Walk barefoot to feel textures of stone, polished century-old timbers, terracotta and hand-crafted clay. Run a hand along walls to touch exposed original mud and straw, enamel tiles and coarsely shaped brick. Pause to view artworks and murals on white walls, purposely fashioned as a canvas for local artists to showcase their unique styles. There's one atop a laneway that's redolent of a luxury cubby house. Another features glass walls overlooking a organic vegetable garden, your own private yard with pond and architecture of traditional construction materials. A favourite room not only embraces the fine attention shared by all residences here, but has a gorgeous bathroom of local earthen walls and fittings crafted with found objects. This hotel is a project. Apart from its insistence on recruiting local artists and craftspeople, it's kitchen also supports sustainable development and fair trade through using organic ingredients grown by neighbouring indigenous communities. Sample wines such as the P125 range, developed through a cooperative of small Mexican vignerons. Sample smokey notes of chocolate and coffee beers. During your stay, request a cooking lesson by one of San Cristobal's most innovative chefs. Your class commences with a visit to the nearby organic market and finishes with a meal that is truly your own. There is plenty of space here to retreat from a busy world. But if you're relaxing by the open fire, don't be surprised if a local artist or artisanal brewer drops around for a glass of Shiraz.
-Pierre James- (AU)
