Casa del Gallo Perdido: Dramatic arcade at night.

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Location: Centro Historico, San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Central Mexico, Mexico (3.5 hours to Mexico City; 1.5 hours from Leon Airport) View Map

Accommodations:  Villa, 3 Bedrooms + Den, 3 Baths (Sleeps 7)

Keywords:  House,patios,roof-top vistas

Casa del Gallo Perdido is a superb, authentically restored 18th century colonial house that has all the modern amenities. With its unrivalled location on a quiet cobblestone street just a couple blocks’ level walk from the Jardin—the historic plaza and heart of San Miguel—Casa del Gallo Perdido is steps from restaurants, galleries, shops, theaters, museums, language schools and swimming pools.

From the moment you pass through the tall antique doors into the entry hall, the 15-foot ceilings and massive adobe walls of the casa envelop you in a peaceful, serene atmosphere. The front doors open onto the original long arcade that flanks a flagstone patio—a showcase of the region's perfect balance of sunlight and shadow. The sun-struck courtyard, framed by azaleas, boxwood and bougainvillea, is graced by a burbling fountain. Inviting lounge chairs and benches, plus a dining area under the deep awning welcome you. Effective lighting makes this a dramatic, unique outside entertainment area at night.

To the right of the entry is a guest bedroom. Restoration of the original centuries-old stencils and authentic colors original to the house decorate the high walls. A king-size bed with antique brass bedsteads that can be converted into twin beds, a ceiling fan, ample closets, a desk and a gas-log fireplace welcome guests. The room adjoins the study, which has a day bed (original to the house), desk and chest of drawers. Skylights in both rooms provide pleasant indirect lighting. The bathroom is off the study and leads to extra closet space. A narrow stairway rises to the watchtower that served as a lookout in the 19th century.

Antique doors open into another high-ceilinged, comfortable sitting room with TV, DVD player, VCR and extensive movie library. Skylights between the wooden ceiling beams of this and the adjoining formal dining room bring in warm sunlight. As elsewhere in the house, antique Chinese scrolls, Oriental puppets, Mexican antiques and locally made rugs add decorative accents. The dining room, with a large antique chandelier over the broad table, easily seats eight. The inviting atmosphere of these two rooms is enhanced by a wood-burning fireplace.

At the end of the arcade is a spacious kitchen equipped with quality cookware, a variety of coffee makers, dishwasher, oven and all small appliances. The original charcoal-burning cooktop has been converted to gas burners. An old butcher block table and chairs for six offers a pleasant eating area in front of the open shelves that display collectibles. A bar for serving or snacking separates the kitchen from the breakfast area. Just off the kitchen are a spacious pantry and laundry room with washer/dryer and ironing area.

Across the arcade from the kitchen is the master bedroom. It has a queen-size bed with an antique headboard, desk and a twin chandelier to the one in the dining room. Exquisite cotton bed linens and down comforters pamper all the lucky occupants of this and all the beds at Casa del Gallo Perdido. A gas fireplace warms the room on cool winter nights, while a large window opens onto the front courtyard and provides a cross-breeze. No need for air conditioning in this "land of eternal spring”. Off the bedroom are a dressing room with ample closet space and the bathroom with a unique built-in tub and large rain and regular shower.

Another fountain leads to a second patio graced by a 50-foot palm tree—one of the tallest in San Miguel. Across the patio, imposing French glass doors open into the spacious high-ceilinged sala furnished with ceiling fans, comfortable couches and easy chairs, a baby grand and an antique wagon-wheel table that seats six. High-speed internet (and wireless) and a Vonage phone with free calls to the US and Canada are set up at one of two antique desks. French doors flank the copper-backed fireplace and open onto the secluded rear patio. Mature orange trees provide fruit, and a table and chairs offers yet another sitting area. Up for a barbecue? Enjoy the built-in gas unit or head up to the roof for the briquet-burning Weber.

A third master suite with an antique brass double bed looks out onto the rear patio through yet another set of French doors. Here again, local antique furnishings adorn the room, and a ceiling fan enhances the ambience. The attached bathroom doubles as a convenience for sala guests through another hallway door.

An intriguing staircase takes you to the spacious flat roof terrace of Casa del Gallo Perdido. Mature planters add to the greenery and invite you to savor the pure plateau air. Need fixings for your margarita? Head for the lime bush. Enjoy the view of surrounding rooftops and churches from the comfortable seating area, especially beautiful at sunset.

For swimmers or poolside loungers two pools are in easy walking distance.

To help you in every way, Silvia the housekeeper comes five mornings a week (M,W,Th,F,Sat.). She is industrious, resourceful and experienced. A superb chef, Silvia can prepare full family and guest meals. Don't leave San Miguel without trying her chicken enchiladas and pears cooked in wine sauce! Holding a party on the roof? Talk to Silvia. Alfredo the gardener is also an experienced waiter and bar man. (Extra charges apply for cooking and serving.)

And the namesake of this house? El Gallo Perdido was the gallant rooster who ruled the roost for many years from his perch on the bed that is now in the study. Alas, his early morning crowing became too ardent, and he is now gone. But his spirit lives on, emblazoned on a plate here, a statue there. Some say his crowing can be heard in the ringing of the morning bells of the Parroquia Church in the Jardin. Won’t you come listen?

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• Amenities
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Linens Provided
  • Gas Fireplace (3) : 2 gas fireplaces
  • Wood Fireplace : 2 wood-burning fireplaces, extra charge for fire wood
• Beds
  • King Bed : or can be separated into two beds (in front bedroom)
  • Queen Bed : master bedroom
  • Double Bed : back bedroom
  • Twin/Single Bed : study (connected to front bedroom)
• Entertainment
  • Cable/Satellite TV : cable TV with NBC, CBS, ABC, CNN
  • DVD
  • VCR
  • Video Library : extensive movie collection
  • CD Player
  • Stereo System
• Kitchen
  • Full Kitchen : with pantry
  • Cooking Utensils Provided : Quality cookware
  • Refrigerator : Spacious refrigerator and freezer
  • Dishwasher
  • Microwave
  • Catering Available : maid can shop, prepare, cook, serve for extra US$22/day (more if there are more than 4 guests); gardener can act as bar man (for parties--extra charge)
• Outdoor Features
  • Gas/Electric BBQ Grill : gas BBQ in back patio
  • Charcoal BBQ Grill : Weber on roof
  • Deck/Patio : 4 separate patio/roof terrace, all with tables and chairs
• View/Location
  • Monument View : views from roof terrace of surrounding churches and roof-tops
• Communications
  • Telephone : local land line: 150-0076
  • Free Long Distance : Vonage line: 1-772-828-2088 for unlimited calls to the US and Canada
  • WiFi (Wireless Internet)
• Other Amenities
  • Fireplaces (2 with gas-log inserts, 2 wood-burning), gas heaters in living room and sitting room, 4 outdoor seating areas with tables & chairs, gas and briquet-burning barbecues, wireless cable internet for your laptop, cable TV with ABC, NBC, CBS. CNN, DVD/VCR, toaster oven, blender, mixer, espresso makers, large refrigerator, dishwasher, clothes washer & dryer, screens on all doors and windows, Simmons mattresses, hairdryers in all bathrooms, intercoms to the front door.
• Suitability
  • No Pets Allowed
  • Not Suitable for Children
  • Minimum Age Limit for Renters : newborn to 1.5 years; 12 years and up
  • Smoking Not Allowed : except on patios or roof-top terrace
• Activities
  • Golf
  • Tennis
  • Shopping
  • Swimming
  • Biking
  • Mountain Biking
  • Wildlife Viewing
  • Health/Beauty Spa
  • Basketball Court
  • Antiquing
  • Live Theatre
  • Horseback Riding
  • Hot Air Ballooning
  • Hiking
  • Restaurants
  • Fitness Center/Gym
  • Cinemas/Movie Theaters
  • Museums
• Other Activities
  • San Miguel de Allende is the Crown Jewel of the Mexican Colonial Cities and was named a World Heritage Site in 2008 by the UN. Numerous concerts (jazz, classical and latino music), literary and chamber music festivals, lectures, plays, art cinemas and street musicians enliven the scene. Also, art galleries, handicrafts, language & art schools, tours to surrounding villages, bull fights, fiestas, parades, 100+ restaurants featuring food from around the world, a library housing 25,000 English-language books, nearby hot springs & spas, birdwatching, and antiques, handicrafts and jewelry shops,

Rate Details (In US$ , Mexican Pesos)

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Personal Currency Assistant™

Year-round: US$6,300/mo. Low season: US$2,500/wk. High season: US$2,800/wk.
Vonage phone for free calls to USA, Canada, Europe.
Rental includes maid 5 days/wk, gardener 3 days/wk, cable and internet connection.
Utilities covered up to US$50/wk, US$200/mo.
No children between 1.5 to 12 years of age. No pets.
Maid can cook for tenants or prepare small parties (extra charge applies).
Gardener is experienced bar man (extra charge applies).

Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.

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