La Joya Hotel San Cristóbal

A visit to La Joya Hotel is like coming home, only nicer. Stunning architecture, thoughtful and beautiful public spaces, and rooms that deliver luxury at its finest. Fine linens, fresh flowers, fruit, chocolate and so much more, all contribute to a memorable stay. The proprietors, Ann and John, have created a peaceful and welcoming haven in the lovely town of San Cristobal de Las Casas, Chiapas. Their hospitality is thoughtful and warm--we loved our conversations with them about travel and life and the world today. Their pampering and attention to guests' tastes and needs is second to none. We travel a great deal and consider La Joya Hotel to be among the finest we've ever experienced. We plan to return soon and are looking forward to once again being enveloped in the warm embrace of La Joya Hotel.

La Joya represents outstanding accommodation made distinctive by its unique decorative style and more importantly, by the warmth and generosity of its hosts Ann and John and their team. My wife and I have travelled extensively over many years but nothing meets the charm, ambience and high service standards of La Joya. The comfort levels and attention to detail are outstanding. The hotel is also well located within the city centre minutes from restaurants, historic locations and local handicraft markets. I wish we had booked for a longer stay!

This is the most beautiful inn in Mexico where we have ever stayed (and we have been to more than 25 different locations in Mexico). The attention to detail and the renovation of a pre-20th century abandoned building was exquisite.||Moreover, John and Ann are welcoming, knowledgeable, and warm hosts. John will ensure that a fire is started in your in-room fireplace during the cool winter months at high elevation and Ann will explain the locations of nearby towns and interesting little known locations in-town. Everything was super comfortable.||Just keep in mind that this is an inn and a little prior notice is required for hot water and that the delicious breakfast is available in the common area.||Wish we were there at this moment.

La Joya is our favorite hotel to date in a lifetime of travels around the globe. If comfort and attention to detail is what you're looking for, you must check in here. Ann and John are the most gracious and perceptive hosts, knowing precisely when to ply you with tourist information and when to leave you on your own. They are extremely knowledgeable about the area and have experienced tour guides to whom to refer you. But that's not the best part. We felt as though we were Ann and John's personal guests. John delivered coffee to our room every morning and lit our fireplace--how cozy is that before breakfast? And breakfast? So wonderful to sit in the dining room with a fire blazing and eat one of John's delicious egg dishes with excellent breads and pastries. The staff was delightful and ready to help with whatever you needed. Miguel lit a fire in our fireplace every evening. I'm still mooning over Ann's ginger cookies which appeared every afternoon. The appetizers and wine before heading out to dinner were superb. And though we hate to admit it, the margaritas were better than ours! The house is an architectural gem and is filled with wonderful art and objects collected from having lived and worked around the world by two people with a eye for the exceptional, down to the multi-thread count linens on our king-size bed! It's a real treat when the people who are making your stay special seem to be enjoying it as much as you are.

It started with our first inquiries about activities in San Cristobal de las Casas and surroundings and the propriertess, Ann, responded with a detailed list of activities, places to see and festivals not to miss. We ended up incorporating most of them into our schedule. We web searched for guides and transport for our overall trip to Chiapas and came up with several outfits that sounded good and decided to pass that to Ann for comments. She reduced the list to two she thought would meet our needs and feel confident in recommending. The one we chose was very good and reasonably priced. Her services were continuous from pre-planing to the end of our stay there having exchanged well over 25 emails in the process. Our other host, John, is extremely gregarious and overwhelmed us with personal assistance during our 4 day stay. He brought coffee to our room at 5:45 am each morning (we like to read the paper in bed until breakfast), joined us for wine and appetizers that he supplies each evening in front of a wood burning fire place and regaled us with stories and good humor. He made delicious custom breakfast each morning and simply did his best to satisfy our needs, which were many. All of us in the group ended up inviting John and Ann to visit us in the US and sincerely wish that they do so. Their house is a story in it own right, they specified and had it built about six years ago and created a spectacular building that has to be seen to believe, it is creative, functional, highly artistic and decorated to match. You have to see it because words are not adequate. It is truly a Jewel!||They made us love San Cristobal and its people.||||Eloy and Joyce

Do not stay anywhere else!! It is impossible to describe this gorgeous bed and breakfast filled with antiques and beautifully fashioned to the owners' specifications. Ann and John are two of the warmest most hospitable people you will ever meet. They love to assist you as you find your way in Chiappas and will help you plan your activities. From the first email to our departure, they provided advice and connected us with drivers and a guide, saw that we were well fed given our dietary restrictions and even sent us off with care packages of food. Fire in our own fireplace every night, bed warmers, and oh, the Belgian chocolates every night! Of all our travels this is the first time, when asked what was the highlight of our trip, my husband replied: meeting Ann and John, our hosts in Chiappas.

An absolute delight....lovely people and top class property in the heart of the historic district. A pleasure on the eye and a treat for the senses. Couple could not be more welcome.....fantastic breakfasts in a truly wonderful property. Our suite had great ambience and a hot tub. The eclectic furnishings throughout the property demonstrate the pride and good taste of the hosts. We travel regularly throughout the world and we rate this property very highly. We recomend without reservation.

Perfect location near walking streets; magnificent interior - a showcase of arts-and-culture from all over the world; daily breakfast is an art form, with titillating conversations with hosts; softest linen; whole experience is elegance & comfort