Photo essay: The boutique hotels of Puebla

Few modern hotels have distinguishing features. However, in Puebla, all of the hotels we visited were in interesting historic buildings. The architecture alone was enchanting, and the rooms were tranquil refuges from modern glitz. Historic and avant-garde features combined to create fascinating contrasts, each making the other more interesting. Additionally, each property included a restaurant serving both classic and contemporary dishes.

The El Sueño Hotel and Spa

This is where we stayed during our visit to Puebla courtesy of the Mexico Board of Tourism. Historically, the original building was a private residence. In the nineteenth century, the building was divided in half as an inheritance. One side became a school, and the other, where the hotel is today, a “closed-door” neighborhood. In 1995, an earthquake left the property unlivable until it was renovated as the El Sueño Hotel and Spa in 2002.

Le Quinta Luna

La Quinta Luna is a 17th-century mansion that originally belonged to pre-Hispanic indigenous nobility, and was named a historic monument by the National Institute of History and Anthropology. It is located in the historic city of Cholula. An unusual feature of the property is a library, built with 400-year-old wooden beams salvaged during the restoration, which houses a rare collection of 3,000 books.

The restaurant, situated on the site of the former chapel, displays a carefully preserved wooden ceiling with one beam dating back to 1736 as well as artwork.

Casareyna Hotel

Casareyna Hotel is a restored fifteenth century home listed as a historic monument by the National Institute of History and Anthropology. Architects, cabinetmakers and artists collaborated on the renovation of the hotel, restaurant, boutique and art gallery.

Mesones Sacristía de la Compañía

With a more traditional (yet eclectic) décor than the other hotels, Mesones Sacristía charmed me with Talavera tile framed doors and bright hues. Chef Alonso Hernàndez also teaches cooking classes to the public, where we learned to prepare mole poblano, chalupas and salsa. After class, we sampled each dish served pretty on Talavera plates. Yum!

Sadly, I did not get photos of the rooms themselves, but I do have some of the courtyard and restaurant. There are several room photos on their website.

Traveler’s Tip: There is an Association of Boutique Hotels in Mexico which gathers together many of these special properties in one place www.hotelesboutique.com (This is not a sponsored link…)

 

For more information on Puebla, Mexico, visit the blogs of my fellow #wevisitmexico travelers: Raul Pacheco (Hummingbird604.com), Ted Nelson (Traveling Ted), Mardi Michaels (Eat, Live, Travel, Write), Mike Richards (Vagabondish), Jessica Festa (Jessie on a Journey), Michael Tieso (Art of Backpacking), Lanora Mueller (Writing Travel) and Catherine Stribling (Johnny Jet).

My visit to Puebla was made possible by the Mexico Board of Tourism who provided my transportation, lodging and food. I paid for my own incidentals and extras. As always, my opinions are my own as I only recommend places and products I feel are worthwhile.