Stayed over Christmas in 2011 and it was perfect.
Though it's just across the river from town this is still just 15 minutes walk from the centre and not much more than that from the ruins. The rooms are beautiful and spacious, as is the rest of the Hacienda with tasty and delicious breakfasts to boot.
The best thing though is your host, Rodger. He gave us great advice, was a warm and welcoming host and sorted out private transport both from San Pedro Sula and onto Lago di Yojoa when getting public transport proved problematic. We also changed money with him and got lifts into town - basically, nothing was too much trouble which if you're new in a country where all the guide books imply you should be wary of everything, is a terrific comfort.
In a highly entertaining last evening he also told us much of his back story - including that of the charitable work the Hacienda residents help fund which in and of itself would have been enough of a reason to stay even if the stay itself wasn't also great.
I know he *says* he isn't an astronaut but in between writing tunes, flying planes, selling real estate and being a paramedic maybe it's something he's planning on doing in the near future?
I can't see how you could find anywhere better in the town; certainly not for the money and definitely not with the same benefits you'll be contributing to the local community. It would be a crime *not* to stay here.
