La Purificadora

La Purificadora is in Puebla, a colonial city on the road between Mexico City and Oaxaca.

A triumph of stunning contemporary design, La Purificadora is decorated only in black and white, with touches of bishop’s purple. The rooms are cool, restful spaces with polished floor tiles, and exposed brickwork on the walls, along with sleek, clear glass wardrobes, and Kiehl’s bath products.

La Purificadora’s lobby has an open wall looking onto the next-door church of San Francisco – illuminated at night and creating a stunning backdrop for the hotel's bar and warming fire pits. The restaurant meanwhile has shared tables, and serves a delicious and hearty Mexican menu with a contemporary twist.

Another impressive design feature of the former purification plant is the upstairs lap pool, which faces the terrace and has clear glass sides.

Wandering the colourful colonial streets of Puebla is an activity in itself, and as you step into the zocalo (main square) you’ll find it throbbing with history from the days of public hangings, to present day matadors. Must sees for architecture buffs include Mexico’s tallest cathedral, one of the oldest theatres in the world, and the bizarre ‘House of Dolls’ which is tiled with grotesques. As for foodies, Puebla is Mexico’s gastronomic heart, and is famed for distinctive local dishes like chalupas, tacos árabes, and mole poblano. Back at La Purificadora you can sample the innovative spa treatments, including music therapy and vibrotherapy.