Hotel Reviews

Stay in the Heart of Mexico’s Most Enchanting City at the Luxurious Casa de Sierra Nevada

The drive down the steep, cobblestoned roads of San Miguel de Allende is bumpy; almost breathless. The moment your car enters the city limits of this colonial town in the heart of Mexico, it’s abundantly clear that you’ve left the previous dimension and taken a step back in time. As you turn into the narrow road marked “Hospicio,” a bi-colored building with double wooden doors suddenly emerges; you’ve reached Casa de Sierra Nevada, an homage to Mexico’s colonial past and its modern hospitality.

Located in the heart of San Miguel de Allende, a four-hour drive away from Mexico City, the hotel is mere steps away from the stunning La Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel, whose neo-gothic steeple can be seen towering above the rest of the historic town, which today has become a haven for creatives and expats from around the world.

A truly unique hotel, Casa de Sierra Nevada’s 37 rooms, and suites are spread across six heritage mansions that have all been restored to reflect their glorious heydays while outfitted with the latest amenities guests have come to expect from Belmond properties. Check-in occurs in the hotel’s Casa Principal, or main house, where welcoming staff are ready to review itineraries and offer a welcome cocktail made with mezcal and mesquite honey. The 23 suites and 14 rooms are subsequently located in nearby mansions. Even the act of walking to your room is an experience in and of itself; guests will make their way down a sidewalk or across the street (don’t worry, you’re only going a few feet) to a new mansion with a stunning central courtyard, around which rooms are situated.

Rooms feature plush king beds, wood-beamed ceilings, stone fireplaces, antique furniture, and stunning views of either courtyards, gardens, your own private plunge pool, or La Parroquia. Several rooms also feature original paintings from local artists, highlighting San Miguel’s status as a haven for creatives throughout Mexico (and much of the world). If you’re looking for a truly out-of-this-world experience, check out the nearly 1,800 square foot presidential suite in Casa Palma, boasting a dining room, open living area, private living room, and enormous rooftop terrace to take in the pink sunsets.

While you could spend hours luxuriating in your room or on your personal rooftop, the rest of the hotel simply begs to be explored. Shaded courtyards and beautiful fountains can be found in each of the properties, and several also offer rooftop bars; be sure to check out Tunki, a rooftop oasis named after the official bird of Peru, and unsurprisingly, drawing culinary inspiration from the South American nation. Cocktails come from Handshake, which was just named North America’s best bar by 50 Best Bars.

Even if your room comes complete with a plunge pool, don’t miss the opportunity to luxuriate in the hotel’s larger primary pool. Order cocktails poolside or enjoy a range of complimentary sweet and savory snacks while working hard on your vitamin D intake, or head over to Laja Spa to be pampered in one of their colonial-style treatment rooms.

Perhaps the most surprising (and doubtlessly underrated) highlight Casa de Sierra Nevada has to offer comes in the form of its Sazon Cooking School. Under the masterful tutelage of Chef Ruben, you’ll visit San Miguel’s central market to shop for ingredients before heading back to the kitchen to prepare a traditional Mexican meal, all while enjoying a freshly made margarita or cracking open a cold beer.

San Miguel de Allende is an unmissable stop on your trip to Mexico, and Casa de Sierra Nevada is undoubtedly the place to experience all the city has to offer.