The Top Hotels in Puebla, Mexico

With rooms set in a 16th-century Spanish colonial convent, furnished with antique furniture and art, and with cloisters set around a central atrium with a tinkling fountain, Quinta Real epitomizes the romantic feel of Puebla. And, a block from the main square in the downtown district, this hotel in Puebla couldn’t be better situated. The hotel staff are helpful, ready to give local recommendations, and can organize tours.

Casona de los Sapos fuses the grand with the intimate: it is set in a renovated 17th-century cloistered mansion two blocks from the city center, yet it has only 16 rooms. All are individually decorated and elegantly appointed with exposed beams, polished wood floors and a mix of neocolonial and modern furnishings. Amenities at this Puebla hotel include a rooftop terrace with skyline views, a jewel-blue heated indoor pool and a small contemporary art gallery.

Rooms with black leather lounge chairs, quilted bed heads, gray velvet ottomans, glass stairs and a giant chandelier suspended in the atrium – Quinta Esencia may inhabit a colonial-era townhouse (a block from the Zócalo), but it’s refitted in a delightful late-1980s New Romantic retro style. You can imagine Duran Duran posing for an album cover on the Neo-Baroque balustrades.

Casa Monarca fuses the traditional with the trendy: walls in the rooms at this hotel in Puebla have been stripped back to reveal ancient raw stone, yet they sit over modern laminate floors and beds draped in white linens and muted lilac and beige scatter cushions. Public areas are adorned with Neo-Rococo murals etched onto artily cracked and distressed colonial-era plaster and whitewash. The location is excellent – a 10-minute walk from both the main square and the Paseo Bravo gardens.

Housed in a colonial mansion and two adjacent annexes, and with rooms whose warm woods, neutral shades and mood-lighting are set against ancient raw stone and brick, Cartesiano mixes old- and new-world elegance. Most come for the spa, one of the best in Puebla, for a wealth of treatments, from hot-sand therapy to binaural sound baths. The rooftop infinity pool has wonderful cityscape views.

Marble, stone and whitewashed walls (plus a strategically placed cactus in the courtyard) give historical clout to the Casareyna building, without the stuffiness some colonial remodels display. This hotel in Puebla’s rooms are spacious, well-appointed and light-filled, and there’s plenty of space for enjoying the mild Puebla climate. The hotel restaurant has a relaxed atmosphere and offers regional favorites and a light breakfast.

Another superb example of design-inspired hotels in Puebla from the Mexican Grupo Habita, La Purificadora is the height of sleekness and chic. Enjoy the neutral-toned but richly decorated rooms and a see-through swimming pool akin to a human aquarium. The rooftop cocktail bar is a great place for city views, while the hotel restaurant has traditional Poblano dishes served with flair.

The InterContinental chain is known for upscale, understated hotels and outstanding customer service. This Puebla outpost is located a few kilometers out of town and is popular for weddings and large groups, due to its expansive grounds. It comes with a signature spa, a fitness center and an outdoor pool.

There are only three suites in this former monastic building in the heart of Puebla, each decorated to reflect the history and ambiance of colonial Mexico. With antiques and warm architectural elements everywhere, the hotel is cozy, and the entire house can be rented if you’re coming with family or friends.

Kitschy and colorful, this hotel in Puebla has a pink courtyard, golden doors and over-the-top canopy beds with gold frames. It is located next to the Mesón Sacristía restaurant, a local favorite. The intimate setting of the hotel is balanced by its larger-than-life decorations and the hundreds of antiques scattered about the place. If nothing else, go for the color!

El Sueño is great if you want to be in the middle of the action and within walking distance of all the major downtown attractions. The hotel has a Baroque architecture and a touch of 1920s glamour – all in good taste, but with splashes of vibrant color here and there. There is an onsite spa with a Jacuzzi, and the lounge has both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, as well as a selection of snacks.

Rosewood Puebla is the height of no-nonsense elegance. The hotel is spread across several circa-1800 buildings, from which an original chapel and ancient washbasins have been saved. A rooftop swimming pool offers incredible views of the city, and the hotel location – about a 15-minute walk from the town center – adds simplicity to your stay.

Hotel Andante in Puebla offers eclectic bohemian luxury centered around the life of 19 famous composers. It has an onsite bistro serving a range of international and Mexican dishes, plus a fitness center and massages available by appointment. It sits in the heart of downtown, providing easy access to all the major distractions.

For a tranquil stay in the area, head to the nearby town of Atlixco, around 40 minutes from Puebla city. Mansion del Conde is a renovated mansion from the 17th century and retains much of the era’s charm. Most of the rooms feature a view of the surrounding town or the delightful courtyard, and there’s a rather attractive spa with a Jacuzzi, a sauna and a steam room, plus a temazcal (a traditional steam room-style hut).

Alquería de Carrión Hotel Boutique in Atlixco has a stately, historic feel, with several courtyards and an outdoor swimming pool. All the rooms are well equipped, but, if you can opt for the suite, it’s worth it for the extra space. All rooms have fragrant shower gels and lotions, and you will be welcomed with a drink and snack upon arrival.