Costalegre Jalisco Mexico

Planning a trip to Melaque in March 2009 for 3 weeks. Have been asked to provide a deposit to secure a reservation at a local hotel. Does anyone know if this is a common practice and is it generally safe? The hotel is asking for a cheque/money order sent UPS.

March is a great time not to need reservations but may depend on what kind of hotel you are looking at. Deposits are normal but I'd hesitate to send more than a couple days. Might be able to advise more with the name of the hotel, is it in the area you want, near shopping, etc

Thanks for the feedback. We are considering the Vista Hermosa

Nothing against that hotel but I've never thought of it as anything but average. Lots in the same quality and price range - on or near the beach. By that I only mean you could avoid the deposit concern by not making reservations. At worst you'd pay a little more for a few nights while looking for the "perfect place".

It is downtown, near everything and on the beach

http://www.hotelvistahermosa.com/

Hi, dkpoole,

We have stayed at the Vista Hermosa two years in a row, last year in Jan/Feb for 3 weeks. We've reserved for 3 weeks in Feb 2009 as well.

Obviously, we wouldn't be going back for a third visit if we were dissatisfied! As Sparks says, the hotel IS only average in appearance and features-the basics are there but no more than that. However, it has endless charm, absolutely delightful long-term staff, a friendly and accommodating owner who is on-site during the busy periods, security (I was comfortably and securely alone there for a week before my husband arrived), one of the best locations on the safe swimming beach and all this at a moderate cost.

The hotel is usually fully booked during the snowbird season, though possibly less so in March. Depends on whether your visit coincides with a Mexican national holiday,a time when the hotel will be packed and extremely noisy, as will the whole town! I have no hesitation in recommending the hotel, and provided you are not expecting luxury you will be very comfortable. Be sure to request a unit on the ocean side - both one and two bedrooms are available with shared or private balcony overlooking the bay, with a perfect seat for the magnificent sunsets.

Cheers, Cath

Re; deposit! We have not ever paid a deposit, but this may be a new policy brought on by no-shows or other administrative issues. I would be comfortable providing one if it was asked for, but I would also take the usual precautions of carefully documenting the transaction.

I have stayed at Vista Hermosa. I would stay there again esp if we could get one of the kitchenette/bungalows facing the beach with the balcony. Everyone's right, the rooms are nothing special and rather dark BUT they have a great location on the beach and in the town. Everything is right out the front door and they have a shady patio out the back door. The pool is set off to the side but still on the beach. Everything was clean.
If I were to be reserving one of the rooms I mentioned above, I would send the deposit. If you want just a room, on the beach with a pool and a community kitchen, I would go back to Las Brisas Hotel which is a few doors from the Villa Hermosa...the rooms just have more light. I also wouldn't be concerned about reservations unless it's a holiday (like St. Pat's) or Easter week.