Review of Hotel T+L on Rosewood San Miguel de Allende

As a long time favorite of Travel + Leisure readers (it was voted the number one city hotel in Mexico in our annual World’s Best Awards, while the city is honored in the WBA Hall of Fame), Rosewood San Miguel de Allende has a high reputation.

But despite the sky-high expectations set by this accolade, this luxury stay lives up to the hype with ease. From the moment I entered the doors of the hotel and passed under the stone arches that led to the interior courtyard, I was mesmerized. Its terracotta-red hacienda-style façade appears to have been part of San Miguel de Allende’s ancient urban landscape for centuries, when in fact the hotel opened its doors in 2011.

The majestic design, crafted by local artisans, invokes the colonial architecture of this charming city through beamed ceilings, handcrafted furniture, lush gardens and terraces that overlook the city’s cobblestone streets and its most famous church, the Parish of Saint Michael the Archangel.

The excellent food and beverage program, highlighting regional flavors and local producers, adds to the hotel’s rich cultural spirit and transforms each stay into an exciting culinary journey. Add in an extensive spa menu featuring indigenous healing traditions, along with the warm and friendly staff, and you’ll have a clear idea of ​​why this hotel lives up to its reputation.

Here, my full review of Rosewood San Miguel de Allende.

The Rooms

Rooms range from the 570-square-foot Colonial room category, which features one king or two queen beds, a private balcony, and a deep soaking tub, to the 2,900-square-foot Grand Rosewood Suite, a gorgeous top-floor retreat with a plunge pool and city views. All rooms and suites feature a balcony, patio or rooftop terrace, ideal for sipping on the beverage of your choice while taking in the sights and sounds of the city. The hotel also offers several luxury residences from two to five bedrooms for those seeking privacy and more space to relax.

I stayed in a deluxe colonial room with exposed wooden beams, a fireplace, a cozy bathtub with candles, and a balcony overlooking the hotel gardens. Beautiful decor aside, my favorite part of the room was the attentive housekeeping. One day, I again found a new travel-sized tube of toothpaste and mouthwash; The housekeeper noticed that I was almost out of toothpaste and left these refills on my dresser, along with a note. And that’s just one of many examples of how the staff, from the front desk and restaurant to the behind-the-scenes staff, made my stay memorable.

Food and drink

Pirules Garden Kitchen is a gorgeous, spacious restaurant at the back of the hotel, overlooking the pools, lush gardens and the city skyline in the distance. A cheerful outdoor bar draws guests to the dining room, where chef Odín Rocha has created a sustainable and seasonal dining experience. Dishes here celebrate local ingredients, all sourced from within a 60-mile radius of the hotel, and traditional flavors that come together in beautifully presented dishes.

Located in the heart of the hotel, the all-day 1826 restaurant pays homage to the culinary traditions of Mexico with dishes such as red pozole with pork ribs, oxtail birria stew and oaxacan tlayuda with beef and sausage. Across the hall, you’ll find 1826 Tequila Bar, offering light bites and signature cocktails, highlighting the country’s agave spirits.

Outside, Poolside Agua offers classic lunchtime drinks and eats like nachos, burgers, sandwiches and tacos.

And finally, no stay at this hotel, or visit to San Miguel de Allende, is complete without drinks or a meal at Luna Rooftop. With incredible views of the city’s mountainous skyline, highlighted by the famous St. Michael the Archangel church, this is the perfect place to watch the sunset with a delicious drink in hand. (I recommend the mezcal pepino, a refreshing cucumber cocktail). The menu here features a fusion of Mexican and Mediterranean cuisine; I especially loved the suckling pig tacos and the pizzettas.

Activities and Experiences

Hidden among palm trees and gardens, there are two pools: the two-level main pool with jacuzzi and a separate family pool. A gym and two clay tennis courts are available for travelers who want to stay active while on vacation.

Pirules Garden Kitchen offers cooking and mixology classes, as well as farm-to-table experiences where guests visit a local farm and gather ingredients for a meal prepared at the hotel. You can also book tastings of tequila, mezcal and Mexican wines.

Art lovers will appreciate the hotel’s collection of sculptures and paintings by local artists, but for a hands-on experience, there are painting classes, craft workshops, and a mojigangas workshop, dedicated to the large paper mache puppet figures, often seen at weddings and other celebrations in San Miguel de Allende.

Local food, cultural and arts tours are also available, as well as ATV tours and horseback riding.

The spa

Sense, a Rosewood Spa, features treatments ranging from classic massages and facials to journeys rooted in local culture and cosmic experiences. The Lost Remedies menu is inspired by indigenous Otomi knowledge of the cosmos and herbal healing techniques.

I booked the Sensory Immersion Earth ritual, a 90- or 120-minute treatment where I lay on a rose quartz crystal bed. It was a combination of sound therapy with singing bowls, massage, chromotherapy and vibrating tuning forks.

Other holistic experiences offered at the spa include Reiki, tarot readings, birth chart sessions and a cocoa ceremony.

Offers for families

Rosewood San Miguel de Allende offers several family experiences such as craft and cooking classes. Certified babysitters are also available to book for in-room care. Connecting rooms and suites are available, and up to two children under 12 years old can stay in their parents’ room at no additional charge. Rollaway beds are available for an additional fee, while cribs are free and available upon request.

Accessibility and Sustainability

As a destination, San Miguel de Allende is hilly with uneven cobblestone streets and sometimes narrow sidewalks, which can present a challenge for some travelers with limited mobility. The hotel offers Colonial Rooms (Colonial King or Colonial Double) for guests with disabilities, which have fully adapted bathrooms. Elevators are available.

Rosewood San Miguel de Allende has several sustainability initiatives as part of its Rosewood Sustains and Rosewood Empowers programs. These include a waste recycling program, the elimination of single-use plastic water bottles, and employment opportunity programs.

Location

Located in the heart of San Miguel de Allende, the hotel is just steps from many of the city’s top attractions. It takes just 10 minutes to reach the iconic pink Gothic church of San Miguel Arcángel and the adjacent Jardín Allende. However, I recommend taking your time to leisurely stroll the steep cobblestone streets and adjust to the relatively high elevation (6,234 feet).

If you plan to stay in San Miguel de Allende, renting a car won’t be necessary: ​​the city center is compact and walkable. Taxis are plentiful and affordable, and the hotel can help guests book an airport transfer. Guanajuato International Airport (BJX), also known as León/Bajío International Airport, is approximately an hour and 15 minutes drive from San Miguel de Allende. Some visitors also fly into Mexico City International Airport and drive to San Miguel de Allende; The trip takes between three and four hours, depending on traffic.

Book now

Rosewood Hotels does not have a loyalty program, but you can book seasonal offers (which may include free nights, resort credits, or a percentage off your stay) through the hotel website.

Rosewood San Miguel de Allende is also part of American Express Fine Hotels + Resortsallowing cardholders to get benefits like daily breakfast for two, early check-in and late check-out (when available), and a room upgrade upon arrival.

Nightly rates in Rosewood San Miguel de Allende starts from $438.

Every T+L hotel review is written by an editor or journalist who has stayed at the property, and each hotel selected aligns with our core values.