Historical Hotels in Mexico

Hacienda San Gabriel de las Palmas

This 16th century building located in Amacuzac, in the state of Morelos (20 minutes from Cuernavaca), was originally a Franciscan monastery, then a sugar plantation and sugar mill. During the Mexican Revolution, Emiliano Zapata used the site as his headquarters. Now meticulously restored, the Hacienda San Gabriel is an exclusive hotel, spa and restaurant, surrounded by lush vegetation.

Camino Real Oaxaca

The Santa Catalina convent was built in 1576 in the heart of Oaxaca, for Dominican nuns. Taken over by the State in the 1800s, the building was used for public offices and as a prison. It wasn't until 1972 that this beautiful monument was restored and transformed into a 5-star hotel. Now run by the Camino Real hotel chain, the hotel's colonnaded cloisters, thick stone walls and colonial baroque architecture offer the visitor a glimpse into the past.

Hacienda de los Santos

A luxury hotel in the quiet town of Alamos, Sonora, the Hacienda de los Santos is made up of three colonial-period mansions that are connected by walkways and surrounded by lush gardens. Stone floors, antique furnishings and religious art dating back to the 17th Century give the hotel a feel of times past. Four pools, an on-site spa, wood-burning fireplaces in all the rooms and an attentive staff ensure guests' comfort.

Hotel Virrey de Mendoza

Named after Antonio de Mendoza, the viceroy of Mexico who founded Morelia, this hotel is in a 17th Century mansion located on Morelia's main plaza. Built over several periods, the building started out as a simple stone house. A second floor was added in 1779 and the third was added prior to the hotel's inauguration in 1939. The high ceilings, stained-glass atrium and antique furniture give this hotel an authentic colonial feel.

Hacienda El Carmen

Just outside of Guadalajara, the Hacienda del Carmen is on a large estate which was once part of a sugar cane plantation. Don Francisco Merodio was granted the lands by royal decree and built the hacienda in 1722. The present owners took 5 years to complete the building's restoration. Now there is a spa in the former granary and a gym where the outdoor kitchen had been. The modern amenities are tastefully concealed, however, so as not to interfere with the colonial ambience.

La Quinta Luna

Located in Cholula, Puebla, this seventeenth century mansion is built around a lovely courtyard with a fountain. Restored in 1996, the building's adobe walls and high ceilings contrast with modern Mexican furnishings and art. The hotel's remarkable features include a library built with wooden beams rescued during the restoration, and a restaurant in the mansion's former chapel.

Casa de la Marquesa

Built in 1756 in the colonial city of Queretaro, this mansion was a gift from the Marquis de la Villa del Villar del Aguila to his wife, Doña Josefa. La Casa de la Marquesa hotel opened in 1995 after its complete restoration. The fresco-painted walls, stunning Moorish archways and small chapel make this hotel a real colonial gem.