Recommend October 2013 - (Page 27)

mexico Well, according to Eligio Serna, the executive director of commercial operation for the Mexico Tourism Board, “These colonial towns bring the best to the tourist, making them feel welcome and at home. It’s a sensorial experience full of natural sights and historic content, with all the comforts of a world-class destination and the peculiarities of the Mexico lifestyle.” in yucatan… Merida, which according to Serna is one of the must-visit colonial cities in the country, was founded in 1542 and offers one of the country’s largest historic centers. Most of the buildings here were built in the 17th and 18th centuries, and the cathedral is one of the oldest in the continent. “The gastronomic food is amazing,” says Serna. “Food from this region is completely different from anything you’ve tried, full of local ﬂavors and spices.” Clients will also want to sneak away from Merida, if only for a few hours, to visit the Mayan town of Uxmal, located an hour away. Here, a stay at Casa Azul, an 18th century French colonial home—registered as a historic monument for the city of Merida and part of the MBH collection—will put clients right in the center of town. The 8-room property offers uniquely designed accommodations with high ceilings and tastefully overdone, lavish decor, as well as fresh and organic Yucatecan bath products. Rates start at $250. The 17-room Rosas & Xocolate, which occupies two colonial mansions and was honored by Architectural Digest Mexico as the “best architectural restoration” in the country, embraces the local culture with subtle touches such as the use of Mayan techniques for the wall ﬁnishes, terraces overlooking one of the city’s most stunning avenues, the Paseo de Montejo, and Xocolatherapy spa treatments, which use locally produced pure cocoa paste. “From the design to the amenities and services, everything is carefully selected to combine the heritage of the destination with the best of modern luxury,” says Goncalo Clemente, the area director for the Americas at Design Hotels, whose collection includes Rosas & Xocolate. Rates start at $235. But beyond the decor and the amenities that are offered, what is consistent with these properties and the others we’ll be highlight- A SIDE NOTE UNDINE PROHL o Seychelles Labriz Resort & Spa on Silhouette Island. ing in this article is that each meticulously combines the past and the present into a singular retreat re-imagined by the owners who, says Laitre, “have a passion for the local history, architecture and the preservation of the buildings’ sense of place. This is reﬂected in every corner of the properties.” Adds Clemente, “These people, whom we at Design Hotels call ‘Originals,’ have a vision, a passion for their surroundings and are excited to share it with their likeminded visitors. Social responsibility and the use of local products also go hand-in-hand with this passion.” in the capital… Mexico City’s colonial past is ever-present, says the minister of tourism for Mexico City, Miguel Torruco, who refers to the “beautifully crafted cathedrals, the intricate building facades and the 18th century Chapultepec Castle that overlooks the city.” In fact, look closely and you’ll noticed that the historical center of the city, beginning at the Zocalo and moving outwards, is home to about 1,500 historical buildings that date back to the colonial era. “For someone who wants to immerse themselves in the country’s colonial past,” adds Torruco, “Mexico City is where it began and the options of attractions are endless.” If you’ve ever been to Mexico City, you can appreciate Torruco’s words. This is, in all honesty, one of my favorite destinations in the world (yes, the world). It’s one of the most culturally enriching, dynamic and enthralling cities your clients will ever visit. Art galleries and museums are around every corner, the culinary feast is unmatched and the dynamic vibe is enrapturing. And one of our favorite picks for a stay here is the 17-room Downtown, a Grupo Habita hotel and a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH). This hotel brand, Grupo Habita, has got to be one of the most innovative and distinctive hotel brands around, and the Downtown property, with rates starting at $165, speaks to this in volumes. In fact, for each of its properties, Grupo Habita uses a local team and integrates the local culture into the concepts. With the redo of Downtown, a former 17th century palace located along a cobblestone street in the city’s historic center, the company expertly combined the palace’s grandeur with a raw industrial edge—the facade is the original palace facade; there’s a stone-forge staircase with intricate handrails A few other standouts worth making note of: In Morelia, which Eligio Serna, the executive director of commercial operation for the Mexico Tourism Board, calls one of the “prettiest colonial cities,” and where clients will ﬁnd an array of museums, and buildings with baroque and neoclassic architecture, recommend the 11-room Cantera Diez. Part of the Mexico Boutique Hotels collection, this property was built in 1622 and its rooms are an ode to art with pieces by Irma Obregon and Rodrigo Treviño, and some offer views of the city’s cathedral. Rates are $123. And in picturesque Queretaro, which was founded in 1531 and whose UNESCO World Heritage site’s streets are made for exploring by foot, you’ll have your clients in your pocket if you recommend the very intimate 6-suite La Casa del Atrio, a 19th century home that’s been converted into a gallery-hotel. There are delightful curiosities around every corner. Rates start at $115. october 2013 27 26-29 MX Colonial.indd 27 9/23/13 2:15 PM

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend October 2013

Editor's Notes
Hotel Desk: COMO Hotels and Resorts
Tour Talk: Emirates Vacations
Hail Caesars!
Wine Country + San Francisco: A Perfect Pairing
A Vintage Stay in Mexico
Lais-Back Luxury at La Casa Que Canta, Zihuatanejo
Asia Raises the Bar on Luxury
Guadeloupe islands Travel Planner
Royal Princess
Cunard's Queen Elizabeth
Seaside Swells: Brazil + Uruguay
Moroccan Splendor
Regent Palms Turks & Caicos
It Takes A Villa

Recommend October 2013