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rock9995

Sep 7, 2003, 1:21 PM

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inexpensive places to stay in Morelia

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Hello!

My buddy Loren and I are going to the Baden-Powell Inst. to try to learn some Spanish. Although I'm older than most rocks, Loren is even older than I--which is why I like hanging out with him--no longer am I the oldest guy in any place we walk into. Anyway, I discovered Jennifer Rose through jumping around on the internet and eventually sent her a barrage of letters asking for all kinds of advice and she did not disappoint.

Since I discovered that she writes fairly extensively about the region, I decided to join the Mexiconnect forums.

Initially, I wanted to know of (relatively) inexpensive hotels on or near the Plaza and she recommended the Casino and the Howard Johnston properties. Both seemed great to me, but my cranky friend wanted something with more "ambiance" and is sort of insisting on one of the following three: 1. Hotel Valladolit 2. Hotel Catedral 3. Hotel Aquaduct (sp).

My initial investigations come up with a contradictory Catch-22: the rooms overlooking the Plaza (or the street?) can be noisy waaay into the wee hours while the rooms further into the interior of the buildings have no view but are quieter...supposedly. I'm wondering about this and, since "quiet" is my thing and "ambience" is his, I think it's a good thing that we don't share a room--or even a hotel, though I'd like to at least try to stay in the same hotel.

Jen also pointed out that being on the plaza can get old after awhile and I suspect that she's right yet again about this. For myself, I'd like to get something quiet and cheap and fairly accessible to the school and/or plaza without necessarily being across the street from them. As for Loren, he's rich, period, and can afford to stay wherever he wants. Me, I'm not rich, not by a long shot and cheap and quiet appeals to me more.

I'd think also that an overnight laundry (like the one at the Pasedo de la Soledad Hotel, where I will NOT be staying) would be a convenience, allowing me to purchase clothes as worn by locals in Morelia and have room to take back more stuff I buy.

Finally, being from Louisiana, I'm well acquainted with mosquitos ("les marigouins" en francais)...are the little sob's a problem after dark in Morelia?

So, to recap:

1. of the three hotels I mentioned, which may be the best bet (because my buddy doesn't want to stay in the Casino)?

2. a recommendation or two of a clean, safe, cheaper place not too far from Baden-Powell and/or downtown.

3. overnight laundries convenient to the above

4. mosquitos?

thanks in advance for any info y'all can provide to help us get our start. I suppose after we're there for awhile, we'll figure most of this out, but, just to jump-start...

rock

oh, yes, should I bring a sweater or light jacket this time of year?

jennifer rose

Sep 7, 2003, 6:17 PM

Post #2 of 2 (392 views)

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Re: [rock9995] inexpensive places to stay in Morelia

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Bring a sweater and a jacket. It’s getting chilly. Today I didn’t leave Santa Maria, but I’ve had a heavy wool sweater on all day. Downtown is warmer than it is up on the hill, but the temps drop when the sun sets. Bring an umbrella, too.

The Hotels Vallodolid and Catedral are on opposite sides of Hotel Casino, all on the same block. The Mansion Acueudcto http://www.hotelmansionacueducto.com/pages/788393/index.htm, located at the northeast corner of Venture Puente and Av. Acueducto, is the most distant from Baden-Powell.

Also high on my places to recommend are Casa Camelinas http://www.mexonline.com/casacam1.htm and Casa Aurora de Belen http://www.mexonline.com/auroradebelen.htm.

We celebrate the Fiestas Patrias all month long here in Morelia – starting with 15 de Septiembre and following straight through Morelos’ birthday on 30 de Septiembre. There will be parades and events downtown, and I guarantee you that it will be noisy and full of color.

The locals in Morelia wear pretty much the same kind of clothing that people do in the U.S. Dockers, Ralph Lauren, Levis. It’s only for the fiestas that we put on our charro and Adelita costumes with the false braids in our hair. We hardly ever dress up like Shriners.

Most hotels will have laundry service or can direct you to a laundry service.

If you can’t snag a long-term rate, you might consider changing hotels mid-way through your trip, just for a change in scenery.

At this time of year, mosquitoes aren’t a big problem. But if you’re harassed those Raid plug-ins are available everywhere.

(This post was edited by jennifer rose on Sep 8, 2003, 5:02 AM)