Rosewood Dips a Third Toe into Mexico's Market
The New Rosewood Hotel in San Miguel Exudes Sex Appeal and Colonial Style.
When Rosewood Hotels & Resorts opened Las Ventanas al Paraiso (The Windows to Paradise) in Los Cabos, they changed the worldwide standard for just how luxurious a luxury tropical resort could be. Las Ventanas quickly became not only the best hotel in Baja, but among the best on earth, winner of countless awards and accolades and was responsible for now standard industry innovations ranging from cooling poolside Evian misters to loaner iPods.
Rosewood has since had similar success on the east coast, taking its hospitality expertise to the Mayakoba resort in the Yucatan, and spurred on by these efforts, with one luxury resort on each side of Mexico, the company just opened (February 4, 2011) its third -smack in the middle.
The Town
500-year old San Miguel de Allende is about 170 miles northwest of Mexico City, at the far eastern edge of the state of Guanajuato. The historic small city is known for its impressive collection of baroque and neo-classical architecture, and has become an enclave for both Mexican and expat foreign artists, and is now home to several artistic institutions. The city is filled with art galleries and authentic markets, has been named a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the new Rosewood property is an “urban resort,” alongside a public park in the heart of the city's historic Centro.
The Hotel
Luxury Living at the Rosewood San Miguel de Allende represents an entirely new level of sophistication for the charming city, while oozing quiet elegance and traditional Mexican charm. It has just 67 guest rooms, each well appointed with luxurious amenities such as fireplaces, balconies and private outdoor terraces. The development was designed to blend in and the exterior reflects the town's existing charm, scale and architecture, but within, guests will discover cutting edge features such as the Sense spa, indoor and outdoor restaurants, and a rooftop tapas bar with views of the ornate La Parroquia cathedral.
The Residences
In addition to the hotel, the project includes Artesana Rosewood Residences, a collection of exclusive luxury homes with a long-term total of 140 units planned. The first phase is currently available for purchase, with 29 residences, ranging in size from two-bedroom, 2,300-square foot casitas to five-bedroom, 8,800-square foot villas. Prices run from $599,900 to $3 million.
The Residences are a mix of old and new, and were designed by San Francisco-based KMB Architects, but built by local artisans to reflect the architectural legacy of historic San Miguel de Allende. Interiors were created by Design 360unlimited, and offer a customization program so each Artesana residence can reflect the individual buyer's style. Each home will feature a lush sunlit patio, some with built-in pools and grills, gourmet kitchen, and rooftop living space with panoramic vistas of San Miguel's many churches and spires. Larger homes have full basements and come standard with full service staff quarters, plus options including elevators, wine cellars and home cinemas. Elegant fountains, arches and columns throughout the enclave have been hand carved from locally quarried limestone and finished with hand-wrought ironwork and wooden beams, and match the interior style of the homes. In addition to the pleasures within their villas, owners will have full access to all of the amenities of the hotel.
www.rosewoodsanmiguel.com
www.artesanasanmiguel.com
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