We spent a week in Campeche for our wedding and were able to stay at Hacienda Puerta Campeche, Hacienda Uayamon and Castlemar. Having sampled several hotels in the area, I’d have to say that Castlemar is a great cost effective option. Because of the price I wasn’t expecting to be wowed, but my first impression of this traditional colonial quaint hotel was just lovely. The colors and architecture are delightful and the open air courtyard in the center was a nice relaxing place for our group to congregate. The location was wonderful and super easy to walk to the center square. We were with a large group arriving on a late flight and the restaurant across the street stayed open for us. Castlemar is a smaller boutique hotel with each room decorated in a different color. But that being said some of the rooms were really small while others were very spacious. If your used to super luxurious hotel beds, then Castlemar might not be for you. The bed linens are pretty basic and the beds a bit hard and lumpy. No closets, but they did have air conditioning and a walled pool with open rooftop. Definitely nice for a dip, but not necessarily luxurious enough to want to hang out all day when the town is so picturesque. Be careful, the breakfast is NOT complimentary and actually cost a pretty penny for what they serve. You can get a less expensive and delicious breakfast at several of the restaurants within walking distance. While they do take credit cards, we found pretty much everyplace we visited wants nothing to do with American dollars so definitely worth exchanging money at the airport as we were asked to pay for our entire stay upfront. While this review may seem picky, I think it’s important to mention that we had about 20 guests stay here and they didn’t have any major complaints. They were really happy with what they got for the price.

We had the large corner room in this old restored colonial hotel in the center of Campeche. We prepaid for four nights, but decided to stay only two. The hotel could not issue an immediate credit since their charge card machines don't allow it. But they did work with me and made calls to their bank and a credit was issued to my account. The hotel is very nice and is in a great location with off street parking provided.

January 21, 2012

We've just returned from 2 nights at this hotel. The staff were all very accommodating even though we didn't speak Spanish. The pool was quite small, but adequate. At this time of year a little on the cold side for me. The poolside chairs can fill up quite fast as there are only a few of them. Lots of places to sit at tables in the hotel, but not much in the way of comfortable, lounge-type seating.

Based on one of the reviews, we chose an outside room with a balcony where you could see the ocean if you looked down the street. While traffic noise was very evident, we were prepared for it based on the Trip Advisor reviews. (Also, our winter home is on a very busy street in Merida so we're kind of used to it.) We found, as we do in Merida, that the traffic noise dies down at night and on the weekends. Our room was very spacious and had everything we needed. An armchair would have been nice, but this is southern Mexico where it's very humid so upholstered furniture is scarce. TV was there but not much in the way of English programming. Bring reading material.

The bathroom was adequate - large, with a very large shower. Be prepared for water temperature fluctuations. I found myself in a cold shower (although not what "cold" would mean in Canada) once or twice, and my husband couldn't get any hot water for one of his showers. But water pressure is adequate and pretty good by Mexican standards, especially for an old building. One thing I have found in many hotel bathrooms, even very expensive ones, is that there is nowhere to put anything if you have a pedestal sink. Your toiletries have to rest on the floor, as there is no shelf or vanity. This was true at Castelmar as well. Also true of all the hotels we've been in (that's quite a few) is that they don't make accommodation for drying wet towels. They only have adequate racks for dry towels all neatly folded. Perhaps I'm too neat, but I always try to hang up a towel after using it so it will be dry if I need to use it again. At Castelmar the towel rack was above my head (I'm 4'10" tall) and I had to reach to even get a towel down, let alone hang it up afterwards. Some shelving and wall hooks or more racks would go a long way towards solving these problems. Even a little plastic shelf would do as there was plenty of room beside the sink.

The absolute best part about our hotel experience at Castelmar was the massage. My husband and I ordered a massage for each of us, and it was one of the best hotel experiences I've had. Although I was shocked to see that it was a man (never had a masseur before...always a masseuse) I decided not to be prudish and try it out. After all my husband was right there in the room with us. The hotel staff brought towels for the table, and introduced us to Eddie. We dimmed the lights (my husband read by lamp light while it was my turn), Eddie turned on his calming music, and I got the best massage I've ever had. And that's saying something because I've got back problems and have had regular massages for many years. He adjusted the pressure just right and I'm still feeling the positive effects a day later. Everything was done with the greatest decorum and I've reconsidered my position on masseurs. The cost was even a little less than we'd pay at home, or in Merida, and well, well worth it.

The hotel's location was very advantageous for us, as everything was walking distance and we didn't have a car (came by bus from Merida). Our favourite restaurant, Marganzo, is just a short walk away. DO NOT go to the restaurant across from the hotel. It is horrible, and I was afraid I was going to get sick after eating breakfast there. The breakfast offered at the hotel was a very basic continental breakfast, so we chose to go to Marganzo for a more extensive meal.

All in all a comfortable enough hotel, although I wish they'd get softer pillows and pillow top mattresses. But this is Mexico, and by Mexican standards the beds were not bad. By no means the hardest we've experienced. Next time I'll bring my own pillow. But then my husband and I both prefer a very soft pillow, so maybe the next person would find they were fine. The room was air conditioned which we appreciated. The fan and overhead light had two chains to operate it, and I was too short to reach either one. Good thing my husband is tall.

Campeche is a lovely little city (about 100,000 population). Very clean and all the buildings we saw were painted and well kept. I actually find it more appealing, visually, than Merida. We enjoyed our stay but would have been bored, I think if we'd stayed more than a few days. Perhaps a longer stay should include some outdoor activities (I would have enjoyed the caves if we'd stayed longer) as there didn't appear to be much in the way of evening entertainment.

I do hope you enjoy your stay. We did.

This is a beautiful old hotel. Clean, beds are good, folks are nice. I don´t think it´s worth the price, but the location IS good.