The 17th-century colonial structure housing Hotel Sin Nombre is unlike anything else in Oaxaca, Mexico’s mezcal capital. Restored over the course of six years by Portuguese architect João Boto Caeiro, the 22-room property is the vision of local artist and California native Elliott Coon.
As the cofounder of Mezcal brand Gem&Bolt, she sees her transition into the hotel business as a natural next step. “We came at our spirit brand from an artist and hospitality perspective,” says Coon. “The mezcal was the conduit, but the brand is about celebration.”
Hotel Sin Nombre, which translates to “hotel without a name,” also aims to give guests an experience rather than a place to simply rest their heads. The traditional-meets-modern design is minimalist, out of respect for the original architectural elements that include vaulted ceilings, bold arches, and soaring columns. Flooded with natural light, the whitewashed courtyard and interior spaces are enlivened with pillows, textiles, and locally crafted furniture.
At turns calming and social, the patio was designed for gathering
That central courtyard patio, restored (like the rest of the building) as a spitting image of its original state, is stunning in appearance, but also facilitates a greater purpose. “I wanted the patio to be a place for learning, where we can do retreats, host concerts, and gather. I think there is something very grounding about sitting on the floor together in a space that is both nimble and cozy,” explains Coon. “One thing I’m particular about is the quality of what we offer our guests. The service component is very important to me and I know what international travelers are looking for because I am one myself.”
Through a partnership with avant-garde chef Israel Loyola, for example, the hotel’s restaurant, which focuses on traditional Oaxacan flavors in vegan recipes, has facilitated a strong connection with locals. The hotel will also engage chefs from nearby towns for collaborative dinners.
“Tourists sites are beautiful,” points out Coon, but adds that she is also interested in providing cultural experiences for guests, like the work of Oaxacan artists that will appear on Hotel Sin Nombre’s walls every six months, and “going up into the mountains and cultivating wild mushrooms or spending the night in a cabin in the forest. I’m always looking for new ideas.”
One of the guestrooms, featuring black and white photography
The whitewashed courtyard is the heart of the property; arches are a holdover from the building’s original architecture
This article originally appeared in HD’s November 2020 issue.
