The Hotel Victoria allows its guests to enjoy all that Oaxaca has to offer, and a relaxing retreat to come home to. After a day's sightseeing, it's bliss to come back and have a refreshing dip in the pool, followed by a drink on the terrace - the perfect place for postcard writing as you gaze down over the city. If you're feeling energetic, you could even have a game of tennis at dusk!

The hotel is set up on the Fortin hill, about five minutes out of town by car - there is a regular shuttle service from the hotel which drops you off downtown and picks up again. This service means that you don't miss being in the center of town at all.

The Villas here are unlike usual hotel rooms and feel like your own little home from home set in a lovely garden. The rooms have good amenities: all have satellite TV, mini-bar, hairdryer, room service available.

The grounds at the Hotel Vitoria are superbly maintained, with springy green grass underfoot and an abundance of colorful plants and trees.

It's a definite must when staying here to eat at the restaurant and try some traditional Oaxacan food - they have a sampler plate which allows you to try a little of all things local and delicious, such as tamales, Oaxacan cheese, grasshoppers(!) and Mole sauce.

The features that make Hotel Victoria special for us though are the rolling green gardens, and the simply stunning views of Oaxaca and the surrounding mountains. The vistas just make you want to linger over your meal that bit longer, or have just one more margarita at the terrace bar!