Casamata Urban Suites

Casa Mata Urban Suites is a very small boutique-ish hotel situated in a non descript and discreet neighborhood adjacent to Morelia's corporate retail zone. The shopping mall is a 10 minute walk away. I stayed during the last weekend of February 2012. I gambled a bit because based on the location, I really did not know what to expect. Reservations were made via email correspondance and the response was prompt. Upon arrival, I was given a warm welcome by the manager/owner. Right away, she made check in easy and as a bonus, inadvertently acted as a concierge as well. All of the hotels particulars were clearly and concisely explained to me. Once given the keys, the room (the junior suite with king bed) was spacious, the decor was minimalist, but well chosen, and of course, clean. Bathroom toiletries were first rate. The window across from the bed gave a beautiful view of the rooftop patio. The lanscaping there is expertly done and had a calming effect. The check in area also acted as a juice/coffee/beer bar and beverages were available to be enjoyed in the patio in front of the hotel. In fact, I was quite surprised that the manager invited me one night to purchase some beers and enjoy them with her and her friends. This experience was a real treat. Interactions with hotel staff rarely go beyond the official and formal. Clearly, this was a good exception. The above night was indicative of my whole stay at Casa Mata. It was a less of a hotel experience and more of a stay with friends feeling. No aloof or intimidating hotel staff, just wonderful people who treat you like friends and help you have a good stay. The manager's english is acceptable and should not be a problem for any english speaker who prefers a more alternative urban experience in a major Mexican city like Morelia. I highly recommend this hotel to anyone and I'm looking forward to booking my next stay in Morelia again later this year. PS: This hotel is friendly to the young, hip, gay, straight, cultured, male, female, etc ad nauseum. The clientele is a great mix of contemporary minded Mexicans and the once in a while foreigner like myself.