Las Bugambilias

Beautiful modern guesthouse decorated with arts and crafts in Oaxaca’s historic district

Staying at Las Bugambilias is like staying in a family home, decorated by someone with a lively eye for craft and colour. Silver wall hangings, cheerful folk paintings, bright textiles, religious icons covering everything from angels to skeletons - this is a crash course in the quirky beauty of Mexican art. Table settings for the communal breakfasts are exquisite, and changed daily; what doesn’t change is the interesting guests you’ll meet over your morning meal, many of whom return to Las Bugambilias every year - you’ll even see photos of them dotted around the walls.

The family-like atmosphere works so well because there’s a real family behind Las Bugambilias: the Cabreras. One sister runs the popular next-door restaurant, the wife of a brother is the efficient manager, and the matriarch behind the scenes tends to the medicinal garden with its blissful temazcal (traditional steam bath) treatments. And everyone contributes to the wonderful ambiance of authenticity and true Mexican hospitality.

Highs

• Beautiful décor and furniture
• Friendly family atmosphere
• Delicious, healthy breakfasts
• Temazcal treatments - soothing herbal steam baths - are available
• The location is ideal: on a relatively quiet street, within easy walking distance of Oaxaca's Zócalo (main square), shops, restaurants and museums

Lows

• No car parking
• There’s a 2-night minimum stay
• Some rooms are above the next-door restaurant and can get noisy