9 Best Hotels in Copan Ruinas, Western Honduras

You are several blocks from the center of town here. That can be an advantage—peace and quiet—or a disadvantage, depending on your needs, but we lead toward the former. Rooms occupy several buildings behind the owners' house. The original ones are smaller; the newer ones span a portion of the hillside and are larger with exposed-beam ceilings. All have one full or two single beds and white walls. Take breakfast out on the patio, with terrific views of the valley—you can see as far away as neighboring Guatemala—and luxuriate there in the all-day supply of coffee. Not that anything too stressful ever goes on in Copán Ruinas, but an on-site massage pavilion is here to knead your cares away. The owners rent a few houses on the same street, too.

In a century-old hacienda, this country inn is one of the most charming lodgings in the area. Flavia Cueva's tender care shows in all the details, from the carefully crafted wooden furniture in the simple but elegant rooms to the hammocks swinging from the porch outside. The restaurant, near the delightful old stove, serves steaming tamales, tasty adobo sauce, and aromatic coffee. Take a walk to Los Sapos, a Mayan archaeological site where huge stones were carved into the shape of frogs, or go horseback riding through the cool Copán Valley. A nonguest day pass to use the facilities is L40.

Don Udo, long famous for his San Pedro Sula restaurant, is also in Copán Ruinas. This small colonial hotel has 16 pleasant rooms that circle the lovely patio, restaurant, and bar. A third-floor sundeck has a panoramic view of the stunning Copán valley and town. There are double rooms, Jr. Suites, and Master Suites, for all group sizes and budgets. The attention to detail and amenities make this luxurious hotel a great value.

Partially facing Parque Central, this colonial-era building has been lovingly converted into one of the town's prettiest hotels. The second-story restaurant overlooks the sparkling pool, shaded by clusters of banana trees. Brilliant bougainvillea lines the paths to the rooms, which are filled with hand-hewn wood furniture and cooled by lazily turning ceiling fans. Once the marimba band starts playing, you might never want to leave the hotel.

The closest lodging to the ruins, this Spanish-style hotel is in the hills just outside town. The open-air lobby, filled with tropical flowers, adds to the ambience. Inside the tile-roof buildings are generously proportioned rooms with views of the lush gardens. After a day exploring the dusty ruins, swim a few laps in the palm-shaded pool or relax in the nearby hot tub.

Look for the pink house—that's what Casa Rosada means—on the hill a few blocks north of Parque Central. This is easily the most romantic lodging in Copán Ruinas and would be a good candidate for a honeymoon. The entire place exudes colonial elegance, with carved-wood furniture, stone floors, handwoven throw rugs, and Honduran art throughout. (The flat-screen TVs are a concession to a hotel guest's modern needs.) Bathrooms contain bidets, the option of a steam shower, and a speaker system in that shower. One room here is wheelchair accessible, a rarity in Honduras.

You can see a lot from the terrace at this hotel on Parque Central. If you ask for one of the rooms on the top floor, which have views of the town's red-tile roofs, you might see horses clip-clopping around the cobbled streets of town. Don't forget to relax with a drink by the small pool in the central courtyard, which is shaded by tall palm trees. The restaurant, Los Arcos, is set behind a lovely colonnade and serves traditional fare.

This newest in-town lodging in Copán Ruinas opened in 2010, courtesy of the friendly folks at Casa de Café, and it's another winner for them. Decor in the enormous rooms is minimalist with blindingly white walls and granite sinks. All rooms contain queen beds. The two downstairs rooms overlook their own private gardens. The hotel is perched on a hill and commands stupendous views. The balconies overlook the ruins below, although they are hidden by trees. You'll find a small library of travel and archaeology books here, much appreciated if you'd like to delve into the history of the region. As at the parent Casa de Café out on the edge of town, you can have your tired muscles worked on at a massage pavilion out in the garden.

You'd walk right by this place if you didn't know it was a hotel. The entry to this colonial-style building is arranged like a cobblestone street lined with a café and three upscale souvenir shops. The second floor housed a scant four rooms arranged around a second-floor patio. The comfy rooms contain tiled floors, dark-wood furniture, and wrought-iron accents. Two of the rooms face a busy street, but all windows here are soundproofed, so there's no street noise.