Hotel Fortin Plaza

Hotel wasn't too bad for our first night. They give one small bottle of water and expect clients to get more water from their "filtered" water dispenser, which was completely empty and didn't get refilled until the following evening when we no longer needed it. The location is not walkable to any stores, cafes, restaurants, pharmacies, etc. You need to get a taxi to go anywhere. Staff were very friendly and helpful and that was a plus. The size of the room was all right. The beds were very comfortable. Good lighting in the room. Good size bathroom. Nice view of city below during night hours. The biggest negative was the AC on our second and last night was leaking onto the bed. Had to keep it off all night and bear the discomfort af a warmer temp as windows don't open. Water pressure was really good; unfortunately, the hot water isn't consistent and would keep fluctuating between hot and cold. I do not think the value was good considering all the negatives. I wouldn't return to this hotel.

The staff were very kind and helpful. Most of them spoke English. The building was kept spotless and shiny clean. The breakfast buffet was fresh every morning and filled with delightful Oaxaca fare. The lunch and dinner menus were basically a Mexican version of American food and I found it barely tolerable. Cab and valet service was very efficient and quick. The rooms were very nice, clean, and comfortable. The single blemish on this property was the very noisy and busy highway at the front of the establishment where the swimming pool, deck, bar, and restaurant overlooked the city. Apparently, there is no smog or muffler controls in Oaxaca. Many of the cabs are old beaters, many motor and dirt bikes, and the noise and air pollution drove us, every time, away from the cocktail lounge, the veranda, and swimming pool. In other words, there was no place to relax and chill without suffering obnoxious noise and pollution at intolerable levels. They advertise the roof top as available to relax and chill, but I found it blocked off and unavailable.

The hotel is nice and clean, but the restaurant is very expensive and the food isn't that great. It's very far from the city center and the main square (Zócalo), a 24-minute walk. For elderly people or those with health problems, it's not a good place unless they have a car or take a taxi (120 pesos for a 5-minute drive). Taxis are very expensive, and the hotel is located between some dangerous avenues to cross on foot. I think it's better to pay a little more or choose a simpler hotel in the city center so you can walk everywhere. It was a mistake I made, but I learned my lesson for next time.

Staff was courteous, especially the gentleman helping us unloading and loading our luggage! Would come back.