Thanks for all the replies to my previous posting. We have narrowed our interest to either San Miguel d A. or Guanajuato. Does anyone have info about Guanajuato?? We are looking for a nice hotel, good food and possibly some Spanish lessons for a week in early Nov.

We've stayed in SMA and visited Guanajuato two or three times now. Love them both. Guanajuato is a BEAUTIFUL hilly University town. You can't go wrong with either and they're a half hour(?) easy bus ride apart. Depends on what you're looking for . . . The younger you are the more you might like Guanajuato - and the older you are the more you might like SMA, just my spontaneous opinion. SMA is more pristinely restored, with a larger Gringo population - though still quite Mexican. Guan, being a university town, has a younger feel to it, I think.
Perhaps not as many gringos, but last time I was there QUITE busy with Mexican families and others on the weekends.

This is a nice choice to have to make!!

We stayed in Guanajuato for about a week photographing and have been to SMdA twice for about 10 days total. I think 'glover' described the differences well, SMdA has more gringos and an older crowd but is "more pristinely restored" ... it's also easier to get around because it has fewer hills ... if we were to go back for a week we'd probably pick SMdA, it seems to have a bit more charm and we don't speak Spanish very well. Can't go wrong with either one of them though.

Bill

Well, I'm not sure what qualifies as older, but I think I'd chose Guanajuato over San Miguel. San Miguel is beautiful, but Guanajuato is unique. I have met a number of people who took Spanish lessons in Guanajuato, and seemed to enjoy it.

Thank you all.......we are in our 60's and walking major hills might be a deal breaker...so how hilly is it?? What about restaurants and hotels? I guess noise level too is an issue. We'd rather not be surrounded by X-pats, but then again university towns can be noisy with disco's etc... so its probably a 50/50 choice.....What fun to make this decision!!!

The hills are not that much of a problem. Most of the city is in the valley between the hills. You might want to look at my photos:

http://tinyurl.com/ojvh8

Why either/or?
Do both!
There is a great package deal at Quinta Las Acacias in Gto. currently on the www.luxurylink.com auctions site.
The www.primeraplus.com.mx bus is only $79. pesos to/from.
Buen viaje.
M

Mikemo..it sure looks like a beautiful hotel and a great package.... do you know the hotel??? Is it as great as it sounds?....thanks for your input...

I would suggest you visit www.tripadvisor.com Central Mexico then Guanajuato forum(s).
There is lots of feedback and local info.
A nice part of the lux link package is the guided trip to DH, Atotonilco and SMdA.
Buen viaje.