Hotel Casa Nova, Merida

We had booking for Casa Del Balam, interesting old hotel but instead they sent us to Hotel Eclipse about 300 feet from it. We had the room on ground floor with window facing corridor. This hotel was at lower price however that was not what we wanted to do.

A few days before, we stayed in another hotel a few blocks away for the same price, but stayed here when we returned to Merida. It was better a better value here. I would stay here again. PROs: GREAT value for the cheap price! The location was perfect - one block from Parque Santa Lucía, a lively area with shops, parks, and restaurants, about a 7 min walk north to the start of the main "*****" of Merida - Avenida Montejo, and an 8 min walk south to the Zocalo. Great day desk clerk! The night clerk was just kinda there. The decor was really cute. My friend and I stayed in the Hollywood room. The A/C worked well (even if it was loud) and there was also a large ceiling fan. The shower water was hot. There's no fridge or microwave in the room, but the desk clerk offered to keep my drink in the staff fridge. There's a microwave in a small common patio dining area with a few tables. There IS an elevator, but it's extremely small and slow. The lobby is small, but air conditioned. Bag storage. CONs: The room was not large, but it wasnt tiny, either. It was still comfortable for 2 people. The bathroom was small, but functional. The water pressure was low. No window, so the bathroom was hot and humid after showers. No sink counter space. Slippery shower tile. The "pool" is really just a small plunge/ standing pool that's located right in front of the small lobby. The room did smell a tad musty, but it was faint. I think it had as much to do with the A/C as the dusty velvet drapes. Our room window overlooked the "pool", so it was made of blurry glass for privacy, which was fine, but it did not open, so we could not get any air. It was hotter than Hades outside, so I doubt we would've opened it, anyway. We did open the curtains, though, because the room lighting was a bit dark, so I suppose the blurry glass was better than everyone in the lobby staring into our room. The closet was an alcove with a shelf. It was doable, but only for one large suitcase, really. The beds were hard, but typical for Mexico. It's located on a side street and there isn't any parking. But guests can park at the public lot a block away and the hotel validates the parking. **The garage is NOT 24/7, but the receptionist can go unlock the garage door for you after hours. ***HOWEVER, keep in mind the entire street is blocked off (and enforced by police presence) on Sundays for bicycles, so it was very difficult for us to get the car that day. Plan accordingly.