Teaching English in Mexico: Where to Stay in Mexico City Part 2

By: Larry M. Lynch
Submitted: 2007-01-17 10:58:55
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We’ll continue with a few more inexpensive hotel options in the Historic District, in this part 2 article on “Where to Stay in Mexico City” for TEFL professionals.

Hotel Zamora

Address: Cinco de Mayo No.50 Phones: 512 – 1832, 512 - 8245

One block from the Zocalo boasting that “rooms are always available”, this hotel likewise offers clean, although sparse and basic accommodations. Rooms are economical with 24 hour hot water. Careful attention is paid to the security of the guests, especially late night arrivals. Using a similar price structure to the Hotel Rioja (except cheaper) rooms with a window are priced at 95 pesos for singles, 140 pesos for doubles with one or two beds. Interior, windowless rooms are only 70 pesos for a single and 105 pesos for doubles. For internationally acceptable hotel room accommodations this place is rock-bottom. Only the Hostel Catedral is cheaper than here, but there you won’t have a room of your own.

Hotel Lafayette

Address: Motolinia 40 and 16 de Septiembre Phones: 521 – 9640

Tall, bright and cheerful, Hotel Lafayette is tucked among a string of stores, shops, restaurants and other businesses on a traffic-free, pedestrian-only street about four blocks from the Zocalo. Along the Cinco de Mayo or the parallel 16 de Septiembre two blocks away, Motolinia intersects them both one block before calle Bolivar. Almost all of the 60 rooms are tastefully furnished, include color TV, phone and hot water. Laundry service is also available as is a hotel safe for storing valuables. Rooms are 110 pesos for singles and 120 pesos for doubles. As usual, upper, street side rooms are brighter but noisier while interior rooms are quieter but darker. From this location you are halfway between the Zocalo and the Palacio de Bellas Artes, with shopping and restaurants all around. This is an excellent, secure location that has three Metro stations within three or four blocks (Bellas Artes, Allende and Zocalo).

Hotel Gillow

Address: Isabel la Catolica No. 17 (at the corner of Cinco de Mayo) Phones: 512 - 1440

Another conveniently located hotel three blocks from the Zocalo that is definitely nicer than its rather grim exterior suggests. There’s a moderately priced restaurant on the premises and rooms are clean, bright and reasonable but somewhat noisy. Prices are 230 pesos for singles and 260 pesos for doubles – 320 pesos for a double with two beds and all the amenities. The Gillow is notably pricier than similar hotels in the vicinity.

Hostel Catedral

Address: Guatemala No. 4 Phone: 518 – 1726, 518 - 1065 Fax: 510 - 3442 e-mail: hostellingmexico@remaj.com website: www.remaj.com

Principally for “backpackers”, the only way to have accommodations closer to the Zocalo is to live in the presidential palace itself! The hostel is directly behind the massive Cathedral Metropolitana on the corner of Republica de Brasil. Rates are 70 pesos per person for beds and 24 hour hot water service with a 15 pesos charge for padlocks and a 10am checkout. The Zocalo metro station is only scores of steps away. Recently completely renovated and highly popular, the hostel can fill up quickly during peak periods despite the large numbers of spaces available (presently 209 beds). A TV room and guest kitchen are included in the services as are a pool table area, vending machines and an internet center. Laundry service is at a modest cost while travel agency services are free. All major credit cards are accepted. If hostelling is your thing be sure to check this place out. You might even want to call from the airport about availability or e-mail them in advance. At last check, Humberto Gutierrez was the manager there.

Be sure to check out my other articles in the continuing series: Teaching English in Mexico and Traveling in Mexico. If you would like more information, have questions or comments, the author can be e-mailed at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com

Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an ELT Teacher Trainer, English language learning expert author and university professor in Cali, Colombia. He has published more than 350 articles and academic papers and presented at numerous EFL teacher training and TEFL conferences throughout North America, South America and Europe. For comments, questions, requests, to receive more information or to be added to his free TESOL articles and teaching materials mailing list, e-mail: lynchlarrym@gmail.com

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