Mesón del Alférez Xalapa — Hotel in Veracruz

One-way streets and a tunnel sent us around the parklike zócalo three times before we found our hotel, Méson del Alférez Xalapa, a 16-room inn with a very discrete sign. The hotel was everything I had hoped in my colonial fantasies. Despite the busy street running in front, and the one alongside descending steeply enough to be worthy of San Francisco, the interior was tranquil, all white stucco walls, red tile floors and tall wooden doors leading into our spotless room with two comfortable double beds and such mod-cons as a flat-screen TV, a coffeemaker and a hairdryer. Our companion reported that his room, a single in a separate building, was also comfortable. Breakfast at the hotel’s restaurant, Hosteria La Candela, was delicious. My husband ordered the yoghurt with fresh fruit, granola, juice and coffee, one of the two selections included with our room. (The other was continental, with a croissant replacing the yoghurt and granola.) I splurged on the huevos albañil, eggs scrambled with green sauce and a side of mashed black beans. The sauce reminded me of my own using tomatillos, cilantro and jalapeño. As the name suggests, jalapeño peppers are...

Charming colonial-style spot in a great location. You’re close to everything but it is still peaceful behind the thick walls. Our room was two levels - a downstairs with a sofa and bathroom and an upstairs sleeping loft. The nice thing about this arrangement is that if someone wants to get up early or stay up late reading they don’t disturb the other person. The downside is that if you have bad balance or mobility issues you may find the stairs difficult as they are narrow and steep. Also, the heating unit is fine but since it is upstairs it doesn’t really heat the lower level. |Water pressure and temperature were fine (always a sticking point for me here in Mexico). Breakfast is not included but it is really delicious and worth it. Beds were hard but not old or saggy. Overall, a fun place to stay and...

An old small finca with great history. Possibly original layout and well tended gardens, with decent reception and waiting room along with a charming barber shop. ||As much as I like open inner courtyards, they do carry all kinds of sounds into the rooms, especially when the existing doors are flimsy old wood, and the windows have single glass panes.||Bare bones decor, much needed light in front of the sink to shave properly.||The restaurant below serves a good hearty breakfast a la carte. ||Location in the Centro is a big plus as I was able to walk everywhere and felt safe even at night.||Staff seems to be made up of part time employees and maybe for that reason found them impersonal. It is puzzling that someone bothers to reply to reviews since there was no one behind the desk that seemed vested...