Saturday, November 1, 2008

Enjoy Mexico's Best Hotels and Inns

By Tess Kirkpatrick

While you could spend a two-week vacation in Mexico sitting beachside and come home happy and refreshed, there is much more to this vast nation. Tropical breezes and sun-kissed beaches are just two of the many reasons why travelers flock south of the border for vacation.

Visit the Mayan antiquities of the Yucatan Peninsula or explore the world of the Aztecs. These ancient societies rival Greeks and Romans for architectural genius, and there are dozens of fascinating ruins and, of course, the famed pyramids. Another truly unique vacation idea is taking a train journey through Copper Canyon, which is deeper and covers more area than the Grand Canyon. Of course, there are plenty of fantastic beach towns, from the Pacific to the Gulf Coast.

Travel writer Karen Brown has several interesting trips outlined in her popular guidebooks and on her website. Karen Brown's readers have also chosen the following hotels and inns as Mexico's best:

Zihuatenejo, known for its beautiful bay and beaches, is also home to the Karen Brown Readers' Choice Award for the "Most Romantic" hotel in Mexico. La Quinta Troppo is a unique combination of bed and breakfast and boutique hotel. It's small, with just eight individually decorated guest rooms. Several guest rooms have patios, balconies or even a private garden complete with a hammock. Most of the rooms have a view of the bay. The terrace garden offers plenty of places to relax and enjoy a glass of wine or margarita, as well as a lap pool. This Mexican hotel overlooks the ocean, and the beach is just a few minutes away by foot.

Karen Brown readers have chosen La Casona in Mexico City for the "Warmest Welcome" award, and despite its city location, you'll feel more like a guest in a private home than a hotel guest. The late 19th-century hotel boasts beautiful architecture and decor. Each of the rooms is unique and filled with historic charm, but there are plenty of modern amenities, including wireless internet and room service. This Mexico City hotel is located in a residential neighborhood, about four blocks from the Paseo de la Reforma, one of the city's main boulevards.

Head off the beaten path for a stay at Casa Felipe Flores, a quaint Mexican bed and breakfast located in trip to the town of San Cristobal de las Casas, which was settled by the Spanish in 1528. The innkeepers once used the B&B as their second home, but now welcome travelers into the five guest rooms. Each room has a fireplace and features special Mexican artifacts and Colonial-style furniture. Full breakfasts are served each morning either in the courtyard or in the beautiful dining room. The B&B earned the Karen Brown Readers' Choice Award for "Greatest Value."

In her extensive guidebook on Mexico, Karen Brown declares that after years of searching, she found the perfect hotel at Quinta Real Guadalajara. Her many readers also named the boutique hotel as Mexico's best "Splendid Splurge." Located in Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco, this hotel is stunning with its ivy-covered brick exterior. The interior is equally impressive filled with posh guest rooms and suites that rival any five-star hotel. The hotel has an indoor-outdoor restaurant in a garden setting, as well as an inner courtyard with fountains, trees and gardens.

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