Located in Palenque’s new-ish hotel zone in town (previously, most of the hotels were along the road to the Palenque ruins), the extremely affordable Hotel Chablis Palenque makes a great base for exploring the area whether you’re on your own or with a family.
Walking through the hotel’s large arched entryway on the street you are greeted by bellhops that will offer to carry your luggage and serve you a welcome drink. The hotel is painted a mellow yellow and its combination of indoor and outdoor spaces, balconies and patios and smooth stone outdoor passageways, give it a friendly and open feeling.
Check-in is quick and painless and you are quickly whisked off to your room. While not extravagant, rooms are spacious, clean, and cheery, with pops of color and fun, if a little bit cheesy, art on the wall. Many low-cost Mexican hotels tend to feel a bit shabby, but Hotel Chablis seems to take pride in its look and overall atmosphere.
Each room has a small outdoor balcony either facing the central patio or one of the outdoor passageways between buildings filled with palms and other tropical plants. All rooms are equipped with an iron and ironing board, a wide-screen TV, and travel-size toiletries, and either have two double beds or a single king-sized bed. The hotel-wide internet is complimentary and works really well throughout the hotel.
© Chablis Hotel
The hotel’s 15 rooms are divided into three buildings that surround a main central patio with a lovely swimming pool at its center and lounge chairs and outdoor tables with umbrellas beside it. Most of the hotel’s hustle and bustle is near the pool — logical as Palanque is hot year-round and the pool is a good place to end a day of exploring the town’s famous jungle ruins or other nearby attractions. There is 24-hour staff on duty to help with inquiries or reservations at the front desk and they saved me much time and effort as I grilled them on bus schedules and where to eat certain things in the area.
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Connected to the hotel is the Kinich Kan Balam restaurant which serves both guests and the public. For breakfast, they have a mix of international items like hot cakes or omelets as well as Mexican classics like chilaquiles, memelas, or emoladas. During the day they serve snacks like nachos, tacos, or chicken wings and have beer and other non-alcoholic drinks.
One of the hotel’s best assets is its proximity to so many of the hotel zone restaurants, but it is also within walking distance of places further into town, the bus station, and the various points from which depart the microbuses that transport tourists around the area.
Palenque has many inexpensive hotels to choose from, so I was happy to find that Hotel Chablis was at the same time affordable, and comfortable and that the service was excellent and friendly. If you are looking for an affordable place to stay in the center of Palenque I highly recommend it. Rooms run from 65usd to 85usd a night.
For updated rates check the hotel website or online at Hotels.com or Booking.com.
