William G.
Yelp
The next time I visit Oaxaca city there is not doubt that I will be staying here again. The staff here is very hospitable and professional. The food here is amazingly good. This former convent has been around longer than the United States has been a country, since the early 1500s. The rooms, court yards, dining areas, are very beautiful. The centralized location is also perfect for those visiting for the first time. First off, my red eye flight had me arriving here way too early for check in at 3 pm. I had previously emailed them about my dilemma and they responded nicely that if they can help they will. That is exactly what they did. They let me check-in early which was extremely nice of them. I made good use of the time by showering up and eating before heading into town.
Right off the back, the breakfast I ate there was one of the best meals I have ever had in Mexico or my life. I had Oaxacan black mole with chicken, a red mole with pork, tamales with mole, Mexican sweet bread (conchas), coffee and juice. The black mole was nothing less than amazing!! The sweet bread was on the same level. I have tried sweet bread from many Mexican and Central American bakeries in Chicago. But no, this was different, this bread was something different, I had never had anything like this. It was truly amazing as was the setting. The breakfast area is next to a courtyard that probably as not changed in almost 500 years! The courtyard has a beautiful fountain in the center and nicely manicured landscaping in the surrounding areas. Can it get better than this! Actually it can! They had live musicians playing for the breakfast crowd! It was beautiful.
The front desk people were great. They gave me great advice about my planned stay. Also, they arranged for a personally guided tour of Mezcal region called Matatlan for me. Researching that great smokey liquor, Mezcal, at its orgin one of my main reasons for being there. This hotel was a great jump off point for my stay. The area is very safe. The locals take great pride in looking out for the safety of tourist which make up an essential portion of their local economy. Oaxaca hands down is the best place to eat in all of Mexico. I say this without hesitation. I have traveled to many regions of the country and sampled their different cuisines. (Mexico because of its proximity to the US, I have visited more than any other country in the world.) The cutting edge (Casa Oaxaca, La Catadral, Los Danzantes, Pituyona, Casa Crespo) and traditionalist chefs here are amazing. Also, it is the birth place of chocolate. What's there not to like about chocolate? Coffee, oaxacan cheese, chocolate, mezcal, Monte Alban ruins, the art community, the dining scene are very good reasons for coming here. Also, you are a hop skip and a jump away from the beautiful coastal area of Huitulco which I also loved.
In addition, please order up some Mexican hot chocolate with a yema roll for breakfast. Have this combination once, and like myself, you will be addicted. An after hours drink here in a beautiful Spanish Colonial setting is also highly recommended. The bartenders here are top notch and happen to be some of the best in town. Lastly, there is a life sized painting of King Juan Carlos and Queen Sophia of Spain in the lobby area, and I say "if it's good enough for royalty to stay in a place like this, then, it's good enough for me as well". The painting hangs there in honor of their visit to this beautiful Spanish colonial building.