"Why did this hotel catch your attention? What's the vibe? The gorgeous wrought iron railings set against the flat white of the exteriors, and the arched doorway of the entrance, all felt so minimalist, yet in a warm, welcoming way. You turn down this almost hidden cobblestone street, away from the buzz of the city, and the tranquility of this little corner takes you by surprise. What's the backstory? Amanda Keidan, an L.A.-based jeweler visited San Miguel de Allende for the first time in 2017 and fell hard for the city’s bohemian vibe. While dreamily searching real estate listings months later, she discovered a five-room hotel and purchased it on a whim. The red-and-green exterior was stripped back to showcase the original ironwork and the tchotchke-filled interiors where reimagined with artisan pieces she sourced locally, plus a few global finds like Moroccan carpets. Tell us all about the accommodations. Any tips on what to book? The two-floor roof garden suite is worth the splurge. It feels like your own private city sanctuary. The private rooftop has a jetted hot tub and you can see all the way across the city. At sunset it's magical. The wrought iron bed frame in room one has two white crowns that hang above each pillow, making you feel like a king and queen. The colorful tiles in the bathrooms are all handmade in the nearby city of Dolores Hidalgo. Is there a charge for Wi-Fi? No charge. Super speedy. Drinking and dining—what are we looking at? There isn't a restaurant but breakfast is complimentary, served at a communal cedar table that was made by a local woodworker. Each morning you'll find pastries from beloved SMA bakery Panio. Sunday's breakfast spread is a bit more elaborate and includes not-to-be-missed amaranth waffles. I also loved the jalapeño-spiked avocado toast. Amanda is so well connected and can direct guests to local restaurants and help with reservations. She also hosts monthly pop-up dinners with chefs from SMA (Donnie Masterson), Mexico City, New York, and Los Angeles. And the service? Service was smooth and thoughtful. Amanda is normally on site and she knows just the right attention to give to guests. She can arrange tarot card readings, and had a yoga instructor come do a one-on-one rooftop yoga class with me. She also has an awesome black book for shopping. What type of travelers will you find here? Modern-day bohemians. They look like they could be in a Free People advertisement with their flowy dresses and big gold hoop earrings. They appreciate craftsmanship and talk about where Amanda has sourced the textiles and artwork, and enjoy communal meals and meeting new people. What about the neighborhood? Does the hotel fit in, make itself part of the scene? The location is so great, just a ten-minute walk from the city’s most famous landmark, La Parroquia, and a bit further to La Fabrica Aurora, the Cultural Arts and Design Center. Is there anything you'd change? It would be nice if there were snacks or wine before dinner hours. Any other hotel features worth noting? There isn't a spa but they can arrange excellent in room facials and massages. I love the private astrology readings as well. I worried it would feel a bit woo woo but it was really interesting and informative. Bottom line: Worth it? Why? Intimate and you feel immediately plugged into the city." - Jen Murphy
