For 650pesos we were were expecting something better as this is a lot for a hotel in Mexico. I've read other reviews here and can only think our room was one of the worst!

Parking is extra at the hotel although massively discounted.

Our room was VERY noisey and i'm NOT talking noise from the square. There was no exterior window's in our room so what we had was a kind of shaft with windows which seems to run down to the kitchen and further up. So not only did we get noise we got the smell of what was being cooked and trust me on a hot day this was not pleasent. You could even hear the staff talking and cutting on the chopping board.

For my wife sneezed one day in the bathroom and someone pardoned her! There is wi-fi in the hotel although ONLY in the lobby. You won't be able to send emails using outlook as most hotels in Mexico block this due to SPAM but the staff couldn't even provide me with their server details and didn't have a clue what i was talking about so just ended up taking a load of rubbish.

The hotel has a pool and I feel for people staying near this as for a small pool it generated a lot of noise. The best thing about this hotel is the Location and the Airconditioning. The hotel lobby is airconditioned so as soon as you walk in your happy to be back (until you get to your room!)

Veracruz is all about history, music, heat, humidity, and noise. We stayed at the Colonial and got one of the rooms with a balcony overlooking the Plaza de Armas. From our balcony we could see the ancient cathedral, and the famous zocolo was directly below. Every night a thunderstorm cleaned the streets, and the mornings greeted us with the sound of grackels in the early morning cool. It was exotic and beautiful. We love the music, and there were lots of opportunities to hear live Son Jarocho, Marimba, and Cuban influenced music...all night long. There is Danzon in the Plaza de Armas as well. This is not a room for people who do not like noise. (There was loud music and partying every night until at least 3:00 am.) For people who want to experience the city in all it's exotic heat, noise, and in an historic building, we cannot recommend the Colonial any higher.

Stayed at the Colonial for a week while visitin Veracruz. This hotel is an excellent price for what you get. I was really impressed at the character of this hotel. Granted, it's a bit older but the condition is great and overall pretty spacious.

Location: Centrally located in Veracruz on the Zocalo. Here you will find restaurants, bars, an old church, shopping, fast food, etc. A great place for evening and nightime dining or drinking.

Rooms: Great size, nicely decorated. Beds were good with nice linens. Each room has overhead fans that move a ton of air when on full speed. The bathrooms are decorated in tile and everything was in working order. Amazing wood doors greet you as you enter. Rooms facing the Zocalo can be noise until about 2am. If you are looking to retire early, request a room off the Zocalo side.

Lobby: Large, easy check-in, lots of couches and smoking areas. The hotel staff at the front desk was 100% dedicated to customer service. My girlfriend arrived the night before my arrival and they were ready for her late into the evening even though she didn't speak Spanish. She had no problems getting settled and finding the bar outside.

Food: Ate multiple times at the small restaurant connected to the back of the hotel (on the Zocalo). Always very solid dishes for budget prices. Try the "El Colonial" for breakfast.

Bar: While the hotel didn't have a formal "bar, the hotel sits on the Zocalo which has at least 10 bars. Walk outside the bar and you'll find many tables and chairs, live music, Cuban cigar vendors (box of 25 Cohibas for $40 or $3 each), restaurants/bars, etc. "Sol" and "Negra Modelo" beers in a bottle was going for about $2/ea. Tons of fun to sit and chat with friends, meet other travelers, listen to live music, and enjoy the nights. This is "the place to go" for relaxed nightlife in Veracruz.

Pool: Nice indoor pool but can be steamy during the day.

Housekeeping: always did a good job, no complaints.

Other: the hotel has drinking water located in 5 gal coolers in the hallway. The rooms come with a pitcher and glasses. A/C is off during the day from about 10am to 5pm. This can make things a bit hot if you have to stop by your room during the day. TV is pretty basic.

Overall: Awesome stay at a super unique hotel for an outstanding price! Don't pay for other expensive, chain-hotels when you can get this one for such a DEAL. Take your money shoping, diving/snorkeling, fishing, or to some of the other attractions in Veracruz.

This hotel was booked by Pronatura Veracruz as part of an excellent birdwatching trip. I stayed here on my last night before an early morning flight.
The best thing about the hotel is the location, on the zócalo which has a wonderfully festive nightlife scene. The crowded sidewalk restaurants recall the night scene in plazas in Madrid. Lots of jarocho street musicians, souvenir sellers, etc. The many restuarants of the centro historico are a short walk away.
I stayed on the 5th floor, where there is a really nice large public terrace with views of the street below. The room was very pleasant, rather dated decor, but fine. Others in our party said that the second floor rooms near the pool (which I didn't see) had a mildew smell, but this was not true of my room. There are two sections to the hotel, I think I was in the newer one. Very well air conditioned. I requested a taxi at 5:30 the next morning and it was waiting when i came downstairs.