Hotel Don Carmelo

[cookshow]

Last month I came across a new (to me anyway) hotel website, read their trip adviser reviews, then decided to send an email and check about staying at the place. I had a general idea where it was located but could not place it in my mind.

Their big selling point besides price was free airport shuttle.

Received a quick e-mail response from the Manager Henry (I am assuming his family owns the place). Henry speaks perfect English and seems to be a really nice guy. Made a reservation.

Showed up to the hotel by cab from the Bus station as I had been in Granada, the driver had no problem finding the place with the directions I had copied off the web site. The room was as described, clean, small, a/c. With IVA it was approx $35nt. Henry asked my flight info and we determined I should leave about 4:45am. I was up but about 4:30 an employee came to knock on my door to make sure I was up asked if I wanted to eat, I opted for coffee (free breakfast is included in the room price). Was surprised that there was also a group of 6 headed to the airport with me, they were going to the Island on the early flight. They had one of those small minivans but Henry also had an SUV for the overflow.

Before I checked out I made a reservation for my return. Few days before my arrival I e-mailed Henry with my flight info and reconfirmed the reservation, again I got a quick response from him. Upon arrival Henry was there with a sign and in my absence he had added a nice new Toyota shuttle bus to his fleet. Different room, again no issues.

The place is clean, nice, secure, the neighborhood looks a little rough around the edges but so does the majority of MGA. I walked 3 blocks in all directions and never felt unsafe, a newbie might be a little nervous but once you look around you see a pulperia on almost every block and a few other various businesses scattered about, just a typical neighborhood. One small issue for me at least was that there is nowhere nearby to eat, probably at night you can find some street food but I did not investigate it. Metrocenter, Plaza Intur, or Brllo Horizonte are all just a short cab ride away. There is also a Pali a few blocks from the hotel.

I had read the reviews on Trip Advisor and knew about the "odd" bathrooms. I am not sure if they built this building or retrofitted it but if they used an architect I hope they got a refund from him. I was in the smallest (cheapest) rooms and these seem to be the ones with an issue, the bathrooms are SMALL (along the lines of a small boat head) and poorly laid out to boot. You can brush your teeth over the sink while sitting on the toilet, one thing you cannot do if sitting on the toilet is shut the bathroom door. No hot water in the rooms I stayed, no big deal to me but for some it may be an issue. Overall it was one of those quirks you get when you are trying to save a few bucks on lodging.

I give the place 2 thumbs up and would not hesitate to recommend it, just be aware of the bathrooms, if you are tall or wide they may pose an issue.

http://www.doncarmelohotel.com

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...epartment.html

[kwah2249]

Nice review and looks like most visitors on Trip Advisor feel the same. Who knew it could get any better than the Altimira? Just bookmarked, Thanks.

[cookshow]

The one thing that Alta Mira does have going for it is location, only a mile from the airport, and of course it is $16nt, but like all things you get what you pay for, it is a "little" rustico. Plus you have to like the convenience of being able to rent a room in 3 hour increments.

[cookshow]

Recently stayed at the Don Carmelo again before departing and upon arriving. Picked me upon arrival from the Coast, took me to the airport the next day at 10:30pm, picked me up 2 weeks later at 1am, and took me back to the airport to fly to the Coast, all included in the room price. They also take people to bus stations, etc. For 3nts stay I got 4 rides to/from the airport, 3 of the rides at crazy hours, that really offsets the $35nt. The place is about 10-15 minutes West of the airport.

[MizBrown]

La Estrella is more expensive than that ($50ish), sounds better, but doesn't do free airport shuttle at all hours (circa $10 one way if I remember correctly). Trip Advisor info here: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...epartment.html . Don Carmelo sounds like something to check out for next time.

[cookshow]

$50 + taxi rides, better off to stay at Las Mercedes. You can get a room there for $65nt, but there is a trick to it. I think their published rate is closer to $100. The rooms are so so, sometimes you get lucky and get a good one. The location is impossible to beat.

[billbudsocket]

I've stayed there several times since cookshow recommended it here, and the price can't be beat with them driving guests to and from the airport/bus station/whatever. The rooms are quite small but the place is very clean and the staff are really helpful.

[vinyljunkie77003]

I beat there price. I rent out rooms in my place. 10-25 dollars per person, or less if you are just crashing for a few hours, depending on what kind of room. I got air conditioning available, a swimming pool, private bathrooms, a full kitchen, hammocks, etc.
Plus ill do airport pickup for 5 bucks (8 if its the middle of the night).

I know its a bit spammy to post that here....just saying those prices and places can be beat!

[Little Corn Tom]

How far from the airport and please post pics?

[vinyljunkie77003]

maybe 10 minutes from the airport. 15 if you are in heavy traffic. only two roads, go down carretera norte until you hit the road to metrocentro, and head towards metrocentro. A little before before you hit Rotunda Cristo Rey (the road to altamira) will be my place.

i dont have pictures or a website for it since im not a legit full time hotel or anything. But i do have a craigslist posting with pictures.

http://managua.craigslist.org/vac/4591601999.html

[bill_bly_ca]

Nice little pool..

[Little Corn Tom]

Looks nice!

[MizBrown]

$50 + taxi rides, better off to stay at Las Mercedes. You can get a room there for $65nt, but there is a trick to it. I think their published rate is closer to $100. The rooms are so so, sometimes you get lucky and get a good one. The location is impossible to beat.

I've gotten the senior discount there and, yeah, it's hard to beat for location. The time I stayed at El Estrella, Las Mercedes was full.