Many of us only know Guadalajara as a place to make a connecting flight en route to our final destination — but these days Mexico’s second city is booming, tourism and industry alike. So it’s only natural that it’d be in line for its first high-design lodging, which comes in the form of Clarum 101, a hotel that does its best to remind us of the days when the phrase “boutique hotel” was virtually a guarantee of exclusivity.
With just six rooms and three suites, exclusivity is definitely the word here — and the location, in an unmarked building on a leafy avenue, is central and yet discreet as can be. It doesn’t take much of a staff to keep a handle on a hotel this small, so expect a personal touch in the service. Art by local Tapatío artists warms up the sleek white minimalist spaces, and the rooftop terrace gets guests out and mingling under the night sky. It’s early days for any sort of scene to develop in Guadalajara but for now this is where you’ll find it — leave the luxury trimmings to the big business hotels, and check out the Clarum 101 while it’s still a bit of a secret.
author watson@mouselink.net, source www.tablethotels.com