San Miguel de Allende: The City That Stole My Heart (and My Step Count)

San Miguel de Allende is one of those rare places that feels both wildly familiar and completely new. Cobblestone streets, candy-colored buildings, terracotta rooftops, and sunsets that look like they were painted by hand. It has the romantic charm of a European village… wrapped in that warm, joyful, unmistakably Mexican hospitality.

You wander block after block thinking, There’s no way this many good restaurants exist in one city.
But there are.
On practically every corner.

How We Booked It (Points Queens, Unite)

We used points for the hotel, but not for flights.

And here’s my favorite little hack:
If you’re using your Chase points directly to book a hotel… you’re doing it wrong.

You’ll burn so many unnecessary points.
Instead, transfer your Chase points to Hyatt or Marriott and book from there. It’s the quiet trick that lets you travel often and still build your balance.

Where We Stayed

Numu Boutique Hotel

Numu was our sanctuary — boutique, beautiful, and calm in all the right ways. It sits in a perfect walking location, with the Rosewood literally across the street for sunset drinks.

My dad and I both loved it.

• Zen atmosphere

• Plush bedding

• Incredibly luxe sheets (and I do not give sheet compliments lightly)

• Quiet rooms

• Lovely service

I judge hotels by their sheets. These passed the test. + They put balloons in my room at night for my birthday! Perfect hotel. Also anytime we went to the Rosewood our hotel always called ahead and told them it was my birthday. A real T.R.E.A.T

Where We Ate

Tosteverre

The kind of place where you order cocktails “just to try something new,” chat with the couple next to you, and by dessert you’ve pushed your tables together and you’re all sharing bites like you’ve known each other for years. Chic, warm, social, and so San Miguel.

Tosteverre, where you leave with full hearts and new friends.

Sollano 18

The chicest spot in the city to toast after a long day of wandering San Miguel’s cobblestone streets. It’s known for having one of the best views of the cathedral, and truly — the setting alone is worth the reservation.

Even though Sollano 18 has a romantic, date-night feel, it was perfect for a father–daughter dinner, too. My dad and I cozied into our little table, soaked in the skyline, and enjoyed the kind of meal that makes you talk slower and savor every bite. The service was warm, attentive, and joyful — the kind that makes you feel like you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be.

Sollano 18 — where the food is incredible and the cathedral steals the show.

Bovine

A glam, moody steakhouse with interiors straight out of an architectural magazine. And the best part?
The tiny boutique + optical shop on the ground floor.

That’s where I found a Colombian handcrafted top that is absolutely joining me on my next girls’ night out.

Bovine — come for the steak, stay for the chic little boutique downstairs. & this sign and that sign.

Quince

Iconic rooftop energy. Fireworks in the distance, DJs, cocktails, and views for days. And whatever you do —

👉 don’t miss the sushi bar.

The sushi was super fresh and became one of our favorite bites of the trip.

Quince — rooftop vibes + super fresh sushi.

Streets, Color + Views

San Miguel is basically a mood board come to life.

The cobblestones, the carved wooden doors, the markets, the bougainvillea spilling over balconies — every step is a photo opp.

Spa Moment (With a Plot Twist)

We booked massages and facials at Numu’s spa — highly recommend. Skilled therapists, relaxing scents, soft music… the whole thing was dreamy.

But here’s the twist:
We ended up getting our facials in the same room.

Not planned.
Not discussed.
Yet somehow… it happened.

So there we were — father and daughter, in matching spa robes, lying side by side, getting exfoliated together. Once we accepted it, we laughed our way through the entire treatment. A ridiculous, hilarious, unexpected memory I wouldn’t trade.

The spa at Numu — home of the accidental father-daughter facial. But their anti-aging facial made me ten years younger and ready to bring on 40!

Where We Shopped

Fábrica La Aurora

A sprawling artist compound filled with galleries, textiles, ceramics, interior design studios, and even a little wine bar. Plan to spend a slow, delicious afternoon here. But from wine snob to wine snob. Go to Quince for your afternoon happy hour. 

Fábrica La Aurora — hours disappear here in the best way.

Doce 18 Concept House

A beautifully curated marketplace of boutiques, art, food, and design. It's modern, buzzy, and so fun to explore.

Casa R Concept Store

This is the boutique collective you were thinking of — home to Honey Love, Club Marma, and several unique small designers. A perfect stop for wearable treasures.

My new handcrafted top! 

Surprise!

Our go-to night cap at the Rosewood. We're having a custom mezcal tasting 

Lunch at the Rosewood 

Lunch with a view at the Rosewood 

Relaxing at Numu on my balcony. Enjoying silence and no kids screaming at me. 

Streets of San Miguel