Hotel Cartesiano, Puebla, Mexico

THIS Mexican masterpiece redefines luxury culture for the modern traveller. Only a year old, Cartesiano is Hamak Hotels’ second venture and follows in the footsteps of the award-winning Chablé Resort & Spa.

The hotel is in the heart of Puebla, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that’s known as the ‘perfect city’. Take a four-minute walk from Cartesiano and you’ll be immersed in the old town’s vibrant, painted streets, the buzz of the main square and the hustle of myriad markets.

The city’s cultural magnificence is mirrored within the hotel, which was once a 16thcentury colonial mansion. Architect Félix Branko has skilfully restored it, fusing its antique charm with iconic modern finishes. The abundant traditional paintings and sculptures pay homage to a proud Mexican identity and whet one’s cultural appetite.

Authentic Mexican style doesn’t stop at the interior; Hotel Cartesiano provides a truly explosive culinary experience full of bold and local flavours. If ceviche, tacos, enchiladas, cactus salad and motuleños are up your street, this is your gastronomic heaven. With two restaurants, a very long wine list and numerous Mexican cocktails on offer, not much can go wrong.

The hotel boasts 78 guest rooms and suites, each kitted out with enormous bathtubs and rain showers. There are plenty of spots to unwind in, from the book-stuffed library to the secluded whirlpool and rooftop terrace—the latter is home to a pool where you can drink in panoramic views of the city and the famous Popocatépetl volcano beyond. Make sure to sample one of the bespoke spa treatments, so that you’re recharged and ready for more cultural exploration. Molly Biddell Rates start from £180 per night (00 52 222 478 6900; www.hotelcartesiano.com)