Belmond Casa de Sierra Nevada

Lots of hotels promise to help guests “feel like a local,” but this one delivers based on its very setup: The 37 rooms and suites are scattered around various buildings in the UNESCO World Heritage historic old town—including a former nobleman’s mansion and a 17th-century fortress—so instead of accessing rooms through a main lobby, guests are given keys to what look like private homes, creating an immediate “I live here” vibe. Because of the format, rooms differ greatly, with some overlooking gardens, pools, or rooftops and others with perks like outdoor spaces, copper bathtubs, or original architectural details. Following a $3.5 million renovation, rooms now also feature a pastel color palette, Mexican art, tapestries and bed linens that complement the authentic clay floors, Talavera bathroom tiles, and wood furnishings that were hand-carved using local techniques. Guests can even look forward to king beds, high-end bath amenities, and butler service, as well as a new Laja Spa.

Mingle with other hotel guests and locals at the elegant Andanza restaurant (open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner), where menus highlight fresh local produce and traditional flavors, and at the rooftop terrace bar, where you can enjoy unbeatable views of the city and the pink towers of La Parroquia church. Housed in an 18th-century mansion, the Sazón cooking school offers different classes during the week, including sessions focusing on healthy Mexican cuisine or regional dishes, and a cooking class paired with a tour to the local market.