While it's cheap - the photos on the web site are not very accurate. The rooms are dumpy, as are the bathrooms (shower doesn't drain properly water on the floor). And extremely dark. Decent pool and public spaces. But there are many hotels in Merida to choose from.

The Hotel Colon is one block from the main square in Merida. The hotel is clean and well furnished. There are individually controlled air conditioners in the rooms, and remote controlled televisions. The staff is quite helpful - laundry left at 8AM was returned in the afternoon, with the money found inside the pockets returned before the laundry!

Jose Juan is a very helpful employee and took a reservation over the telephone. He also provided information about the town and driving directions. Not all of the staff speaks English, Jose Juan speaks english quite well.

The hotel is just 1 1/2 block from the Casa del Balam, and the Hotel Mission Merida ( both fine as well) yet half of the price. The hotel has a dining room and steam baths, however I did not use either one, but the dining room seemed busy at meal times.

The is paid parking 1/2 block away from the hotel the overnight rate was $50 Pesos, and the car was quite safe and never disturbed. You keep the keys.

I will again stay at the Hotel Colon next time I am in Merida.

We had our first night in Merida reserved at this hotel (thru the internet) and were very disappointed in the room they showed us. We declined and found a better room, better rate at the Dolores Alba. The Lobby is beautiful though, but deceptive. Sorry, I hate to do this, but that is how I saw it.

We stayed here twice in January 2003, at the beginning and end of a week-long tour of the peninsula. The first time was a disaster - the room terrible, service very disinterested, restaurant closed (it was new year's day). The second night felt as though we were in a different hotel entirely. This place has some quirks, but $61 for a double room so close to the Zocalo was good value, parking is relatively easy and the public areas of the hotel are charming. Don't take room 232 unless they have refurbished the bathroom.