Casa de las Bugambilias, Oaxaca, Mexico - Explore & Book
"Staying at Las Bugambilias is like staying in a family home, decorated by someone with a lively eye for craft and colour. Silver wall hangings, cheerful folk paintings, bright textiles, religious icons covering everything from angels to skeletons - this is a crash course in the quirky beauty of Mexican art. Table settings for the communal breakfasts are exquisite, and changed daily; what doesn’t change is the interesting guests you’ll meet over your morning meal, many of whom return to Las Bugambilias every year - you’ll even see photos of them dotted around the walls.
The family-like atmosphere works so well because there’s a real family behind Las Bugambilias: the Cabreras. One sister runs the popular next-door restaurant, the wife of a brother is the efficient manager, and the behind-the-scenes matriarch tends to the medicinal garden with its blissful temazcal (traditional steam bath) treatments. Outside the hotel, husband René offers excellent personalised tours of local markets, mezcal distilleries, the Zapotec city of Monte Alban, the stunning cascades of Hierve el Agua, and more besides. And everyone contributes to the wonderful ambiance of authenticity and true Mexican hospitality.
Highs
The location is ideal: on a relatively quiet street, within easy walking of Oaxaca's Zócalo (main square), shops, restaurants and museums
This is no cookie-cutter hotel: every room is different, with family heirlooms, vintage furniture or local crafts
Our breakfasts were both delicious and healthy
We loved the relaxed, social and friendly family atmosphere
An easy and affordable way to experience Temazcal treatments - soothing herbal steam baths
Lows
This is essentially a simple townhouse B&B, with no pool or grounds to speak of
Car parking is tricky
Some rooms are above the next-door restaurant and can get a bit noisy" - Lucia Appleby