Banyan Tree Puebla

Azul Talavera (formerly Rosewood Puebla)

"How did it strike you on arrival?This opening turns the volume way up on the type of traveler heading to Puebla. The team at Rosewood have combined history, decor, food, and beverage in all the right ways, and created a hotel that nods to Puebla and heritage by incorporating old ruins into the design, and constructing what may be the most modern rooftop in Puebla, serving New York-worthy cocktails with views of the volcano. The lobby is loaded with colorful local arts which immediately suggest a sophistication the city had not seen before. Nice. What’s the crowd like?Americans, Europeans and Mexicans in their thirties and forties. All people with great taste, who likely know the brand and were drawn to Puebla by the arrival of the hotel. The good stuff: Tell us about your room.I had a spacious, mid level suite. To walk between the bed and the bathroom actually took around a full 30 seconds, which is a while when you think about it. The decor was rustic: heavy dark woods, colorful fabrics and local talavera ceramic where possible. Worth dining in?This was one area where the hotel let me down a little. The restaurant serves a Texas-style menu: onion rings, steaks and chicken. Don't get me wrong, the food is high end and delicious, but given that Mexico is home one of the world's greatest cuisines, I'm unsure why you'd want one of your few meals to be anything else. But the food that is coming out of the kitchen—especially the risotto and creamed spinach—is incredibly well done. Anything stand out about other services and features? Whether it’s childcare, gyms, spas, even parking—whatever stuck with you.The rooftop pool—with views of a smoking volcano—is fabulous, and is next to the rooftop bar, which has beautiful tiled floors and comfy lounge seating. Bottom line: worth it, and why?Rosewood is generally ahead of the curve when it comes to opening in a destination right before that place gets hot, and this property is no exception. We love the oversize beds, colorful lines and cool stone accents in the rooms. But even if you are not overnighting, come for the underground bar, which lies alongside former washing vats used by the locals a century ago." - Erin Florio