Puebla, Mexico: La Purificadora
 Tara Fitzgerald - NYTimes
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| Part of La Purificadora’s lobby is roofless and has elements of the former factory it occupies. (Adriana Zehbrauskas/The New York Times)
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Since opening its first design hotel in Mexico City, the Habita group has become a byword for stylish hotels in Mexico. Its sixth hotel, La Purificadora (“the purifier,” as in water purification factory, the building's original use), opened last May in Puebla. Designed by Mexico's top architect, Ricardo Legorreta, the hotel occupies a four-story 19th-century building and retains some original elements, like stone aqueducts and crumbling walls. But its modern additions, like a glass-walled swimming pool and rooftop bar, are creating the most buzz — especially at night, when the hotel feels more like a nightclub.
THE LOCATION
A little odd. The hotel is on the grounds of the Paseo San Francisco convention center, detracting from the exclusivity it's trying to project. Still, most rooms look over well-tended gardens and an old church, and the colonial center is nearby.
THE CROWD
On a summer day, the lobby, partly open to the sky, was filled with young Mexican professionals and fashionable tourists. The rooftop bar, on the other hand, attracted an even younger moneyed set. Music could be heard in our third-floor room until closing (midnight; 2 a.m. on weekends).
THE ROOMS
Minimalist décor with dark wood and splashes of purple — a departure from Mr. Legorreta's usual Technicolor palette. My standard room was long, narrow and a bit cramped — a fluffy king-size bed dominated the space — but the floor-to-ceiling window made it feel larger. It had a balcony, but the door was wedged shut after the floorboards swelled in the rain. It took several requests before our rate was discounted to a room without a balcony.
THE BATHROOMS
A shower stall and toilet were tucked behind frosted glass doors, offering little privacy. Though the shower was roomy, water leaked under the door. Otherwise, little else in the cream-colored bathroom stood out.
THE AMENITIES
An aquariumlike lap pool graces the rooftop terrace, along with a whirlpool tub and small gym. Rooms are equipped with flat-screen TVs, Bang & Olufsen phones, iPod-ready clock radios and free but patchy Wi-Fi. A stylish minibar, mounted on the wall, was stocked with snacks and liquor.
ROOM SERVICE
A 24-hour menu is available, though choices are limited after breakfast. It took several telephone transfers before I could place my order (blueberry pancakes, fresh orange juice and coffee for 120 pesos, about $11 at 11 pesos to the dollar), but it arrived within 20 minutes. The hotel's small restaurant has communal tables and serves Mexican fusion dishes like angus beef with mole sauce, and squash blossoms stuffed with cheese in a tomato broth. The wine list is extensive, but the food was not as impressive as that of other Habita destinations. Dinner for two is about 1,100 pesos.
THE BOTTOM LINE
A modern boutique hotel in the historic city of Puebla, La Purificadora is a cool alternative for design-savvy travelers who aren't sticklers for service. A standard room without a balcony starts at $145; with a balcony, $165. A larger Royal suite, with a sweeping balcony and private whirlpool tub, is $295.
La Purificadora, Callejón de la 10 Norte 802, Paseo San Francisco, Barrio el Alto, Puebla, Mexico; (52-222) 309-1920; www.lapurificadora.com. |
Vallarta Weddings
Travel & Outdoors | November 2007 
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