

There's a selection of pizza and pasta joints, upmarket Mexican restaurants, small cafés and juice bars all within walking distance. When dinner time rolls around you'll have no issue satisfying grumbling stomachs. The menu features staples like granola, paninis and salads, as well as the occasional Mexican-inspired twist on a classic, like beans and avocado on grilled jalapeno bread. She uses some of the same ideas here, serving up simple home-style breakfasts and light lunches, unpretentiously plated and very reasonably priced. The cheap-and-cheerful restaurant is run by Joanne, who used to manage her own café in Toronto specialising in Peruvian dishes. But with WiFi in all rooms, Flor de Maria has kept up its modern side too. These, and the traditional hand-woven multicoloured bedcovers from Oaxaca, give the place a faded charm reminiscent of days past.

When owners Paul and Joanne bought the hotel more than a decade ago they kept the previous owner’s flower and animal paintings, which adorn doors and walls, as well as the large mural in the restaurant. All have overhead ceiling fans (there’s no air conditioning at the hotel) and showers with piping hot water purified drinking water is available on each floor. Some of the slightly larger corner rooms have sea views. Our room had glass doors that opened onto a tiny balcony overlooking the street other rooms lead directly onto the plant-filled inner courtyard or the roof terrace. They're clean and comfortable but rather basic - no TV and just one bedside table and reading lamp. All of the rooms have 2 double beds, which will suit both couples and friends travelling together.
