Casa Catalina, San Miguel
One of my family’s travel secrets is to rent when staying in a single city for an entire week. We’ve rented apartments in Paris and Barcelona, a flat in London, a cottage in Cape Town. Although I do love a chic hotel or charming B&B, when timing allows, there’s really nothing better than having a home away from home. Case in point: Casa Catalina. My mom and sister discovered this colonial gem on VRBO, and we were thrilled when it was available for Christmas week in San Miguel. We were even more thrilled once we arrived. Keep reading for a full house tour, and I’d love to hear—do you rent when traveling? Any fab places you’ve stayed?
The magic of Casa Catalina is apparent from the moment you walk through its unassuming doors and are transported into a private, lush courtyard surrounded by rich, rusty red walls. It’s truly an oasis. Inside the home, the architectural details had me taking lots of mental notes…warm yellow walls, arched doorways, tiled stairways and sinks, steel-framed windows and doors, stunning lanterns that created patterns on the ceilings.
In the kitchen, we ate homemade Mexican cuisine every day thanks to our amazing cook Carolina. From migas for breakfast to chile rellenos for lunch, to the fresh pineapple juice and green salsa she showed us how to make—all SO delicious. With three bedrooms and baths, two living areas and a study, there was plenty of space to lounge about, but we mainly loved gathering on the stunning rooftop terrace. I loved all the flowers and citrus trees in pots scattered around the terrace spaces. A lot of reading, napping and enjoying 360-degree views of the city while sipping cocktails happened up here all week…
Last but not least, the location—it was fantastic. Truly a perfect place for our daily strolls to San Miguel’s numerous shops, restaurants and churches. We loved San Miguel, and this home made our experience even better. I highly recommend Casa Catalina if you get the chance to visit San Miguel with a small group of family or friends!