Southampton Hotels - Teaching English in Mexico: Where to Stay in Mexico City Part 1

Hotels in the Historic District

Sprawls for many kilometers in every direction and is awesome and overwhelming for even the best and most experienced travelers, the largest city in the world, don't be ashamed of being "lost" in Mexico City - this metropolis. Need directions or are just plain lost, having problems, taxi driver or other official who could then assist you if you're turned around, you can always show the card to a policeman, if all else fails. Many hotel business cards have a small map on the back to help you re-locate them. Phone number and particulars of the place you're staying and carry it with you at all times, complete address, be sure to get the hotel's business card with the name. And choose the one you feel most comfortable with, look at two or three places at least. But will be your "base of operations" and starting point of reference for virtually all your initial endeavors in and about the city, it's not just a place to flop. First on your agenda is a place to stay, as a newly arrived TEFL teaching prospect.

Which is the center of the Historic District of Mexico City, the following are hotels near the Zocalo.

Hotel San Antonio

518 - 1626 518 - 1625, address: 2nd Callejon 5 de Mayo No.29 (between Isabel la Catolica and Palma)
Phones: 512 - 9906,

The front is lined with fluttering flags that portend the hotel's offerings. One of the best values in the Historic District. 140 pesos for a double with two beds, prices are 120 pesos for a single. The people-packed Zocalo and Metro are less than two blocks away. Shops and a multitude of stores, it's a mere half-block strut to restaurants. Upper level rooms on the street side are brighter than interior ones. Phone and 24 hour hot water, private bath, most have color TV. A vacancy is almost always available, clean rooms, with 5 floors and plenty of small. Classy hotel from the street noise on the ever-busy Cinco de Mayo and the equally noisy Palma, which shelters this small, but located in an L - shaped "Callejon" (alley), a little difficult to find at first.

Hotel Canada

Address: Cinco de Mayo No.47
Phones: 518 - 2106
Fax: 521 - 9310

Some English is spoken. Friendly and helpful, the staff is likewise courteous. A great location and good value though. Prices are likewise at bit more upscale with singles going for 170 pesos and doubles for 210 pesos. On the ground floor there is an excellent juice bar. Fax and other business services are available at modest cost, mail, tours, travel agency services. Are clean and moderate-sized; 24 hour hot water, phone, color TV, all rooms have all the basic amenities. Although the ones on the street side can be noisy during the day and early evenings, it has nearly 100 rooms. But affordable is this well-known and popular hotel on the corner of Cico de Mayo with Callejon 5 de Mayo, upscale and bright.

Hotel Washington

54
Phones: 512 - 3502 Address: Cinco de Mayo No.

Look at several rooms on different floors before deciding to receive the best value. While the interior ones can be a bit dark, street side rooms tend to be noisy. Rates are 130 pesos for a single and 140 pesos for a double with one or two beds. Phone and TV, 24 hour hot water, most rooms have a private bath. Near the corner of Palma is less than two blocks from the Zocalo and offers basic accommodations at reasonable rates, the Washington, among the several hotels along the Cinco de Mayo.

Hotel Rioja

518 - 3852 521 - 8273, 45
Phones: 521 - 8333, Address: Cinco de Mayo No.

Windowless rooms are 90 pesos for a single and 100 pesos for doubles, interior. 130 pesos for doubles and 140 pesos for triples with two or three beds, rooms with a window are priced at 110 pesos for singles. Liveable rooms) prices are based on location, one of the cheapest hotels to be found in the area (with acceptably clean. But little English is spoken, the location is good and the small staff amenable enough to assist with some information. The Rioja's sparsely furnished rooms offer little more than a place to sleep, hot water mornings and evenings only and radio speakers piping in music from a local station; with rooms containing private bath, one block from the Zocalo.

The author can be e-mailed at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com have questions or comments, if you would like more information, Be sure to check out my other articles in the two continuing series: Teaching English in Mexico and Traveling in Mexico. We'll continue with a few more inexpensive hotel options in part 2 of this article on "Where to Stay in Mexico City".