Fodor's Expert Review Mansión del Ángel

An 18th-century mansion build by a tobacco magnate, this 15-room boutique hotel is best for independent travelers who want to stay in a unique heritage hotel and don't need a lot of services. Reception is open but not manned 24 hours—you'll need to ring the bell to have the security gate opened when you come and go. The hotel is on a quiet street in a mostly commercial area, one block from Alameda Park and a 15–20 minute walk to centro historico (take a cab at night). The hotel has been lovingly maintained and has its original floors and crown molding. Rooms ooze Old World charm, kitted out as they are with heavy, dark wood furniture, Oriental rugs, thick drapes and, in some rooms, canopy beds. The hotel's common spaces, including the lovely garden where you can take the complimentary afternoon tea; allow for chatting with your fellow travelers.