By Fernanda Noriega
Sixty years ago the first luxury hotel opened in San Miguel—Casa de Sierra Nevada, and positioned itself as the iconic place to stay in the city. Enrique Sanchez, the hotel manager likes to say that it is “not [just] a hotel in San Miguel, but a hotel of San Miguel,” because it is fully inclusive and has a hotel staff that is 90% local.
Sanchez is proud to be part of the team of Sierra Nevada, as it is popularly known. The hotel consists of several different buildings or houses. “It is something that gives a special touch to stays. When guests arrive, they do not enter a building and look for their room, but they feel that they have come home, mingling with the city as if they were at home. The 37 rooms, rangie from superior to presidential suites, and spill out onto Hospicio Street,” he tells us.
But the rooms are not the only unique feature; the hotel offers guests and the general public two restaurants: Andanza, with Mexican contemporary cuisine, and Park, which offers traditional cuisine. In addition, there are two bars, and a heated pool. There is also Laja Spa on the premises, with the name inspired by the famous Rio Laja, An Artist’s Corner, is a place where you can take an art class with painter José Luis Arias whom you can meet at Santa Elena no. 2. You can enjoy viewing some of his works while having a delicious breakfast in the restaurant.
It has become a tradition for visitors and guests to take cooking classes at Casa de Sierra Nevada. They have Sazon, a cooking school, where classes are given from Tuesday through Sunday from 11am-3pm and 4:30-7:30pm. The Chef will personally guide the participants to market to make the needed purchases of products, then return to the school where you will learn how to make a particular dish.
Sanchez says, “Belmond is a hotel that fills you with smells, tastes and traditions. We feed your 5 senses.” It is the guiding principle of the team to make your whole stay a creative one, making it a truly unforgettable experience. To book a room, please go to their website at: www.belmont.com or phone call 4151527040.
