Hotel Nena

Hotel Nena is a classy property housed in an elegant two-floor former estate -- the stone-and-mortar exterior, colonial details, and enormous front door fit for a castle certainly make a grand impression. Yet, this is a boutique hotel through and through, with only six rooms and plenty of intimate charm. Inside, guests pass through a portico lined with contemporary and antique pieces into a beautiful courtyard surrounded by trees and arched doorways with a fountain at the center. The courtyard, lobby, hallways and rooms are decorated with large, vibrant oil paintings that are mostly portraits. The cozy lobby lounge has a fireplace and several cushioned seats with handmade wooden frames that create an inviting place to sit and read. On the roof, a restaurant and bar sit adjacent to the narrow outdoor pool, and the whole area offers sweeping views of the surrounding city (save the gritty parking lot in the foreground). The circular bar, built around an old tree, is a popular stop for hotel guests and locals alike. The majority of clientele are couples as well as the occasional wedding party.

This hotel is located about three blocks away from the historic city center, around the corner from Parque Juarez. The area is quiet and peaceful, yet close to everything. There are plenty of cafes and shops, and San Miguel de Alllende has Mexican colonial charm for days. Iconic Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel, with it's skyline piercing pink steeples, takes less than 10 minutes to reach on foot, and the Jardin Allende, next to the church, is a popular spot for locals and tourists to mingle (it's actually the town's main square). The Mask Museum is a little over a 15-minute walk from the hotel, or 10 minutes by car, and El Nigromante -- a school for the arts and an exhibition space -- is 10 minutes away on foot. The hotel is a little more than an hour away from Guanajuato by car and about an hour and a half away from Guanajuato International Airport.

There are only six rooms at this property, and each is beautiful and immaculate, embodying what travelers expect to see in a boutique hotel. Interiors are done in a soothing palette of slate gray and purple, with glazed terra cotta floors and chunky distressed furniture in blond tones with clean lines. Design elements can include large shuttered windows or small decorative fireplaces with mantles lined with lanterns, and walls are hung with vibrant oil paintings like those found in the hotel's common areas. Beds are plush and comfortable, with purple satin accents, and all rooms have modern flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, and air-conditioning. Bathrooms feature hand-painted sinks and either a large walk-in rainfall showers or tiled shower/tub combos -- slippers, toiletries, and bathrobes are provided.

This small, beautiful hotel offers a free breakfast that includes pastries, homemade breads, fruits, juice, coffee, and eggs. The on-site restaurant, Nextia, is well-known for its fresh, seasonal dishes and regionally famous chef. This rooftop eatery serves fresh Mediterranean fare for lunch and dinner and also has a full bar. There's also a small outdoor pool on the rooftop, and parking and Wi-Fi are free.