Hidden behind a discreet colonial facade, belying the exquisite hospitality that awaits, Casa de Sierra Nevada, A Belmond Hotel, San Miguel de Allende is the oldest luxury hotel in a town full of incredible stays. A collection of historic 17th century mansions (three to be precise) dotted around the best parts of town. The iconic details preserved and maintained for the ultimate in authenticity making this historic stay an immersive and luxurious experience.
SERVICE
You can always count on a Belmond property for two things, a sense of time and place (check check) and intuitive service that feels like you are being so well looked after, but discreet enough not to be suffocating (check check). Upon arrival the welcoming reception team immediately picked up on the mood of my children (hot, tired, some ennui from the tween). Lavender lemonade was proferred pronto and moods were restored. We all felt so spoiled over our sejour, it was hard to re-adjust to regular life after check-out:)
LOCATION
Mere blocks from the Jardín (the main square where multi generational locals and visitors gather daily), made our comings and goings easeful and plentiful! When the boys wanted to pop to the Parque to play at the playground and have some fresh mango, it was an easy jaunt. We spent time with family visiting the sites, roaming the cobbled streets, worn by time and use. But felt quite smug escaping the heat of the day sitting in the magical hidden garden draped in bougainvillea around the refreshing stone-walled pool.
ACTIVITIES
The town of San Miguel is brimming with art and creativity. You can barely make it a single block without uncovering a small artisan boutique or large and small galleries, walls filled with contemporary, modern and traditional works of art.
Casa de Sierra Nevada works directly with local artisans to curate authentic experiences for their guests. My dad is close friends with the Arroyo family, well known in San Miguel and beyond for their incredible paper-mâché works of art, known as, Mojigangas. Emblematic of San Miguel de Allende, these iconic characters are an important part of Mexican folk art. Guests of the hotel can work with Hermes Arroyo and his team to learn the step-by-step process in creating their very own mini Mojiganga at his studio in Casa Parque. My sister is seen here working on her beautiful piece and Archer chose to make his own Deadpool Mojiganga;) The whole experience is enjoyable for young and old!
ROOMS
The boveda ceilings, stone walls and welcoming warm wood floors set the tone for stately suites and bedrooms while layers of sumptuous traditional linens add depth and comfort to the space.
We booked a Junior Suite which would have been plenty large enough for just the boys and I, but lucky us, we were upgraded to a Deluxe Studio Suite with a private terrace and our own plunge pool. The rooms are luxe and comfortable with traditional touches like the four poster bed and enveloping custom linens and locally loomed woolen rugs that are so soft underfoot. The bathroom (stocked with products handmade by a women's collective) had a welcoming tub that got used daily by the boys, along with a separate shower and WC.
We were able to easily entertain family with the generous sized balcony and all the cousins had a blast in our little plunge pool overlooking one of the magical courtyards.
GETTING HERE
Depending on your itinerary, timing and departure city, you can arrive one of three ways. Fly into BJX (Leon) which is a mere 1 hr and 30 min drive from San Miguel. LAX offers direct flights here weekly. If you plan on pairing your visit with a stay in Mexico City, you can easily arrange a transfer (can be up to 4 hours). Finally, flying into QRO (Queretaro) is another great option and many cities offer flights here (often stopping over in Texas). The QRO airport is less than 2 hours from San Miguel. The hotel is happy to arrange transfers or please feel free to reach out to me so I can handle your booking in it's entirety.
WELLNESS
Too busy exploring, dining and swimming to spend any time in the Laja spa, I was surely remiss. This healing sanctuary of botanical secrets pays tribute to the Laja River. Natural healing and holistic beauty treatments and therapies are offered in an airy, colonial space daily from 10AM - 8PM. The menu selection reads like a wellness junkie's dreamscape - copal ceremonies, ancient mayan rituals, herbal beauty treatments and massages inspired by the phases of the moon. I can't wait to come back without kids to indulge myself.
DINING
One of the many things we love about Mexico is the passion that is poured into the cuisine. From traditional Sunday barbacoa’s and street tacos to multi-course experimental dining with some of the best chef’s in North America, Mexico is a moveable feast!
The cuisine at Casa de Sierra Nevada is no exception. For rooftop views and Peruvian bites and cocktails/mocktails, the Tunki Rooftop is an exquisite choice - both for guests of the hotel or visitors to San Miguel alike. A partnership between Handshake, one of the 'Worlds Best Bars' and the Belmond, you can expect quintessential San Miguel views from this pretty perch, paired with Peruvian small plates and cocktails of the likes you have never tasted before.
We would wake up and rush down to breakfast at Andanza every morning where they were so attentive to the children - offering steaming mugs of Mayan hot chocolate (a little cinnamon is the secret), baskets of flakey house made pastries and a menu of classic and traditional Mexican favourites. Special mention to their chilaquiles, which were prepared to perfection. We also enjoyed a stunning multi-course dinner here one night. I was so proud of the boys for ordering off the adult menu with no modifications and delving into their delightful plates with vigour. My Tortilla Soup was a thing of beauty and a definite highlight of the meal. Be sure to end your dinner as we did with fresh, steaming hot churros dipped in chocolate sauce.
Restaurante Del Parque just re-launched with an exciting new authentic Mexican menu featuring savoury barbacoa flautas, sizzling molcajete de queso fundido (vegetables, meat and cheese served up in a smoking hot volcanic bowl) and more. All expertly crafted under the direction of Chef Samual Ruvalcaba. The restaurant overlooks their own tropical gardens and is adjacent to Parque Juarez, a perfect detour for a post-dinner walk back to the main hotel on Hospício to work off all that barbacoa.
