Bo Hotel – San Cristobal de las Casas – If you are looking for a luxury vacation, look no further. This hotel has style, tranquillity, as well as sophistication, tradition, and cultural beauty. Boasting their own library, restaurant gym, and five luxury room styles including one with a garden suite, function room, fountains, water features and an abundance of trees and shrubs this is what I call a holiday paradise.
As an event destination, Bo Hotel is ideal for intimate and elegant functions for business or pleasure. With a unique meeting room, they can host any social event, cocktails, group dinners, reunions, conferences, and workshops. Surrounded by their colourful gardens, this makes the perfect accent for an event an unforgettable experience.
Women Talking chats to sales manager Héctor Rodríguez about the past, present and future plans of the Bo Hotel.
What is the history of the hotel?
The space where hotel Bo is now has been different businesses for more than 50 years, all of them owned and managed by the same family; a leather business, a restaurant, and the last one was another hotel (Parador de Mexicanos).
In 2010 Parador de Mexicanos closed its doors and was demolished to transform the space into what we know today as Hotel Bo Which opens its doors in March 2012.
The owners, the brothers Fernando and Carlos Gutierrez who were born and raised in San Cristobal decided to attract a new market and compete against the first world-class hotels, the design and concept were led by “Muro Rojo architects” to become the first boutique hotel in San Cristobal de Las Casas.
Why is it called Bo, and what was the vision when developing the business?
“Bo means water in Tzotzil, which is the native language spoken in Los Altos de Chiapas. The concept of the hotels is inspired by the four elements (fire, earth, wind, and water) which can be visually seen and enjoyed around the complex.
“Each of them is represented in the hotel, just like in the traditional songs of Chiapas, where the earth is the body, the wind is the vapour, the water is the blood, and the fire is the spirit. And all to create a route, a space that welcomes us.
“The vision was to innovate and offer a fresh hotel with its own identity, design to create a hotel destination.
What other projects are the brothers Carlos and Fernando Gutierres involved with?
“They have just created Grupo Bo where Hotel Bo is the main actor but new brands coming in such as:
Restaurante Lum – inspired by the cuisine of Mexico. Lum, in Tzotzil, means Earth. This is a space with a lot of meaning that maintains a connection with the four elements. The décor reflects the colours, shapes, and spaces of San Cristóbal de Las Casas.
Blom Bar – A space that evokes the voyages and expeditions of a curious and adventurous explorer with innovative cocktails to nourish the senses and brighten the thoughts.
Malaak Libanese Cusine – San Cristobal is full of restaurants of all kinds. But you may find that Malaak is one of the best you may visit!
Doce Lenguas – Offering a wonderful selection of local gifts and textiles.
Abetravesias – Discover Chiapas through a different lens living unique experiences.
Club de Lechones – is a unique space with a bar and a few tables where the smoked pork is the protagonist, with a variety of spicy sauces and drinks they offer tacos, quesadillas and sandwiches.
“On top of this we will start to build a new hotel from scratch next month, the hotel will be in Chiapa de Corzo next to Sumidero Canyon.
What tourists/travellers are attracted to San Cristobal?
“San Cristobal attracts all types of tourists from backpackers to luxury travellers. Our market is focused on leisure travellers looking to get to know the destination in a comfortable way with exceptional service.”
San Cristóbal has become very popular for its colonial town, its history and culture and although it is not the easiest destination to travel to, that is what gives the area its unique charm and charisma.
Poppy Watt