Mesón de la Merced Hotel & Suites

Some hotels have redeeming qualities that balance out the bad. This one has a few, but not enough... Positives: -Gorgeous courtyard. The courtyard, the courtyard, the courtyard. -And the bed is comfy. -Staff is friendly and accommodating. Beyond that, it's downhill. Negatives: -The doors to the rooms are flimsy and mostly crumbling wood, so airflow from outside is an issue in colder months. -The rooms have the layout of a 3-story rowhome, but there's nothing of much use on the first and second floor since the bed and bath are on the 3rd level. The stairway to the 3rd floor is poorly built, curves at odd angles with very low ceilings and has no banister. We visited in December and the rooms are COLD. There's no heat in the rooms. -Worst of all were the showers. The shower heads in the two rooms we stayed in were covered in mineral calcification. The calcified buildup was so bad in both bathrooms that around 90% of the water spout holes on the shower heads were blocked. This made the water flow come out incredibly hard (it felt like fine pinpricks on your skin) in one room and to spray all over the bathroom except on the person attempting to shower in the other. What's so ridiculous about this is that all someone would have to do to resolved this is unscrew the shower heads, put them in a chemical solution that will dissolve calcification buildup and screw them back on. Pretty basic stuff. The bathrooms also reeked of mildew. There were stick on air fresheners in the bathrooms which did nothing to cover the odor. -Not one staff member could speak so much as a few basic words in English, so you better habla Espanol and fortunately one of us did. -The breakfast is disgusting. Breads were stale and remarkably low quality. Even the eggs were poorly cooked. -Some of the tables in the courtyard were covered with garbage, candle wax or bird pooh which was never cleaned up during the 48 hours of our stay. Final Opinion: This hotel is in dire need of lots of maintenance, needs a better trained staff and should be far better cleaned.

We thoroughly enjoyed this hotel. The staff were very friendly and helpful and the location is ideal. It is far enough from the public squares to get away from the noise and close enough that it was an easy and safe walk, including at night, to participate in the many activities Queretaro has to offer. The fresh squeezed orange juice with the morning breakfast is to die for even by Mexico standards. The three story room concept gives a nice feeling of home since you have a sitting area outside of the view of a bed on the first floor. The bathroom and bedroom are on the third level so one is always climbing stairs, so it would not be suitable for persons with limited mobility (a restatement of the obvious!). However, we did not find this to be a problem. The rooms were clean, well designed and comfortable. My only criticism of the hotel would be that the courtyard was a little stark and lacked comfortable seating areas. This was compensated for to some extent by the restaurant area, which was also an outdoor area, that was much more comfortable. I would recommend this hotel and would not hesitate to stay here again.

This was our third trip to Queretaro. The other two times we stayed in a condo away from the city centre so we really can't compare to other hotels, but we enjoyed our stay very much. We liked the fact that our suite had 3 levels. The first floor was a very comfortable sitting area with leather couches with a bar with a small refrigerator. The second level had a small sofa bed, and the third a king size bed, flat screen TV, safe (no extra charge), small table and chairs, bathroom with shower and toilet, and a sink area. It would have been good to have a sink and some utensils (glasses, cups, plates, cutlery, etc.) on the first floor, since we sometimes ate in our suite, and brought our own portable cappuccino maker and blender (for smoothies and margaritas). Whenever you need water, you have to go up to the third level. It would also be nice to have an ice machine, although we did get some ice from the kitchen after asking the front desk staff one night. The reception on the TV was very bad, but the internet worked well, especially in the front area of the suite. All the staff were very helpful and friendly. The room was clean and made up every day with fresh bed linens and towels. Some of the lamp shades and other fixtures were a bit dusty, but the main areas were clean. Be sure to leave a tip (una propina)! We left 20 pesos per day. The hotel is ideally located very close to El Centro, but about a 10-minute walk away so you get away from the noise. It was very quiet at night. It is also just a few blocks from a huge market near Calle Garibaldi, and about a 10-minute walk to Los Arcos. If you want to stay within the city, and like to walk, you don't need a car or taxi if you stay in this hotel.

First the good: the room was just want we wanted for a couple and another person traveling together. A three level suite with great little sitting area on first level, twin mattress on second loft level and very comfortable (not too hard) king bed on third level where servicable bathroom also located. Note no door between third level bedroom and bathroom, so if second level guest comes up to use facilities everyone will know. Breakfast was a delight: the breakfast cook prepares beautiful eggs and makes a delicious green sauce. Continental breakfast was included in our rate, and the very honest management gave credit for what the continental would have cost when the more expensive full breakfast items are ordered. Second the average: it's a typical central Queretaro nice historic hotel. We've stayed in Queretaro many times and the historical hotels are located in either former big houses or haciendas with rooms around a central patio. Nothing good or bad about the architecture, just the usual. The not so good: irritating that every night we had to ask for a third set of towels. To me it should have been obvious to the chambermaid that three people were staying in the room in that she kept making the beds used by three people and taking away three sets of used towels. But for our three night stay we only got two sets of towels refreshed nightly so had to ask at the front desk. Front desk team surly and grudging with dispensing of said towels; no "of course, let me get that extra set right to you." Front desk staff not helpful about excursions or what to do in the city. One breakfast waiter seemed to know how to serve, but others couldn't generate the charges right or refill everyone's coffee cups at the same rounds (so just one person at our table would get coffee and the other two cups would sit empty). The issue didn't appear to be staff interest in doing a good job serving, rather training. Bottom line: until evident that the management brings the service quality up, I recommend Casona de la Republica, Dona Urraca or Casa de la marquesa.

This hotel offered much more than was expected. Our "room" was more like a condo or colonial townhouse. It had three levels: the first had a living room and a bar with a fridge. The second was more of a loft space overlooking the first level. There was a futon style bed there. The top floor was the actual room that was airy, with lots of room, exposed wooden beams on the ceiling. It also had a small table and floor to ceiling window that opened to the main courtyard. The bathroom was also on this floor and was very clean. I loved everything about this room. The bed was comfortable. The wi-fi connection in the room was weak if you moved too far from the window - probably the only complaint. The staff were very friendly and helpful. Our room came with continental breakfast. You could order something more substantial at an extra (but reasonable cost). You have a breakfast on a small terrace overlooking the hotel's central courtyard. The courtyard is wonderful place to sit among fruit trees and a fountain after a day of sightseeing. The location is excellent because it is very close to the historic center, but it is just far enough that you avoid all the noise from the center. The rates were very reasonable and they did not add on any extra charges. The only warning is that the rooms with multiple levels do require going up some steep stairs, some without handrails. I could see this being a problem with someone with limited mobility. Definitely would love to go back!

The decoration in this place is amazing. It´s like traveling back in time with antique furniture and high ceilings with wooden beams. The hotel is only a few blocks away from the main plaza, about a five min walk. Most of the rooms have more than one floor, but there are single floor rooms that are just as nice and very cozy. We were satisfied with the price, location, and service. I would definetly recommend this hotel.

Located close to the Centro Historico district. Provided free parking which is important as parking can be difficult to obtain in many of the colonial cities in mexico. We parked car & didn't need it until we checked out. Taxi's are very cheap here. Hotel staff were very helpful & always very attentive to our needs. Room was very clean,comfortable beds,ac that worked. Not the type of room for someone who has any type of difficulty with stairs as bathroom & king bed is located on Third floor. Second floor has sofa bed. We enjoyed the room very much. Also hotel is located in a very quiet area.

Meson de la Merced is a charming old building located at a walking distance to the Centro Historico. Very quiet, clean and spacious rooms. Beautiful courtyard and friendly staff. The old building might not offer the same as International hotels do, but the charming environment, the friendly staff and the peaceful ambiente compensate this by far. If you are looking for something special, Mesóon de la Merced is highly recommendable!!

Quiet and comfortable. Easy walking to historical central district. Employees were very nice and helpful.