned to the hotel. The young woman at reception was always smiling and pleasant to see, and answered our questions promptly. Our room had a balcony, and we left its door open overnight. There’s no air conditioning, though the ceiling fan worked well for us. I’d recommend asking for a balcony room if you can. The rooms and bathrooms are small but adequate, and everything was very clean. Breakfast was included, and there’s free parking, though you leave your car keys at reception in case they need to move your vehicle to let out a car parked behind it. It’s four blocks from the cathedral and main market area, about a slow ten-minute walk for us while pushing a wheelchair. The city sidewalks aren’t great, so that could be tough if you’re in the same situation.

We extended our Oaxaca stay during peak season, and this was one of the few places still available after our other hotel filled up. Pretty basic, but decent and super clean. The breakfast was simple and tasty, the staff were really friendly, and the location was good. Free parking was a plus. I only wish the Wi-Fi had worked better.