If you're going to be visiting Guadalajara make sure to stay away from the overpriced downtown area hotels. Most are old, smelly, and not very good areas to be during the evening hours. Howard Johnsons is located on Lazaro Cardenas and has free parking, free wireless internet, swimming pool, free cocktail for two, plus free continental breakfast until 12 noon. The service is outstanding with a greeting from most staff members. There is a small exercise room that includes the latest treadmill, elliptical, and bike from Cybex, plus a full set of hand weights. A big plus for me are the sound-proof windows which keeps out all the traffic noise from Lazaro Cardenas Avenue.

Although the hotel is 15-20 minutes away from downtown, it's well worth the distance to stay away from downtown. The hotel is fairly new and nicely decorated.

I even left an unopened bottle of wine in the room, which was promptly returned when I went back to the hotel. I even forgot a fairly new cell phone in the room, that is worth over $200.00 and that was returned to me after returning for it 8 hours later. I have nothing but positive things to say about this hotel.

I stayed at the hotel and really enjoyed the service, food and everything!!!

Tortas ahogadas & chile, you better taste it!!!

Beware of booking this hotel through a reservation service which requires a payment up front. We booked two rooms for 5 nights at the end of December. When we checked in we were told that they had not received any payment from the on-line booking service. I checked several times during the stay - still no payment had come through. I had to pay for the rooms at check out. I have now been double charged for the rooms. The reservation service has been trying to investigate the situation - but the hotel manager does not return calls, is in a meeting or the hotel hangs up - no resolution!

This was my 2nd stay at the HoJo GDL. Must tell you things were better this time around. Got a double queen bedded room not facing the road (MUCH quieter!) and on the 2nd floor. No Smoking floor. Buffet breakfast is worthwhile the inclusive price and excellent. Great daily choice, all you can eat, great staff. One night the electricity went out. Staff on the front desk weren't very helpful at all. Was told that power will soon be on but don't know when. That no candles or torches were available to use in the completely darkened rooms. Only alternative was to sit in the hall where emmergency power lights were functioning. Poor show! When came to check out was told that no trip rewards points would be awarded for my 2 week stay because of politics in the company. There was no need for me to hear this and was left (once again) disappointed and a little bit shafted by Howard Johnson. In Summary : Take a non smoking room on a non smoking floor, far from the lift, not facing the road. Prepare for maid interrruptions checking that you have not done a runner. Take the breakfast option. Remember the spurious city tax and forget the loyalty points and this is the best you'll get at the HoJo in GDL. PS. Next door is a lap dance bar, with a large sign. Don't take a taxi from the door it will cost you more, walk to the corner on the right and get a cab or alternatively get one by flagging them down and insist on them using the meter. If they don't have a meter agree a price first.