Hotel Los Almendros de San Lorenzo is a beautifully restored colonial hacienda in the heart of Suchitoto, a small town located about 45 minutes' drive from San Salvador.

Owner Pascal, a native of France and lover of art painstakingly restored the 200-year-old house with the help of Salvadoran architect, Jose Roberto Geismann and the finished product is, in my mind, exactly what a high-end boutique hotel should be: classy and comfortable while maintaining its local charm. Pascal's devotion to the arts shows with a wide variety of paintings, murals, sculptures and ceramics from Salvadoran artists.

The restaurant has a reputation nation-wide for the quality of its food - a unique blend of European fare and local traditions. Even if you don't stay here, I would encourage you to visit even if it's just to visit the artwork and the restaurant, it's a hotel steeped in tradition and culture and an icon of luxury in El Salvaor.