3 Best Hotels in Querétaro, San Miguel de Allende and the Heartland

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.

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.