The colorful skyline of Guanajuato – with its distinctive red domes, yellow church towers, and boldly-painted townhouses – is one of the most glorious views in Mexico. Founded by the Spanish in 1548, this UNESCO World Heritage-listed city is an ever-entertaining maze of cobblestone streets and colonial plazas that you’re going to love getting lost in. 

Surrounded by tall mountains filled with silver ore, it’s no surprise that Guanajuato became one of the wealthiest cities in Mexico when Europeans began mining here in the 16th century. Many of the grand buildings, mansions, and haciendas that you see today (some of which are now also beautiful boutique hotels!) are a lasting testament to the elite ambitions of Guanajuato families that put this mountain city on the map. 

Visit the Alhondiga de Granaditas, and you’ll learn how Guanajuato became the center of fierce revolution during the Mexican Wars of Independence in the early 19th century. Pop into the Museum of Mummies to see a macabre side to local burial customs of the past, and visit quirky museums like the Don Quixote Iconographic Museum to explore Guanajuato’s resurgent cultural side. 

Slog your way up the steep hill to the Monumento al Pípila – or save your legs and take the old-fashioned funicular – and you’ll have an uninterrupted view of Guanajuato from the best viewpoint in the city. Or you can kick back on your hotel terrace with a cocktail in hand and admire the scenery without leaving your new home away from home. 

Is this your first visit to this colorful town? Keep reading as we explain exactly where to stay in Guanajuato!

Where to Stay in Guanajuato

Guanajuato isn’t like other Mexican cities. While the small city’s architecture is certainly colonial in style – with a good smattering of 19th-century Parisian facades from the trendy Belle Epoch era favored by the wealthy silver miners of the day – Guanajuato was never laid out on a symmetrical grid plan like many other places in Mexico. 

Instead, the city’s hilly location between mountains ensures that you’ll find a seemingly erratic patchwork of narrow streets and plazas, often connected by impossibly steep staircases that are a nightmare to navigate. But it’s this very uniqueness that makes Guanajuato such a pleasure to visit – just be prepared for lots of walking – wherever you stay!

The best boutique hotels in Guanajuato are located around the Jardin de la Union, a grand public space lined by 19th-century theaters, cafes, and hotels. Close to the infamous Alhondiga de Granaditas, you’ll find older buildings dating back centuries that have now been restored into sublime heritage hotels with luxurious rooms. 

On the outskirts of Guanajuato, you can find old villas and mansions that merge traditional stone architecture with contemporary features. Escape the city proper with a stay in a historic hacienda or boutique hotel in San Javier, just to the north of the city, or in the hills to the east and south. To inspire your next Mexican adventure, here are our picks for the 12 best boutique hotels in Guanajuato!

The 12 Best Hotels in Guanajuato, Mexico

1. Casa del Rector Hotel Boutique 

One of the best hotels in Guanajuato is Casa del Rector Hotel Boutique. The historic facade of this stone-built house dates back to the 19th century, but step inside, and you’ll find that the hotel has very much had a modern facelift in recent years. 

Panoramic viewing windows allow light to flood inside your luxury room, while high vaulted ceilings and antique furnishings create a sense of timeless elegance you’ll never forget. Marble bathrooms, walk-in rain showers, and luxury toiletries add to the high-end appeal, while the outdoor swimming pool is perfect for a dip after a day of sightseeing. To top it all off, the marvelous views of Guanajuato’s colorful skyline from the terrace are nothing short of magical.

With a central location on Positos Street, Casa del Rector Hotel Boutique has more history than most places in Guanajuato. This has long been the domain of the local elite, and the house was first owned by Guanajuato military man and city governor Florencio Antillon, who fought for Mexico during the civil wars and foreign interventions that plagued the country in the 1860s. 

It later became the home of Armando Olivares Carillo, who founded Guanajuato University and became the institution’s first “rector” (hence the name of the hotel!).

You’ll find nods to history throughout, and the suites and rooms are all named after historic Guanajuato figures like Carillo. The history is complemented by the art, too, as you’ll find unique sculptures and paintings all over the building and grounds. Enjoy fresh coffee at Cafe 33, expert mixology at Bartola, and sumptuous Mexican cuisine at Las Vieyras during your stay.

2. 1850 Hotel Boutique

Book a luxury room at 1850 Hotel Boutique, and you’ll have the perfect view over the city’s iconic Jardin de la Union. Step outside in the day and you’ll be steps away from Guanajuato’s finest cafes, while in the evenings, singing troubadours fill the square and gardens with tales of heroism and romance. With Teatro Juárez just around the corner, you couldn’t ask for a more cultured location. 

Jardin de la Union has long been Guanajuato’s premier public space. The hotel you’ll be staying in dates back to 1850, when wealth from the silver mines saw a spree of building works inspired by 19th-century European styles, and you’ll love the gloriously French facade of the 1850 Hotel Boutique. 

The exterior is decidedly old-fashioned, but on the inside, this boutique hotel is best described as a design hotel. Each of the rooms has been individually designed, with unique artwork ranging from classic watercolors to quirky contemporary sculptures on show. 

Molton Brown toiletries, high-thread-count Egyptian cotton sheets, and a sumptuous pillow menu make for a super comfortable stay, while traditional architectural features have been preserved alongside modern amenities like flat-screen televisions and high-speed Wi-Fi. 

Take time out in the “Reading Room,” then order a fresh coffee and admire the marvelous stained glass windows in the lobby before booking a massage at the spa. Head upstairs to the rooftop terrace in the evenings, where you can enjoy cocktails with a view courtesy of one of Guanajuato’s most prestigious bars.

3. Villa Maria Cristina Hotel

If you’re looking for a luxury retreat in Guanajuato’s sublime hills, then you’ll find your ideal property in Villa Maria Cristina Hotel. This wonderful boutique hotel is just a half-hour walk from the city center, but you’ll feel as if you’ve escaped the outside world when you’re soaking up the peace and quiet of this fabulous five-star hotel.

Villa Maria Cristina Hotel draws on Guanajuato’s prestigious history, and you’ll love how the luxury rooms are set across former mansions built by silver mining magnates and wealthy local families. Enjoy beautiful views from the hotel’s swimming pool and terrace, take a dip in the outdoor hot tub, or bask in the serenity of the Greco-Roman-inspired spa pool.

Rooms at this hotel have retained original architectural styles like high-vaulted ceilings, while the antique furnishings, wooden beds, doors, and window frames will all send you back in time to the mid-19th century. 

Mosaic-lined bathrooms speak of the timeless grandeur sought by the Guanajuato elite, while individual artwork and paintings are an elegant complement to those fine tastes that linger today. Restaurant Teresita serves up a fine dining menu in a gloriously romantic setting, while mezcal, tequila, cocktails, and fine wines are available from El Caballo bar. 

4. Hotel 1988 Guanajuato

Hotel 1988 Guanajuato has long been one of the chicest boutique hotels in Guanajuato. This might only be a three-star hotel, but few other options in Guanajuato can match the outright desirability of this hotel’s magnificent rooftop swimming pool.

The pool itself is reason alone to book, and you’ll love spending lazy afternoons soaking up the summer sun, cooling off in the water, and ordering up endless micheladas to your lounger. Did we mention there’s an outdoor spa pool, too?

Hotel 1988 Guanajuato is set away from the crowds of the city center, so trust us when we say the rooftop views are gorgeous. You’ll have an uninterrupted panorama as the mountaintops rise above the multi-colored skyline of Guanajuato. 

Enjoy the view with a breakfast of chilaquiles or a pozole lunch, then order a smoothie or cerveza at the hotel bar. Rooms here are basic but comfortable, and you’ll love the overall value of Hotel 1988 Guanajuato when compared to other boutique hotels in the city. 

5. Hotel Ex-Hacienda San Xavier

With a long history dating back to 1684, Hotel Ex-Hacienda San Xavier is one of the most unique hotels in Guanajuato. This five-star boutique retreat is packed with history, and you’ll love hearing tales of monks, silver mines, romantics, rebellions, and more after checking into your luxury room.

This is an old “hacienda,” a Mexican country home built by the wealthy. That means the hotel itself is located in the hills, set away from the busy center of Guanajuato. You’ll love the mountain views from the central courtyard, but you’ll still be a half-hour walk away from famous sights like the Alhondiga de Granaditas. 

Original stone features have been masterfully preserved in the hotel’s facade, but rooms are some of the most modern in the city. Marble bathrooms, spacious beds, and even a dedicated work area make this perfect for all types of travelers, while it’s hard not to enjoy the impressive outdoor swimming pool that sits in the shade of landscaped grounds. 

6. Hotel Abadia Tradicional

Hotel Abadia Tradicional is perfectly situated in San Javier, just north of the Alhondiga de Granaditas. This unique property merges historic architectural features – including historic stone walls and pillars – with a modern style that’s far from traditional. 

Combining old and new, you’ll love the homey comforts of this four-star boutique hotel. The 82 rooms are laid out in a classic Mexican style, with bright orange and pink colors highlighting the lighter shades of white and cream throughout. No two rooms are quite the same, though, and while some have wooden parquet floors, others have smooth tiles underfoot. 

The interiors of this hotel are a thing of beauty. The exquisite central lobby is flanked by archways and pillars that rise toward the surrounding hotel rooms. Hanging plants add vibrant life to railings and stairwells, while the wonderful gardens are a botanical joy!

Enjoy a breakfast of huevos rancheros in the courtyard or on the terrace, then take a cooling dip in the Moorish-style plunge pool that soaks up the sun throughout the day. Drinks are served at Cava Virreyes Bar, where you can take your pick of the finest vintages from Guanajuato’s nearby wineries. 

7. Edelmira Hotel Boutique

If you’re looking for outright luxury, then Edelmira Hotel Boutique is one of the best hotels in Guanajuato. Originally built in the 19th century as a comfortable townhouse for a prestigious Guanajuato family, this centrally located boutique hotel has been wonderfully remastered to accommodate the modern traveler. 

Rooms are bright and spacious, with the best suites retaining original stone and brick walls that contrast fantastically with the Mediterranean-inspired decor. You’ll love the wrought iron balconies overlooking Jardin de la Union, and you’ll appreciate the sumptuous cotton sheets, luxury toiletries, and marble bathrooms. 

You can book the expertise of a massage therapist to your room, or better yet, spend the day in abject relaxation as you try different treatments in the Edelmira Spa. The pool and jacuzzi are located in faux-outdoor surroundings, where you have the illusion of being in an open-air courtyard but are actually covered from any unpredictable rain showers by a glorious skylight. 

The same can be said for the Terrace Bar, where magnificent panoramic windows open out toward Guanajuato to provide a magnificent view while you sip on fine wines or expertly mixed cocktails. 

Reserve a table at the hotel’s excellent Tsu Restaurant, where you’ll be dining in an old courtyard setting that, like the luxury hotel suites, combines original stone features with modern redesigns and contemporary updates. 

The restaurant is the perfect setting for a late breakfast or brunch before you hit the local sights or for a romantic candlelit dinner of enchiladas mineras (a local specialty) or Veracruz-style fish imported from the coast. 

8. Hotel de la Paz

Arguably one of the best places to stay in Guanajuato, Hotel de la Paz offers excellent value and ridiculously high customer ratings in central Guanajuato. This three-star favorite is renowned for its attention to detail, and we think it’s the perfect boutique option for anyone hoping to save a few pesos. 

This hotel is located next to Plaza de la Paz, where you’re only a short stroll around the corner from the Jardin de la Union. The backstreet location means you’re not paying premium prices, though, even if you’re still only ever a 10-minute walk from the furthest Guanajuato attractions.

You’ll be staying in an old townhouse that’s kept its rustic 19th-century charm in its decor, design, and architecture. Beds feature elaborate wrought iron headboards, the floors are beautifully tiled, and petite Juliet balconies open out onto the busy street below. A light breakfast is served every morning at the hotel, and with just 15 rooms to choose from, you know you’re going to be spoiled by the staff!

9. Hotel Chocolate Tradicional

One of our favorite boutique hotels in Guanajuato is the eclectic Hotel Chocolate Tradicional. This quirky hotel is refreshingly colorful, and you’ll love the bright shades of pink, red, orange, green, and blue that liven up the boutique rooms. 

The hotel’s corridors are decorated with unique murals of chocolate drinkers, cocoa, and cupcakes. Rooms have unusual features like old-fashioned footlockers for storing your luggage and stone fireplaces for the colder winter months. 

Hotel Chocolate Tradicional is in the perfect location, too. This traditional-style townhouse sits in the shadow of the Pípila Monument that rises high above the city. Luckily for your legs, you’re on the lower streets, and you can take the funicular up to the top of the hill for stunning views of the city. 

Still, the hotel itself is raised above the surrounding plazas (the Jardin de la Union is just a few streets away), and while you’re not quite at the pinnacle of the hilltop, you can sit back and enjoy a fresh hot chocolate (or a cold beer) while you admire the famous domes and colorful houses of Guanajuato’s skyline arrayed before you. 

Hotel Chocolate Tradicional really is one of the coolest hotels in Guanajuato, so why not book a room if you’re looking for a fun place to stay? 

10. La Casona de Don Lucas

La Casona de Don Lucas is one for the history lovers out there. The fading yellow facade and pretty Juliet balconies that decorate the exterior of this centrally located, four-star hotel hide a wealth of local heritage that awaits you on the inside. 

The building you’ll be staying in is one of the oldest in Guanajuato, with a history dating back to the 18th century. For many years, it was the townhouse of an elite silver mining family that became embroiled in the Mexican Wars of Independence that shook the nation to its core.

Step off the cobblestone street and through the tall, sturdy doors of this charming boutique hotel, and you’ll find a portrait of Don Lucas Alaman hanging from the wall of the unpretentious lobby. Don Lucas, for whom the hotel is named, was born here in 1792, and he went on to become a chief witness to the battles that raged in Guanajuato when the city was taken by rebels in 1810. 

Don Lucas then became involved in the governments that ruled Mexico following independence from the Spanish, with the statesmen founding important national institutions like the Natural History Museum in Mexico City. 

Learn more about one of Guanajuato’s most famous sons on a quick tour of La Casona de Dona Lucas before you settle into your boutique hotel room. With their bright white or pink-washed walls, long wooden ceiling supports, and antique furnishings, the hotel’s 14 rooms are decidedly old-fashioned in style and tone. That’s all part of the rustic appeal, but flat-screen televisions, luxury toiletries, and refrigerators provide the modern touches you’ll need, too. 

11. Hotel Meson de Rosario

With a long history that can be traced back to its initial construction in 1847, Hotel Meson de Rosario is one of the most unique hotels in Guanajuato. As befits a grand, 19th-century mansion built during the heyday of the city’s silver mining operations, this four-star boutique hotel enjoys a prestigious location along Benito Juárez Avenue, where its Belle-epoch style fits seamlessly with the surrounding grandeur. 

Hotel Meson de Rosario is both rustic and traditionally luxurious. The heavy, wooden door is worn from years of service, while the lobby and central courtyard are both filled with quirky ornaments like suits of armor, wooden wheels taken from old wagons, and colorful fountains decorated with Andalusian-style mosaics. Grand portraits of Guanajuato nobles line the hallways, while original features – like stone pillars and wooden supports – have been well-preserved. 

Your room follows a similar pattern, with a rustic outlook that’s complemented by luxury toiletries and posh linens. Wooden bed frames and furnishings complement the same style, and you’ll love the colorful old-fashioned tiles underfoot. There are just 34 rooms and suites available to book at Hotel Meson de Rosario, so get in early to avoid missing out!

12. Hotel Gran Plaza and Convention Center

Hotel Gran Plaza and Convention Center is a little different from the quirky boutique hotels you’ll find on the winding streets of old Guanajuato. This modern hotel is designed in the international style that business travelers and tourists with a penchant for home comforts love, and with its out-of-town location close to the bus terminal, it’s perfect for anyone on a fleeting visit to the city!

With its colorful white and blue facade, spacious balconies overlooking a central swimming pool, and a grand lobby bedecked with chandeliers and Greco-Roman pillars, this four-star hotel has the look and feel of a Cancun resort rather than a mountain hideaway. If that’s your style, you’ll love it here, and after a day of sightseeing, visiting museums, or hiking in the hills, you’ll appreciate the chance to wind down on a sun lounger, swim a few laps in the pool, or just chill out with a piña colada. 

Rooms at the Hotel Gran Plaza and Convention Center are modern, no-nonsense, and packed with all the amenities you’d expect. 24-hour room service keeps the late-night digital nomad well fed, while La Hacienda Restaurant cooks up Mexican classics for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. 

That completes our list of the 12 best Guanajuato hotels! Did we miss any cool boutique hotels in Guanajuato? Comment below so we can add them to the list!

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