A Touch of Luxe: Hotel Cantera Diez

Having spent my first night in Morelia at a hostel, I walked to Hotel Cantera Diez in the morning planning to leave my bag and go out to explore. Fortunately for me my room was ready when I arrived and I was able to check-in and explore the hotel before venturing outside.

Located in the Centro Historico (historical center) of Morelia, Hotel Cantera Diez has the BEST view of Morelia Cathedral – mostly because the hotel is right across the street from the cathedral. Perfect location. Housed in a 17th century stone building, Hotel Cantera was once the home of the first bank in Morelia, and retains some of its original features, like the bank vault and the exposed ceiling beams in the rooms. I love historical buildings, especially stone ones (I’ve always wanted to buy a fieldstone farmhouse), but when you mix historical stone buildings with contemporary decor, I swoon. I know, I sound cheesy, but it’s true.

When I walked into my room I secretly wished I could stay forever, and then tried to figure out to get my hooks on a sugar daddy so I could afford to recreate the room in an old fieldstone farmhouse in Ontario. Yes, my fantasies are very detailed. I have floor plans to prove it!!

I loved this bed. Like a lot!

My room features included a separate living room (which had an amazing view of Morelia Cathedral), a large marble bathtub, exposed ceiling beams, gorgeous gold and crystal chandeliers, dark wood floors, and a bed that made me moan with delight the moment I laid on it (soft cozy beds are hard to come by).

The view from my room at Cantera Diez

The living room

A large marble bathtub = heaven on earth

Pineda Covalin toiletries… Must. Buy. Some.

Hotel Cantera Diez is filled with interior gems, and I took my time exploring and staring as so many things caught my eye, like the art work, a gramophone  the Swarovski crystal chandeliers, a sculpture of Christ on the crucifix mounted to a royal purple canvas, rows of old safe deposit boxes polished and sparkling, and various old safes.

Gramophone on display in the guest lounge area

Choosing a hotel while travelling has taken on a new meaning for me, as has the word ‘luxe’. As I travel through Mexico (and then further south) I realize that I’m more interested in places that have a history or a great story. Sure, I swoon over interior design details, but comfort also plays a big role. I want to sleep in places that inspire me, and help me to relax after a crazy day of exploring and sightseeing. In other words I’m looking for those home away from home places. That’s luxe. Well, to me it is.

I loved my time with Hotel Cantera Diez and I’ve already promised to come back to Morelia and stay with the hotel again. I didn’t spend nearly enough time in the city this time around, and as I suspected, Morelia is NOTHING like the news reports (More on that in my next post on Tuesday).

Disclosure: A thank-you to Diana from Hotel Cantera Diez for hosting my stay, and to Sylvie from Hoteles Boutique Morelia for making all of the arrangements. Diana and Sylvie are absolutely delightful and I’m looking forward to seeing them again in the fall when I return to Bucerias (it’s like I’m creating my own little Mexican family as I travel and I freaking love that).