In Durango, June '06. Selected Hotel Roma after looking at its website & the fact that their personnel were the fastest & most cooperative in responding to our inquiries. We opted for the mini-suite for only $37, since it was $3 more than a regular room. An excellent decision as it turn out. The hotel has a fantastic location right across the streeet from The Cathedral & Main Plaza & the exterior of the building is pleasant. However, when we entered the lobby we almost walked out. It was run down & filfilled with shabby old worn furniture & looked like a flophouse & not some place we thought we could stay. The large space fomerly occupied by their restaurant/bar & which is the center piece of their lobby entrance is now vacant & used as temporary storage space. Another room opening into the lobby is also vacant & unsightly, but there was a lovely old stately stairway in the lobby center. The employees sensed our concern & were very nice & asked that I please look at a room. However, when we stepped into the elevator I was sure it was time to leave. It was a dumpy, dirty old box with burned out lights & broken buttons that required a llman to operate. However, when we reached the 3rd floor it was another world. The public space was large & pleasant & clean & our room turned out to be fantastic. Just recently remodeled with new carpeting that was still clean. The bedspreads & draperies are custom made from fabrics far better than many 4 & 5 star Mexican hotels we have stayed in. The furniture looks original, but has been recovered & there are new mattresses. The bathroom was the best we have had in Mexico in many trips. All new fixtures & lighting & a huge walk-in shower. No AC, but Durango is not known for hot or humid weather. A great ceiling fan & double frence doors opening to a private terrace that overlooks The Cathedral, though no furniture on it. We think the place is in the midst of an ongpoing renovation, though the employees on duty were not aware of any timetable. Surely the owners won't just upgrade the rooms to such an extent, while leaving the public areas in such poor condition? Just make sure you get a room on the 3rd floor (302, 303, 304, etc.). Rooms on the 2nd floor have not appear to have been redone yet, though the public space on 2 looks recently redone. Would we stay there again? Certainly.
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