US$50–100

One of the best additions to San Pedro [1]’s hotel selection in recent years is Casa del Arbol (6 Av. between 2 and 3 Calles NO, tel. 504/504-1616, www.hotelcasadelarbol.com [2], US$81 s, US$99 d). Located in the heart of downtown, the 13-room hotel is a renovated wooden house copied from the banana plantations. A stone patio behind the house leads to more rooms that were built around a giant mango tree (arbol means tree, hence the name). Guest rooms have wood desks, chic linens, and classy Honduran artwork. Remarkable for a Honduran city hotel, significant efforts are being made to get green-certified, including solar panels to heat the water and run the lights, and low-flow toilets. A healthy breakfast buffet is included in the price.

The centrally located Hotel Ejecutivo (2 Calle at 10 Av. SO, tel. 504/552-4289, US$64 s, US$75 d) is a good choice for business travelers, with modern rooms with TV, air-conditioning, and a small table with two chairs, perfect for working or for a cup of coffee. Amenities include a gym and wireless Internet (the signal is best in the lobby), and the staff is friendly. Travelers checks are accepted here, as well as the usual cash and credit cards.

Oozing mod style is the nine-room Casa Guacamaya B&B (16 Calle SO, off Boulevard del Sur, tel. 504/556-8406, US$63 s, US$70 d), opposite the Copantl [3]. Rooms have white tile floors and white walls; bedding and chairs are in bright blues, reds, and greens. The furnishings are modern and hip, with flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, and wireless Internet. Breakfast is a simple buffet including juice, ham, cheese and toast. Note that American Express and MasterCard debit cards are not accepted.

Just down the road and another excellent value is Hotel La Cordillera (16 Calle SO, off Boulevard del Sur, tel. 504/516-0405, www.boutiquehotellacordillera.com [4], US$75 s, US$99 d). Rooms are elegant, decked out in cream and pale green with accents of carved mahogany, flat-screen TVs, wireless Internet, and air-conditioning. Breakfast is included in the rates, served in the lobby restaurant, and there is a nice outdoor bar as well. It’s a shame that the staff isn’t always as gracious as the setting.

Reminiscent of U.S. chains such as Amerisuites, the 13-room Suites del Valle (6 Av. NO at the corner with 11 Calle, tel. 504/552-0134, www.suitesdelvalle.com [5], US$65 s, US$79 d) is a good choice for those looking for a little more space. Each comfortable room has a tiled kitchen area with a sink, microwave, coffeemaker, and dining table, set off from the carpeted sleeping area. There is wireless Internet throughout the hotel, and two computers are available for guest use in a large sitting area off the lobby.

In Colonia Trejo, and actually adjacent to the City Mall [6], is the Apart-Hotel Monteverde (12 Calle B SO at the corner with 16 Av., tel. 504/556-6239, www.aparthotelmonteverde.blogspot.com [7], hotelmonteverde76 [at] yahoo [dot] com, US$48 s, US$54 d). The rooms are better than the shabby hallways might lead you to believe, and they come with wireless Internet, a fridge, and a sink as well as the standard amenities. Some rooms have king-sized beds, and if you want a small stove and dishes, they’re happy to bring them in. Conveniently, there is a laundromat in the same building.