If you always wanted to sleep in a concrete drainage pipe, now is your chance. It’s funny that I never thought of that before… Tubohotel is a collection of rooms (that look like installation art) inside sections of recycled pipes. But seriously, this place is calling me.
These windowed cocoons are planted in an orchard of limes, guavas, wild plums, and tecojotes, overlooking the breathtaking Sierra del Tepozteco, in the mystical Mexican village of Tepoztlán, 45 minutes from Mexico City. The rooms are minimalistic, and a queen-size bed fills the space. Inspired by a bathroom made out of one of these tubes in another cafe and cultural center of theirs, Cafe 5, celebrity chef, Ana Garcia and her husband, Robb, expanded on the idea with this unique hotel resort. There’s a lot to do in the area — you can hike to the Tepozteco pyramid, book a cooking lesson with Ana Garcia (more on that below) or a take a trip to the birthplace of the Aztec serpent god Quetzalcoatl. And the rates are surprisingly low for a unique experience like this: $48 USD, including tax. The place attracts everything from families, singles, backpackers and curiosity-seekers.
Ana and Robb also founded La Villa Bonita Mexican Culinary Vacation®, a cooking school and culinary vacation. La Villa Bonita was named “One of the Five Best Culinary Vacations Worldwide” by The Food Network. Dubbed the “Mexican Rachel Ray” she has made appearances on the Food Network and PBS among others. They also have cooking classes for kids all year round. Chef Ana has always had a focus on kids and cooking as she believes it gives them a deep appreciation for the work involved in preparing food as well as opening the palate to new things. They also have nanny services for younger children so that parents can enjoy the classes. Okay, now I really want to go!