HOTEL POSADA TOLEDO

HOTEL POSADA TOLEDO

SAFE HAVEN

Step off the busy streets of Merida and into the delightful courtyard of Posada Toledo.  This 19th century colonial home has been a hotel for many years, and has only 22 rooms.  I prefer the rooms that are downstairs around the lovely open garden, as it is a calm and cool place to rest between shopping and exploring, and at night is especially relaxing.

 

The rooms downstairs are also more beautiful than the upstairs rooms, as they have heavily carved double doors leading into spacious rooms with high ceilings and carved beds and furniture.  I`ve stayed twice in a room that has a very large luggage area between the bedroom and bathroom, as well a place to hang clothing, which was very helpful for keeping our room clean.  I `think`it was room 8...but if you can ask to see the rooms first, look for it!

 

The hotel is fumigated once a year, and we have never seen any bugs here, save a few flies in the bathroom.  I assume this is only because guests are asked not to flush their toilet paper.

 

This large room was perfect for storage, and also for hanging hand-washing to dry.  This is my favorite room in the hotel, because of this extra space.  It cost us $45, and an extra $5 for AC.  You won`t need AC in February, but we were last here in April and May, and the heat was horrendous.  They do ask that you turn the AC off when you`re not in the room, and I understand this as I`ve met many locals who say AC can cost up to $400 a month for an average home - which is worse than we pay for hydro in Canada, to heat our homes...

 

This little courtyard is behind the beautiful dining room, and is just another beautiful space to relax.  We never used this space, as we had chairs by the garden outside of our room - but Posada Toledo has many places to find privacey. 

 

Yet another beautiful place to rest, if you`re staying upstairs.  You can see many of the church-tops from the top floor, and at night, this would be a cool place to catch the breeze. 

 

Everywhere you look, Posada Toledo is just a beautiful place to be.  If you get chatting with the staff, they may be willing to show you the French suite, which is not available to guests - but is reserved for the owners family.  Merida was once referred to as `Paris of the West`-so it was very fasionable to have a Parisian style sitting room in your home.

The rooms here are fairly basic.  There is no mini-fridge, but we purchased a cheap cooler at a store around the corner.  Some guests have panned this hotel because it`s very noisy - but if you want to be in the center of Merida where all the action is by day and night, that`s the price you pay!  The noise doesn`t bother me, as it means we`re in walking distance of the main zocalo, parque hidalgo, the best of restaurants, shops, and banks.  There is a parking lot almost directly across the street that is inexpensive, and has a day guard, then is locked at night.  That said, if you arrive late, there will be someone who can unlock the gate for you.  Similarly, the hotel is also locked at night, but the staff at the front desk are always there to let you in.

Paula has worked at the Posada Toledo for many years.  I first met her in 1996, then again in 2006 and 2007.  Last time we were there, she said she was thinking about moving home to Veracruz, so we'll miss her on our next visit.  She collects all sorts of things, including english books and fancy pens.  Her father lived in Vancouver too, which is very close to where I live - so she knew all about the First Nations of the Northwest Coast.

The most recent review for this hotel warns guests not to stay here because they had items stolen from their room.  I don`t doubt that their story is true - however, this happens all over the world, and in my opinion, is not a reflection of the owner, nor the staff she normally employs.  My family has stayed here 5 times, and never had anything go missing, and there is only one review with such a claim, which leaves me to believe it was likely an isolated event.  I think it's common sense to refrain from leaving substantial amounts of cash in any hotel, in any country as poor as Mexico.