This is a more of a "nice budget style hotel", but the rooms are clean, (bathrooms are just ok), the courtyard is pleasant, it feels very safe, and the staff was super nice. The little restaurant attached served up some really good food- we had an amazing lunch there. I would stay here again.

I spent two nights at the Hotel del Carmen. It is a budget hotel, so its amenities are limited, but it is clean, the bed was comfortable, and an interior courtyard offered a pleasant place to sit in the evenings. And the staff—Ma and Luis in particular—could not have been more helpful despite a language barrier (they did not speak English and my Spanish is extremely limited). My room did not have air conditioning, but did have a remarkably effective ceiling fan; unfortunately, the heat was even more remarkable, so I did have a few uncomfortable moments. The hotel’s location suited my interests quite well—it is just a few short blocks from the pleasant Parque Marimba and a relatively easy walk to the main Plaza Civica. One small note of caution: The hotel’s web-site indicated that the room rate includes breakfast; it did not.

Good hotel. I like to get out and do things. Stayed here twice. I am out the whole day so realize I only sleep here. The staff was friendly and helpful. You feel safe here. Very close to everything in walking distance. I wanted a taste of mexico that is why I didn't go to the more expensive hotels in the hotel zone and was afraid to stay at a dirt cheap hotel.

The best thing is the park around the block with music and a food vendor... tamales. Walk around. Check out the billards place a few blocks away. There was a good smoke filled kareoke bar in a residential section of the city you might want to ask about. The hotel staff will call a taxi. See the zoo and relax before heading to Sumidero Canyon or San Cristobal. Nice to go to a cafe overlooking the city at night.