Harlo wrote:
If you have never stayed at the Morazan please do not give your opinion until you do.
I think Harlo is right (even though he's a Republican

) at least on this. In the case of the Morazon, I think a lot of its bad rep, come from guys who have never actually stayed there themselves (like Orange?) who are just repeating things they've heard (from other guys who haven't stayed there either?). Or, if they've stayed there at all it is once or very few times a long time ago (e.g. Paco). OTOH, I don't think it would be entirely fair to base your estimate of a hotel in part on the type of service levels experienced by a guy who stays there as often as Harlo, who I'm sure at this point is treated very well every time he returns.
I can only relate my own experiences. I've stayed there a number of times. I'll admit I haven't stayed there recently, but not because I wouldn't stay there again, rather because I've found other places I prefer and don't feel the need to be so close to the BM/KL which IMHO are not all that. I have NEVER had a reservation problem at the Morazon INCLUDING back in the day when MOST of the stories that were the basis for that reputation actually took place. Back then the Morazon was an "in" alternative to the HDR and the Prez and places like the Castillo and the SL were either unknown or non-existent, because of that the Morazon was often fully booked. Now that is no excuse for a messed up reservation system but it does suggest that maybe that is not nearly so much of a problem now that so many mongers have moved on to other hotels and the place usually has extra rooms whether you have a reservation or not.
As for the other complaints, I've never found used condoms on my floor (other than my own). I'm sure if Paco says that happened it happened but it is NOT at all typical from my experience. I've found the quality of housekeeping to always be perfectly fine for me. And I think slip ups in cleaning can occasionally occur anywhere.
The only problem I ever had at the Morazon was with some elevator doors that at the time would close 2 seconds after closing (I still have bruises on my shoulders from where the damn thing tried to eat me

:P

). After that I just used the stairs since I was on the 3rd floor and often use stairs to help in staying fit anyway, but that problem was fixed by my next visit.
There are other shortcomings for this place. There is street noise as there would be at any place in the heart of downtown and there can be casino noise as there can be at any place that has a casino, but there was never enough to really bother me. If you're a light sleeper then stay somewhere else OR better yet spend a lousy buck for earplugs which really do work well. Being in a noisy area is an unfortunate trade-off of being so close to the HDR. The rates do not include breakfast. Or maybe it does but the food is not that good. I also stay at the Castillo and can tell you the breakfast there is no great shakes either. There is no law you have to eat where you stay (or stay where you eat) and I usually get OUT for a $2 tico breakfast at local soda - Problem solved.
In sum, of course the Morazon is far from perfect, but it is not NEARLY as horrible as the reputation that has been spread about it. It is a budget hotel and as such is not going to be as nice as more expensive places. To compare it on that basis is unfair. It can be noisy but that mostly comes from being so close to the BM/KL which is a very busy area. If you want a cheap place to stay that is within easy and reasonably safe walking distance of the BM/KL and is still fairly decent, then you could do FAR worse than the Morazon.