No matter where in the world I’m traveling to, finding accommodation that’s special, unique, and has “character” is always a top priority.
I would gladly trade valet service and a free breakfast buffet for a place that offers unusual architecture, gorgeous decor, homey details, or a once-in-a-lifetime view…and I found all of the above at the Jewels of San Miguel.
The Jewels are a collection of three absolutely stunning casitas nestled against the steep hillsides above San Miguel de Allende: Topaz, Opal, and Ruby. The first two rooms certainly have their charms, but there’s no denying that Casita Ruby is the crown jewel of the property.
It appears that the Jewels of San Miguel have a website where you can book, but I booked directly through Airbnb, which was super easy and secure.
(Pssst: New to Airbnb? Get $40 off your first booking here!)
Casita Ruby is cozy, homey, artsy, and luxurious all at once. The reddish-brown tiles and wooden accents give the casita an earthy, natural feel, while creative touches like funky artwork, shimmering lanterns, and unusual faucets add a bit of imagination and whimsy.
Meanwhile, stacks of books, thick knitted blankets, plenty of coffee and tea, and a mini pie from a local baker waiting upon your arrival make the space feel lived-in and oh so welcoming. Guys, I was legitimately euphoric upon checking into my room and discovering all of these fun details. This place is that special!
I think the best way to describe Casita Ruby is that it truly feels like a place you’d want to live in. Practically speaking, it has everything you’d need to get by (including a small kitchenette with an oven), as well as an abundance of character and charm.
Staying here, my imagination was running wild with visions of one day becoming an expat and living in a place exactly like Casita Ruby. The gorgeous tiles, thick wooden doors and furniture, and earthy color scheme make it feel authentic and true to San Miguel de Allende. At the same time, there are enough modern amenities and luxuries (like Netflix and WiFi) to feel truly livable.
Ah, maybe one day!
What initially sold me on Casita Ruby was its stunning, spacious private terrace. From its strategic position on the hillside, you can see all the way down into the valley below, where San Miguel de Allende’s maze of colorful streets intersect and collide.
In the morning and evening times you can watch as that magical “golden hour” glow is cast across the entire city, and after the sun sets you can see the whole town light up in the darkness. Grab a glass of wine, settle into one of the recliners, and soak it all in. It’s truly surreal.
And because of the huge window that fills the entire patio-facing wall of the bedroom, you can even enjoy these views from inside the casita, while relaxing in bed. That also means tons of natural sunlight in the daytime – yay!
Trust me when I say that there’s nothing better than propping the windows open, snuggling up in bed with a good book, feeling the cool night air filling the room, and hearing the lively music drifting up from the town below.
But perhaps the most unique and special thing about Casita Ruby is its glorious, utterly incredible bathroom…yes, really!
Picture this: a fully glassed-in bathroom with a sunken tub, smooth cobalt tiles covering the walls, a skylight, fluffy white towels, and abundant greenery nestled against the warm glass windows.
To me, showering here felt like showering in a beautiful old greenhouse – one featuring skyline views of San Miguel de Allende, no less!
The water got nice and hot, and watching the steam swirling around and fogging up the glass made shower-time feel so luxurious and soothing. I also highly recommend taking advantage of the sunken tub, and maybe even watching the sunset from there with a glass of wine.
After conquering the steep hills and cobblestone streets of San Miguel de Allende, your feet and calves will thank you!
Things to Note About Staying at the Jewels of San Miguel
I realize that this is quite the glowing review, and that’s because Casita Ruby is genuinely one of the best places I’ve ever stayed on my travels – and it’s competing against 5-star hotels in places like Paris and Shanghai.
It’s very rare that I walk away from a hotel room wishing I could simply move in for good, so to me, that speaks volumes about just how special this place really is (and for the record, this review is in no way sponsored – this is all coming from the heart!)
That said, you guys know that I’m all about giving my honest opinion, so there were two minor issues with my stay that I need to point out.
First, San Miguel de Allende is a bit of a noisy place. Weddings take place in town nearly every day, so you’ll likely hear music and fireworks as you’re drifting off to sleep – even from up on the hill at Casita Ruby. There were also fireworks around 6:30am on Sunday morning.
Obviously this is not unique to the Jewels; you’ll experience this no matter where you stay in San Miguel. In fact, it’s likely more of a problem at hotels and Airbnbs down in the center of town. It’s not a big deal, I just want other travelers to be prepared for that!
Second, there was an unfortunate issue with check-in. Although Casita Ruby is an Airbnb, it shares the property with Casitas Opal and Topaz (all three are very private; only the entryway and courtyard are communal) so in some ways it feels more like a bed and breakfast. There’s also a lovely property manager, Kris, who will greet you and help you check in.
But when I arrived, I was told by Kris that two girls had already checked into Casita Ruby, less than an hour earlier! It turns out that the girls had actually booked Topaz, but said “Ruby” when they checked in. Who knows if it was an honest mistake or if they were trying to be sneaky…I actually wouldn’t blame them if it were the latter, because Ruby is pretty great!
Anyways, Kris’s wife ended up taking me out for ceviche tostadas and beers at a nearby restaurant, El Manantial, while Kris sorted out the room mix-up. They were SUPER apologetic and accommodating, and ended up moving the other girls into their actual room so I could check into Ruby.
It was a little nerve-wracking at first, but they were so gracious about owning up to the mistake and making me feel comfortable that in the end, it really wasn’t a problem for me. I truly believe that this was a weird, rare mistake that will never happen again – I mean, how often does the wrong person show up to check into an Airbnb?!
Not into Airbnbs? I love ’em, but I totally understand the appeal of good hotel too! I visited the Rosewood Hotel to try out their Luna Rooftop Bar, and it looked amazing! The Belmond Casa Sierra Nevada is also supposed to be incredible.
When I’m not staying in an Airbnb, I typically use Booking.com to help search for hotels (even if I end up booking directly with the property instead…I like to see the reviews!)
*This blog post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using my links, I’ll make a small commission at no extra cost to you. This also helps to keep The Wandering Blonde ad-free. Thanks!*
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Which do you prefer when traveling: Airbnbs, hotels, hostels, guesthouses, Couchsurfing…? Would you want to a rent a casita at the Jewels of San Miguel?
Dominique | dominiquetravels.com says
Jewels of San Miguel is great marketing! What a clever concept! Your room looks gorgeous, I can imagine you felt right at home! Could you please stop writing about Mexico, haha I didn’t have it on the radar for 2019 but it’s moving higher and higher up the list thanks to your posts 😉
Kelly | The Wandering Blonde says
Hahah I totally think you should go in 2019 😉 Mexico is calling your name!
Abhaya says
Thanks for the tip. It looks amazing. Do you have any recommendations for when this is fully booked? I’m going tomorrow and I couldn’t get a booking.
Kelly | The Wandering Blonde says
Sorry you couldn’t get a booking! I think it may fill up quickly, so probably requires at least several weeks in advance.