Hotel Trebol

The place is spotless, and the staff are courteous and professional. It’s a lovely, surprisingly quiet spot, and the location is worth paying for. A few things let it down: the Wi-Fi was unreliable, hot water even less dependable, and breakfast was only okay for vegetarians like us, with lots of beans, tortillas, and eggs. There were also staff or owner’s kids running around, which we actually liked.

Being close to the Zocalo was a real plus, and the beds were comfortable with plenty of pillows. The mini split cooled the room nicely, though I couldn’t get it to blow warm air. There was little counter space by the sink for my things, although my husband managed fine with his half. The shower had no glass or curtain, so the small bathroom got steamy, but I didn’t get too cold. They’ve clearly tried to save water: there’s a bucket to catch water while you wait for it to heat, and the large shower head spreads the water out. The water gets very hot, so you don’t need as much. Still, I wasted some water figuring out the controls. A sign explaining which faucet was hot or cold and which way each turned would have helped. The bathroom notice has an English translation saying not to flush paper towels, but doesn’t mention toilet paper. My husband and Gemimi AI thought it was a bad translation and meant toilet paper too. Sigh. As in many places in Mexico, there’s a bin for it, and the room was cleaned and fresh towels brought daily. Breakfast is included, but I’m too much of a night owl to have tried it. It’s a three-star hotel, and that’s what I gave it.

We spent a nice evening in the courtyard, where there’s fresh coffee, an electric kettle, and a microwave in the dining area. It was handy to make tea there, since the room itself had no coffee maker or microwave. Breakfast was included and delicious, with fruit, pastries, and a main dish. I tried the chilaquiles one day and mushroom and quesillo omelettes on others. I’m sure the other choices are good too. The courtyard is beautiful, and the place felt clean and cozy. Our room was tidy and the beds were comfortable. The staff were friendly and the service was great. It’s right downtown, near markets, churches, restaurants, and plenty of other places to see.

Breakfast was the highlight for me. The menu changed daily, and everything felt restaurant quality, so I looked forward to it each morning. The hotel was also a great choice for my first two solo nights before meeting friends in Oaxaca. Everything was walkable, and the staff were lovely and friendly, with some able to speak English. My queen room was charming and very clean, and the rain shower was refreshing. Looking out at the courtyard was relaxing. The Wi-Fi kept cutting out, though, which was disappointing and could make working here difficult.