VUE

Away from the bustling city but close to world-class restaurants and museums, Casa Legado is situated in the up-and-coming neighborhood of Quinta Camacho. Known for its 19th century Spanish-colonial architecture and local art scene, it was Quinta Camacho's undeniable charm that caught the eye of interior designer Helena Davila and confirmed her vision of transforming a once family-owned home into her dream hotel. What resulted is a retro, '50s-inspired property awash in eye-popping wallpaper, patterned tiles and embellished with antique and contemporary treasures. At first glance, you can tell Casa Legado has a different vibe from its neighbors. In fact, you'd be forgiven for not knowing you were walking into a hotel at all. It feels quiet, discrete—a modern-day incarnation of what we'd consider a bed-and-breakfast to be with a heavy emphasis on cool design, lavish amenities, impeccable service and communal spaces. ere's no uniformed hotel staff walking the grounds, no official lobby and the check-in desk is actually a refurbished ice cream cart. Guests have the option to rent out the house in its entirety or just a room or two, depending on their plans. e idea for the hotel, Davila told me, came from a need for change—to create something that would have her in constant contact with new people and could become a place for her to share her personal style. And so, she set out to acquire a property that told a story. In this case, it's the tale of past, present and future generations of Davila's family. V U E N J . C O M 121

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