El Meson de los Poetas

This charming hotel is housed in a restored 18th century mansion that's been painted a bright shade of salmon. Colorful Mexican tiles run throughout, from the hotel's entrance the front desk right up through the many staircases inside, while terra cotta tiled floors and antique wood furniture complete the picture. Like many historic buildings in this part of Mexico, the hotel is arranged around a central courtyard surrounded by walkways, arched doorways, and four floors of rooms. The courtyard -- which doubles as the breakfast area -- has original stonework and rich mustard-colored walls hung with portraits of poets. Hallways are open, with wrought-iron railings and bright blue windowsills, with colonial style couches lining the way, creating plenty of small nooks for guests to pause and relax. This friendly and relaxed hotel has plenty of potted greenery and distinctive portraiture throughout, and guests here are predominantly couples and families.

The hotel is situated in central Guanajuato, the historic capital city of the state with the same name. The area surrounding the hotel is filled with narrows cobblestone streets and there are many cafes, restaurants, and shops within walking distance of the hotel. The Diego Rivera Museum and Home is just across the street, while the Jardin de la Union, the city's main square, is a five-minute walk from the hotel, and Hidalgo Market, Juarez Theater, and the Regional Museum of Guanajuato Alhóndiga de Granaditas are all under 10 minutes away on foot. The popular Museo de las Momias, which contains preserved mummies from the 18th and 19th century that were found in the city, takes about 10 minutes to reach by car or taxi, or just over 20 minutes on foot. The hotel is directly attached to one of the city's famous, historic tunnels as well. The Guanajuato International Airport is a 30-minute drive from the hotel. 

The hotel's 34 rooms are divided into six categories, though decor across all categories is similar, with terra cotta tile floors, iron bed frames, rust-colored bedspreads, and classic solid wood furniture, much of which has been attractively stained or brightly painted. Each room is named after a poet and wall art reflects the themes in their work. All rooms have flat-screen TVs, fans, heaters, free bottled water, and safes, and some upgraded rooms have microwaves and mini-fridges while others have full kitchens with stoves and gorgeous antique furniture. Bathrooms are tiny and lack counter space, with standalone sinks and tiled floors, while some also have colorful Mexican tiles in the stand-up showers. We spotted a bit of rust on shower heads and some calcium deposits on shower walls when we visited, and fixtures are modern but not contemporary. All rooms can only be accessed by stairs, some noise from the street may be an issue, and the in-room Wi-Fi signals aren't entirely reliable. The Super Suite also has a small balcony overlooking the street that can be quite lovely for a coffee.

A great a la carte breakfast is served in the central courtyard though it is not included with room bookings and no other meals are available throughout the day. The hotel also has two event spaces, including El Patio de la Palabra, which hosts occasional readings, and a terrace with great views of Guanajuato that's available for private events and holds up to 35 people. There are two computers and a printer stationed in one of the hallways that are available for guests to use. Because there is no elevator, guests need to be prepared to climb many stairs, some of which are steep. Laundry services are available and the front desk, staffed 24 hours a day, can provide information about the city.