Guadalajara's Hidden Gem: Unbeatable Stay at Best Western Plus Gran Hotel Centro Histórico!
Guadalajara's Best-Kept Secret: My Unforgettable Stay at the Best Western Plus Gran Hotel Centro Histórico (Prepare to be Amazed!)
Alright, folks, let's get real. I just got back from Guadalajara, and I'm still buzzing from my stay at the Best Western Plus Gran Hotel Centro Histórico. Honestly? It wasn't just a hotel; it was an experience. Forget the sterile, cookie-cutter hotels – this place has character, charm, and… well, let me just gush, okay? Buckle up; this is going to be a long one.
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First Impressions: Charm Overload!
Stepping inside the lobby felt like stepping back in time, in the best way possible. Think high ceilings, ornate details, and a palpable sense of history. It wasn't too stuffy, though. It felt… welcoming. The front desk staff? Seriously, they were amazing. Super friendly, fluent in English (thank goodness!), and went out of their way to make you feel at home. Bonus points for the quick and easy Contactless check-in/out. In this day and age? Absolutely necessary and appreciated.
Accessibility: A HUGE Win!
Okay, so let's get this out of the way upfront: I'm not dealing with mobility issues, but I’m always on the lookout for hotels that cater to everyone because, well, it’s the right thing to do. And the Gran Hotel Centro Histórico knocked it out of the park. Elevator access to all floors? Check. Wide doorways? Check. Plenty of space to move around? Absolutely. I didn't see a single awkward, cramped corner. The hotel seemed meticulously designed with accessibility in mind, which is a HUGE win in my book. I noticed the ease of access with Facilities for disabled guests and that’s awesome. They really thought of everything.
Rooms That Feel Like Home (Only Better!)
My room? Oh, it was a dream. The Air conditioning was a lifesaver in the Guadalajara heat. The Bed? Heavenly. Like, I had to drag myself out of it every morning. I had a High floor room so the views of the city were absolutely stunning. And the Blackout curtains? Essential for catching up on some much-needed sleep after a day of exploring. Inside, I found a Coffee/tea maker, a super convenient Refrigerator filled with goodies (and plenty of space for my own treasures), and even a Laptop workspace – perfect for catching up on emails (or, you know, planning my next adventure). I also appreciated the small things, like the Hair dryer, the In-room safe box(because safety first!!!), and the plentiful Towels. Seriously, they thought of everything. I especially liked having that included Free bottled water.
The Internet Situation: Because We Need It!
Let's be honest, in today's world, Wi-Fi is basically a human right. And the Gran Hotel Centro Histórico understood the assignment. They offered Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! (and it was FAST!). I'm talking streaming movies without buffering fast. Plus, there was Internet access – LAN if (God forbid) you prefer wired options. Wi-fi was also offered in Wi-Fi in public areas, ensuring I was always connected, no matter where I roamed.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Culinary Fiesta!
Okay, now we're talking! The dining options were seriously impressive. The main restaurant offered a fantastic Breakfast [buffet] with everything you could ask for – including a truly delectable array of pastries. I mean, I’m still dreaming of those churros. I loved the Asian breakfast option too. The restaurant also offered A la carte in restaurant, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Desserts in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant, Lunch and dinner service, Salad in restaurant, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, and Western cuisine in restaurant. The Poolside bar was also a winner. And the Snack bar was perfect for a quick bite. Room service was available 24/7. Sometimes there is just something about a late night snack that hits the spot. The food quality was exceptional.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax: Spa Day, Anyone?
The hotel also provided all sorts of opportunities for relaxing and de-stressing. It had Pool with view, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor], Spa, and Spa/sauna. I didn't get a chance to experience the Body scrub or Body wrap, but I did spend a glorious hour in the Steamroom, it was absolute heaven. I didn't get to use it, but the Fitness center seemed well-equipped. It also had a Gym/fitness.
Cleanliness and Safety: Feeling Safe and Sound
I was super impressed by the hotel's commitment to cleanliness and safety. They were doing everything right. The Hand sanitizer was everywhere. The Anti-viral cleaning products were noticeable. I appreciated the measures they took for Daily disinfection in common areas and especially the Rooms sanitized between stays. The Staff trained in safety protocol were evident. I felt completely safe and at ease during my entire stay. Every staff member, I spoke to was wearing a face mask. It was comforting to know that safety was a priority, and it made the experience much more enjoyable.
Services and Conveniences: They Thought of Everything!
Honestly, the list of services and conveniences is insane. They had a Concierge to help with anything, a Currency exchange (super practical!), and a Gift/souvenir shop for those last-minute presents. The Daily housekeeping service was spotless. There was even a Laundry service (thank goodness!). Also available were Cash withdrawal. Invoice provided. To get around you could use Airport transfer, Taxi service, Valet parking, and Car park [free of charge].
For the Kids: Family-Friendly Fun!
While I didn't travel with kids, it was clear that this hotel is family-friendly. I noticed Babysitting service available. It was a good sign.
Ramblings and Real Talk:
Okay, so here's the deal. I went to Guadalajara expecting a nice trip, and what I got was a memorable experience. The Gran Hotel Centro Histórico isn't just a place to crash; it's a destination in itself. I might have spent a little too much time lounging by the pool (with that incredible view). I might have eaten way too many churros at breakfast. And yes, I might be already planning my return trip.
The slight imperfections? Well, okay, the elevator could be a tiny bit slow during peak times. And maybe my room's internet blip on the first day. But seriously? These are minor quibbles in the grand scheme of things. I’m talking first-world problems.
The Verdict: GO! Seriously, Go!
If you're looking for a hotel in Guadalajara that offers comfort, convenience, exceptional service, and a genuine sense of place, look no further than the Best Western Plus Gran Hotel Centro Histórico. It's a hidden gem that deserves all the praise it gets. It’s got that authentic vibe that you don’t get in every hotel. I give it a solid 5 out of 5 stars. Trust me, you won't regret it. Go! You owe it to yourself.
Escape to Texas Comfort: La Quinta Inn & Suites Alvin Awaits!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, ‘cause we’re about to dive headfirst into my… let's call it adventures at the Best Western Plus Gran Hotel Centro Historico in Guadalajara. This isn't your perfectly curated Instagram feed; this is the unfiltered, tequila-fueled truth.
Day 1: Arrival & The Tequila-Induced Wobble
10:00 AM - Landed in Guadalajara (finally!). The flight was a disaster. You know how they say, "The journey is the destination?" Well, this journey was a screaming baby, a guy who hogged the armrest, and a serious lack of airplane snacks. Already off to a stellar start.
11:00 AM - Uber to the Hotel: The Great Street Maze. Okay, first impressions of Guadalajara: BEAUTIFUL. Like, seriously. The architecture is stunning, even through the bleary haze of travel fatigue. The Uber driver, bless him, seemed to know every side street, turn, and hidden alleyway. I kept getting the feeling he was trying to avoid something.
11:30 AM - Check-in & First Impressions: Promises, Promises (and Questionable Lighting). The hotel itself? Decent. The lobby is impressive, all marble and chandeliers. The staff seemed genuinely happy to see me, which is always a plus after an awful flight. My room? …Okay. Clean, spacious, but the lighting was…dim. Like, "romantic dinner with a vampire" dim. I briefly considered requesting a different room, but honestly, I just wanted to collapse.
12:30 PM - Lunch at a Local Taqueria - Tacos Al Pastor & Tears (of Joy, Mostly). Okay, this is where things started to get REAL. Found a tiny little taqueria a few blocks from the hotel. The aroma hit me like a delicious, spicy, porky wave. Got three tacos al pastor, doused them in salsa (a little too much, maybe?), and proceeded to have a religious experience. I swear, a single tear rolled down my cheek. Seriously, the best tacos I’ve EVER had. And a cold Jarritos to wash it all down? Pure bliss. This is why I travel!
2:00 PM - Nap Time: The Battle With the Sheets. Back at the hotel. The bed was calling my name. I swear, I wrestled with the sheets for a solid five minutes. It was either the jet lag or the spicy salsa but I lost the battle and had a good sleep.
4:00 PM - Wandering: The Plaza de Armas. Lost in the Music. I stumbled out of the hotel and wandered into the Plaza de Armas, the main square. Holy moly. The cathedral! The band playing! The sheer energy of the place was amazing. I plonked myself down on a bench and just people-watched. I even got roped into listening to a mariachi band. It was corny and over-the-top and I loved every single second. I got a picture with the band.
7:00 PM - The Grand Tequila Tasting (and Subsequent Regret?). Okay, so the hotel bar. I figured, "When in Guadalajara…" Right? I signed up for the tequila tasting. The bartender was a charming guy with a killer mustache and an encyclopedia of tequila knowledge. I sampled everything from silver to añejo. It was… educational. And then it was… very, very fun. Let's just say, I now understand why they call them "tequila sunrises." I ended up rambling to the bartender, a complete stranger, for a good hour. I have no idea what I said. And I may have eaten a whole bucket of peanuts.
9:00 PM - Dinner Disaster (and a Moment of Clarity?). Found a restaurant around the corner, hungry and still wobbly. The waiter was friendly, and I ordered something I thought I understood from the menu. It arrived… And it was… a mystery. I didn't know what it was, but its flavour was odd. I ate some, and left the rest. I did however have a realization. Maybe I should try to limit the tequila intake, or at least start writing stuff down.
10:00 PM - Bedtime. Maybe. The room felt…small. Did I mention the lighting? I had difficulties falling asleep.
Day 2: History, Culture, and the Quest for Coffee
8:00 AM - Wake Up Call: The Roar of the City. The street noise was loud. I would of preferred to sleep-in but the city outside was already in full swing.
9:00 AM -Breakfast (Needed, Desperately): The hotel breakfast buffet. It was… fine. Standard fare. But I needed coffee. I needed it BADLY. The coffee machine was broken. This was a crisis.
9:30 AM - The Coffee Mission. Found a tiny local cafe a few blocks away. It took time, but it was worth it. The coffee was strong, dark, and life-affirming. This is why I travel!
10:30 AM - Historical Visit - Hospicio Cabañas: A Spiritual Experience. Okay, this place is incredible. Hospicio Cabañas is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The architecture is amazing, and the frescos by José Clemente Orozco are mind-blowing. I just stood there, staring, stunned and humbled. I even had a little moment of spirituality… or maybe it was the coffee finally kicking in.
1:00 PM - The Quest for Authentic Mexican Food (Round 2!). Back in the city. I was determined to find a restaurant that captured the true essence of Guadalajara. Found a cute little place that was recommended by a local. Amazing.
3:00 PM - Shopping for Souvenirs. I'm not a shopper and generally hate it. But I was obligated. Browsing the shops near the hotel. Found some lovely trinkets.
5:00 PM - Relaxing in my room. After a long day out and about, I wanted to relax in my room.
7:00 PM - Dinner, and planning my next day. I went to a new restaurant. Everything was amazing. I got back, wrote about my day and planned the next one.
9:00 PM - Sleep.
Day 3: Departure & The Aftermath
Morning: Departure. Checkout was seamless. I grabbed a cab to the airport.
Afternoon: Goodbye Guadalajara! I was sad to say goodbye.
My Takeaway
Guadalajara? Absolutely magical. The Best Western? Pretty decent. Did I make a fool of myself with the tequila? Probably. Did I get lost? Several times. Did I question the sanity of my travel decisions? Regularly. Wouldn't change a thing. I've got stories for days, a slight tequila tolerance, and a deep, deep appreciation for good tacos. And I wouldn't trade those experiences for anything. This trip was a reminder that travel isn’t about perfection. It's about the chaos, the surprises, the food, the connections, the mistakes…the life. So, go. Explore. Get lost. And for the love of all that is holy, try the tacos al pastor. You won't regret it.
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Guadalajara's Best-Kept Secret (Maybe Not Anymore): FAQ About The Best Western Plus Gran Hotel Centro Histórico!
Okay, spill it! Why is this hotel such a "hidden gem" if everyone's writing FAQs about it now?
Alright, alright, you got me. "Hidden gem" might be stretching it a *tiny* bit. Honestly, the cat's kinda outta the bag. But hear me out! It *felt* hidden. Before I stumbled upon it, it wasn’t plastered all over Instagram, you know? It had this… quiet elegance, a certain *je ne sais quoi* that whispered "authentic Guadalajara." Plus, the price? STEAL. Compared to some of those soulless chain hotels that charge an arm and a leg... this place felt like a victory. Honestly, the fact that other people are catching on just makes me think, "Good. They deserve this little slice of heaven!"
The Location, Location, Location! What's it REALLY like being in the Centro Histórico? Is it safe? And what about the noise?
Okay, location is KEY. This hotel is smack-dab in the heart of the Centro, which means you’re surrounded by history, beautiful architecture, and the *smell* of amazing food (seriously, the food is a character in this story). Safety? Look, Guadalajara is a vibrant city. Use common sense, be aware of your surroundings, especially at night, but honestly, I felt pretty safe walking around. Cops are around. And the hotel itself felt secure. It's busy, it's lively! Noise? Yes, a bit. Duh! It's a bustling city center! But I'm a light sleeper, and I survived. My room had decent soundproofing, plus earplugs are always your friend. There was one night, though… around 3 AM… there was a mariachi band practicing *right* outside my window. I was half-asleep, and at first, I was annoyed and was about to yell, but then I listened for a moment and thought "God, this is Guadalajara!". Embrace the chaos!
The Rooms! What's the vibe? Are they clean? Modern? Spooky?
The rooms are… good. Not the Ritz-Carlton good, but *charmingly* good. There’s a certain… old-world feel, you know? Think high ceilings, maybe a little wear and tear (that's part of the charm!), and clean. *Really* clean. I’m picky about cleanliness, and I was happy. Yes, it’s not super modern, but that's part of the appeal! You don't want it to be all sterile and boring, do you? Oh! And the beds! The beds were surprisingly comfy. I'm talking "sinking into a cloud" comfy. I actually overslept one day because of it. My *only* complaint? The lighting wasn’t the most flattering. I ended up having to take a shower because it was so dark in my room.
Breakfast! Tell me ALL about the breakfast! Is it a continental nightmare or a glorious fiesta?
Okay, breakfast. This is important. This is where they *really* win you over. It’s… a fiesta! Not a wild, all-night rager fiesta, but a quiet, beautiful one. They had everything! Fruits (so fresh!), pastries (OMG the pastries!), eggs cooked to order, chilaquiles (a MUST), and… and… *freshly squeezed orange juice*. I could've bathed in that juice, it was that good. Sometimes, the service was a *little* slow, but hey, you're on vacation! Relax. Enjoy the juice. Don't be a Karen!
What about the staff? Are they helpful? Do they speak English? Basically, are they going to make my life easy (or at least not harder?)
The staff are fantastic! Really, genuinely friendly and helpful. Most of them spoke English, at least enough for basic communication. Even when there was a slight language barrier, they were so polite and tried their best. They always greeted me with a smile. I swear, the bellhop, Mario, he was a godsend! He helped me with everything! Finding a taxi, recommending restaurants, and even carrying my ridiculously heavy suitcase. I almost hugged him. Almost.
The pool! Did it even HAVE a pool? And if so, was it worth it?
Ugh. The pool… It's there. It's small. It's… okay. Honestly, I didn't spend a ton of time there. After a long day of exploring Guadalajara, I'd rather go to my room, take a shower and go to bed. And sometimes it was a bit crowded. It's a nice-to-have, especially if you're traveling with kids, but don't expect a resort-style oasis. It's more of a "dip your toes in and cool off" kind of situation.
Okay, let's talk about the IMPERFECTIONS. Did anything go wrong? Did you have any issues?
Yes. Of course, there were issues. Everything isn't perfect, folks. The elevators were a bit slow. One time, the keycard didn't work, and I had to trudge back to reception in my pajamas. And that mariachi band… that was a *night*. But honestly? Those things are part of the charm. They're the things you'll remember and laugh about later. It's what makes the place feel… real. The hotel, the city… it's all so alive. And there was one other thing… I felt a bit judged by one of the cleaning ladies because I woke up late, and didn't make my bed. She gave me the stink eye and it made me a feel a bit lazy about my stay. But, hey, it's still better than waking up earlier.
Parking? Is there parking? Is it a hassle?
I didn't drive, so I can't personally comment on the parking situation. But my friend, who *did* drive, said it was a bit tricky. There's parking, but it's limited and can be a little tight. He said the staff was helpful in navigating the parking, but if you're renting a car, it's something you should consider. I'll be honest, I'm glad I didn't have to deal with it. Cabs and Uber were easy and cheap.
So, final verdict? Would you go back? Should I book it RIGHT NOW?!
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