3 Best Hotels in Xalapa, Veracruz

A royal lieutenant of the Spanish viceroy lived in this colonial house some 200 years ago. Now it's a gem of a small hotel, restored with earthenware tiles, rustic wood beams, and lime-pigment washes on the walls. Rooms surround three small bougainvillea-covered courtyards and have lovely hand-carved wood headboards, Talavera lamps, and hand-loomed bedspreads. Mesón's friendly, dedicated founders have also opened additional hotels in Xalapa and Coatepec, which can be found at the Web site.

On the plus side, this colonial-style hotel is a short walk north of Parque Juárez. Unhappily, that walk is mostly uphill, perhaps a reason why the rates are so reasonable. The rooms are simple and quiet, but some are on the small side, so look at a few before you decide.

Surprisingly plush, but small and somewhat crowded, rooms are set around two flower-filled courtyards with worn patio furniture at this budget hotel. Its location a few blocks north of Parque Juárez is ideal. The Mexican restaurant at the hotel entrance specializes in churros and is a comfortable place to have a snack and relax.