Casona de la China Poblana, Puebla, Mexico

The Casona de la China Poblana in Puebla, Mexico is a gorgeous 10-room luxury boutique hotel located in the historic center of the city that was once a 17^th century mansion, and was home to the legendary Catarina de San Juan the "China Poblana" for which the hotel is named. The hotel has a gourmet restaurant, EKOS Restaurante, and each of the guestrooms have their own charm, personality, and style.

The hotel is built around an open courtyard that has a retractable ceiling and guests may dine in the elegant EKOS Restaurante or in the courtyard where greenery in talavera pottery enlivens the space. There is an intimate bar off the courtyard, and there are comfortable seating areas in the courtyard as well as on the second floor where there is a selection of books in an antique case perfect for enjoying in your guestroom or sitting on a leather sofa and reading them accompanied with a cup of complimentary tea that is available throughout the day and evening.

Casona de la China Poblana

Charming is the word that described my first impression of the Casona de la China Poblana when I arrived very late at night in October 2009. Entering through the large wood door, I was warmly welcomed, and after a quick check-in was escorted up the stone steps to my second floor guestroom, where I noticed the view of the church dramatically illuminated against the night sky.

Casona de la China Poblana, Puebla, Mexico - View from Guestroom
View from Casona de la China Poblana

I stayed in the Talavera guestroom, where the famous blue and white pottery tiles graced the high wood beamed ceiling over the king bed, which featured an intricate black wrought iron and talavera tile headboard with attached wrought iron reading lamps with cream shades, and was sumptuously dressed with a pristine beige duvet, luxurious linens, and a multitude of pillows in different sizes and shapes. A graceful arch over the bed was hand painted with a delicate design, and black wrought iron and talavera tile nightstands flanked either side of the bed.

Casona de la China Poblana, Puebla, Mexico - Entrance to Guestroom
Entrance to Guestroom

Soaring windowed wood doors were dressed with fabric, and could be covered by closing a set of long wood shutters to create a dark and secure space, a tall wood vase with an arrangement of long sticks graced a corner of the bedroom, there was a wide plank wood floor, and a Panasonic flat screen television hung on the wall opposite the bed.

A long intricately carved wood cabinet featured a talavera tile top and was flanked by two chairs and accessorized with a silver ice bucket set on a silver tray, and an interesting wood chest with drawers was placed near the doorway. A painting of a bird hung over the blue loveseat in the sitting area flanked by a wrought iron and talavera tile table that was accessorized with a coffee table book on Mexico.

Casona de la China Poblana, Puebla, Mexico - Guestroom
Guestroom

The step-up bathroom featured a skylight, a large lighted mirror over the sink and the vanity held an assortment of Hydro Basics amenities, there was an enclosed toilet with opaque glass door, and a walk-in shower with clear glass door. Other amenities included robes embroidered with Casona de la China Poblana, slippers, hairdryer, and a vanity/shaving mirror.

In the closet, there was a safe and a well-stocked mini-bar, which provided complimentary beer and soda, along with alcohol and snacks for purchase. Although the hotel does not have a Business Center, there is WIFI throughout the hotel.

Casona de la China Poblana, Puebla, Mexico - Courtyard
Courtyard

Although breakfast was offered in my guestroom, since I had arrived so late at night, I decided to have breakfast in the attractive rough hewn stone courtyard to better appreciate the ambience of the hotel, which has bright terracotta colored stucco walls, archways trimmed pristinely in white, and a black wrought iron railing on the four sides of the second floor that are attractively trimmed with a multitude of red geraniums in terracotta pots, with black wrought lanterns on the walls, and ornate decorative supports that add visual appeal.

Casona de la China Poblana, Puebla, Mexico - Conchas
Conchas

In the courtyard, pretty plants in blue and white talavera pots added appeal, and a large statue representing the China Poblana was proudly displayed amidst the tile tables flanked with rattan arm chairs and set for breakfast with pristine woven runners. For breakfast I enjoyed a glass of fresh juice, coffee, a fresh fruit plate with an assortment of cantaloupe, watermelon, pineapple, papaya, strawberries, and blackberries, accompanied by a basket of warm and delicious "Conchas," which are traditional Mexican pastry.

Casona de la China Poblana, Puebla, Mexico - Sitting Area
Sitting Area

The legend of the China Poblana is that the owner of the house, Captain Miguel de Sosa, who lived in the house in 1620, brought a Hindu slave named Mira who was The Great Mongol’s daughter from Manila to work at his home in Puebla, Mexico. Mira was called "China" because she was from the east and was a maid. Mira was later baptized and named Caterina de San Juan. According to legend, she was highly respected by the family and the Poblana community and had supernatural revelations and died with holiness.

Casona de la China Poblana, Puebla, Mexico - Entrance
Casona de la China Poblana Entrance

The Casona de la China Poblana is conveniently located in the historic district and is perfect for business as well as leisure travelers.

Casona de la China Poblana
Corner 4 North & Av. Juan de Palafox & Mendoza
Col. Centro
Puebla, Puebla, México
Telephone: +52 222-242-5336
www.CasonadelaChinaPoblana.com