Hotel Demetria

Class: First

Style: Cutting edge

Rooms: 39

The Lafayette district, the artistic nexus of the Guadalajara, is a fitting location for a modern design hotel that interacts so completely with the local art scene — besides displaying and selling the work of Jalisco-based artists in its shop, and a library specializing in illustration and graphic design books, the Hotel Demetria pays tribute to the rich creative history of the region with an on-site gallery of ancient art.

The spirit of those public spaces informs the thirty-nine guest rooms, all of which feature unique variations that keep the aesthetic fresh throughout. For an urban boutique, the décor is on the darker, more sumptuous side, with slate-colored floors and furniture made of deep, rich wood. All that earthiness provides a welcome contrast to the quirky art objects that dot the rooms. Thankfully, there’s nothing avant-garde about the modern conveniences, which range from rainfall showerheads to iPod docks.

The fifth-floor Sky Bar shares a spacious wooden terrace with the outdoor pool and offers a panoramic view of Mexico’s second-largest city. Head chef Rodrigo Diaz Clouthier runs the hotel’s Deco Restaurant with an emphasis on personal attention, so don’t be surprised if he pops up at your table. The spa facilities aren’t outrageously decadent, but there’s a sauna and steam room to complement the fitness center. If you’re in Guadalajara to take in the ample sights, Demetria is a quick walk from can’t-miss landmarks like Hospicio Cabañas and the Metropolitan Cathedral.