This Mexican highland city is known for its Insta-worthy Spanish and colonial-style architecture. Its tallest building – the Parroquia de San Miguel Archangel – is a landmark on the horizon, with a pastel pink facade. But this metropolis is also a hub for food, arts and culture, with an infectious sense of community spirit. This is not the spot for a typical Mexican beach break though, San Miguel De Allende is located to the country’s east, well inland. However, a stop here can be added to your coastal holiday, with at least two days recommended to explore this beautiful city.
Numu Boutique Hotel San Miguel de Allende
Part of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt, this hotel is found in the Centro area of this Mexican city. It’s close to all the main attractions and offers a friendly, personal level of service. Designed by Artigas Arquitectos, there are 44 rooms and suites, all with a terrace or balcony looking over the garden or neighbouring cobbled streets. Also on-site, is the Nubye Spa providing balancing ancient rituals; a courtyard housing El Fogón de Don Enrique gourmet restaurant; Bar El Camino; and a rooftop area with a further restaurant, a pool and a sundeck.
Casa No Name
This small luxury hotel is a six-bedroom mansion house with a colourful history. Its 18th ecclesiastical heritage can still be seen in the large biblical mural adorning the main courtyard. And more recently, it served as the home of artist and fashion photographer, Deborah Turbeville (the library contains exhibits of her work). Now a UNESCO site, it was transformed into a hotel in 2017, featuring a garden dedicated to poet Federico García Lorca, an ancient Indian aqueduct, a bar terrace, original artworks and individually designed bedrooms with Bulgari toiletries, international artefacts and antique furnishings.
Hotel Nena
A boutique escape designed for adult travellers, this was a private estate, before being reimagined as a 12-bedroom hotel. Nena has a stone exterior, with an authentic vibe that’s made even more Instagrammable by lanterns and foliage. After dark courtyard dining is especially magical, made even more divine with homemade tortillas, fresh breads and salsas. The interiors at Nena are fashionable, boasting contemporary Mexican style and upscale bath products. It’s a top choice if you want a chic stay with great nightlife, DJs play on the terrace at the weekend (don’t worry if you prefer quiet – rooms are soundproofed).
Dos Casas
The majority of this hotel is housed across two colonial buildings (hence the name), crafted with rich vintage materials like stone, marble, wood, metal, leather and brass. A third area makes up the Grecian-inspired spa, IRIS, where guests can take a sensory water journey informed by ancient practices. Dos Casas opened as boutique accommodation in 2004 and was remodelled a decade later (becoming San Miguel’s first Design Hotel) incorporating stylish early mid-century pieces and creating six room categories. Áperi is the venue’s open kitchen dining concept with cutting edge tasting menus and Le Garage is its avant-garde exhibition and events space.
Hotel Matilda
Fusing the colour & history of the country’s colonial past, with the contemporary creativity of modern Mexico, Hotel Matilda is a compelling microcosm encapsulating the culinary and artistic energy of San Miguel de Allende.
This award-winning city boutique hotel of designer rooms & suites offers guests a stylish lounge bar called Müi (known for its creative mixology); a secluded sunbathing deck; a striking infinite pool, which cascades down into the garden of the intimate spa; and also signature contemporary Mexican dining at the hotel’s acclaimed Moxi Restaurant.
Rosewood San Miguel De Allende
The Rosewood’s San Miguel De Allende property reflects the artsy vibe and authenticity of the area. Guests can stay in rooms with private balconies, suites with expansive terraces or residences, with up to five bedrooms. All have original feature elements, like beamed ceilings and stone fireplaces, with added antique dark wood furnishings and on-trend soft furnishings. Some have a jacuzzi, iron grill and firepit, while all are made up using Italian Rivolta Carmignani bed linens. Amenities include the Sense Spa, tennis courts, adult and family pools, a restaurant, tequila bar, rooftop bar and a chic poolside daytime eatery.
Casa De Sierra Nevada, A Belmond Hotel, San Miguel De Allende
Casa De Sierra Nevada is housed in 16th and 17th-century rustic stone buildings, including what was once a former convent. Like the Rosewood, it is packed with period features. Even the pool area feels like a step back in time, set within a hummingbird-filled walled garden, beside an ancient fountain, it is lantern-lit after sunset (the place for delicious mezcal based beverages). Andanza’s traditional-meets-contemporary small plates are renowned throughout the city and guests can even join the head chef on a market shopping trip, followed by a Mexican cooking workshop. The spa offers rituals, like temazcal, using indigenous medical herbs and those in the higher grade suites receive butler service around the clock.
Live Aqua San Miguel De Allende Urban Resort
A glamorous urban retreat, this is a new-build property, with floor to ceiling windows, hanging chairs, poolside hammocks, modern artworks, murals, natural decor (slate, rattan and oak are prolific), a boho boutique and an onsite artisan bakery emanating tempting aromas. Beside the Resa del Obraje dam, it provides scenic views, yet has proximity to central attractions (there’s a house car for guests’ use). Kids are entertained with alfresco movie nights, a playroom, yoga and art classes and there’s a babysitting service. Rooms come with aromatherapy kits, record players and Molton Brown toiletries. Guests can visit the spa, dine at Zibu or the Spice Market and loiter in the cigar bar.
