Casa de Sierra Nevada, a Belmond Hotel, San Miguel de Allende

San Miguel de Allende, 1959: Beat Generation writers Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg were downing tequilas in a bar; meanwhile, a local family was transforming a 16th-century convent into a comfortable inn. Moments from La Parroquia – the city’s soaring, neo-Gothic church – the convent’s unadorned facade shielded the internal courtyard gardens from the heat and dust. Today, on that same site, the same siesta-like calm pervades at Casa de Sierra Nevada, a Belmond Hotel. Authentic and inviting, the hotel has expanded to fill six heritage mansions, all luxuriously restored. Stone staircases lead to shaded patios and trickling fountains. Vaulted archways reveal succulent, rich gardens. Striking contemporary art greets guests at every turn. No two rooms are the same. Antiques, local textiles, and stone fireplaces create rich sanctuaries with every modern comfort. Some boast incredible views and plunge pools.

An array of indoor and outdoor spaces suit events ranging from intimate gatherings to stunning celebrations, while the size of the hotel makes it perfect for buyouts. Days may be spent by the foliage-fringed pool, enjoying pampering rituals at Laja Spa, or mastering Mexican cuisine at the hotel’s acclaimed Sázon Cooking School. Creativity can be explored further with painting lessons in the park, led by the resident artist. As evening falls, the buzzing Blue Bar beckons. Cool cocktails pave the way for fresh and piquant specialties at Andanza Restaurant. A stroll away is Restaurante del Parque, a leafy venue for prized Oaxaca and Puebla cuisine, together with live music. Tailor-made group activities range from San Miguel art tours and wine tastings to horseback rides in the Mexican heartlands.