5 Best Hotels in Copan Ruinas, Western Honduras

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.

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.