Ventajas: The room was small, but used the space very efficiently. There was also a patio space with a beautiful view of the sea. The paint and decor was unique and beautiful, and everything was well maintained. The shower went into a drain in the bathroom floor, rather than taking up a separate space, but everything dried quickly in the coastal desert climate. I had to run the water for quite a while before it got warm, but once it did, it was plenty hot for my shower. This might mean an energy efficient heater with a switch, or a tankless system. I didn't ask. But LED lighting and solar panels suggest a commitment to environmental friendliness and efficiency.
The owner was polite and friendly, and although he was not always in the office, we were able to keep in touch by text message. We got lost, and he stayed quite late waiting for us, and was very kind and polite about it. He made sure we knew that GPS might not get us there, and suggested printing a map from Google. This is important! The street names change frequently, and signs are not always accurate or even present. The hotel is right across fom the Plaza de Colosio in Old Port, next to an empty lot with "ocean view lot for sale" painted on a wall. I had to have a local show me the way the first time, but if you print out a map, you should have no problem.
The location is convenient to a tourist section of Old Port, with shopping, patio restaurants, pharmacies, bars, frequent live music, palm trees, seagulls, fresh seafood, and ocean views. The people nearby are friendly and helpful.
The WIFI was useful, since international data roaming can be quite expensive.
This was a great value for the money. It had everything we needed, and nothing we didn't.
Desventajas: Parking was listed as an amenity, but there isn't actually a parking lot. Street parking was available, and there is a gravel lot in the rubble of an abandoned building across the street. (Such abandoned structures are common in this part of Mexico, and do not indicate a bad neighborhood, as some Americans might fear.) So it is possible to park your car or truck nearby, but it's not what you might think from the description. Still, no one messed with our van there on the street, so it was fine.
It is a border town, so it is best avoided during Spring Break. Since my husband and I look young, street vendors offered to sell us illegal drugs, and tried to pursuade us to come to tequila bars. This is not a reflection on the hotel, of course, but on American tourists who have corrupted this place. Overall, it was a lovely vacation.
Navigating Puerto Penasco can be confusing, as street names change frequently, and signs are often incorrect or missing. Bring a map! And don't be afraid to ask for directions, even if you don't speak good Spanish. People here are generally friendly and glad to help, some for tips, many just out of genuine human kindness.
