22 December 2008 – Casa de Sierra Nevada, in the pretty Mexican town of San Miguel de Allende, has announced the latest addition to its collection of historic Spanish colonial mansions, with the opening of Casa Palma.  The 18th century style mansion features six distinctive and elegant suites located directly beside the hotel’s swimming pool.

Each suite in Casa Palma is distinct, yet they each capture the rich history of the San Miguel area.  They are decorated with hand painted Mexican tiles, polished copper basins, copper bath tubs and original arts and crafts.  Local wood workers, iron workers and craftsmen were involved in the project, using San Miguel cantera stone to bring old-world touches to columns and fireplaces.

All six suites have under floor heating, flat screen TVs, iPod docking stations and private patios with outdoor heated plunge pools.  The Presidential Suite has an outdoor living area as well as a 900 square-foot roof top terrace that has a barbeque grill, vast granite counters and a bar area, plus breath-taking views of the city centre and the Parroquia. Two suites additionally have outdoor showers.

This latest opening brings the total number of rooms and suites at Casa de Sierra Nevada to 37, spread amongst six colonial mansions, including a 17th century fort, and the former residence of San Miguel de Allende’s Archbishop in the 16th century.

Sebastián Zavala and his company, ZAGAR Contrucciones of San Miguel de Allende, were responsible for the design and construction of Casa Palma, which was originally a private residence dating back to the late 1890’s.  Zavala and his team kept as much of the original house as possible, including the courtyard walls.  Stone used in the reconstruction of Casa Palma was sourced from the grounds during excavation process and would have been material used to construct the original structure.

Suites in Casa Palma are priced from Mexican Pesos 6,465 (from £330*) per room per night and can be booked by visiting www.casadesierranevada.com or calling Orient-Express Hotels on 020 7960 0500.

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Orient-Express Hotels (www.orient-express.com) has offered exceptional luxury travel experiences since 1976, when the company first purchased Hotel Cipriani in Venice and then shortly afterwards, recreated the celebrated Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, which weekly, links London, Paris and Venice as well as other destinations.  Today, the company owns or part-owns and manages 51 businesses, 41 of which are highly acclaimed hotels that are each unique in style, from the Mount Nelson in Cape Town and Rio’s Copacabana Palace, to the Grand Hotel Europe in St. Petersburg and Maroma Resort & Spa on Mexico’s Riviera Maya.  There are two restaurants, including ‘21’ in New York, two river cruise operations and six tourist trains.  Orient-Express prides itself on providing the ultimate in luxury and service for its guests, in some of the world’s most magical locations.

One and a half blocks from the Parroquia and main city square of San Miguel de Allende, the boutique hotel of Casa de Sierra Nevada is a mixture of 16th to 18th century Spanish colonial buildings.  Its 37 rooms and suites are spread amongst six colonial mansions, including a 17th century fort, and the former residence of San Miguel de Allende’s Archbishop in the 16th century. With the hotel’s buildings situated around the town rather than in one location, the experience is akin to living in a beautiful, historic apartment, but with the fresh, new amenities and genuine Mexican hospitality provided by Casa de Sierra Nevada, making for a true cultural immersion. 

Founded in 1542, the town of San Miguel de Allende is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sitting at 6,400 feet above sea level, the cobble-stoned streets of this colonial town are lined with palasios that today are a mixture of personal residences, galleries, restaurants and boutiques.

*The sterling price guide is based on the exchange rate at the time of going to press, but the final price will depend on the exchange rate at the time of booking.

High resolution images of Casa de Sierra Nevada can be accessed by registering at www.orient-expressimages.com

For further press information please contact:

Vicky Legg                                                       Louise Toye                                                  

Director of Public Relations                            PR Executive

Orient-Express Hotels                                                Orient-Express Hotels

Tel:      020 7921 4067                                    Tel:      020 7921 4069

Fax:     020 7805 5938                                    Fax:     020 7805 5938

Email:  vicky.legg@orient-express.com         Email: louise.toye@orient-express.com

Web:   www.orient-express.com