Hotel Matilda

Located in the central Mexican highlands, the peaceful town of San Miguel de Allende enjoys a well-deserved reputation as a relaxing yet cosmopolitan destination. A longtime home for young artists on the rise and expatriates of all ages, it’s the kind of place that’s full of chic throwbacks to the Spanish Colonial aesthetic. Opened in late 2010, Hotel Matilda bucks the local trend by hewing closer to the design of a big-city boutique while still paying homage to San Miguel’s artistic heritage.

The Matilda was named after a Diego Rivera portrait that hangs in the owner’s personal collection. That painting is from the 1940s, and most of the artwork that adorns the walls of the 32 guest rooms is even more contemporary. Rest assured that the hotel is only a gallery in spirit — at no point will you feel like you’ve elected to stay in a museum. Clean lines and crisp whites might delineate the spaces, but they never define it. Furniture is deep beige and brown, with cozy sofas and armchairs that fall on the sumptuous side of modernist. Most have private outdoor space, and the view just keeps on going until it hits the surrounding Bajio mountains. In the decadent Owner’s Suites, this outdoor space is a pergola-topped terrace.

There’s no shortage of fine, eclectic dining in town, and Matilda’s restaurant has joined those ranks with its locally sourced Mexican dishes and an expansive take on Latin American cuisine. Guests in search of lighter fare can opt for pizzas at the lounge, where the indoor bar gives way to stylish open-air seating.

How to get there:
Hotel Matilda is 87 miles from Bajio Airport (BJX). Transfers can be arranged to/from this airport or from Queretaro from US$135 in a sedan for up to 3 guests. Transfers from Mexico City cost US$345.