6 Best Hotels in Guadalajara, Mexico

The dramatic glass facade of this high-rise faces the Minerva Fountain and Los Arcos monument. Four glass-enclosed elevators ascend dizzyingly above a 14-story atrium lobby to the guest rooms, which have dignified modern furnishings, small marble bathrooms with bathtub, and, for the most part, arresting views (Rooms 1211–17 have the absolute best). The lobby bar has live music every night. Executive-floor rooms come with continental breakfast and canapés in the lounge, and there's a fully equipped business center.

This AAA Four-Diamond award-winning hotel is located within Guadalajara’s World Trade Center and just across the street from Expo Guadalajara, the city’s convention center. Hilton Guadalajara offers 450 guest rooms, a two-level presidential suite, seven master suites, and four executive rooms. Even though this is a business-centered hotel, featuring nine meeting rooms and an auditorium, it’s also a great option for families as it boasts a heated outdoor pool, solarium, fitness center, spa, cantina-style restaurant, and buffet dining.

One of the newest and trendiest hotels in the city, Hotel Riu enjoys a great location just 1½ km (1 mile) away from the Gran Plaza shopping mall and 3 km (2 miles) from Expo Guadalajara. It’s definitely one of the best business hotels in town, with Wi-Fi access throughout the property, 16 conference rooms, two restaurants, and a lounge-bar, swimming pool, spa, and fitness center.

One block from Tlaquepaque's main plaza and shopping area, this B&B has rooms of varying sizes and degrees of natural light; suites are spacious and face out to the pool. There's remarkable tile work in the master suite. Hearty continental breakfasts—with fruit, cereal, toast, and sweet breads, plus juice and coffee—are served in an inner courtyard. Tasty pizzas are baked in the brick oven at the hotel's Mexican-Italian restaurant (closed Monday). If you stay three nights or more, they'll shuttle you to and from the airport or bus station.

Stone-and-brick walls, colonial arches, and objets d'art fill this luxury hotel's public areas. Suites are plush, though on the small side, with neocolonial-style furnishings, original art, and faux fireplaces. Master suites have separate seating areas with love seats and marble-top desks. For a bit more, the Grand Class suites have luxurious touches like round whirlpool tubs. The wood-floor gym is outfitted with the latest equipment and plasma-screen TVs.

Staying in this neighborhood full of restaurants and nightlife yet away from the gritty historic center might be just the ticket. The spacious rooms, hunting-lodge-like sitting area with fireplace, and candlelit, tree-shaded garden will make you want to book an extended stay. Private dinners in the garden can be arranged in advance and make for Guadalajara's most romantic dining.