casa-de-sierra-nevada

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casa-de-sierra-nevada

The boutique hotel of Casa De Sierra Nevada is a mixture of 16th to 18th century Spanish colonial buildings, located one and one-half blocks from the cathedral and main city square of San Miguel de Allende.


Its 37 rooms and suites are spread amongst six Colonial mansions, including: Casa del Parque, a fort in the 17th century and later a customs house catering to the silver trade; and Casa Principal, the former residence of San Miguel de Allende’s Archbishop in 1580 and an official historical landmark.


Each casona, or mansion, which features five to seven guest rooms or suites, is unique. Many feature outdoor courtyards with fountains, small gardens and al fresco corridors. Guests do not have the feeling of being in a hotel at all. Rather, they are integrated into the town itself, making for a true cultural immersion. The experience is akin to living in a beautiful, historic apartment, where each building has an inner courtyard where one can sit and enjoy the evening, with candles creating a romantic ambience. All this is mixed with the fresh, new amenities provided by Casa de Sierra Nevada.


Centuries old architecture and individually designed buildings and guest rooms combined with award winning service are just some of the reasons that Casa de Sierra Nevada was named as one of the “Top 10 hotels in all of Mexico and Central America” in Condé Nast Traveler’s World’s Best Awards and Travel + Leisure magazine’s coveted T+L 500.


For more information - www.casadesierranevada.com

LOCATION:


San Miguel de Allende sits at an altitude of 6,400 feet above sea level. Founded in 1542, the cobblestoned streets of this colonial city are lined with big mansions (dating from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries) that today are a mixture of personal residences, galleries, restaurants and boutiques. Many mansions have adobe walls and enclosed patios lush with jacaranda trees and bougainvilleas. Said to capture the “real Mexico,” the main plaza is still the social pulse of a city where siesta takes place from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. daily, firewood is delivered on burros, and most mornings you can see ladies gather by “The Public Washbasins” in front of the Casa de Parque to wash clothing and exchange the latest news.


During colonial days, San Miguel, then called San Miguel El Grande, was one of the wealthiest towns in silver-rich New Spain. Today, its authenticity, architecture and temperate high desert climate continue to draw visitors and new residents – San Miguel has over 12,000 residents from the United States, Canada, and Europe who now call this charming colonial town home.


This blend of cultures has resulted in a veritable thriving educational campus for visitors. On an average day, one can take in a foreign film, a reading by a visiting author, a guided trip to the market followed by a lesson with a chef on cooking, or an almost limitless list of courses offered at the Institute Allende or Bellas Artes, including: Spanish, painting, photography, etching, jewelry making, and history courses. In addition, there are different parties, which seem to be celebrated almost every day, numerous historic sites, galleries and boutiques for treasure hunting and the simple pleasure of strolling the streets and discovering the town’s more than 42 public fountains and hidden courtyards.


Named a National Monument in 1926 by the Mexican National Institute of Anthropology and History, is it any wonder that San Miguel de Allende has been lauded in numerous publications, including: Architectural Digest, The New York Times, Newsweek, Washington Post, Condé Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure, and Departures, to name a few.


ROOMS:


Each of the hotel’s 37 rooms are individually designed, and many feature private patios or secluded entrances. Colonial stucco walls, bovedas (curved ceilings), dark wood and wrought iron accents, Talavera tile baths, polished copper sinks, wood burning fireplaces and lush gardens evoke the rich architectural history of San Miguel, while original paintings and stenciling by local artists accent walls, and hand woven textile throws and rugs provide warmth and texture. Each room is also outfitted with a full-service mini bar.

  • Deluxe Rooms (10)
  • Deluxe Premium (5)
  • Junior Suites (7)
  • One-bedroom Suites (3)
  • Colonial Junior Suite (5)
  • Colonial one-bedroom Suites(6)
  • Presidential Suite (1)


CELEBRITY GUESTS:


Because of its romantic elegance and reputation for service and privacy, Casa de Sierra Nevada attracts many celebrities who are vacationing or filming in town. Guests have included: Tim Burton, Sharon Stone, Robert de Niro, Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Julio Iglesias, Harrison Ford, Johnny Depp, Melanie Griffith, the late Anthony Quinn, past President of Mexico Vicente Fox Quezada, Manuel Camacho Solís, film director José Zacarías, producer and actor Pedro Damian, and New Kids on the Block member Jonathan Knight. And also a big list of Mexican actors and actress.


RESTAURANT:


The hotel features two full service restaurants with bars.


Andanza – This elegant yet lively restaurant in Casa Principal opened in August 2007. The cuisine celebrates Mexican tradition with a modern flair. There are regular-portion plate and small-plate choices, all made from seasonal local produce, and served in fresh and sophisticated style. Diners can choose the open air courtyard with its orange trees and cascading wall fountain (roof can be closed in case of rain), or one of six different indoor rooms, including the Art Room with its fireplace and oversized leather chairs, the cozy and decadent Wine Room & Cava, or the elegant private Dining Room. For unwinding after a glorious day spent in San Miguel, there is a Game Room with snug chairs and board games and the Blue Bar with its stylish wooden interior, antique hand-stenciled walls, knowledgeable bartenders and tantalizing beverage experience, including a vast Tequila and beer selection, and house-made sangritas. Live modern Latin music in the evening mixes with background music with Latin, jazz and world touches.

Casa de Sierra Nevada also offers Suite Service and a summer pool menu to their clients. Pool service is available Monday to Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. while Suite Service is available 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. seven days a week.


EVENT & MEETING SPACE:


The hotel’s conference room, located in Casa Limon, can host groups of up to 30 people, while private dining rooms at Casa de Parque and Andanza in Casa Principal provide intimate meeting or dinner settings. Just 10 minutes from the hotel are local ranches which can be used for meetings, events and special programming including horseback riding, carriage rides/instruction, Spanish dressage exhibitions and bull fighting exhibits.


GUEST SERVICES:


A dedicated staff is committed to the anticipation and fulfillment of guests’ needs, including:

  • Room service (7am – 11pm)
  • Hospitality services
  • Laundry/dry cleaning
  • Multi-lingual staff
  • Full-time aficionado staff for customized sight-seeing tours, art or language lessons, adventure activities, etc.
  • Nightly turn-down service
  • Complimentary Internet service, including Wi-Fi in all rooms and public areas


ADDITIONAL AMENITIES:

  • Library with Internet in Casa Limon
  • 49 foot swimming pool
  • Laja Spa services
  • Cooking classes at Sazon available
  • Temazcal Services
    •  


GETTING THERE:


Guests may fly into Mexico City, Queretaro or the Guanajuato-Leon Airport. The Guanajuato-Leon Airport (BJX) has direct flights from Dallas, Los Angeles, Houston, San Jose and Oakland (California), and Mexico City. It is served by American Airlines, Continental, Aeromexico and is a scenic 1 hour and 30 minute drive away. Transportation from the hotel can be arranged.


The recently opened Aeropuerto Internacional de Queretaro (QRO) is about 40 miles from San Miguel, (one hour and ten minutes) and is served by Continental Airlines, Aeromar and Aeromexico with once daily direct non-stop flights from Los Angeles and Houston.


The Mexico City airport is served by most major airlines including Aeromexico,  KLM, US Airways, Air Canada, Delta, Lan Chile, Continental, American, Alitalia, AirFrance, Alaska, Japan Airlines, Taca, Swissair, Lufthansa, United, Varig, Iberia and is a 3 1/2 hour drive away. Helicopter landing available in San Miguel, ten-minute drive from hotel.


ADDRESS:
Casa de Sierra Nevada
Hospicio 42, Col. Centro
San Miguel de Allende, GTO, Mexico C.P. 37700
Phone: (415) 152 70 40 (country code: 52)
Fax: (415) 154 9703
www.casadesierranevada.com
Reservations: (415) 152 70 40
Toll Free: 800-701-1561 from North America
E-MAIL: mail@casadesierranevada.com
GENERAL MANAGER: Marc Rodriguez
OWNERS/MANAGEMENT: Orient-Express Hotels, Trains & Cruises


CASA DE SIERRA NEVADA
San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
ACTIVITIES


With six patron saints, dozens of churches, two cultural institutes, and a population of artists, writers and musicians, San Miguel has no shortage of happenings – from religious celebrations to film festivals and guitar recitals to the running of the bulls – whatever one’s interest, there is sure to be a class, tour or celebration to suit, and Casa de Sierra Nevada can customize a package for you.


Year-Round


City Tours


Meet colonial Mexico by walking its streets and visiting its historical building, churches, museums and art shops (1- 2 hours)


Gallery Tours


A thriving artist community provides opportunities for art gallery tours customized to any medium. Guests can choose private tours that focus on painting, sculpting, ceramics, jewelry, or multimedia with stops that include the Fabrica Aurora and other hidden studios.


House and Garden Tours


Sponsored by the library, these weekly tours take visitors behind the doors of some of the most beautiful private haciendas and gardens in San Miguel. Every Sunday at noon (2hours).


Bellas Artes (El Centro cultural “El Nigromante”)
One of the major cultural institutes, Bellas Artes offers a variety of classes and workshops, including: ceramics, silver work, Spanish language, photography, glass blowing, copper and silver artistry. In addition, the historic buildings and beautiful courtyard is the site for regularly scheduled foreign films and music recitals.


Instituto Allende
With exquisite inner patios, a lovely chapel and beautifully proportioned arches, this former residence of Don Manuel Tomas de La Canal dates to 1735. Today, it is the home of the Instituto Allende, which offers history, language and numerous art classes throughout the year as well as a coffee and gift shop www.instituto-allende.edu.mx


El Charco del Ingenio (Jardin Botáncico)
A great location for nature walks this 220 acre botanical garden is located only a few minutes from the center of San Miguel and features an extensive collection of cacti and succulents distributed in three zones: the dry chaparral, the canyon and the wetlands. Panoramic lookouts, picnic and camping areas and a temazcal (traditional herbal steam bath) and special programming during the full moon. Open daily.


Academia Hispano-Americana
For Spanish at all levels as well as lectures on Mexican history and literature.
http://www.mexonline.com/academia


Horseback Riding
Enjoy an unforgettable day of beauty above the city while you explore beautiful canyons, the Mexican country side and Old San Miguel de Allende or at a nearby ranch.


Regional Tours
San Miguel’s central location perfectly situates guest’s for exploration of nearby cities and towns of cultural and historical interest, including: Guanajuato’s underground streets, mansions, colonial monuments and museums; the nearby town of Atotonilco and The Santuario De Atotonilco, an 18th century church with centuries old frescos and the location where father Miguel Hidalgo took the flag of the revered Virgin Guadalupe; Mineral de Pozos, a ghost town, known through colonial Mexico for its mining industry; Queretaro, a place of opals, Mexican art, churches and baroque architecture. The town of
Dolores Hidalgo, founded in 1610, is known as the “Cradle of Mexican Independence” and Our Lady of Sorrows church where Father Hidalgo first uttered, “viva Mexico,” the cry of Mexico’s independence. Today, Dolores Hidalgo is noted for its creative artisans, the Talavera style pottery and the best ice cream.


Tour to Hot Spring Waters
There are numerous hot springs around San Miguel de Allende. The Hot Spring Waters are located off the main highway to Dolores Hidalgo.


Holidays


Spring

  • Easter Week Celebrations (Spring)
  • Benito Juarez Birthday (March 21)
  • Labor Day Parade (May 1)
  • Cinco de Mayo (May 5)


Summer

  • Dia de Los Locos (June)
  • City wide costume party and parade
  • Anniversary of General Ignacios Allende’s Death (June 26)
  • Fiesta de la Virgen del Carmen (July)
  • Fiesta at Atotonilico (3rd Sunday in July)
  • Expresion Film Festival (mid to late July)
  • Anniversary of Father Hidalgo’s Death (July 30)
  • Chamber Music Festival (August)


Fall

  • Independence Day (September 16)
  • Festivities, fireworks begin at 11 p. on the 15
  • St. Michaels Day (Last weekend in September)
  • Fiesta de San Miguel Archangel (September 27)
  • One of the major celebrations is for San Miguel Archangel, the chief patron saint. Held the last Saturday of every September, it includes traditional dancers, foods and music.
  • Columbus Day (October 13)
  • Cervantino’s International Festival (October)
  • Fireworks, parades, dances and bull fights
  • Pan American Carrera Antique Car Race (3rd weekend in October)
  • Jazz Festival (November)
  • Day of the Dead (November 2)
  • Anniversary of 1910 Revolution (November 20)


Winter 

  • Christmas Posadas (December 16 – 24)
  • International Guitar Festival (December)
  • Start of Bullfighting Season (December to April)
  • Feast Virgin of Guadalupe (December 12)
  • New Years Even at Jardin (December 31)
  • Three Kings Day (January 6)
  • St. Anthony’s Day (January 19)
  • Blessing of the Animals
  • General Allende’s Birthday (January 21)
  • Parades and fireworks
  • Constitution Day (February 4)
  • Flag Day (February 14) 
  • Insider tip: ATENCION – published by the Biblioteca Publica is an English - newspaper that comes out every Friday and includes a comprehensive “What’s Going On,” pullout that is the quintessential guide to San Miguel activities, art and cultural events.