A Solo Experience with Tully in San Miguel de Allende
By Belinda Labatte, Tully Client & Tully Luxury Travel | 09-16-2025 |
Traveling solo can be one of the most rewarding experiences — offering freedom, discovery, and a chance to reconnect with yourself. We had the pleasure of hearing from on of our clients about her recent solo trip to San Miguel de Allende, thoughtfully designed by Tully Luxury Travel and our Director of Bespoke Experiences, Gavin Crawford.
What inspired you to take a solo trip to San Miguel de Allende?
I was exhibiting at the Mexico City Art Fair Salon Acme for the art gallery that I co-founded with my daughter Dahlia Labatte. It was such a wonderful opportunity to be with her at this amazing international event. It was busy and crazy and a phenomenal experience to show our gallery and our art, and I knew I needed some personal time after this trip to unwind and get some other work done too. As I work remote I have been taking advantage of travelling to see new places and I was inspired by taking a few extra days after the structured art fair trip hours to do my own thing. And that’s when I thought of Tully. I wanted to visit San Miguel de Allende by myself and combine remote work with some vacation extras like a nice hotel and nice experiences. And to treat myself to something new and different.
Why Tully Was the Right Choice for Solo Travel?
I chose Tully because I knew I could do this trip myself… but if I wanted it to be ‘great’ and secure, I could get help with Tully. Gavin knows me and my likes and dislikes and so it was easy to email and say this is what I am looking for… can you help me. We had a chat and he understood my needs right away and we had a great conversation on what my options were. Solo travellers usually are busy professionals and have a lot on their plate. That’s me. We also are alone and want to be somewhat assured that we are being taken care of as a solo traveller. We need to ask for help to make the trip “extra”. And I wanted efficient service and honest feedback. It was really great because Gavin knew I needed to work remote so we reviewed all the hotels with proper desks in the room and in San Miguel de Allende, it was not standard to have desks in the room. I had seen the Tully posts on the Belmond and have always wanted to stay there so we looked at this hotel and it was an easy choice to take Gavin’s recommendation. He also asked me what else I wanted or needed and instead of booking the car, we agreed it was more cost effective for me to book my own bus ticket. This is what good help is. Its honest and meets you where you are at in your journey and budget.
How Tully Personalized My Solo Trip?
As a solo traveller my needs are quite specific. I want to be in a place where I feel comfortable being solo, as a start, so there needs to be lots of interesting public spaces that make me feel comfortable working or relaxing by myself, and dining solo. I don’t want to be in a place designed for families mostly. When I asked Tully to book a table at the Rosewood (they have a fabulous patio overlooking the city) I did not just get an ordinary table, I got a corner table with the best view! This is precious. The funny thing is it was so windy that day everything was flying all over the place. My hair, my airpods, the linens and menus went overboard. So did I, almost. A nice group of gentlemen sitting behind me wondering how I got that table, asked me if I wanted to join them. Initially I said not, but when I nearly went overboard, I said yes. Turns out it was a group of friends, all Canadian, who flew privately to the city for a weekend away. I spent much of my days there partaking in their experiences and it all started with the corner table booked by Tully. I love these moments. I also brought them all to the Belmond for Cadillac margaritas. It was outstanding.
What were the standout highlights of your solo trip?
The first lovely thing was how I was treated so well at the hotel, and of course the Tully upgrade helped. Instead of a normal room I had a suite with ample room to work and even sit outside. I really needed this. Gavin knew this. In addition to being an art gallery owner, I was CEO at the time so private working space is crucial. Tully knew this… and in a prior trip to Morocco I had wi-fi access the entire time…from our private car!. This is what makes a difference to me. I need someone to make my life easier on the margin.
The other highlights were Belmond. I signed up for the margarita class and to this day, I enjoyed the best margaritas of my life. It was so nice to sit at the bar and learn from the bartender that I think I need to go back just to repeat this experience. The bar is so small and so beautiful. I made the margaritas at the bar alongside the bartender. It was the best.
I also enjoyed the yoga class another morning. Both of those things were offered at the hotel for guests. These experiences made my remote work and personal escape really special. And I felt I was fully living the joy of remote work in comfort!
How did this solo travel experience impact you personally, and what advice would you share with others considering a luxury solo journey?
I think its really important to promote solo travel. Not everyone is partnered up. Once when I went to south of France I went for a dinner at a restaurant that generally requires months long reservations ahead (La Colombe d’Or) I got lucky and got a last minute table and I was given a wonderful table in the centre of the room! Solo travellers love and appreciate service and attention more than others because we are, travelling solo, and need to take care of ourselves. My advice would be to try something different and let Tully know not just what you like and need but what makes you nervous. What you are skeptical about. Let people help you and you may be wonderfully surprised.
This trip stands out in my mind because I was able to work in a beautiful environment and Tully helped me make the best of my few days there. Gavin did not hesitate to help me even for a short trip, and make sure he understood what I wanted. So give it a shot and don’t be shy, be honest with what you want and don’t want.
And travel and try new things, let people help you so you can see the world on your own terms.