Hotel Plaza Real La Paz is a no-frills downtown hotel on Carlos M. Esquerro in the central commercial zone, a two-minute walk from the Malecón and the seafront kiosk. For travellers who plan to spend their days on boat trips to Espiritu Santo, at Balandra or on a whale shark outing, that location is the point: you sleep close to the water, walk to dinner and sunset, and keep your budget for the excursions. The hotel has three room types, including a Family Room with two bedrooms and four double beds that sleeps up to eight, and Basic Rooms for three or four guests, so groups and families can share one space at a modest price. Rooms have balconies and air conditioning, free Wi-Fi is included, and a restaurant, bar, coffee shop and snack bar are on site.
Location and getting around
The Malecón is about two minutes on foot, which makes the seafront promenade, ice cream shops, tacos and sculptures part of your daily routine. The marina is roughly seventeen minutes away on foot, and the airport is about twenty minutes by car. Tour operators run pick-ups from central hotels, and taxis are easy to find for Balandra, Pichilingue and the whale shark departures.
Parking is offsite for a nightly fee, so if you are driving the peninsula, ask the hotel where to leave the car. There is no elevator, so tell the hotel in advance if stairs are a problem.
What the stay is like
Practical and friendly rather than polished. Cooked-to-order breakfast is served through the morning for a fee, so decide whether to add it or head to a cafe on the seafront. The 24-hour front desk helps with late arrivals, a cash machine is on site and housekeeping runs daily. There is no pool or gym, so plan to cool off at the beach or on the boat. Ask for a room with a balcony and away from the street if you want quiet, because the center can be lively at weekends.
Who it suits and good to know: budget travellers, families and groups who need beds for several people, and divers or snorkellers who rise early and return tired. It is less suited to guests who want resort facilities, a polished lobby or a view of the bay. Guest scores are decent rather than high, so read recent comments on room condition and noise before choosing a category.
Check-in is in the early afternoon and check-out is before noon, with a fee for late check-out. Minimum check-in age is eighteen, and pets are not allowed. Rates rise in winter and holiday weeks, when whale shark and whale-watching seasons fill the town, so book early and check the cancellation terms for your chosen rate when you reserve.
Why stay here
- ✓Two minutes to the Malecón
- ✓Restaurant and bar
- ✓Coffee shop and snack bar
- ✓Free Wi-Fi
- ✓Air conditioning
- ✓Balconies
- ✓24-hour front desk
- ✓Family rooms for up to eight
Good questions
How far is Hotel Plaza Real from the Malecón?+
About a two-minute walk, so the seafront promenade is part of your daily routine.
Is there a pool?+
No, there is no pool or gym. The hotel has a restaurant, bar and coffee shop, and the beaches and boats are the main attractions.
Is breakfast included?+
Cooked-to-order breakfast is available for a fee, so check what your rate includes when you book.
