Grand Fiesta Americana Oaxaca: The Definitive Review [2024]

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Are you planning a trip and want to know if you should stay at Grand Fiesta Americana Oaxaca?

Finding a hotel in Oaxaca is very difficult because there are literally hundreds to choose from.

While there are some great options out there, it’s important to choose the perfect hotel to ensure that your trip is everything that you want it to be.

The last thing that you want to do is choose a bad hotel and return home disappointed and frustrated.

To make sure that doesn’t happen, I’ve set out a comprehensive guide to the beautiful Grand Fiesta Americana Oaxaca so that you can find out everything that you need to know before making your decision.

Let’s dive right in.

*All images of Grand Fiesta Americana Oaxaca in this article are credited to Expedia.com*

Grand Fiesta Americana Oaxaca: The Definitive Review

Where is Grand Fiesta Americana Oaxaca?

Grand Fiesta Americana Oaxaca is a highly-rated 144-room luxury hotel situated in the historic center of Oaxaca City in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico.

If you aren’t familiar with Oaxaca, it’s a vibrant city in southern Mexico that is known for its rich cultural heritage and colorful traditions.

Probably the most famous of these is the Day of the Dead festival, which is held in Oaxaca each year from 31 October to 2 November.

Other attractions of the city include its countless beautiful colonial-era buildings that date back to the time of Spanish rule in Mexico during the 16th century.

And if that isn’t impressive enough, just a short drive outside the city you’ll find Zapotec ruins that are literally thousands of years old.

Let’s take a look now at how to get you to Grand Fiesta Americana Oaxaca.

Grand Fiesta Americana Oaxaca: The Definitive Review

How Do I Get To Grand Fiesta Americana Oaxaca?

Getting to Grand Fiesta Americana Oaxaca is a simple two step process.

The first step is to fly into Oaxaca International Airport (OAX). The second step is to book a private transfer, get a taxi or rent a car to drive to the hotel.

I’ve set out the steps you’ll need to take to get to Grand Fiesta Americana Oaxaca as simply and efficiently as possible.

Flying Into Oaxaca

To reach Grand Fiesta Americana Oaxaca, you’ll need to first fly into Oaxaca International Airport (OAX), which is around 5 miles from the hotel.

In North America, you can get a direct international flight from Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston or Los Angeles.

From elsewhere in the world, you’ll need to fly into Mexico and take a connecting flight. There are regular flights to Oaxaca from Mexico City, Tijuana, Cancún, Guadalajara, Monterrey, and Mexicali.

Flights from Mexico City are by far the most frequent. Unless you’re planning on stopping over in one of the other cities listed above for a few days, I recommend you fly via Mexico City.

Oaxaca Airport to the Hotel

Once you arrive in Oaxaca airport, you’ve got a few options to get to Grand Fiesta Americana Oaxaca. You can book a private transfer, take a taxi or rent a car.

I’ve gone through each of these below.

Rent a Car

If you’re staying for more than a day or two, you should consider renting a car at the airport.

Oaxaca does have public transportation, but a lot of the attractions are outside the city so having a rental car is the ideal way to get around.

Grand Fiesta Americana Oaxaca offers free valet parking, so you won’t need to worry about where to park the car when you’re not using it.

Getting a car at the airport is very easy. You can book ahead and pick up your car in the arrivals hall of the terminal when you get off the plane.

I recommend using DiscoverCars to book the best deal available ahead of your arrival. You can expect to pay around US$30 per day plus gas for a basic rental car.

Book a Private Transfer

The simplest way to get to the hotel is by contacting the hotel. They will arrange a private transfer for you for an additional fee.

The contact details for Grand Fiesta Americana Oaxaca are below:

If you would prefer to arrange your own transfer, the easiest way to do it is by booking on a platform like Viator.

There are plenty of different providers for you to choose from, and prices start at around US$25 for a couple.

Take A Taxi

If you haven’t booked a car with the hotel, the simplest way to get from the airport to the hotel that requires absolutely no planning whatsoever is taking a taxi.

You’ll need to be able to tell the driver your destination and agree a price for the trip. The journey should cost you around US$15 – US$20 and you may need to haggle to get the driver down into that range.

You’ll also need to make sure that you have Mexican pesos with you, as the driver may not accept US dollars and won’t take credit cards.

Now that you know where it is that you’re going and all of the options that you have for getting there, let’s get into the review itself.

Grand Fiesta Americana Oaxaca: The Definitive Review

Review Of Grand Fiesta Americana Oaxaca

Grand Fiesta Americana Oaxaca is a beautiful modern luxury hotel in a wonderfully central location opposite the lovely El Llano park. From the hotel, you can comfortably reach all of the city’s many attractions on foot.

Although Grand Fiesta Americana Oaxaca is part of a large group of hotels called Grupo Posadas, each of their hotels is quite different. In Oaxaca, the hotel has been designed specifically to incorporate aspects of Oaxacan geography and culture.

The internal courtyard area features a large garden with a large number of native Oaxacan desert plants. The Agave Lounge Bar specializes in cocktails made using locally-produced mezcal, and each of the hotel’s 144 rooms feature furniture pieces made in different regions of Oaxaca.

I’ve set out below a summary of the hotel, the rooms, hotel facilities, dining options and nearby attractions.

After that, I’ve given you a list of pros and cons of the hotel and given my personal view on whether you should book Grand Fiesta Americana Oaxaca for your trip.

Let’s jump right in.

1. Location

The modern luxury oasis that is the Grand Fiesta Americana Oaxaca has a great central location in Oaxaca City.

You’ll find it on Calle de José María Pino Suárez opposite El Llano park. The park is known for having a statue of one of Mexico’s most famous presidents, Benito Juárez, who was a native of Oaxaca.

The hotel is in a great location if you’re looking to stay within the historic center of Oaxaca City. From the hotel, you’re just a few blocks to the east of the Templo de Santo Domingo, a beautiful example of neo-Spanish baroque architecture dating back to 1551.

From there you can take the pedestrian street known as the Andador Turístico south a few more blocks until you reach the Zócalo, which is the heart of Oaxaca City.

Whatever you want to see, Grand Fiesta Americana Oaxaca is the perfect base for you to explore the city.

2. Price

The price per room at Grand Fiesta Americana Oaxaca starts at around US$385 per night including taxes, sleeping up to three. That price doesn’t include breakfast, which can be added to the package for an additional US$20 per person.

Discounted offers may be available from time to time, so it is worth checking prices in advance of your travel dates to see if you can get yourself a deal.

Check out Booking.com for prices and availability on your travel dates, or use the search box below:

3. Rooms

There are 144 rooms at Grand Fiesta Americana Oaxaca. Each of the rooms is simply but tastefully decorated in a modern style with locally-made Oaxacan furniture and Oaxacan artwork adorning the walls.

There are five categories of room available. You can choose from a Deluxe Room, Premium Room, Honeymoon Suite, Master Suite and a Presidential Suite.

There is also a Grand Fiesta Club upgrade available, which allows you use of the Grand Club Lounge. The Grand Club Lounge offers a continental breakfast every morning, a bar with imported drinks and snacks in the afternoon.

Each of the suites includes the Grand Fiesta Club upgrade as standard, and you can optionally upgrade in each of the Deluxe Room and Premium Rooms.

If you are disabled or have limited mobility, the hotel also offers modified Deluxe Rooms that include security rails, an elevated toilet, a special chair for the shower and a wide door that facilitates wheelchairs.

I’ve set out more detail on the different room categories and available amenities below.

Deluxe Room

Even though it is the entry-level option, the Deluxe Room is quite spacious at 345 sq. ft.

Each Deluxe Room air-conditioned and comes with free Wi-Fi, a 65-inch flatscreen TV, cable channels, luxury bedding with feather pillows, slippers and luxury toiletries in the private shower-only bathroom.

You’ll also have access to a closet, a mini bar, a Nespresso coffee-machine, a work table with lamp, a full-length mirror, a hair dryer, a steam iron and a room safe.

24-hour room service is available, and you can also arrange a wake-up service with the concierge. You can also exchange the king-sized bed for two double-beds if you wish.

If you’re travelling with your family, a rollaway bed and a crib can be provided free of charge.

The Deluxe Room starts at around US$385 per night for up to three people without an upgrade to the Grand Fiesta Club. If you choose to upgrade, prices start at around US$600 per night for up to three people.

Premium Room

The Premium Rooms are very spacious at 443 sq. ft. You’ll feel like you’re in a small apartment.

In addition to the king-sized bed and the other amenities available in the Deluxe Room, you’ll also have some additional sitting space with a sofa and an ottoman.

As with the Deluxe Room, you can exchange the king-sized bed for two double-beds if you wish.

The Premium Rooms start at around US$495 per night for up to three people. If you choose to upgrade, prices go up to around US$665 per night for up to three.

Honeymoon Suite

The Honeymoon Suites are a luxurious 636 sq. ft.

In addition to all of the amenities available in the Premium Room, the Honeymoon Suites also feature an outdoor terrace area with a private hot tub.

The Honeymoon Suite starts at around US$940 per night for a couple.

Master Suite

The Master Suites are 666 sq. ft. and include a terrace with a private hot tub, a separate living room, and bathroom with a bathtub, and an additional toilet.

You’ll also have all of the amenities available in the Premium Rooms.

The Master Suites start at US$1,176 per night for up to two.

Presidential Suite

The Presidential Suite offers you a palatial 1,033 sq. ft. of space that feels like a luxury apartment.

In addition to your spacious bedroom with ensuite private bathroom with a bath, you’ll have access to a separate living room and an elegant dining room.

You’ll also have access to all of the room amenities available in the Premium Rooms.

The Presidential Suite starts at US$2,645 per night for up to three.

4. Hotel Facilities

Grand Fiesta Americana Oaxaca has a range of great facilities.

These include free valet parking, a pool area with swim-up bar, a spa area with a range of treatments available, a fitness center and several conference rooms and large areas for holding events.

I’ve set these out in detail below.

Pool Area

Grand Fiesta Americana Oaxaca has a beautiful modern pool designed to snake its way stylishly between two of the hotel buildings.

The pool itself is divided into the main pool area and several smaller hot tub pools, and sun loungers line the entire length of the pool.

There is also a bar area right alongside the pool where you can order refreshments.

Spa Area

Grand Fiesta Americana Oaxaca has an onsite spa area called Nabane Spa, which a offers huge range of massages, facials, couples rituals and body treatments.

All treatments are offered in private rooms using luxury products. There is also a sauna to help you relax your muscles, and smaller pools within the spa area where you can do hydrotherapy treatments.

Spa treatments are not included in the room price and you’ll need to book a treatment with the concierge when you arrive.

Gym

Grand Fiesta Americana Oaxaca has a large fitness center complete with a large set of dumbells, cycling machines, treadmills, and other gym equipment.

Use of the gym is included in the room price and reservations aren’t required.

Event Rooms

Grand Fiesta Americana Oaxaca has several different events spaces available for use for an additional fee.

There are rooms of different sizes and styles and they are suitable for weddings, birthdays, and also business events such as conferences, meetings, or awards evenings.

The capacity ranges depending on the event, with the largest area able to hold up to 850 guests.

Modern communications technologies such as audiovisual systems, sound and lighting, video conferencing, and outdoor broadcasting are all available at the hotel.

5. Dining Options

Grand Fiesta Americana Oaxaca has an onsite restaurant called Restaurante La Distral and a lounge bar called the Agave Lounge.

Restaurante La Distral

Restaurante La Distral specialises in Mexican cuisine and also has a few international options available.

The restaurant is overseen by Mexican chef Gerardo Rivera and prepares its dishes using locally sourced products.

The restaurant is very casual and there is no dress code. It is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day of the week.

Agave Lounge

The Agave Lounge is Grand Fiesta Americana Oaxaca’s onsite bar. It’s a fully-stocked bar specialising in mezcal-based cocktails using some of Oaxaca’s best locally-produced mezcal.

The bar is inside the building and there is bar seating as well as internal seating available near the bar. There is also seating and lounge areas on the beautiful outdoor terrace next to the bar, where you can enjoy a cocktail while you wait for the heat of the day to pass.

The Agave Lounge is open from 2:00pm until 11:30pm every day of the week.

6. Reviews

Grand Fiesta Americana Oaxaca has a rating of 9.4 out of 10 from over 300 reviews, which is impressive enough. However, if you just look at the reviews given by couples, the rating jumps to a whopping 9.7 out of 10.

The story that the reviews tell is that people absolutely love this hotel. For a hotel of its size and its level of luxury, these are stellar results.

7. Check-In and Check-Out

Check-in at the hotel is from 3:00pm, and check-out is before 1:00pm.

Late check-in and check-out can be provided subject to room availability.

8. Pet-Friendly?

Yes, Grand Fiesta Americana Oaxaca operates a dog-friendly program in the hotel.

On your arrival at the hotel, the hotel will provide you with a special kit for your dog that includes a comfortable bed and a plate with a drinking fountain for use during your stay.

There is an 800 Mexican pesos (around US$45) charge per night. Your dog can’t weigh more than 20kg, and the hotel also permits two dogs if they are small and don’t weight more than 20kg combined.

Dogs aren’t permitted in certain parts of the hotel, including the swimming pools, restaurant and the bar. Your kit will tell you which parts of the hotel that your dog is allowed to enter.

9. Family-Friendly?

Yes, children of all ages are welcome at the Grand Fiesta Americana Oaxaca.

Some of the rooms have a capacity limit, but subject to that, the hotel will supply you with rollaway beds free of charge.

The hotel also has cribs available free of charge if you’re travelling with an infant.

10. Nearby Attractions

Grand Fiesta Americana Oaxaca is very close to all of the attractions in Oaxaca City, and you’ll be able to reach everything within the city limits on foot.

Don’t forget your sunhat, suncream, and the bottles of water from the room in your hotel.

Oaxaca City

If you’re planning to set off exploring the city on foot from the hotel, I recommend that you start by walking over to El Llano park, which is right opposite the hotel. You can admire the statue of Benito Juárez or buy an ice cream from one of the local vendors in the park.

From there you can walk the two blocks west over to the Templo de Santo Domingo. It’s a beautiful building designed in the neo-Spanish baroque architectural style dating back to 1551.

The Oaxaca Cultural Museum (Museo de las Culturas de Oaxaca) is also next to the church and has lots of fascinating Oaxacan cultural exhibits.

After you’ve explored that area, you can take the pedestrian street known as the Andador Turístico south towards the Zócalo, which is the heart of Oaxaca City. From there, you can easily reach all of the landmarks in the city.

You can go further south to visit some of the city’s great markets like the Mercado 20 de Noviembre and Mercado Benito Juárez. Oaxaca’s stunning cathedral (Nuestra Señora de la Asunción) is right opposite the Zócalo, and the beautiful Teatro Macedonio Alcalá is just a few blocks to the east.

If you have time to do a day-trip out of the city, there are also some fantastic places that I recommend you visit, and some of them are quite close by. I’ve described a few of the best of these below.

Monte Albán

The closest attraction outside the city limits is the ruined Zapotec city of Monte Albán. It’s only three miles away from Oaxaca City, so you can reach it easily and can even fit something else in after you’re done exploring.

Monte Albán is built on the top of a hill overlooking Oaxaca. It’s quite large at about four square miles and there’s lots to see. Among other buildings, there are two pyramids, a ball court, and around 170 tombs.

The simplest way to reach Monte Albán is by taxi. It will cost around US$5 – US$10. Make sure you bring Mexican pesos and agree the price before you depart. 

There are also lots of Monte Albán tours available if you’d rather have the trip planned for you. Viator offers lots of different options, and you can often combine it with other attractions.

Hierve El Agua

Hierve El Agua is a unique geological marvel created from two petrified waterfalls about 40 miles to the south-east of Oaxaca.  

The smaller waterfall is called “la cascada chica” and the bigger one is called “la cascada grande”. The waterfalls were formed over thousands of years as mineral-rich waters ran over the edge of the cliff and down the escarpment.  

The plateau above the falls is covered in large shallow pools separated by beautiful mineral formations that look like atolls in an ocean. It makes you think that you are walking on a shallow reef in the Caribbean.

You can also hike to the bottom of the waterfalls, where there some more pools that you can sit in. There are change-rooms and toilets nearby.

The best way to visit Hierve El Agua is with a tour. There are some great tours from Oaxaca that combine Hierve El Agua with a visit to local mezcal producers or other attractions.

The hotel can recommend a tour operator, and Viator also has lots of them to choose from if you’d prefer to arrange a tour yourself.

Mitla

The ancient ruins of the Zapotec city of Mitla is about 30 miles to the south-east of Oaxaca, on the way to Hierve El Agua.  The name is derived from the Nahuatl word “Mictlán”, meaning “place of the dead”.

The ruins are situated in a valley nearly a mile above sea level and the site is thought to have been inhabited as far back as about 500 BC.  The city was a center of religious power in the region and was destroyed by the Spanish shortly after their arrival in the 16th century.

Mitla is perhaps best known for its intricate stone mosaics, which are sometimes called “Zapotec Greco”. You’ll recognize the striking pattern in lots of ancient friezes adorning walls and floors at the site, and it is often used in clothing and other artwork produced in Oaxaca.

My recommendation is to combine Mitla and Hierve El Agua together as a tour. They start at about US$50 per person on Viator, and you can speak to the concierge at Grand Fiesta Americana Oaxaca if you’d prefer to organise it through the hotel.

If you prefer to guide yourself, you can reach Mitla with a taxi or the bus, and its about a 90 minute trip each way.

Entrance to Mitla costs US$5 so bring your Mexican pesos with you.

Grand Fiesta Americana Oaxaca: The Definitive Review

Grand Fiesta Americana Oaxaca: Pros and Cons

To try to pull all of the information above together for you, I’ve set out below the pros and cons of Grand Fiesta Americana Oaxaca as I see them.

Pros

Pros are easy here, because there are lots of them at the Grand Fiesta Americana Oaxaca.

Beautiful Modern Hotel

Grand Fiesta Americana Oaxaca only opened its doors in 2019, so everything still looks and feels brand new.

The young age of the hotel means that everything is modern and you can expect that everything in your room will work perfectly. It just makes a hotel visit feel much nicer when everything is so fresh.

Central Location

Grand Fiesta Americana Oaxaca has a great central location on the edge of the historic center of Oaxaca, making it an ideal base to explore the city.

From the hotel, you’re just a few short blocks away from the Templo de Santo Domingo and the Zócalo, which is the heart of Oaxaca City, is also within walking distance.

If you’re driving out of the city to see some of other attractions, you’re also just one block away from Avenida Benito Juárez, which is one of the main roads leading out of the city.

Huge Range of Facilities

As you would expect from a luxury hotel of its calibre, Grand Fiesta Americana Oaxaca has a huge range of facilities available for you to use.

The facilities include the fantastic pool area, Nabane Spa, the fitness area, and various event spaces. 24-hour concierge and 24-hour room service are also available, as well as free valet parking.

The gardens of the hotel are also extensive and the hotel has a highly-rated onsite restaurant as well as a lounge bar with an outdoor terrace.

Cons

There aren’t many cons to Grand Fiesta Americana Oaxaca, but I’ve set out a few of them below to balance out the pros.

Price

Let’s face it, Grand Fiesta Americana Oaxaca is not cheap. At US$385 per night, the prices are comparable with the price of US hotels in major cities.

But you know as well as I do that you get what you pay for. And there is no doubt that Grand Fiesta Americana Oaxaca is a high-end luxury hotel. So yes, it’s expensive, but definitely worth it if you can afford it.

One Onsite Restaurant Only

Although Grand Fiesta Americana Oaxaca has its great onsite restaurant, La Distral, it’s the only restaurant on the property.

That’s not a major disadvantage, as the hotel is within walking distance of a number of great restaurants including El Biche Pobre and Las Quince Letras.

Still, I think it’s fair to mention it, in case you’re expecting that you might have a few more options within the hotel itself.

Small Pool Area

The pool area at Grand Fiesta Americana Oaxaca is a little on the small side, even though it has a great modern design and a swim-up bar.

There are other pools in Nabane Spa, but they’re also small and if you’re not taking a spa treatment, you won’t use those anyway.

It’s not a huge point, but you should be aware that you won’t be able to do laps in the pool, because it just isn’t designed that way.

Grand Fiesta Americana Oaxaca: The Definitive Review

My Personal Views

If you’re looking for a high-end luxury hotel in Oaxaca, Grand Fiesta Americana Oaxaca has to be on your shortlist.

Despite its high price tag, most reviews give the hotel a high rating for value for money. This is likely due to the huge range of facilities available, the modern rooms, and the friendly and attentive staff.

The hotel’s location is quite central, although Quinta Real Oaxaca offers a similar level of high-end luxury and is more centrally located. The downside to a more central location, though, is that street noise becomes an issue, which is not a problem at Grand Fiesta Americana Oaxaca.

Other than the price tag, one of the few cons of the hotel is that the pool area could be a little bigger. It’s beautifully designed and very modern, but when it gets busy on a hot day and it’s harder for you to find a private area to relax.

Overall, I think Grand Fiesta Americana Oaxaca is probably the best modern luxury hotel within the Oaxaca city limits.

Quinta Real Oaxaca offers an equivalent level of luxury, but it’s located in a restored 16th century convent, and doesn’t have a modern feel. Casa Santo Origen does offer a similar level of modern luxury, but it is a few miles to the north of the city.

Grand Fiesta Americana Oaxaca: The Definitive Review

Frequently Asked Questions

Just in case you still have a few questions that I haven’t covered, I’ve set out some responses to a few frequently asked questions about Grand Fiesta Americana Oaxaca below.

When Is The Best Time To Visit Grand Fiesta Americana Oaxaca?

The best time to visit is during the high season (December to April) because the weather is cooler and there is little or no rain.

However, it’s also more expensive during the high season, so if you’re on a budget and can put up with a little rain, the low season is also a good option.

Is It Safe To Visit Grand Fiesta Americana Oaxaca?

There is a 24-hour concierge service at Grand Fiesta Americana Oaxaca, and you’ll have access to a room safe so that you can store your belongings when you’re not in the room.

You’ll also have no troubles when you explore Oaxaca provided you take basic precautions. You can read more about safety in Oaxaca here.

What’s The Closest Airport To Grand Fiesta Americana Oaxaca?

Oaxaca International Airport (OAX) is the closest airport, and is about 5 miles away.

You can reach the hotel by booking a private transfer, taking a taxi or renting a car. The simplest way is to contact the hotel and they’ll arrange to have a car waiting for you at the airport for an additional charge.

Why Is Grand Fiesta Americana Oaxaca Special?

Grand Fiesta Americana Oaxaca is a beautiful modern luxury hotel with a huge range of facilities located in the historic center of Oaxaca City.

If you’re looking for a high-quality modern luxury hotel in the historic center of Oaxaca City, you’ll love Grand Fiesta Americana Oaxaca.

Grand Fiesta Americana Oaxaca: The Definitive Review

Final Thoughts

Hopefully you now have all the information that you need to decide whether Grand Fiesta Americana Oaxaca is the hotel for you.

If you’re interested in booking, you can get the latest current prices and availability on your dates at Booking.com.

If you want to check prices of car rentals at Oaxaca airport, you can find out at DiscoverCars.com.

Enjoy your stay!