Hi,

On our trip to the Yucatan summer '10 we had one of our must see stops as Chichen Itza. We found piramide inn via the internet and lonley planet guide book and from what we had read it seemed very nice. Their homepage was really nice and the pictures of the place looked great.

Positives:

The place was cheap and had a great location not to mention the ADO bus station was right next to the hotel.

The ruins themselves were about 2 min by taxi (30 pesos) which was also very handy.

Negatives:

The hotel rooms weren't amazing. The mattresses were fully spring loaded so you pretty much launched yourself 3 feet into the air just by turning around while you slept.

The air-conditioning unit was extremely loud so we couldn't have it on while we slept.

There was a big wide gaping window which everyone could peer into. Generally the hotel felt very unsafe and because of this we weren't able to sleep either (not very much at least). Not only that but the staff insisted on watching this tv show all night long which was so loud that we could hear it from the furthest side of the hotel where we were staying.

We went out for dinner one night as the hotel restaurant had been shut down. While we were there, there was this family with kids who kept blowing this whistle and shouting and running around our table. They too played tag (or "it") at one point where they ran around our table. The staff did nothing about it nor did the family it self.

Sum up:

Generally the hotel was in its prime in 20 years ago. It is now run down and a dump and feels very unsafe. The rooms aren't great and the beds even worse. The staff weren't helpful and generally we weren't happy we stayed there.

We found out it would have been much easier to stay at one of the nearby larger towns and take a day trip with the ADO buses into Chichen Itza instead.

I booked the room via email with "Peter". Their website says they take credit cards. We got there and it was conveniently not working. Asked where Peter was and they never heard of him. The place felt like it was abandoned. The rooms were horrible. No TV, beds were like sleeping on springs, the bathrooms were all moldy and paint peeling. The place was gross!

This Chichen Itza Area Hotel is one of the most beautiful oasis near Chichen Itza. It is in walking distance of the new 7th wonder of the world. We decided that one of those one-day tours was overpriced and wasn't enough to see everything. Hotel Piramide Inn is competitively priced. We started by spending the evening, and ended up staying 3 days.

In the lush garden area surrounding Piramide Inn is an unrestored Mayan pyramid built at the same time of Chichen Itza. My son enjoyed the oversize pool also in the garden area.

The rooms are oversize and and each is decorated differently. Our room came in a pretty pastel finish different from the rooms beside us. The maids clean everywhere daily. You are greeted in the morning by sound of the birds. A nice centrally located place to stay. Convenience stores and restaurants are nearby.

By looking from the outside, you would not think such a colorful and fragrant garden and pool reside on the inside. Overall a very nice place to visit.. A memorable experience

I'm always puzzled by just what it is travelers expect for only fifty bucks. At The Piramide Inn it's money well spent.

Our room had the largest bathroom I've ever encountered short of mega-resorts. The A/C unit appeared to be brand new and functioned perfectly. The staff was friendly and the top floor photo gallery featuring the history of excavations at Chichen Itza is testament to their participation in the culture that brings people to this part of the world.

Although the antiquities of Mexico are national property, the grounds they sit on are quite often private land. Chichen itza is one of these examples. That means there are places to stay right outside of the park. But, they're inundated with tourist buses, buffets are set out to accommodate hundreds and the constant bustle is hardly relaxing. The Piramide Inn is the closest motel to the ruins in the small village of Piste'. Cut a right out of the front door and a nicely paved sidewalk will lead you directly to the parks entrance in a few minutes walk.. Very convenient.

I personally enjoy the lack of televisions and phones while rambling about the Yucatan. Besides that, the rooms are well appointed, spacious and an excellent bargain. There's even an unexcavated structure on the grounds, which incidentally, are well maintained and quiet nice.

Piste has a number of good restaurants, friendly locals and a new Oxxo convenience store for those of you intimidated by the tiendas. And if traveling by bus, it stops right next door to the hotel.

A perfect location for visiting the ruins.