City Express by Marriott La Paz is a straightforward, well-reviewed chain hotel on the Pichilingue road in the Lomas de Palmira area, with 124 rooms and the dependable inclusions that make this brand popular with business travellers and families alike. A free buffet breakfast is served each morning, free self parking is available, Wi-Fi is free, and rooms are air-conditioned with a choice of two double beds, a queen bed or a king bed with a sofa bed for a third guest. There is an outdoor pool open through the day and evening and a gym for guests who like to keep a routine. Guests rate it very well for location, staff and cleanliness, which is a good sign for a hotel that mostly attracts repeat travellers.
Location and getting around
The hotel is on the coastal road that leads toward Pichilingue and Balandra, which is a real advantage if your plans centre on boat departures, Playa Balandra and the Espiritu Santo trips. The Malecón is about a two-minute drive, the El Coromuel beach is around a twelve-minute walk, and the airport is a half-hour drive, so a taxi or rental car is part of the plan.
Free parking makes a rental car easy, and the road is simple to drive. Tour operators can collect from the hotel, and the front desk can help with timings for early boats.
What the stay is like
Quiet, tidy and efficient. Breakfast opens early on weekdays, which helps with dawn departures, and a little later at weekends. The pool is available from morning until early evening, and the gym gives you a way to stretch after long days on boats.
Rooms are practical, with compact layouts, and are best seen as a comfortable place to sleep between adventures rather than somewhere to spend the day. There are fewer walkable restaurants than in the historic center, so plan dinners with a taxi or a short drive to the Malecón.
Who it suits and good to know: families, groups of friends and business visitors who want a predictable chain stay with breakfast and parking included, and travellers who prefer the Pichilingue road to a crowded center. It is less suited to guests who want to walk to the Malecón nightlife or who want a boutique atmosphere. Check-in begins in the afternoon and runs to midnight, with no after-hours check-in, and check-out is before one in the afternoon.
Pets are not allowed, though service animals are welcome. Minimum check-in age is eighteen. Rates are usually friendly, but whale shark and whale-watching seasons and holiday weeks fill the town, so book ahead and check the cancellation terms for your chosen rate when you reserve.
Why stay here
- ✓Outdoor pool
- ✓Gym
- ✓Free breakfast buffet
- ✓Free self parking
- ✓Free Wi-Fi
- ✓Air conditioning
- ✓Rooms for up to four guests
- ✓Two minutes by car to the Malecón
Good questions
Is breakfast included?+
A free buffet breakfast is served each morning, opening earlier on weekdays. Check what your rate includes when you book.
Can I walk to the Malecón?+
It is a short drive rather than a walk, about two minutes by car or taxi.
Is parking free?+
Yes, free self parking is available, which is handy if you are driving to Balandra.
