Camino Real Guadalajara

“Low rise hotel- central location”

We returned to the Hotel Camino Real Guadalajara after a long absence due to the pandemic. Covid took a toll on the hotel. Restaurant Maria Bonita - named after the star of Mexican cinema Maria Felix - remains open but without its extensive tequila menu or signature dishes. Still, the kitchen mad... more

We returned to the Hotel Camino Real Guadalajara after a long absence due to the pandemic. Covid took a toll on the hotel. Restaurant Maria Bonita - named after the star of Mexican cinema Maria Felix - remains open but without its extensive tequila menu or signature dishes. Still, the kitchen made a good showing with excellent pozole and chicken chalupas, followed by a fine Orgullo añejo tequila. This came at a very reasonable price. Other guests wrote bad reviews about their stay. It seems they felt unsatisfied by their room. I think it’s a good idea to ask to see your assigned room - if it’s not to your liking ask to see another. After rejecting our assigned room- a little musty smelling- we selected a spacious room with a large private patio overlooking the hotel’s lovely grounds. As others noted, the hotel covers several manicured acres and includes a number of separate buildings one or two stories tall. The first floor rooms feature a large private patio - the upper floor offers a smaller private balcony. The hotel architecture exemplifies mid-century design- it opened in 1958. We enjoyed seeing the outdoors - mature trees and many songbirds. It’s definitely not an enclosed high rise hotel experience. We parked our car on the hotel grounds after the busman brought our luggage to the room. A staff member raised the boom blocking the parking entrance which provides extra security, and we walked across the grounds to our room. We passed several pools but these look like water features and not for swimming. The hotel is centrally located in cosmopolitan Guadalajara. Traffic at the morning and evening rush hours can try your patience so go out at a different time of day. The city is dynamic and Mexican culture abounds. Large tree lined boulevards pass gorgeous fountains and sculptures depicting greatness. It’s inspiring! Other guests mentioned the buffet breakfast at La Huerta. It offers Mexican breakfast dishes, fresh fruit, dairy items, and an omelette station - which also will make small quesadillas on homemade tortillas. Try the squash blossom quesadilla- different! We booked through the hotel’s website and included breakfast for two. Compared to what other hotels charge, Camino Real Guadalajara offers an exceptional value. We look forward to returning to it again.

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