Hotel Boutique 1850

Hotel Boutique 1850 is a hip, modern boutique hotel with a vibe all its own. Its name comes from the historic 1850 building in which it sits, with wrought-iron balconies and green awnings. Since it's not accessible by car, guests walk up to the entrance off the city's main square. Inside, the lobby is filled with chic and whimsical details, like a cluster of cylindrical light fixtures hanging from a plate-glass atrium ceiling, vibrantly patterned chairs, curiously placed dog sculptures, stylish contemporary art, and original stone and woodwork. The on-site restaurant, Casa Valadez, draws crowds from around the city, and the chic rooftop One Bar & Lounge has minimalist white block furniture across a wooden deck with great views of the city. Guests at this hotel are almost exclusively couples, though a few families pass through as well. 

The hotel is ideally located for tourists, in the heart of Gunajuato's historic core, right across from the Teatro Juarez and Jardin de la Union, the city's main square. There are many shops, restaurants, and bars in the area, and you can easily walk to the city's tourist spots, such as the Church of San Diego (one minute) and the Diego Rivera Museum and Home (six minutes). A Starbucks is right next to the front door, though you'll get much better coffee in local spots like Cafe Conquistador (a five minute walk) or Cafe Tal (a seven minute walk). You cannot access the hotel by car, and the closest parking is about five blocks away. Guanajuato International Airport is a 30-minute drive from the hotel. 

Rooms are divided into six categories and have names like Priscilla, Cynthia, and Lucia. They are all different, but are stylish and sophisticated across the board, with fantastical elements and artistic details throughout, plus decorative headboards in every room. The Suite Julieta makes a bold statement, with a bright turquoise floors and striped nightstands. The Deluxe Suite Isabel has vibrant damask wallpaper, upholstered contemporary-antique love seats, and shades of purple, gray, silver, and black throughout. Like several other rooms in the hotel, this room has a balcony that overlooks the Jardín de la Unión and Teatro Juárez. The Master Suite Maria has exotic woods, leather, and a black, gray, and white color palette with pops of bright gold. Dog sculptures add a sense of whimsy while bold contemporary art feels fresh, as does the sketched faces covering the wallpaper on an accent wall. All rooms features iHome clock radios, pillow menus, Egyptian cotton linens, hypoallergenic beds with memory foam, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, stocked minibars, and a choice of daily newspaper. Bathrooms also vary from room to room, though they are contemporary, with raised sinks, modern fixtures, large walk-in showers, and high-end Malin+Goetz bath products. Noise may be an issue in some street facing rooms and we did notice some mineral stains on showerheads in the bathrooms when we visited.

This hotel has many features to match its stylish rooms and interiors. The on-site restaurant, Casa Valadez, is a popular local establishment that draws guests from around the city for high-end, gourmet Mexican cuisine, while the rooftop One Bar & Lounge is a chic venue serving cocktails, beer, and wine with great city views. Breakfast is free and served in the cafe next door, though guests should know that it does not start early in the day. The tiny fitness center has a treadmill, elliptical trainer, and stationary bike, though there are no windows and it's not the most inspiring place for a workout. The hotel also offers a small spa that features massage and beauty services. There is a comfortable library on site with a small selection of books for guests to use. The hotel has a 24 hour front desk and a dedicated concierge that can help arrange car services and airport transfers for a fee. The hotel's business center and fitness center are both open 24 hours a day and laundry and dry cleaning services can be arranged.