La Valise: an oasis of tranquility in San Miguel

La Valise San Miguel is a historic, multi-century-old property, with existing artwork by Pedro Friedeberg adorning the walls, that has set to become one of the city’s standout hotels. Its six suites each feature a feeling of history, ancestral magic, and artisanal Mexican design. 

Located in the very heart of the colonial city, on a pedestrian-only cobblestone street, La Valise San Miguel hides an oasis of tranquility behind its vermillion façade. As you step inside the courtyard, the eye goes directly to the double staircase. Beyond the courtyard is a lush garden outfitted with a lemon tree and an array of leisurely spaces for sauntering in the shade, including a plunge pool and a fountain. Suddenly, the vibrant action of the streets of San Miguel dissipates and an air of peace reigns. 

La Valise is the result of the Remarkable Journey of Yves Naman: An Innovator in the Hospitality Industry

La Valise is largely known for its Tulum property with an alfresco rollout bed, perfect for stargazing (the Mexico City property features one as well). “When we started in Mexico in 2014, La Valise was the first really small hotel, probably in the world, with just three rooms,” Yves Naman says.

By 2016, he was searching for a property in San Miguel, a city he fell in love with. “When the estate was first presented to us, what struck us most was the surrealist art embedded in many of the walls by Pedro Friedeberg,” Naman explains. “We could not believe the scale of the art and uniqueness of the property and instantly knew this property was the right one for La Valise.”

The project took more than five years while Naman established his company, Namron Hospitality, and opened five hotels in Tulum and one in CDMX. Naman’s entire hospitality approach is quite unorthodox. Not only does he create hotels with fewer than 20 rooms, but he also breaks traditional hospitality rules at every juncture. For example, the Mexico City property doesn’t have a lobby, saving the space for more extravagant suites. “We also usually don’t work with interior designers, but rather people with genuine taste that will put their full love into it,” he adds.

Each space feels like a cabinet of curiosities or as though you’re stepping into Wes Anderson’s wildest dreams. As valise means “suitcase” in French, each space unveils an array of design decisions and objets d’art as if one would bring them in their suitcase from all the corners of the world. Thus each room creates the artful, cozy ambiance of a meticulously designed home. 

La Valise San Miguel has been thoughtfully designed by Naman and decorated by Roberto Ayala, who is neither architect nor interior designer, but boasts eclectic taste that resonates with the brand. 

La Valise San Miguel features six suites, branching off from the courtyard and toward the rooftop (from which guests can see the entire city). Each of the suites is named to reflect Friedeberg’s design inspiration. The Cóatl suite is an ode to the mural in the garden. Located on the ground floor next to the interior Zen gardens, this breathtaking room has high wood-beamed ceilings and soothing stucco walls adorned with soft textiles. The Genesis Suite, on the other edge of the property, was inspired by Diego Rivera’s famous Anahuacalli Museum. This suite features three grand arches carved from local stones reminiscent of a Mayan temple.  

The Ollin Suite features a temazcal-inspired Roman soaking tub enclosed in metal. The room is outfitted with handcrafted parota wood furniture and its name nods to the ethereal Aztec concept “Nahui Ollin,” which means “four movements”

• Rooms at t La Valise San Miguel start at US$390.
• Address: Jesús 17, Zona Centro, 37700 San Miguel de Allende, Gto.
• Reservations +1 386-301-4831
• Website: https://www.lavalisesma.com/

San Miguel Times
Newsroom