We stayed three nights at the Gala after fleeing from Hotel Mariposa.

Small doesn't begin to describe the rooms. You have to step outside to change your mind. Actually, I couldn't believe they crammed a bathroom into a closet. Had to damn near sit sideways on the toilet.

That said, the value and location are excellent. Good fair price, clean rooms with TV. It is right on the zocalo and many nearby restaurants. Staff is good and helpful.

Despite the small rooms, definitely recommend. You can do a lot worse for about the same money.

We stayed at the Hotel Gala during the Day of the Dead festivities this year. The location was perfect. We had an interior room, so noise wasn't a problem. The staff was extremely polite and helpful, even with a few snafus for our stay. Part of the problem was our lack of pre-planning and part was a change in management staff. The new reservation manager, Eduardo, could not have been more professional and helpful. The cafe on the premises was being remodeled, but there were so many choices within one block it didn't matter. The interior room was very small, but was well cared for and always clean. We recommended it to someone who asked about the hotel on our last day there. No air conditioning might be an issue in the hotter months. All in all, the helpful staff are the reason we're hoping to stay there again next year.

Oaxaca is an absolutely magical place to spend time over the Christmas period! It was pure enchantment being there and I am already planning when I will return.

If it is during one of their peak festival seasons, or if you only have a limited amount of time, location becomes a very important factor to consider. For that reason I had picked the Gala Oaxaca. I DID want to be in the middle of things...and I sure was! But you must do your homework and match your hotel to your needs!

I spent 13 nights there and I consider this small hotel well run & well managed. The staff were all friendly, helpful and efficient. As a solo traveller, it quickly became "my home away from home"!

It is clean , has pleasnt common areas and there was hot water whenever I wanted to use it. Yes, the rooms vary in size and some are very small. That often happens in hotels. Check your room before you accept it. I would never describe the hotel as "dingy".

Well it certainly does not have the charm & "hominess" that a B&B can offer. It would certainly NOT be an ideal place for a family with a small child. But if you are looking for a PRIME location at a reasonable rate, the Gala is a very good choice.

Other reviewers had indicated noise was certainly a factor. You cannot be at the epicenter of all the "action", i.e.: free concerts, roving musicians, parades, processions, fireworks, etc., etc. AND expect a quiet environment! So, if you are looking for a more tranquil place, the Gala is not the place for you. (I enjoyed the serenade under MY window and decided to join the others outside listening to the free concert provided by the Museo del Palacio.)

It's all in your pespective and whether or not you have found what you were looking for! I found it at the Gala!

We stayed at the Hotel Gala on our last night in Oaxaca because the B&B were staying in was totally booked, and what a let down it was. The hotel is located right on the zocalo and is horrible. The room was small and the bathroom is very very small. We got a room in the first floor facing the street and till late at night there was street concert going on right under our window!!! The only redeeming thing about this place is that its clean and its cheap. We paid 60USD for our room but had I known that this place was so dingy, I'd have happily paid a little more and stayed at a B&B.

Oaxaca had a number of charming little B&B and small hotels, that aren't dark and dingy. You don't have to settle for a place like the Gala. There are so many options in OC, I only wish I'd known what a terrible place this was before I made my booking. Thankfully I only spent one night here! My experience of Oaxaca City would have been totally different if I'd spent all my 5 nights in this terrible place.

If you're single and tight on cash and don't plan to be in the hotel room for too long, then its okay. But for everyone else, stay away!!