The Spanish settled the lakeside city of Granada back in1524, making it the first European city established in The Americas. A few volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, invasions and periods of neglect aside, Granada has been a treasure of Colonial architecture and charm ever since. Now the city is also home to Los Patios, one of the most imaginatively modern new hotels in Central America and a bargain to boot.
In 2007 Ingaborg and Erik Winther bought two plots of land, razed the dilapidated homes on them and started fresh--really fresh. While most hotels in Granada (and there are many) follow the prescribed “keep it Colonial” model when it comes to architecture and interior design, Los Patios took its inspiration from Scandinavia, not Spain.
Over the next four years the dusty...
It all started in 2005 when Karen Emmanuel saw a handwritten sign that said “Island For Sale.” Four years later she was opening 