First opened in 1912, the Hotel Gran París (8 Calle, between Avenidas República and San Isidro, tel. 504/443-2391, www.granhotelparis.net, US$43 s, US$51 d), on the square, is a La Ceiba landmark. From the outside the hotel looks to have seen better days, but it’s been updated inside and is decent if nothing special, with an attractive lobby, restaurant, and interior courtyard with a pool and bar. Rooms are spacious, with white tile floors, desks, and armchairs, and some with king beds, a few with mini-fridge, and all with air-conditioning and cable TV.

The Quinta Real’s sister hotel, La Quinta (south end of Av. San Isidro facing the D’Antoni Golf Club, tel. 504/443-0223, www.hotellaquinta.net, US$62–124), near the highway, is no longer the plushest spot in town, but its 113 rooms spread out over a large area interspersed with grassy patios, a pool, and even a few slot machines make for a comfortable enough stay. Room price depends on size and location in the hotel. Inside, Maxim’s Restaurant serves good seafood and steaks for US$9–12 per plate and sports an extensive wine selection.

Right on the highway by the mall is Hotel La Aurora (tel. 504/440-2060, http://laaurora hotel.com, US$46–49 s, US$52–64 d), located on the Ceiba–Tela highway near the turnoff to Trujillo. The hotel is past its heyday (despite the glamorous photos on its website), but the rooms are spacious and comfortable. The hotel has a small outdoor pool, a restaurant (with good breakfasts), conference/banquet facilities, and a computer with Internet in the lobby for guest use. Both this hotel and Posada La Caribe are best suited to travelers with their own cars.