If you’re looking for accommodation with storied roots in the historic center of Guadalajara, look no further than the Hotel Morales. I was delighted to discover the hotel on a recent trip to Mexico’s second-largest city.
Originally a private guest house built in the late 1800s, it had lived a few different lives, including as a charitable “house of assistance,” before becoming a 98-room luxury hotel.
Guadalajara has plenty of branded, modern hotels to choose from, but Hotel Morales is one of a kind.
I was in town to do a little cultural research and I decided a hotel that was within walking distance to the markets, galleries and the awe-inspiring 16th century Guadalajara Cathedral was in order.
Stepping Back in Time at Hotel Morales
Walking into the lobby, I felt like I had retreated in time. A fountain quietly splashed, glowing lanterns hung from the ceiling, and plush upholstered chairs called visitors to sit back and relax. Plus, a restaurant edged the lobby.
I checked in and was given something I hadn’t seen in a long while – a metal key for my room on the third floor. In addition, I learned I could book their shuttle for a reasonable fee to go to the airport or to see area attractions.
The clerk explained the shuttle couldn’t pick guests up at the airport due to licensing requirements. But if you ask when booking your stay, they can suggest a third-party service.
Room Options at Hotel Morales
I had booked a Single Queen room. It was spacious, with a high ceiling and one small window. The lighting was rather dim, but that was all the better for sleeping.
A desk, chair, chest of drawers, and a wingback chair graced the room. On the desk sat a coffeemaker, and a flatscreen TV hung over the chest of drawers. I searched, but alas, no mini fridge. Calling reception, I found out that it is an amenity you have to request in advance.
The bathroom had a step-up to enter, which was important to remember for a night visit in the dark. Plus, there was a walk-in shower.
Other room options included a Double, with two double beds. The Imperial suite had a separate living room, a King bed, a jacuzzi, and a balcony.
Free WiFi was available in the guestrooms and common spaces.
Once unpacked, I took a little self-guided tour.
An Array of Amenities at Hotel Morales
The restaurant, El Ruedo, offered a buffet breakfast for a fee and was also open for lunch and dinner with traditional Mexican dishes. Tucked in a corner of the lobby, El Encierro bar serves wine, beer, and cocktails.
Adjacent to the bar was a large, old-fashioned game room with a pool table, board games, and a shelf of books (mostly in Spanish) guests could borrow.
On the rooftop, folks were sunning themselves beside a heated pool. Loungers and towels, though, were in short supply when I went up for a dip later.
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Another amenity on the rooftop was a compact gym with elliptical, treadmill, and stationary bike machines, plus weights. A door from the gym leads to a small spa where you can book massages.
For anyone considering a special event or wedding, Hotel Morales has a ballroom called the Al-Andaús Hall that is spectacular. Designed with striking Mudejar, or Moorish, embellishments, the hall has a capacity of 200.
The Hotel’s Bullfighting History
At the end of the 19th century, the Morales sisters acquired the property and created the Morales Sisters’ House of Assistance. Their nephew, Luis Morales, inherited the site around 1930 and began renovations to turn it into a luxury hotel. He added two more floors on top and covered the façade with tezontle, a porous volcanic rock popular in neocolonial circles.
Luis was a bullfighting fanatic, and the El Progreso bullfighting ring was just down the street. The hotel became a magnet for anyone associated with bullfighting. After the spectacle, crowds would carry the bullfighter on their shoulders to the Morales Hotel for parties that raged until daybreak.
After Luis died in 1964 and the bullring demolition in 1974, Luis’ widow sold the building to some investors. The historic center deteriorated during these years, and the hotel sat empty for 30 years.
Rebirth of the Hotel Morales
In 2003, a Spanish group bought the Hotel Morales and its annex, the former Hotel Virreinal. The group’s vision was to restore the hotel to its original glory. Archways, airy courtyards, skylights, fountains, and colorful tiles were carefully preserved throughout a two-year renovation.
I love learning about a historic hotel’s grand past and loving restoration.
Walking Distance to the City’s Treasures
In addition, I was enamored by the proximity to some of the city’s outstanding colonial architecture, including the Guadalajara Cathedral, Degollado Theater, and the Hospicio Cabanas, a World Heritage Site featuring 57 frescos by muralist José Clemente Orozco.
For history and culture buffs, the Hotel Morales location couldn’t be better.
Rates at the Hotel Morales
A Single with a Queen bed or a Double with two double beds starts at around $200 per night. An Imperial Suite starts at around $350 per night.
Check rates online at Expedia, Booking.com, or Hotels.com.
Hotel feature by Toronto-based travel writer Maureen Littlejohn. Photos © Maureen Littlejohn. Visit Guadalajara arranged for her visit to the city as she researched a larger piece. As always, her thoughts and opinions are her own.
