One of the many steep, cobblestone streets of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico (Photo: Lea Lane)

One of the many steep, cobblestone streets of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico (Photo: Lea Lane)

My favorite colonial city in Mexico, San Miguel de Allende, is home to my favorite Mexican hotel, sleek little Matilda. Here’s why you’ll love both:

A three-hour drive from Mexico City, in the central highlands – the Bajio region of Mexico, and the state of Guanajuato — SMA offers year-round spring-like climate, colorful cultural celebrations, creative gastronomy and a deeply romantic setting. The city took top honors atTravel + Leisure magazine’s World’s Best Awards 2016, where it was named “No. 1 City in Mexico and Central and South America” and No. 3 in the overall category of “World´s Best City.”

And in 2008, SMA was named a UNESCO World Heritage site. Stated reasons were the city’s cultural significance, architectural contribution to the Mexican Baroque art and architecture movement, and the role it played in the fight for Mexican independence.