Villa Ganz, Guadalajara, Mexico

Tucked away on a leafy street in Guadalajara is this gem of a boutique hotel. A member of Mexico Boutique Hotels, Villa Ganz delighted us with its old-world charm. The restored 1930s villa is built around a high-walled garden and courtyard; inside, it has ten lovingly-restored rooms and suites. We speculate it’s perhaps the city’s best hotel? The couple who chose it as their wedding venue during our stay probably thought so, judging by the elegant guests and reception.

We arrived late at night, deposited by taxi in front of the hotel’s imposing wrought iron gate. We were welcomed inside with a glass of red wine and escorted up the sweeping candle-lit staircase to our room. Each room is furnished differently (some whimsically) but all have comfy beds with down duvets (and seven pillows, no less), Mexican tiled floors, gilt-framed mirrors, beveled glass windows and candles everywhere in big ornate wrought iron holders. We particularly liked the novel glass-topped table in our room with an old Singer sewing machine as the base. Rooms on the second floor also have high, red-brick, Catalan-style (vaulted) ceilings, making them feel more spacious.

You’ll find a queen or double bed in the European-sized standard rooms. So, if you want a king bed (or larger room), book a junior or master suite and ask to overlook the pretty garden as these are quieter than the front, street facing rooms. Sally Rangel, the gracious manager and co-owner, has thought of everything for her guests – slippers and gold silk bathrobes, freeWi-Fi, fresh fruit and a half bottle of wine. In the bath we were surprised to discover a basket with razor, toothbrush and deluxe facial scrub. Also included is complimentary continental breakfast, served until the very civilized time of 12 noon! We took ours on the covered terrace beside the garden, where we’d linger over fresh-squeezed juice, fruit, sweet buns and delicious omelettes, while marveling at the lush plantings of palm trees, ferns and flowering shrubs.

Villa Ganz is perfectly located in Guadalajara’s “Pink Zone,” just a few blocks’ from many outdoor cafes, bars, designer boutiques and restaurants. You need to cab it, though, to Tlaquepaque, the historic pedestrian-only area lined with beautiful colonial houses, converted into art and furniture galleries, craft stores and restaurants. And you need to take a short taxi ride to Guadalajara’s historic downtown if you want to see the masterpiece ceiling murals by Jose Clemente Orozco in the UNESCO-listed Cabanas cultural center. But taxis are cheap and plentiful in Guadalajara.

And if, after all that touring, you don’t feel like going out for dinner, VillaGanz will serve you an Italian meal (ordered from a take-out restaurant). We sat by a roaring fire outside at a table set with white linen and candles, as the staff finished the preparation in the hotel’s kitchen and served us. It was quiet, relaxing and romantic. And after a full day of exploring Mexico’s second largest city, it was just what we wanted.