Sombra del Agua is a hotel located in the center of San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas. The building was built in 1907 under the name Hotel Español and was the first to open its doors in the city. Since then, it has been a fixture in local life and has witnessed important changes, such as the arrival of potable water and the creation of the first sanitary registry in the area.
In 2017, the hotel underwent a major renovation. The National Institute of Anthropology and History oversaw the work to ensure the property’s historical value was respected. The firm La Metropolitana was responsible for the design and conceptualization of this new phase. The result was a space that combines the original architecture with contemporary and artistic elements. The project was inspired by the work of Chiapas poet Jaime Sabines, particularly his poem “Es la sombra del agua” (It Is the Shadow of Water).
The hotel has 82 rooms and is just 30 meters from San Cristóbal Cathedral. This location allows guests easy access to the city’s main tourist attractions and nearby places such as San Juan Chamula, Zinacantán, the Montebello Lakes, and the Agua Azul waterfalls.
The grounds include three interior gardens that reflect the typical vegetation of Chiapas. The decor uses traditional materials and techniques from the region. Among the pieces that adorn the hotel are works by Margarita Cantú and ceramics created by Juana Gómez, a local master potter.
Sombra del Agua doesn’t just offer accommodations. The hotel aims to provide each visitor with an insight into the history and culture of Chiapas during their stay. Writers such as Miguel Ángel Asturias and Bruno Traven, as well as internationally renowned scientists and important political figures, have stayed in its rooms. In 1994, the hotel hosted negotiations related to the Zapatista movement.
Source: vinetur
