Belmond Casa de Sierra Nevada

The main building of this high-end, elegant hotel is the Casa Principal, which dates back to 1580, when it served as a monastery. The other rooms are spread across four colonial houses of different eras, which have all been beautifully restored, maintained, and decorated. Guests get a taste of the property's history and character as soon as they enter the reception area of the hotel in the main building. The space features original stone fireplaces, traditional stone and wood flooring, high ceilings with wooden beams, and beautiful antique furniture. Stone arches and traditional solid wooden doors lead to pretty courtyard gardens, which are lit with lanterns in the evening. This peaceful property mainly attracts couples, many from the United States, looking for a restful place to stay while exploring the colonial city.

The five separate buildings that collectively make up the Belmond Casa de Sierra Nevada are located on the same street, right in the heart of the historical center of San Miguel de Allende. The rest of the street is a mix of private houses and other hotels, but the area is quiet, despite its close proximity to the city’s main attractions. There is a large array of shops, restaurants, cafes, and bars within a few minutes’ walk of the property and the city’s main attraction -- the iconic 17th-century Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel, with stunning pink steeples -- is just three minutes away on foot. Parque Juarez is a five-minute walk, and the Museo del Juguete Popular Mexicano also takes five minutes to reach on foot. The hotel is about an hour and a half away from Guanajuato International Airport by taxi.

The property's 37 rooms and suites are divided between the main building and four additional colonial mansions. Each room is individually decorated and beautifully blends historical character with modern style. Decor features include original artwork on the walls, antique furniture, and wooden shutters across the windows. The abundance of hardwood adds a simultaneously rustic and romantic quality, and appears in everything from headboards to beamed ceilings in some room. Other rooms also have original stone fireplaces and all have king-size beds, flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, DVD players, and butler service. It's worth noting that despite this hotel's luxury status, some rooms are small. Entry-level Superior Rooms start at just 14 square meters (151 square feet), which is just about European when it comes to space. The bathrooms have traditional Mexican Talavera tiles and luxurious toiletries, and some have special features such as copper basins and freestanding baths. Suites have separate living areas, while the Presidential Suite also has two terraces and a private plunge pool.

The hotel's renowned restaurant -- Andanza -- is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Guests have the option of dining in the beautiful, ivy-clad courtyard or indoors. Locally sourced ingredients are used to create stunning dishes that put a contemporary twist on traditional Mexican food. The property also has a bar where guests can enjoy a drink inside by the log fire, or out on the patio. Within the stone walls of one of the buildings, Casa Palma, is a lovely swimming pool surrounded by comfortable lounge chairs and tropical plants and trees. There's also a spa on-site offering treatments such as reflexology, manicures, pedicures, and facials. The hotel even has its own cooking school, Sazon, where visitors can learn to create traditional Mexican dishes in the kitchen of an 18th-century mansion. There is also a shop within the cookery school that sells handmade pottery, glassware, linens, and paintings. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property, and there’s a business center with computer stations and printing facilities.