Hotel Santa Fe

Puerto Escondido, long a favorite destination for surfers and those seeking a laid-back beach vacation, is far removed in mood from the upscale resort of Huatulco, a deluxe resort on the coast about 115 kilometers to the east. The beach at Puerto Escondido is very nice, punctuated with outcroppings of rocks that add interest to the long stretch of sand where snack bars and simple restaurants offer refreshment. Not fancy, yet very comfortable, with a prime location just across the road from the beach, the Hotel Santa Fe suits the casual air of the town. It exudes the traditional Mexican flavor with its peach-toned stucco building topped by a heavy red-tiled roof, accents of wrought-iron, arched walkways, staircases punctuated by colorful Talavera tiles, and inner garden courtyards ablaze with brilliant bougainvillea and palms. The guestrooms are on various levels of terraces that are joined by meandering, attractive tiled staircases. The simple rooms have wooden furniture and are decorated with Mexican-style fabrics. There are also a few bungalows that offer kitchenettes, but in our estimation, the regular bedrooms are more inviting. The attractive, palapa-style, open-air restaurant overlooks the beach. There are two swimming pools, each in its own well-kept garden courtyard, around which are placed comfortable lounge chairs shaded by palm trees.