Chihuahua's BEST Hotel? Western Plus Juventud Review!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into the world of the Western Plus Juventud in Chihuahua, Mexico. Forget those pristine, perfectly-polished reviews – this is the REAL DEAL. My Chihuahua adventure was… well, let's just say it was character-building. And the Juventud was a major player in that experience.
First Impressions & Arrival: The Good, the Slightly Confusing, and the Totally Unexpected…
Finding the Juventud was a breeze, thankfully. It's smack-dab in the city, not too far from the action, in a relatively accessible area. Accessibility wise (because you know, important), it looked pretty good from the outside. Elevators? Check. Ramps? Probably, couldn't see a glaring absence! The entrance was wide, and the front desk staff seemed friendly, but I’m not exactly expert in accessibility, so I can't give a definitive thumbs up or down. But it looked promising.
Check-in? Smooth. Contactless, even! Score! (Though I always secretly enjoy human interaction, but hey, I'm adapting.) Contactless check-in/out is definitely a plus in the current climate. They whisked me through, and the staff trained in safety protocol was clear from the get-go. They were all masked, and the whole place felt… clean. Maybe too clean? I mean, even the air in the lobby seemed to have been professionally sanitized. Talk about professional-grade sanitizing services! They have hand sanitizer stations everywhere. Like, you can't swing a cat (not that I would) without hitting one. Which, actually, makes me feel pretty darn safe.
But here's where things get a little "Chihuahua." The lobby had a certain… austerity. It wasn't unwelcoming, mind you, just… business-y. A far cry from a lush, welcoming resort. But hey, I wasn't there for fluff, I was there to explore. And hopefully, sleep!
The Room: A Haven of Comfort (Mostly)
Alright, let's get down to brass tacks: the actual room. I booked a standard room, and it was… well, it was good. Clean as a whistle. Seriously. Like, surgical theatre clean. Rooms sanitized between stays? Absolutely. Air conditioning? Yep, and it blasted cold air like it was its job (which, I suppose, it was).
- Comfort & Amenities: The bed was… well, it was fine. Not the cloud-like sensation you dream of, but perfectly adequate. The pillows could have been fluffier, but I’m picky. The extra long bed was much appreciated, being taller than average. The blackout curtains were a godsend after a long day, and the soundproofing was excellent. I barely heard a peep from the street, which is a feat in a bustling city. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Yep, and it worked flawlessly. Speed was excellent. The Internet access – wireless was a solid connection. Internet access – LAN, I didn't test. Complimentary tea and coffee maker are always welcome. The hair dryer was a lifesaver and the ironing facilities were a win. The desk was perfect for catching up on work. I was truly thankful for the air conditioning.
- Annoyances: The only thing I’ll complain about? The TV selection felt a tad… limited. Again, I wasn’t there to watch telly, but sometimes you just need some mindless entertainment, you know?
- Other Room Perks: Refrigerator, in-room safe box, and free bottled water. Score!
Bathroom Bliss (and the Occasional Minor Hiccup)
The bathroom was also spotless. The shower had good water pressure, and the towels were fluffy. They provided all the standard toiletries. Now, here’s a confession: I’m one of those people. I love a good bath. I was delighted to see a bathtub. But there wasn't any bubble bath. Sigh. Another minor, First World problem I had while staying there.
Food & Drink: A Mixed Bag, Honestly
Okay, let's talk sustenance. The Juventud boasts a few options:
- The Restaurant: The restaurant at the Juventud felt like what you'd expect from a business hotel. They had a full breakfast buffet with a spread of Western cuisine, Asian breakfast, and International cuisine. They had A la carte and I loved the Coffee/tea in restaurant and coffee shop. The service was efficient - but not exceptionally friendly - and the food was…okay. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't particularly memorable either. Standard fare. I did appreciate the alternative meal arrangement option.
- The Bar: They have a bar which also included a poolside bar. Honestly, I didn't spend much time there. It wasn't exactly raucous, again, a bit business-y, but I did enjoy the bottle of water.
- Other Eating Options: Room service? 24-hour! Good to know. I didn't test it, but it's reassuring to have that option. They also included a snack bar, desserts in restaurant, and salad in restaurant.
- Missing: I didn't see a vegetarian restaurant or soup in restaurant. They don't seem to have a happy hour.
- The Good Stuff: Breakfast takeaway service and individually-wrapped food options were a nice touch, especially with all the COVID-19 protocols they have in place. Safe dining setup was evident and I was glad.
- My Experience: Now, here’s the kicker. I did one the first day. I’ll confess. I was incredibly hung over. And I really just wanted a big greasy breakfast. I ordered room service. It was reasonably quick. They forgot my coffee, but, honestly, I was so miserable, I didn't even complain. The food was… again, adequate. But that coffee? Man… still haunts me.
Relaxation & Things To Do: The Spa, the Gym, and the Pool with a View (and the Lack Thereof)
So this is where the Juventud could be better.
- The Gym/Fitness: Fitness center? Yep. I didn't go. I'm on vacation.
- The Spa: Oh the spa. I have to admit, I was slightly lured in by the word “spa.” I was hoping for some decent pampering. This is the one thing I would have to say, was truly disappointing. The spa/sauna was closed. No massage. I asked, and they politely told me they were currently unavailable. I didn't see much in the way of body scrub, body wrap, steamroom, or foot bath.
- The Pool: Now, the swimming pool was outdoor, and it did not have a pool with view. I'm a pool fanatic. I like pools. But this felt like a little more than a bathtub. More like a municipal pool. My search for relaxation was a bust.
Cleanliness, Safety, & COVID-19 Protocols: A Shining Example
This is where the Juventud truly excels. Seriously, I was impressed.
- The List: Anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection in common areas, hand sanitizer everywhere, hygiene certification, individually-wrapped food options, physical distancing of at least 1 meter, professional-grade sanitizing services, rooms sanitized between stays, safe dining setup, sterilized kitchen and tableware items, staff trained in safety protocol, and sterilizing equipment.
- My Experience: They took it seriously. More seriously than any other hotel I’ve visited in recent memory. Which, honestly, put my mind at ease. I felt safe. And for that, I give them a huge thumbs up. Cashless payment service was super convenient as well.
- Other Safety Stuff: They had a fire extinguisher, smoke alarms and smoke detectors, as well as CCTV in common areas and security [24-hour].
Services & Conveniences: All the Basics (and Then Some)
- The Essentials: Daily housekeeping, laundry service, dry cleaning, concierge, elevator, and a convenience store. All there, all working.
- Business Stuff: The hotel has meeting/banquet facilities, meetings, and seminars. You can even host special audio-visual equipment for special events, or even use Wi-Fi for special events. Plus, they have a business center, complete with a Xerox/fax service.
- Other Conveniences: Currency exchange, luggage storage, and safety deposit boxes are all available.
- Lacking: They don't have babysitting services or even a family/child friendly environment for those with kids. They have a gift/souvenir shop
Alright, buckle up buttercup, because this ain't your grandma's travel itinerary. We're diving headfirst into the glorious, chaotic mess that is a trip to Chihuahua, Mexico, centered around the Best Western Plus Chihuahua Juventud. Consider this less a schedule and more… a general direction with a whole lotta detours.
Day 1: Arrival - Are We Even in Mexico?! (And Jet Lag, Oh God, the Jet Lag)
- Morning (or when my eyeballs deign to open): Land in Chihuahua. The airport? Let's just say it's seen better days, but hey, character, right? Passport control was a blur of stern-faced guards and my increasingly frantic attempts to remember if I switched my phone to airplane mode. Success! (I think…)
- Afternoon: Taxi to the Best Western Plus. The drive? A chaotic symphony of honking, stray dogs, and storefronts that looked like they'd been ripped straight out of a spaghetti western. First impression: this place is… alive. The front desk at the hotel? Super friendly, which immediately soothed my frayed nerves. Room check-in. Finally! Ah, the sweet embrace of air conditioning. And… a slight, yet unavoidable, musty smell. Classic. But hey, at least the bed looked inviting. I collapsed.
- Evening: Dinner! Found a little taco joint a few blocks from the hotel. This is where things get interesting. Ordered two tacos "al pastor." The first bite? Heaven. Perfectly seasoned pork, pineapple chunks, all nestled in a warm tortilla. The second? A rogue chili pepper. My mouth ignited. Tears streamed down my face. I looked like I was breaking up with my dinner. The waiter just chuckled. (He probably sees it all the time.) Lesson learned: always ask about the chili levels. Capped off the night with a lukewarm Mexican beer. Perfect ending to a imperfect day.
Day 2: The Heart of Chihuahua (And Possibly My Stomach)
- Morning: Coffee from the hotel's complimentary breakfast. "Complimentary" is a generous term. Let's just say it's functional. Started with a visit to the Casa de Gobierno. Whoa. Massive murals telling the history. It's like stepping into a vibrant, slightly overwhelming history book. I tried to focus on their vibrant color palette.
- Late Morning: Stroll through the Plaza de Armas. This is where the city breathes. The Cathedral is pretty impressive, but I'm more taken with the people. A guy selling balloons shaped like cartoon characters, a kid with an ice cream cone bigger than his head, a couple just laughing on a bench… it feels real and authentic. I just sat down and people-watched for an hour.
- Afternoon: The Cheech & Chong Experience! (No, Seriously) I spent the afternoon at the Quinta Gameros, an Art Nouveau mansion. I'm usually a sucker for this kind of architecture. But it was the tour guide who really made it. He was this tiny, energetic man with a handlebar mustache and a voice that sounded like he'd swallowed a frog in the best way possible. He regaled us with stories of the mansion's original inhabitants, whispered tales of hidden passages, and, at one point, swore he saw a ghost. The tour ended with him insisting we try the local sweets, which were suspiciously green and tasted vaguely of… something. I won't say what. Let’s just say they were a "unique" culinary experience. Worth every penny. (And every subsequent, slightly queasy feeling.).
- Evening: Dinner at a restaurant that was recommended by the hotel, La Casona. It had a romantic courtyard and the food was supposed to be amazing. It was amazing. They had a dish called "chile rellenos." Stuffed chilies. My stomach's been through a lot already, so I asked for a very mild sauce. What arrived. The mildest, yet, most flavorful sauce. I am so glad I tried it!
Day 3: Into the Wilderness (Or at Least, the Surrounding Area)
- Morning: I, stupidly, decided to take a bus to some canyon out in the desert. Packed a bottle of water (essential, I know) and a sandwich the color of cardboard. The bus! Oh, the bus. It was a rollicking, somewhat chaotic experience. The playlist consisted of non-stop, blaring mariachi music for three hours straight. At one point, a woman started singing along, full-throated and off-key. I loved it.
- Afternoon: Finally! The canyon. It was stunning. Like, jaw-droppingly, breath-takingly stunning. Red rocks, vast expanses, the sun beating down like… well, like the sun. Spent hours wandering around, feeling tiny and insignificant. Realized I'd forgotten sunscreen. (Pro tip: don't forget sunscreen.) Got a magnificent sunburn.
- Evening: Back to Chihuahua. Collapsed in my hotel room. Ordered room service, which was surprisingly good. The sunburn continued to burn. Watched some terrible American television that I didn't understand. Perfect.
Day 4: Farewell, Chihuahua (Or, How I Survived)
- Morning: Final breakfast at the hotel. I’m starting to view the complimentary coffee as a kind of personal insult. Spent an hour wandering aimlessly in the local market. The sheer vibrancy of the place. The smells, the sounds, the haggling… I bought some weird trinkets. I have no idea what they are. I love them.
- Afternoon: Last-minute souvenir shopping. Bought a sombrero the size of a small car. The sheer impracticality of it makes me smile.
- Evening: Taxi to the airport. The flight home. My skin still burns. My stomach has completely recovered. Would I go back? Absolutely. It was messy, imperfect, and utterly unforgettable. Chihuahua, you glorious, chaotic, chili-pepper-fueled wonder, I'll be back.
Okay, spill the beans! Is the Western Plus Juventud Hotel in Chihuahua ACTUALLY good? Or is it all just… advertising fluff?
Alright, alright, settle down, you eager beavers! Let's get REAL. The Juventud? It's a mixed bag, like a Christmas stocking stuffed with coal *and* a winning lottery ticket. Some parts are genuinely delightful, like stumbling upon a hidden oasis in the desert. Other bits... well, let's just say they're more like finding a single, slightly bruised grape at the bottom of that stocking.
Look, I've stayed there. Twice. Once for a quick business trip (the "sensible" me), and then again, dragging my entire family along on a road trip (the "completely bonkers, vacation-loving" me). That should tell you *something*. It wasn't a complete disaster, or I wouldn't have risked a second round with the fam.
What's the deal with the rooms? Are they clean? Actually, *are* they clean?!
Alright, the Room Situation. This is where things get a *little* dicey, my friends. "Clean" in the context of a hotel can mean a lot of things, right? Let’s just say, on my first trip, the cleanliness was... serviceable. Like, "I probably won't get leprosy" clean. The second time? Let's just say my wife, the *queen* of cleanliness, did a quick, highly critical inspection with a Lysol wipe. She found a few… *things.* A stray hair or two in the bathroom, a questionable stain on the carpet (I *swear* it wasn’t me!), and a suspicious crumb or two on the nightstand.
But here's the thing: it wasn't *atrocious*. It wasn't a biohazard. Honestly, for a hotel in that price range, and considering the amount of foot traffic, I've seen MUCH worse. Still, pack those wipes. Just in case. And maybe some extra hand sanitizer. Seriously.
The breakfast buffet... Is it even worth getting out of bed for?
The breakfast buffet… Ah, the breakfast buffet. This is where the Juventud *sometimes* shines. And other times… Well, you might wanna grab a granola bar from the mini-mart on the way.
The good days? They're GOLDEN. Think fresh fruit, steaming chilaquiles, fluffy scrambled eggs, and truly decent coffee. I had a breakfast burrito there *once* that I still dream about. Pure, unadulterated joy.
The *other* days? Let's just say the eggs were a little… rubbery. That batch of bacon was closer to jerky than crispy. And the coffee? Bless its heart, it was trying. Honestly, it’s a roll of the dice, folks. Go with low expectations, and you might be pleasantly surprised. If you're a breakfast snob, maybe skip it and hit up a local cafe instead. I hear good things about "Café Paraíso," but don't quote me on that. I’m still scarred from the rubber eggs.
What about the staff? Are they friendly? Or are they just going through the motions?
Ah, the staff. Another area where things are… variable. Some staff members are absolutely lovely—incredibly helpful, genuinely friendly, and go out of their way to assist. I remember one particularly helpful bellhop who hauled our mountain of luggage up to our room with a smile, even after I nearly tripped and spilled coffee all over him. (I felt terrible!)
Then there are the others… the ones who seem like they’ve been working a double shift since the dawn of time and maybe not had breakfast. The ones who look at you like you're interrupting a top-secret meeting of the world's grumpiest cats. It’s a mixed bag. But hey, that's life, right?
I always try to be polite and overly cheerful with everyone. Sometimes it works, and you get the kind of service that makes you want to hug everyone. Other times… Well, at least I can pat myself on the back for trying. Honestly, be nice, be patient, and hope for the best. And tip well! It goes a long way.
Okay, the pool. Is it a redeeming feature or a giant disappointment? I need the REAL scoop.
Alright, buckle up, Buttercup, because we’re diving into the POOL. This is where the Juventud really… well, it's complicated. The pool itself *looks* lovely in the photos, right? Sparkling turquoise, inviting lounge chairs, a little oasis in the desert. And it *can* be… sometimes.
The first time, the pool was a delight! I swear I spent half the day floating around, sipping a beer (brought my own, because the bar was… hit or miss), and pretending I was on a proper vacation. The kids splashed around, I got a little sun, and everything was peachy. It was a *moment*. A genuine, unadulterated moment of hotel bliss.
The *second* time? Oh, the second time… (deep breath). The pool *looked* like it had been recently visited by a swamp monster. There was a suspicious green tinge to the water, some questionable debris floating around, and a distinct lack of… cleanliness. My kids took one look and flat out refused to go in. My wife, bless her heart, inspected the pool, with a look of utter dismay plastered on her face. It was so bad, I swear she starting muttering about contacting health inspectors.
But get this: The bar was closed, because... reasons. And there was a general air of "well, it's a pool, it's *there*" about the whole experience. It was just… disappointing. Massively. It was like finding out your favorite ice cream flavor was secretly broccoli flavored. So what’s the verdict? It’s a gamble, friends. A water-filled, chlorine-laced gamble. If you're lucky, you'll have a great time. If you're not... well, maybe bring a good book, some eye drops, and a healthy dose of optimism. Maybe the next time, it’ll be a sparkling oasis again. Maybe. I guess. *Sigh*. The pool… It's the Juventud's ultimate enigma.
But get this: The bar was closed, because... reasons. And there was a general air of "well, it's a pool, it's *there*" about the whole experience. It was just… disappointing. Massively. It was like finding out your favorite ice cream flavor was secretly broccoli flavored. So what’s the verdict? It’s a gamble, friends. A water-filled, chlorine-laced gamble. If you're lucky, you'll have a great time. If you're not... well, maybe bring a good book, some eye drops, and a healthy dose of optimism. Maybe the next time, it’ll be a sparkling oasis again. Maybe. I guess. *Sigh*. The pool… It's the Juventud's ultimate enigma.
Is there anything FUN to do around the hotel? Or are you just stuck in the hotel bubble?
Okay, listen up! The Juventud itself isn't exactly a theme park. But, it's *relatively* central to things. You can walk to places, but be cautious. Check the area, and maybe grab a cab because you'd never have to drive.
Here's the real deal: Chihuahua isn't exactly Cancun. It's a city of culture and history, not necessarily beach parties. Research! Visit the cathedral, check out the museums, taste the local cuisine.
Would you recommend the Western Plus Juventud? The big question!
Ugh, the million-dollar question! Would I recommend it? That depends on *you*.
If you're a super-picky traveler who demands perfection and impeccable service, maybe… *maybe*…Globe Stay Finder
Best Western Plus Chihuahua Juventud Chihuahua Mexico
Best Western Plus Chihuahua Juventud Chihuahua Mexico
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