Lonely Planet Review

A prestige hotel in the past, the Virreyes was revived as the flagship residence for the 'cultural zone' as part of the ambitious makeover of the Historic Center, and has quite naturally morphed into a hostel/student residence. Dorms are spacious, facilities are user-friendly and the lobby lounge hosts hip events.

Located on the southwest edge of the Centro Histórico, near one of the city's busiest intersections, the classic tezontle stone structure is at the core of the working megalopolis. Dorms occupy the second floor, private rooms are on the sixth, and student accommodations occupy the floors in between. Dorms provide plenty of breathing room for a half-dozen occupants and have proportionately large bathrooms done up in Talavera tile. Private rooms are also spacious, with balconies overlooking the traffic - though the furniture appears to have been fished out of thrift stores. The lobby lounge sports some of the old hotel's original elements, with curved sofas around fat columns and a classic reception desk. This space serves as a cinema and occasional live music venue, as well as a wireless hotspot. The retro-fitted restaurant serves a decent comida corrida (set lunch).