With its established ornamental gardens, its vine covered courtyard, period piano room and cloistered patios the Casa de la Real Aduana is a part of Patzcuaro’s past. Its present too, because this quietly stylish boutique hotel has all the modern comforts today’s international travellers require, tucked into rooms with antique stone floors, vaulted or beamed ceilings, traditional rugs and whitewashed walls.

Reason enough for making sure Real Aduana is on the itinerary of your luxury, tailor-made holiday to Mexico. But there are others. The hotel is the perfect base for exploring history. It’s set in the heart of the old colonial town, close to the picturesque lake and within easy reach of Purhepecha Indian villages, near pre-Hispanic pyramids and convents dating back to the Spanish period.