Mexico’s Mountain Town With Charming Cobblestone Streets, Churches and Art — San Miguel de Allende and Its Most Unique Hotel

The deep seeded culture of San Miguel de Allende runs longer and wider than its charming cobblestone streets. The historic, European-like roads that wind through the Mexican mountain town are lined with colorful walls and intricate doorways. Behind those doorways, you’ll find creators, thinkers and even discerning vacationers. 

Named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, San Miguel is a historic escape in every sense.

Founded by a monk in the 1500s as a missionary town as part of Spain’s silver route, San Miguel de Allende went on to become a vital location in the Mexican War of independence. The European influence is evident in the Spanish Colonial Baroque architecture and religious wonders, with countless jaw-dropping churches and cathedrals dotting the skyline. 

Today, San Miguel de Allende is a global mecca for art, cuisine and creativity of all kinds. When walking through the streets, you can hear passersby speaking different languages from the 35 different nationalities that call the city home. 

For visitors looking for a dose of this unique community four hours north of Mexico City, Rosewood San Miguel De Allende is a unique hotel at the heart of it all. 

Just a quick walk from the picturesque town square in downtown San Miguel De Allende, the quaint hacienda style hotel boasts just 67 rooms. Rosewood San Miguel brings the city’s artisanal influence into all aspects of the hotel. From forward-thinking food to artistic decor, sustainable wellness and m0re. 

The hotel’s walls are filled with an impressive collection of Mexican artists, including Pedro Friedeburg, Leonora Carrington, Juan Soriano and Vladimir Cora.

Rosewood San Miguel even boasts its own art concierge, who leads tours of the hotel’s collection and can curate an art focused itinerary both on and off property for guests. 

Soaking Up San Miguel de Allende

I took the Introspective Art Workshop with local artist Lucas Rise. It turned out to be half therapy session and half art lesson. Using Rise’s signature graphic style, I was challenged with a blank canvas and a variety of shaped stencils. The reflective artist walked me through a meaningful journey of personal exploration based on the patterns, colors and textures we choose to use.

With a mile-long list of bespoke experiences, Rosewood San Miguel de Allende seems to offer it all.

Concierge-created shopping routes are charted to explore the Mercado de Artesaniás, galleries and showrooms that line the streets, ideal for discovering new treasures. Architecture and historical tours come highly recommended, and for those wanting to zero in on the details, the hotel can even set up a door tour to see the elaborate doors and special fixtures that speak to the historic craftsmanship of San Miguel.

Or for a more festive adventure, Rosewood will put together a Cantina Tour on horseback, a clever, old world take on the classic bar crawl done in true Mexican cowboy style. 

If you’re in San Miguel even for 10 minutes, you’ll likely see a parade taking place. Rosewood San Miguel offers a Mojigangas Workshop to get a first hand look at the history and innovation involved in the famous giant papier-mâché puppets that lead many celebrations around town.

Celebrations of any kind in San Miguel (even the celebration of a long weekend getaway) are not complete without some soulful Mexican food.

You’ll be mesmerized by meals like a Chilaquiles breakfast under the tree-filled courtyard canopy, a cocktail hour highlighting aguachile and refreshing margaritas at the scenic Luna Rooftop & Tapas Bar, a garden lunch with farm fresh vegetables a la parrilla, and a decadent tasting menu at Rosewood’s signature 1826 Restaurant. That showcase meal comes complete with wine and tequila pairings from the hotel’s Tequilier (tequila sommelier).

But it’s not all about the food.

The mountainous town of San Miguel de Allende is surrounded by nature, which means hiking and touring diverse plant life in the surrounding gardens. Of course, after all that walking you may need  a spa day.

Sense, A Rosewood Spa®, Rosewood San Miguel de Allende’s spa tries to bring local healing traditions to its services.

Workshops and treatments using local ingredients put sustainable wellness at the forefront. Wellness devotees can discover the healing powers of the bougainvillea flower and bath with handmade soaps and lotions bursting with aroma from locally sourced lavender as part of the hotel’s Lavender Project. 

This is a unique slice of Mexico. Why not enjoy it with a unique hotel base?