The Best Hotels to Book in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

Located on the highest point in San Miguel, guests have unmatched views across the romantic skyline of this Unesco World Heritage city. Keen photographers will never tire of the sunset opportunities from the hotel’s terrace – and what a spot to watch the regular firework displays. Make the most of your own terrace with a private open-air cinema experience, where a small screen and projector are delivered to your room – accompanied by wine, gourmet popcorn and a cheese plate.

Lovers of luxury and design will swoon at the attention to detail at Hotel Casa Blanca 7. The 10 guest rooms were decorated by Fisher Weisman – think handcrafted furniture, rustic stone and raw plaster set against marble bathrooms. Sumptuous Portuguese cotton linens, goose-down duvets and embroidered textiles await, creating a memorable private retreat in this exquisite centuries-old building.

Savvy sightseers will appreciate the central location of La Morada. It’s a few-second stroll to the main square and its boutiques, restaurants and charming historical buildings that make this city so romantic. Nearby is one of the most photographed churches in Mexico, Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel, a neo-gothic 17th-century temple with Gaudí-esque pink spires. Make sure to see it lit up at night. The guest rooms in this old colonial house are minimalist and comfortable. It’s a peaceful sanctuary after a busy day of sightseeing.

Foodies can indulge their palate at this luxurious cluster of heritage mansions. The onsite cooking school teaches guests how to master traditional Mexican dishes or, if they prefer, how to create health-focused foods with organic herbs and ingredients from the gardens. Alongside its focus on creative cuisine, this fairytale set-up of 17th- and 18th-century buildings is an oasis of hidden courtyards, terraces, gardens and fountains and includes a beautiful swimming pool.

Garden lovers will relish stepping off the tourist-laden streets into this leafy oasis. Although small, Casa Quetzal has pretty planted areas throughout the whole property. Courtyards, terraces, nooks and crannies bring trailing vines, pops of potted color and swaying greenery. Fresh flowers adorn the rooms, which ooze a home-from-home feel, with an eclectic decor of objets d’art and pretty hand-painted sinks.

Budget travelers will be pleased to find kitchenettes in the rooms here – request one on booking. It adds to the homely feel of this family-friendly place. Cook your meal, then take it to the roof terrace table to dine with a view across rooftops and cobblestone streets. Guests tend to gather in the pretty garden for evening drinks under lantern-strung trees. Although set on a quiet street, it’s just a couple of blocks from shops, museums and restaurants downtown.

Nature lovers will drink in the show-stealing views across the plains from the terrace of View Hotel Boutique. Perched on a hill and 7km (4mi) outside San Miguel de Allende, this is the perfect respite from city life. The expansive gardens are a cacophony of birdsong and floral aromas. The communal fire pit is a welcome spot on cooler hinterland nights best spent chatting under the Mexican stars.

Renovated in 2020, this bohemian boutique uses colors, shapes and textures to reflect the story of the house’s first owner, entrepreneurial Spaniard Julián Hoyos, who arrived here in the midst of the Mexican Revolution. Bright yellow tiling represents the grain he traded, and the pink-tiled archways represent the belly of the snake on his family shield. Add to that black flooring that is also used in local churches, and the concrete façcades, which pull the space into Mexican modernist history, and the hotel becomes a design destination.

Budget travelers wanting a well-placed, clean, stylish and simple spot to lay their head will appreciate Amatista Hotel’s proximity to the highlights of this romantic city. It’s 2,300ft (700m) from the Historic Museum of San Miguel de Allende, and the colorful bustle of the artisan market is just a three-minute walk away. There’s no food option at the hotel, but, being in the heart of the city, you are spoiled for choice. For a great simple meal with a rooftop view, head around the corner to Baja Fish Taquito for fresh fried shrimp and fish tacos and a cold beer.

One for colorful characters, the vibrant murals painted throughout this old colonial-style house will raise your spirits at every turn. The adults-only hotel is tucked away on a hillside about 10 minutes from downtown, so make the most of the efficient taxi service to save your legs. The main house has six suites, all with views of the garden, swimming pool and jacuzzi. The suites are named according to the color of the wall, shades based on the façades of old colonial houses found around the city. Each room oozes hacienda charm, with original paintings, rugs, bright ceramics and antiques.