Aristos Puebla

Our 4 nights at Hotel Aristos Puebla

My husband is from Puebla, Pue, Mex. and we’re very familiar with the beautiful city of the angels. Wanted to be near the Zocalo since we stayed elsewhere last time and so we chose this hotel. Puebla has great climate, similar to San Francisco,so we knew the summer nights would be cool. We were sweltering in the room we had as there was zero ventilation. Our window actually opened to the stifling hallway of the hotel. A/c turned on, but didn’t cool. Couldn’t get our room changed that night so we asked for a fan. King-sized bed was very comfortable. Staff in general is very polite, but we were met with strange looks when we complained about the room. Mind you, we are fluent, native speakers in Spanish, so this wasn’t a communication problem. Were moved next day after more complaining to the day staff. Were told that only rooms that face the outside of the hotel have ventilation. This hotel is quite old. If you stay there, be sure to get a room facing outward. Bed in 2nd room also very good. Food is good, reasonable. Buddha Bar is very cute. Live piano music in cocktail area. Location is good & there is valet parking which is valuable if renting a car as we did, but you have to pay each time you pull in or out & pay $5.00 (U.S.)to keep the car overnight. Puebla is so amazing and you will not have a bad meal there. They have Poblano delicacies at the hotel, so you don’t have to go far.

Traveller's tip on local attractions

Many casinos & there is an Animal Safari park there. Go to nearby Cholula where the largest pyramid in all of Mexico is. A tour that takes you inside the pyramid or climb the narrow stairs of the pyramid to the beautfiul church at the top, huge, amazing live volcano, ’Popocateptl’ is behind it in the distance. Beautiful artisan shops in Cholula. ’Talavera’ pottery a specialty of Puebla. Go to the ’catedral’the main cathedral. Massive pipe-organ in there. Many 1st rate restaurants of all types.

postives and negatives

We requested a non-smoking room and we were told there were no non-smoking in the whole hotel that they just sprayed to rid the room of the smoke odor. The room was not cleaned at the time of our arrival. The location of the hotel was ideal being close to the square and the middle of town so you have to weigh the negatives of the cleaning with the positive of the location

Cheap and convenient but HOT AS HELL

No AC! I seriously got my money’s worth for the ultra cheap rate, but I paid with uncomfortable hot room. Other than that pretty decent, close enough to Zocalo and with its own parking. I would probably not book here again unless it was the last place available. If you want an ultra cheap place, with some discomfort, this is not too bad. Otherwise go with 4 star hotel or better.

Traveller's tip on local attractions

Try to have a meal at the Zocalo. THere are lots of cute not too pricey restaurants and coffee shops you can choose from. AVOID the Gold Arcs at all cost.