This article is from the February 2002 The Mexico File newsletter.
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Bargain Lodging in Colonial Mexico at Meson de la Plata

by Sid Grosvenor 

Sid Grosvenor is a frequent contributor to the Mexico File and is currently living in Chapala.  

Living in Guadalajara, Mexico, and visiting my family on holidays and special occasions in East Texas, I find myself making the two and a half day road trip of approximately 1,000 miles several times a year.  

Part of the fun of traveling for me is finding nice, but inexpensive, lodging and restaurants along the way. My latest find is Hotel Meson de la Plata (Silver Inn) (tel. 845 4357) in Jerez, Zacatecas, Mexico. It is located on Highway 23 on the south edge of Jerez on the right (west) as you head south toward Guadalajara. The attractive bright yellow stucco building with red brick accents around the doors and windows is easy to find. 

The spotlessly clean rooms are not overly large, but adequate (approximately 11 by 13 feet) with a dresser, double bed, end tables, a small color satellite TV, closet and two straight backed chairs. My room had a handcarved wooden bed and blond natural wood furniture. 

My bath was tile with a manmade marble vanity, a pretty arched window, and it came equipped with two very large towels. 

The manager, Jana Garcia, is short in stature at just over 4 feet, but long on hospitality.  However, no English is spoken here. The prices, though, all displayed on a sign in the office, speak for themselves. A single is only 160 pesos ($16.30US) and a double is 180 pesos ($19.56); and these prices include the tax.