Just returned from a March 2005 stay at the Novo Mar. It is an excellent hotel and a great value for the money. The standard rooms are quite large with a large bath and separate dressing area. Pay the small extra fee for a very nice harbor view. Friends with us had a suite. It had two beds in the main sleeping area and a sitting area with a sofa bed; no real separation from the main room. All of the mattresses were quite hard, however. I think I noticed that the hotel opened in 1999. It has been kept up nicely. There were no problems with our room at all. The air conditioning worked well.

The pool area was being remodeled; a new walking surface around the pool and hot tub area. The pool is on the second floor and is very large. There is also a large shallow area for kids.

The restaurant is above average. The breakfast buffet is about $7.50 U.S. Lots of variety and cooked-to-order eggs, plus more types of juice than you can imagine.

Novo Mar has a great location. It's a short walk to the market area and to downtown. The aquarium is a short walk down the seawall.

For the money, Novo Mar is a real bargain.

I have stayed at this hotel every year for the past 3 years and I have never had a problem. The staff has always been attentive and helpful. The pricing for everything from the room to drinks at the bar have always been affordable (and cheaper pricing does not mean cheaper quality). Also, the hotel is situated in a very ideal location. It's 5 dollars or less to get to some great bars, "los portales", or to go to the mall.
Bottom line: the hotel is very affordable, everything is good quality, the employees are friendly, and it's located in the middle of everything.

I have stayed at this hotel 4 times in the last year. The staff is very friendly, but speak very little English. The resturant food was good and the bar was nice. Easy access to all to the warf area and main square downtown...I recommend this hotel and will stay there every visit....Only dissappointment was the beds were hard and no coffee makers. Steve

The Novo Mar set us up with a very nice room for about $45 USD. The pool area is very good with a kiddie pool, soaking pool and a large kidney style all on the roof top. Some rooms have spectacular views of Veracruz Bay and out lying islands, they do cost more. There restaurant is good, not my first recommendation for eating out in Veracruz though. I love that bar, it is my favorite. The bar decour is like being on an old sailing vessel with a brass bell and lots of "salty" looking ornaments. The selection of cocktails is very large and the bartenders know all the drinks and mix them well. The hotel staff is kind, hospitable and patient with folks who don't know Spanish. If you do go to Veracruz, come hear to the Xalapa Symphony Orchestra, we're great!

Happy Travels!