As one of the best preserved colonial cities in Mexico, San Miguel de Allende is composed of distinctive, colorful buildings dating back to Spanish rule. Many of these old buildings have been meticulously restored and turned into elegant hotels and B&Bs blending modern Mexican decor with historic architectural bones.

Casa Delphine is owned by American jewelry designer Amanda Keidan, who bought and revamped an old 5-room hotel and updated the interior using her professional eye for design. The result is a zen-like environment with a distinctly social atmosphere, thanks to the giant dining table which plays host to curated community dinners and events.

San Miguel de Allende’s first luxury hotel, Belmond’s Casa de Sierra Nevada, is composed of an ensemble of noteworthy 17th Century buildings decorated with antiques and traditional tiling. Situated right in the center of town, the hotel is well positioned for meandering the cobblestone streets, but step through the ancient front door and a leafy courtyard offers immediate tranquility.

A little further out of town, the Rosewood San Miguel de Allende turned a 16th Century Spanish colonial mansion into a hacienda-style hotel with a slew of impressive travel awards. Wood-beamed ceilings, stone arches, and a rich color palette give the property a classic Mexican feel and rooms come with their own outdoor space – be it balcony, terrace or rooftop.