This WAS a very goog choice for Mexico City. Value for money. Not anymore. It's getting worst everytime. Last week I was there. Lots of noise in the room, bathroom was NOT clean, some things did not work and some others were broken. I had already started to notice these problems in my last visits, but they've really got worst in a short period of time. But the most unconceivable of all was what happened Sunday morning. Light in the bathroom was gone, I had to do everything in the dark (shower, etc). Nobody able to help. It remained like that until check out, but what a wonderful surprise! The hotel lobby, which is huge, was also in the darkness, and nobody seemed to care! It'd been like that for hours (I learned that later), so I checked out in the darkness, which felt like a joke, a big big disapointment, specially when I asked the person who was attending me -what was happening??? And she said, as naturally as possible, we're having the power plant beign fixed. And that was all, not a smile, not an apology, nothing! Can you believe it? This hotel, which is supposed to be one of the best hotels in the city, has now that face, the face of mediocrity and rudeness.

I just spent six nights at the Camino Real. Architecture buffs will enjoy Ricardo Legorreta's masterful design with vivid colors. The Blue Lounge, a bar floating on water, is a wonderful experience. My room on the fifth floor with the excutive lounge was lovely except that the windows did not keep out pool noise. This was annoying when I had to listen to a very loud Sat. night wedding ceremony the night before my early departure. Still, however, poolside rooms with balconies seem to be the best choices. The only restaurant I tried was the Spanish one. Several of the other restaurants are pricy chains. I'd recommend trying places in the area instead. The location is terrific. Right across from Chapultepec Park and several important museums. Chic shopping opportunities are nearby.

We booked 7 nights at the Camino Real and we were quite disappointed with our first impressions. Yes, the hotel is very dated with thick concrete walls which are painted in hideous colors...the effect does not work. However, the lobby is more modern with some trendy lighting and unique decorations...all under low ceilings. The room was just fine and comfortable and the bathroom was large. Indeed, lighting was not great...low lighting in the bathroom, and the lights by the beds were extemely hot. Our balcony was nice, but the window was not soundproof whatsoever and believe me the drivers certainly know how to blow their horns!!! IN addition, the street vendors use mega-phones and blast. "tomales, enchiladas, burritos" nonstop for hours. We also had problems with the keys and had to return to the front desk 5 times to have them reset. The pool was good. There was always plenty of lounge chairs and the water temperature was perfect. Also, the gardens were lovely! However the service at the pool was definitely slow. The hotel has many nicely decorated restaurants, although most are "American" except for Maria Bonita, a Mexican Restaruant which we enjoyed. Breakfast doesn't leave you with many options other than the large dining room, La Huerta. The buffet was about $23 and not included in the hotel price. Who can eat all that every day for 7 days? We ordered from the menu and it came to about $25 for two. The Token Bar offered coffee and pastries but no orange juice! Strange. Overall the hotel was fine, but I wouldn't stay there again mainly because of the location. Everything is at least a 10-15 minute walk. If you don't take a hotel taxi to dinner to get out, you are stuck in the hotel....for 7 nights, that's a bit much. One more thing, our internet was free! Leave it to a teenager to manage to find a way, but I overheard other guests stating the same.

Camino Real is in a beautiful building with very unique architecture and a very spacious lobby and conference space. However, it's not very practical as it is confusing to get around the enormous lobby. The concierge was surprisingly unhelpful and rude, and the cardkeys to the rooms were reset so often that one had to approach the reception desk several times a day to have the key reactivated. Because the hotel is so large this involved many 10 minute walks from the desk to the elevator, elevator to the room, and back again. There are several beautiful restaurants, and one that is open 24 hours, where the food is decent. However, it can be very noisy when the many business travelers who stay there congregate in the lobby and sound travels through all that marble space. Very interesting and artistic layout, especially the ocean-like fountain outside the front entrance. The cleaning staff and transportation staff were extremely helpful.