17 Best Hotels in San Miguel de Allende and the Heartland, Mexico

Families from Mexico City escape to this sprawling 16th-century ex-hacienda, part of the upscale Brisas chain, which is replete with topiary gardens, a horse stable, access to a nearby golf course, and acres of grassy sports fields. Antique horse-drawn carriages dot the grounds and courtyards, and the spacious earth-tone rooms have dark-wood furniture. Jurica is an upscale residential neighborhood a 20-minute drive northwest of the city center but conveniently located off of Highway 57---it's a good alternative to staying in the city, especially if you're en route to Guanajuato or points north.

In a colonial house with most rooms facing the large central patio, complete with plants and bubbling fountain, this family-run pension offers excellent location and a homey atmosphere. Rooms are good-sized, but the furnishings are a bit on the basic side. Prices include a full breakfast plus a family-style three-course luncheon—nothing fancy. In the library check your email or select a book and enjoy a complimentary morning coffee, afternoon tea, or postprandial tequila.

The theme of this three-story hotel across from La Compania church and just down the street from the University of Guanajuato is clearly maritime, with a light-blue color scheme and blue glass floor tiles in the downstairs lobby. Rooms have a tranquil blue-gray–and-cream color scheme, high ceilings, pleasingly modern wood furnishings, and comfortable beds. Those facing outward have balconies, some with excellent views. Its location just behind Jardín de la Unión puts you right within access of the square's vibrancy, but without the all the noise.

With a panoramic view near the church of La Valenciana, this American-owned house is an upmarket B&B—and one of the classiest lodgings in the city. One room has a whirlpool tub, another its own steam room, and all have a terrace with a stunning view. The only downside is its distance from the city, but, on the other hand, it's nice to get away from the hustle and bustle.

For a truly Mexican experience in a town where international tastes prevail, book a room in this small B&B on quiet Calle Jesus. Although constructed in 2002 as a small hotel, it really does feel like someone's home, right down to the standard Walmart toilet set (matching rug, tank, and toilet-lid covers), crucifixes and religious paintings on the walls, and in one room, even a Barbie doll with crocheted outfit. A library provides novels and DVDs for guests to enjoy: each room has a flat-screen TV and DVD player. The rooftop terrace offers excellent, 360-degree views of town.

Near the Diego Rivera Museum and other downtown sights, the four-story "Inn of the Poets" offers comfortable lodgings at a moderate price, which is all too rare in downtown Guanajuato. Each room and suite is named after a different poet and has unique layout and furnishings; those on the upper floors have the most natural light and best views, but bear in mind you must walk up.

Offering a great variety of activities for guests of all ages---from a sophisticated spa and elegant pool area to a game room, bike rentals, horseback riding, and a billiards room---this stylish resort built around a grand early 1600s hacienda makes a wonderful base for exploring the region. It's a short drive off the highway between Querétaro and CDMX, and not far from the area's popular wine country. Even if you don't spend the night, consider stopping on your way to or from Mexico City for a meal in the refined restaurant.

Short of camping along the trail, you can't get a whole lot closer to the famed Peña de Bernal monolith than staying in this imaginatively designed boutique inn constructed of local stone and offering a very nice restaurant and wine cellar bar, plus a terrace, pool, and hot tub with great views of the countryside. The one drawback of being so close to the mountain is that the location is a bit outside the charming town center of Bernal. But for exploring the area, including the many wineries nearby, it's a great choice.

The 18th-century pink-stone facade of this lovely old colonial building faces the Plaza de Armas and the cathedral. During festival season, rooms looking onto the plaza are within earshot of late-night and early-morning tamborazo music. That said, you'll get a great view of the festivities from your small balcony. It offers lots of services, such as parking, babysitting, a bar-restaurant, business center, and a small gym.

A private mansion built in the 17th century is now an alluring hotel less than two blocks from the Plaza de Armas. In the original section, rooms surround an elegant patio with a large fountain and massive bougainvillea. Rooms have been upgraded and feature flat-screen TVs, tile floors and Persian-style rugs, goose-down pillows, and 400-thread-count Egyptian cotton sheets.

This colonial-style inn at the Jardín de la Unión—the best location in town for being in the thick of things—has been in operation since 1862. Large historical paintings by local artist Don Manuel Leal hang in the wood-paneled lobby. Rooms are rather drab, with barely adequate bathrooms. Rooms facing the plaza can be noisy, but have the best views; quieter rooms face narrow alleyways, and some look onto Guanajuato's twisting roads. The hotel's restaurant is great for people-watching and late-night snacks.

Folk-art lovers are drawn to this "house of happy spirits" for its collection of crafts. Owned by a California artist and textile collector, the lovingly restored hacienda (circa 1700) has thick stone walls and serene, almost jungle-like grounds covered with bougainvillea and calla lilies. Hand-glazed-tile baths, fireplaces, and private terraces are standard with each room, but otherwise, all rooms are unique. Marfil is a 15-minute drive from the center of town—frequent buses are available. Taxi drivers may be unfamiliar with the hotel, so come prepared with directions.

Once an early-19th-century apartment building, this hotel is absolutely sprawling, with courtyard upon courtyard giving way to more rooms than you imagined could exist here. There are two levels of guest rooms, all of which are done in tasteful, if somewhat bland, furnishings. The Mesón's placement on a little plaza set back from and above the street enhances its tranquil quality.

One of San Miguel's oldest families has opened its ranch-style home as a hotel, complete with a common area with fireplace and a library full of Mexican and international art books. Only blocks from the action of downtown, rooms here open onto lush gardens and trees. From an ample terrace with sweeping views you can enjoy an organic breakfast. One of the rooms has its own swimming pool.

Although nothing to write home about, Hotel Posada de la Aldea has some qualities that make it worth considering if you are a bargain shopper. Rooms are spacious, though the furnishings are a bit tired, and there's ample free parking, a restaurant-bar, heated swimming pool (rare in budget San Miguel hotels), and an excellent location not far from all the downtown sights. It's also near many more good restaurants on Calle Ancha de San Antonio. Better prices are often available during nonpeak seasons.

When he wasn't living in his jungle hut, Edward James stayed in town (a 10-minute drive away) in a whimsical house that feels like an extension of the garden structures at Las Pozas—except that it has walls. The house, El Castillo (the Castle), is now a quirky inn run by the granddaughter of James's boon companion and chief designer-builder, Plutarco Gastelum. Rooms are adorned with simple wooden furnishings; the best rooms have huge Gothic windows and panoramic mountain views. You can arrange to have meals here, although there are lately more dining options in Xilitla, which has grown to 15,000 souls, than in previous years.

With excellent views of Guanajuato, suites at this renovated 19th-century property, a Mexico Boutique Hotel member, are handsomely decorated with period European or Mexican furnishings. It's an utterly relaxing place, with a pretty restaurant and newly renovated bar specializing in artisanal mezcals. Take a stroll along Paseo de la Presa to admire the early-20th-century homes built by mining execs imported from Europe. Walk into town (take a cab back, it's uphill), to the de la Olla Dam, or just stretch your legs in the newly renovated Florencio Antillón park, almost across the street from the hotel.