Rodavento Cinco, the latest addition to the Rodavento hotel collection in Mexico’s Valle de Bravo, has a lighter, more festive vibe than the brand’s other two properties – Hotel Rodavento and Casa Rodavento. Guests are greeted at the front door with upbeat lounge music and there is a certain hustle and bustle that makes the place feel young, hip, and welcoming. The ambiance is reminiscent of San Miguel de Allende’s Matilda or Mexico City’s W.
You’d never guess that 28 rooms could fit onto this property, but there they are, forming a geometrical map of the grounds, each of the building’s tall wooden beams dripping with greenery. Every room has an outdoor patio that plays with the concept of private vs public space – the barriers to the outside world are a series of wooden beams and the walls between balconies made of steel mesh, hung with plants.
Rooms feel like the inside of an LL Bean catalog, a hip hunter’s cabin with modern amenities. Cinco has 7 categories of rooms – The King Studio, The Double Studio (with two fulls), Junior Suites (King bed and outdoor showers in addition to the regular bath), Suite 4 with 4 full beds, Suite 6 with two fulls and two singles, and the Master Suite with a King-size and the best view in the house. There is lots of custom-made wooden furniture, woven rugs, black leather and plants and greenery everywhere. All rooms have an outdoor terrace and include Nespresso machines, lockboxes, flatscreens, wi-fi, hairdryers, and Rodavento shower products. Only four rooms have one of the bleach-white egg tubs, so if you are a bath person ask in advance. Prices range from 175 to 360 USD a night depending on the season.
The central patio is sprinkled with red lounge chairs, that guests actually use, a sign that the vibe is authentically friendly here.
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The main downstairs restaurant is open-air but covered, and the tiled backdrop at the bar gives a vintage touch to this otherwise modern, functionalist space. The cocktail mixology is a popular extra, with all drinks created in-house. Be sure to try Se Llama Lola with Mexican craft beer, lime, and cinnamon.
Art hangs throughout the hotel’s hallways and they have an eclectic gift shop featuring brands like Concept Racer and the designer Anuar Layón (who brought us the “Mexico is the Shit” jackets), as well as their bath products for sale. The upstairs bar and pool serve a version of the main restaurant’s menu for food and another entire list of cocktails. There are incredible views of Valle de Bravo’s lake and it’s 
great for sunset. The vibe is decidedly upbeat, I won’t say it’s a wild dance party, but people are definitely having a good time and no one is getting hushed. The night I was there a birthday party was being set up on the roof complete with a local DJ.
For anyone that wants a stylish stay in downtown Valle de Bravo that’s not fussy, Rodavento Cinco is your choice. It’s more modern than the traditional family posada-style hotels you’ll find here in this popular escape from Mexico City, and more fun and lively than Valle’s smaller B&Bs. Even if you don’t stay here, hit up the rooftop at least one night for a cocktail and the view.
Rates here start at around $135. See more information at the official hotel site or check rates online at Expedia.
Review and photos of Rodavento Cinco Hotel by Lydia Carey, who was hosted at the property for purposes of review. All opinions are her own.
