$50–100

Consider the worthy and inviting 63-room Hotel Marina (Tehuántepec 112, tel. 958/587-0963 through -0968, fax 958/587-0830 hotelmarinaresort [at] yahoo [dot] com, www.hotelmarinaresort.com, $75 d), that perches on the east side of the Santa Cruz harbor-marina. Rooms are comfortable and deluxe, and come with phones, a/c, cable TV, bar, restaurant, inviting pool patio, parking; credit cards accepted.

Another attractive option is the renovated Hotel Marlin (Paseo Mitla 107, tel. 958/587-0055, toll-free Mex. tel. 800/712-7373, fax 958/587-0546, hmarlin [at] prodigy [dot] net [dot] mex, www.oaxaca-mio.com/ marlin.htm, $75 s or d), only two blocks from the beach. From street level, the small lobby leads to an appealingly intimate coral-hued inner pool patio and adjacent restaurant, enfolded by three stories of accommodations. Upstairs, the 29 rooms are thoughtfully decorated with colorful bedspreads, floor-length drapes, attractive, rustic tile floors, and deluxe modern-standard bathrooms. Rooms come with a/c, cable TV, phones, beach club, but no parking; credit cards accepted.

On the main Boulevard Santa Cruz, a block inland from the boat harbor, the popular long-time Hotel Castillo Huatulco (Blv. Santa Cruz 303, tel. 958/587-0135 or 958/587-0144, toll-free Mex. tel. 800/227-8489, fax 958/587-0131, ventas [at] hotelcastillohuatulco [dot] com, www.hotelcastillohuatulco.com, $78 d) offers a recommendable alternative. Its 106 white stucco and tile neo-colonial-motif rooms are deluxe, comfortable, and high-ceilinged. Amenities include, phone, cable TV, a/c, palmy pool patio, restaurant, beach club, parking; credit cards accepted. Ask for a discount, especially during times of low occupancy.

Three blocks west of the Santa Cruz harbor and beach stands the distinguished Hotel Meicer Binneguenda (Blv. Santa Cruz 201, tel./fax 958/587-0078, Mex. toll-free tel. 800/581-9996, binniguenda [at] prodigy [dot] net [dot] mx, www.meicerhotels.com, $95 s or d). Neocolonial arches, pastel stucco walls, and shiny copper and ceramics handicrafts decorate the interiors, while in the adjacent leafy patio guests sun themselves around the elaborate cascade pool. Upstairs, the colonial-chic rooms are spacious, comfortable, and equipped with phones, cable TV, a/c, modern-standard bathrooms, restaurant-bar and beach club. Rates for the approximately 140 rooms include parking; credit cards accepted. Request a discount package (paquete; pah-KAY-tay), especially during times of low occupancy.

(Note: During recent years, the Hotel Binneguends has been promoting all-inclusive group-rate packages during weekends and holidays. As a consequence, they close down their refined regular restaurant and serve mass buffets adjacent to the pool patio to crowds of tourists. Best ask if their regular (à la carte) restaurant will be open during your planned stay.)

© Bruce Whipperman from Moon Oaxaca, 5th edition