Going to Monterry, Nuevo Leon April 1st for 3 nights. Anyone know of a 3-4 star hotel with updated rooms in a great area of the city?
Gracias

Check Fiesta Americana (there are few of them, check one that is near Macroplaza, I guess), HOtel Ancira, HOtel Ambassador (same area for the three)

Other nice area is San Pedro (may be more expensive) for Presidente Intercontinental and LUXURY Quinta Real.

I have used the Hotel Safi in Monterrey for many years--a really fine, locally owned hotel with personal management by the Safi family. Very centrally located but with beautiful grounds and pool area and both indoor and outdoor restaurants.
I highly recommend it over the chain hotels in Monterrey.

I don't think the Safe HOtel has the same location that the others close to the Macroplaza, I know that hotel, is good quality but not in a very good area to walk.

The Hotel Safi is not on the Macroplaza-
but didn't see that ss had requested only hotels in that area. I like the central location of the Safi--as well as easy parking, access to the transportation system , etc.
If a location closer to the center and Macroplaza is desired, I recommend the Doubletree Rio.

The Safi... hmmm... I think I saw that on my last trip in Monterrey... if I remember correctly it's near the corner of Pino Suarez and Morelos. Kind of the other end of the Zona Rosa from the Macroplaza, no, not far from the Alameda? I thought it wouldn't be a bad location for exploring the city by foot actually, maybe 10-15 minutes from the Macroplaza. I thought it was Best Western Safi though, but maybe I'm mistaken.

As for me, I have no idea what those 3-4 stars mean. I have a one place I stay now which is perfectly comfy and clean a few blocks north of the Palacio de Gobierno, but I doubt the rooms are updated.

Have a great time in Monterrey... I always do.

You are correct about the location of the Hotel Safi, Daniel. And, yes, he did used to be associated with Best Western but no longer. (I, for one, advised Mr. Safi that the Best Western name wasn't really helpful in creating a good image for a class hotel like his!) The service and the property itself are really excellent. I even like to eat in the restaurants--and rarely do I like hotel restaurants!
I think that no one really knows what 3 or 4 stars mean anymore--especially in Mexico. Many times they are set by tour operators and mean absolutely nothing!

Funny you mention hotel restaurants, as I like both that are attached to the two independent Mexican hotels I've stayed at. I too tend not to be a fan of (particularly of *chain*) hotel restaurants in my experience in the US/Canada; Mexico definitely seemed to have exceptions.

I thought I'd mention where I stayed, El Gran Paso Autel, corner of Martinez and Zaragoza, which oddly enough is not listed in any of the big-name travel guidebooks I've seen. Clean, comfy, friendly, good service, locally-operated, well-situated for exploring, I was perfectly content here. Again, don't know about those stars. I particularly liked the huevos rancheros at the attached restaurant.

In el DF, Maria Cristina also had an attached resto. I think one difference I noticed is that both restaurants were open to and attracted city residents, rather than being sterile and for guests only, like some hotel restaurants. Gave more of a flavor of being in Monterrey (or DF). I suspect Safi is similar?