In the 17th century, the original section of Real Hispano Hotel in Valladolid, Mexico, in the Yucatán was a mansion. These days, the original colonial-style architecture of arches, columns, and a courtyard remains and works well with the modern sections that turned this impressive building into a 90-guest room hotel. I stayed in this beauty during one of my two nights in Valladolid.
Convenience of Location of Real Hispano
My travel companion friends had already booked two nights at Meson del Marques for our private tour to the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza. The laid-back vibe of Valladolid, Mexico, and its proximity to the UNESCO World Heritage site have made this a popular stepping-off point for exploring this part of the Yucatán. Because Tim already reviewed Meson del Marques, I was on a quest for somewhere else. Real Hispano caught my attention as I browsed options on Hotels.com for its affordability, historic features, and closeness to Meson del Marques in Valladolid’s historic center. It couldn’t have been any closer.
Reception of Real Hispano is off a quieter back street to Valladolid’s historic plaza center
The door from the parking lot of Real Hispano was right next door to the reception of Meson del Marques. Although Meson del Marques is across the street from Valladolid’s main plaza, Real Hispano sits back one street away. This means it’s a bit quieter but just as much a part of Valladolid, Mexico’s action. The views are stunning.
Stunning Views from Real Hispano, Valladolid, Mexico
From the balcony of my hotel room, I could see the Cathedral of San Servacio off the plaza. Rebuilt in 1705 after being demolished due to political strife, this cathedral is worth a stop. It’s free and part of Valladolid’s cultural, political, and religious history. My view also included a top view of Mercado Artensanias de Valladolid, a craft market of various vendors selling embroidered clothing and art.
Another view is from the hotel’s rooftop, where chairs and a few tables provide space to savor a cup of coffee in the morning or a beverage at night. This is a bring your own to the view, though. There is no rooftop bar. There is a bar on the ground floor open to the courtyard and to the hotel’s restaurant.
I did not eat here since my friends were attached to dining at Meson del Marques, but I did order a glass of wine to take to my room. My early in the morning bus to Cancun nixed the idea of eating breakfast at the hotel. Various reviews say the food is quite good. I checked out the menu which had a large selection of western cuisine and local favorites.
When I arrived, people were enjoying the pool in the courtyard. Some were dining on the patio. Strung hammocks above a wading pool invite folks to relax and enjoy the ambiance of the place. I walked through the hotel, looking at the wealth of paintings and statuary, and had my friend take a photo of me in front of one of the sets of angel wings. She had popped over for a quick look at my new digs.
About My Digs at Real Hispano
- Buy Travel Insurance
- Get an eSim to be able to use your smartphone abroad.
- Guided Tours in Mexico
- Get a Car Rental
My king bed, standard room was spacious and well-appointed. There is a touch of elegance that fits the hotel’s aim towards a bit of grandness. A tufted headboard, a matching throw pillow, a bed scarf, and a bed skirt that matches the drapes of the large sliding glass door that leads to the balcony are tasteful.
Six pillows and a duvet add extra comfort. Bedside tables on either side have plugs for phones, and the lighting creates a softness to the room, and the large metal artwork above the bed adds proportion to the space. Without it, the room would have felt stark. When I turned on the large flat screen TV, I discovered one channel was in English. Since my Spanish, sadly, is not great, I was happy about this.
The bathroom is also well-appointed with marble, granite, and quality amenities. The hairdryer worked well when I hastily dried my hair in the morning before hoofing it to the bus station. Thanks to the small refrigerator in the closet that I moved to where I could plug it in, leftovers from dinner became breakfast. I ate the taco leftovers on the bus to Cancun.
Because the hotel is aiming to be eco-friendly, hallway corridors leading to guest rooms are equipped with light sensors. Don’t be alarmed when it seems like you’ll walk down the hall in the dark. Once you start to move, the lights come on.
Other Details
With the plaza, shops, and much to do within walking distance, the location is splendid for taking in the flavor of the city. Happily, the bus station is also a quick walk away. After I checked out, I was at the bus station in about 10 minutes, if that.
If you do go and you see the Valladolid City Tour bus parked by the plaza, take the tour. My two friends and I loved it. Although the tour is not in English our lack of Spanish didn’t matter. Watching the city scenes unfold as we drove around the town listening to the recorded tour in Spanish was wonderful. Such a treat and well worth the $5.
Rooms at the Real Hispano, Valladolid, Mexico, are a mix of standard, executive, and master suites. Each room comes with a large bottle of water. There isn’t a coffee maker. My room rate was roughly $90.00 at Hotels.com. I opted to pay in the local currency with my credit card upon check-in, which was not a problem. There may be a deal by booking directly from the hotel’s website.
Check rates online at Expedia, Booking.com, Agoda.com, or Hotels.com.
