I really enjoyed my stay in Hotel Azucenas, it was the perfect refuge at the end of a busy day exploring Oaxaca and the little villages out in the valley. The staff was attentive, helpful and knowledgable. One receptionist arranged a private tour out to see the ruins of Yagul and see the Sunday market in Tlacolula - and it worked out great. Staff seemed genuinely eager to show off the best of Oaxaca and made some good restaurant recommendations including the Biznaga (tasty high-cuisine Mexican) and drinks at El Olivo (tapas and Mexican micro-brews). We went back twice to El Olivo.

I am dubious of the reviews here that mention noise and Hotel Azucenas in the same breath. My room had a window onto the downstairs patio and I mostly left it open. The main noise I got from the hotel was the little fountain trickling during the day - and they even shut that off at night. Night time was wonderfully quiet.

One night I went up to their rooftop terrace to grab a beer and enjoy the view of the city and was surprised to find other guests hanging out up there as well. I assumed, from the lack of noise, that there wasn't anyone else in the hotel at the time!

I made the ten minute walk up from the pleasant urban park at the city center with a friend one day and when we entered the hotel and shut the door behind us he commented that it was the quietest place we had been all afternoon. He was right. The hotel is away from the main city streets and sits at the intersection of a narrow one-lane street and a small alley that doesn't see much traffic at all. The neighborhood itself was extremely quiet and safe at night - locals commonly walk in the middle of the street because there is almost no traffic.

I found the hotel quiet and the staff very friendly and helpful. But more than that it was a lovely and well-cared for hotel that had a good feeling to it. Definitely my first choice on any return trip to Oaxaca.

Just finished two sleepless nights here compounded by indifferent service. Avoid room 1 like the plague. Not only do you get street noise, you get to hear everything that goes on at the reception desk, the ring if the entry bell at all hours, and the staff chatter at 5 am from the much-acclaimed roof (the bathroom has an opening to the roof that can't be shut). When I asked for one of their advertised white noise machines they said they didn't have any left to use. Apparently I wasn't the only one bothered. Oh and the note from the manager here that they don't allow small children is false. I saw (and heard) two under 4 as well.

If thats not bad enough, When I checked in, I barely got a welcome. When I checked out, the reception desk staff wrote out the bill and then didnt look up when finished. I had to ask if there was anything else. She said no and returned to her desk without a simple thank you or have a nice trip.

The stay here was a marked contrast to my other stays in Oaxaca, a city with friendly locals who appreciate their guests.

I enjoyed my 9 days stay at this hotel. I give this hotel 5 stars for their customer service. My mornings were spent eating breakfast at the rooftop. I especially give thanks to Donna, Daniela and Ale for making me feel welcome. As a Deaf person who has traveled to far away places like Korea, Japan, etc, I felt very safe but I can't say much about the noise level but this place is not carpeted and it has ceramic floors. The rooms are small but very comfortable and clean. It was fun to go shopping to El Mercado Central de Abasto with Donna and her staff to buy decorations for the Day of the Dead altar and helping them decorate it. This hotel is near restaurants and museums and everyday I would step out to the streets in search of a new place to eat. I walked most of the time.. I hope to come back to visit again in a year or 2.



James

Hotel Azucenas is a small boutique hotel in Oaxaca. Its best feature is the rooftop garden with self serve bar including a delicious home made mezcal and an amazing view. The rooms are small and nothing special but the hotel itself has great concierge service and a great price. It is 4 blocks from the pedestrian area near Santo Domingo and 8 blocks from the zocolo. Kind of far to walk more than once a day. Uphill the last 2. A taxi is cheap but with traffic, slower than walking. I walked down, taxied back. All of Oaxaca centro is noisy so that is in all but the big hotels. I skipped the breakfasts, just took coffee on the rooftop. If you like small hotels with a local feel, you will do well.