Hotel María Elena — Hotel in Ildefonso Green

I have stayed at Maria Elena twice now, once in 2014, and again this past summer. It seemed almost identical both times. When you buy it with the flight package, this hotel is dirt cheap, but it’s certainly not a low-grade property. This hideaway stay has rooms decked out with classic tile work, including the bathrooms, and the beds are firm and comfortable. My room was always fresh and immaculate every afternoon when I came back from lunch. The rooms are very simple, and you have only a mini-fridge and a flat screen TV. There were plenty of cable channels, and a handful of them show top American movies and programs in English. Mexico has a tendency to use wall units instead of HVAC systems to control the air in separate rooms, and Maria Elena is no exception. On both of my stays, I kept the air cool overnight, and neither unit faltered in the slightest. || My first room was smaller with a tiny window that gave me almost no view, but on the second visit, I asked for an upper floor with a good view; the big window I got had a beautiful mountain view that I woke up to blissfully every sunrise. || I love the specific block this hotels sits on. There is an elementary school a block away, and a youth center with attractive architecture and landscaping sits directly across the street. Several little businesses fill in the lots around the block, and you have convenience stores and mini markets within a short walk. The one black eye is the hovel in a trashy lot next door. I especially like the safety features of the hotel. You get a room key and a second key that unlocks a gated stairway, so the occasional stranger strolling by can’t wander upstairs to any of the rooms. The proprietor, a friendly guy named Jesus, also operates a laundry service on the first floor, and he is usually on property. After dark, there is a bright street lamp out front.|| Of course, the main benefit of this location is Cabo Wabo and the main strip that leads to the marina. Maria Elena is literally 200 steps from it. That being noted, I must give a shout out to Hooliganz, which is the closest bar to the hotel, just half a block away. It’s a divey little place with excellent TVs all around the room, and the same three awesome servers provide Cheers-style service every time you walk in. Their cook made delicious tacos, and I made this place my other home the whole week I was there. It’s run by a friendly Canadian couple, yet it feels very American. I remember just taking in the energy and bustle of the three-way intersection right outside the doors of Hooliganz. They wisely chose floor-length sliding glass to allow maximum sunshine into the room, which also provides for a more dramatic experience of the controlled chaos that is the ceaseless Mexican traffic right outside the bar.|| There are several little hotels in this neighborhood north of the tourist zone, but I don’t think you could find a better deal so close to the best amenities in Cabo San Lucas. I’ll be back to Maria Elena for...

My husband and I had stayed here in 2015 and found that it perfectly suited us in terms of the room, bathroom, location and price. We have been back to Cabo multiple times in the years since and stayed in many different hotels - from budget to high-end. I had actually been hoping to find Hotel Maria Elena again but just couldn't remember the name. When I booked it this year, I actually thought it was another ok place that we had stayed at and was happy and almost excited to discover that I had found our 2015 hotel! Our room was still modern and comfortable, with everything you might need. The location is still perfect and ideal for walking to all the places and restaurants we usually go to before or after our dive liveaboard cruises. If you're looking for a beach holiday resort, this isn't it. But for great temporary lodging (better than some of the pricier options), Hotel Maria Elena remains our...

Please don't be fooled by these pictures like we were. My fiancé and I booked one night (thank God only 1 night) at this hotel. It is at best, 2 notches below the worst college dorm room. The flooring and bathroom sink reminds me of a high school locker rooms. Anyway, one of the pictures in the photos resembles the room we had. The others? I don't know, perhaps they are located at this hotel, but our room wasn't remotely like the ones depicted in the photos. Thankfully our next night was at a Marriot hotel. ||At least it is not as bad as a hostel...well, that actually depends. The guy that checks you in? Not friendly at all. All in all...not worth the cheap price. I'm giving it two stars because we actually survived staying here AND it was at least walking distance to...