Hotel Posada la Ermita

The lovely view is the one thing this hotel has going for it, and nature deserves the credit. The building feels neglected and crumbling, with loose or broken door handles, rusted metal fixtures, and basic maintenance left undone. It’s being passed off as rustic charm, but it feels like it’s been left to rot. I called directly because I wanted them to keep more of the money instead of paying a booking site. I was quoted $75 for two rooms for four people. When I arrived, they said that was per room. I said I’d take just one, and the price suddenly went up to $100. That felt opportunistic, not like a misunderstanding. In my view, they heard my accent and saw my passport, then charged me more, a plain “gringo tax.” They tried to explain the change by saying it was high season. It was a rainy Tuesday, the hotel looked nearly empty, and there was a wall full of keys. This kind of behavior hurts tourists and feeds the tired stereotypes people are trying to shake about travel in this region. Shameful.

The grounds are worth enduring the poor service for, and I had an awesome view of the city and temple from my room over Main Street. This hotel is a cultural landmark, about a 10-15 minute walk to the town center, though the climb and elevation will take your breath away. Take a bus back. The place is old, with lots of broken things. My street-facing window wouldn’t close. There’s a kitchenette but no coffee maker. The A/C is either on or off, so it’s either too cold or too hot, somewhere between 50f and 80f. They’ll try to sell you breakfast tickets, but it’s not a good deal. Service starts at 8:30, and the waitress seemed to ignore me. I asked for coffee with cream and sweetener. The coffee took about five minutes, the sweetener a few more, then the meal came, and the cream took another ten minutes. The food was cold before I could sip my coffee. Don’t eat here.

This isn’t one of the city’s most luxurious hotels, but its history and charm make it special. The property was originally the home of Cantinflas’s mother. After she passed away, Cantinflas turned it into a hotel in the late 1960s. He personally commissioned historic murals, paintings, and other artwork from different artists, and chose much of the lobby’s furniture and décor, which helps preserve its authentic character. The rooms don’t have modern, high-tech amenities, but that’s part of the appeal if you want to disconnect and take in the atmosphere. Wi-Fi works in most rooms, although the signal is limited in a few areas. Many suites have balconies with breathtaking views over downtown San Miguel, especially at sunset. Prices are very accessible compared with other downtown hotels.

For what it costs, this was a total disaster. The rooms were dark, uncomfortable, and poorly maintained, and the staff showed no proper hospitality. Definitely not worth the money.