Vacation Rentals by Owner

Gorgeous House, Garden Oasis with Pool - Luxury and Privacy [#181027] | View Property

San Francisco (San Pancho)
House, 2 Bedrooms, 2 Baths (Sleeps 4)
$40-$120/nt
Write a Review

Traveler Reviews (17)

• Would love to spend more time at Casa de Sophia!

  Guest comment entered by owner

  Would love to spend more time at Casa de Sophia!

  • Guest Lawrence
  • Date of stay 04/11/13
  • Review Submitted 04/18/13
  Casa de Sophia was fantastic and San Pancho was everything I could have wanted. Thank you for everything.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

• We had a wonderful time!

  Guest comment entered by owner

  We had a wonderful time!

  • Guest Chip
  • Date of stay 03/18/13
  • Review Submitted 04/04/13
  We loved Casa de Sophia, and are very interested in returning again next year!

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

• We're here in San Pancho

  Guest comment entered by owner

  We're here in San Pancho

  • Guest David
  • Date of stay 03/12/13
  • Review Submitted 03/28/13
  WOW! What a lovely house, and such an unspoiled and wonderful little town.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

• Another return guest to Casa de Sophia

  Guest comment entered by owner

  Another return guest to Casa de Sophia

  • Guest Carol
  • Date of stay 02/03/13
  • Review Submitted 03/28/13
  We had a great time as always. It's such a nice place to entertain and just being here feels good. Thank You!

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

• Guests keep coming back to Casa de Sophia

  Guest comment entered by owner

  Guests keep coming back to Casa de Sophia

  • Guest Vicki
  • Date of stay 12/19/12
  • Review Submitted 03/28/13
  We really love staying at your house and find it very comfortable.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

• Perfect location in my favorite town

  Perfect location in my favorite town

  • Guest Vicki
  • Date of stay 03/29/12
  • Review Submitted 05/13/12
  I agree with the other reviews - this house is comfortable, clean, beautiful, and the back yard is great. My husband and I have visited San Pancho and the next town up (Lo De Marcos) a couple of times and stayed in places we found via VRBO. We have also stayed in apts/houses while traveling in Europe. One of my biggest complaints is that the houses are usually not laid out very well. It too often feels like the owners are simply trying to maximize the sleeping areas. Which is fine if that is what you are looking for. However, I like to feel like I am in a home, like I actually could be living there. For me that is part of the reason we rent a house/apt instead of a hotel. Casa Sophia has the layout and feel of someone's home - not just a vacation rental. My favorite room was the office (what a treat to have a dedicated office while on vacation) and my husband's fave was the palapa room upstairs. We both enjoyed having an actual living room overlooking the fabulous backyard. At first I wasn't sure I would like the location since we had previously stayed closer to the beach. However, this time we rented a car so we weren't about the distance. It turned out that we didn't use the car at all in town (only for going to other towns). Each time we went to the beach we took a different route and we saw so much of San Pancho that we didn't even know existed. I also liked that if we did want to ride the bus it was a very short walk. On top of how much we loved this house, the owner was extremely easy to work with and everything was exactly as it should be in renting a vacation home - no stress, no problems, perfect house, and a great location.

  Recommended for: Families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

• Retired and Delighted

  Retired and Delighted

  • Guest Carol
  • Date of stay 02/13/12
  • Review Submitted 03/24/12
  We had the great fortune to stay at Casa Sophia for a month. Had to thank Jane and John for buying the place and then renting it to us! Loved it. Now if the report is too glowing we won’t get space again so I’d better be low key! It is overseen by wonderful managers as well as helpers 2 times a week in the form of gardener and maid who are efficient and helpful. A person could get spoiled. I had a bit of work so the Wi-Fi in the office was a blessing. The home in general was so much more than we had imagined from the photos. Well kept, better than average décor. Oh, if you stay home to eat and are not used to gas-light the oven while the button is depressed. Took a week to figure that out-just me! We felt like we were living in the “Secret Garden” and spent our home time out side. How lovely it all was. This is the community we were looking for: Integrated, safe, very friendly, many social activities for such a small town (pop. about 2000). The Casa is at the beginning of town so you are only a short walk to one of the many little produce markets if you forgot something when the vendor came by. It is a very indigenous town in the early hours, 7ish, the roosters start strutting their stuff. Just close the bedroom door if you’re not ready to strut your stuff! The Vendors for produce, wonderful produce- start about 8. Fresh Juice daily was how we began the day! It is about a 15 min. walk to the beach since you tend to dawdle a bit looking at everything you pass! The cost of living is wonderfully low. Entre Amigos the children’s organization is really great for Spanish classes with Julie-excellent teacher. They have a library of English books too but then there are good ones in the house too. Can’t think of a thing that was forgotten when the house was lovingly put together. Thank You so Much! Carol n Doug

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, tourists without a car.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

• Beautiful home, great value

  Beautiful home, great value

  • Guest Lara
  • Date of stay 02/05/12
  • Review Submitted 02/27/12
  My husband and I stayed here in February 2012 with our 5 year-old daughter and we were so happy that we chose this home. It is as beautiful as the pictures indicate and even roomier than I had anticipated. The house is very clean and well-cared for. The backyard garden is an absolute paradise. The rooms are comfortable and nicely decorated. The owners keep the place free of clutter but stocked with essentials for guests plus a few extras like an interesting library to browse and tasteful artwork and handicrafts to enjoy. The kitchen is well-appointed and includes lovely Mexican ceramic dishes and glassware. For the price we felt we really scored in terms of luxury and quality. At night we did have to get used to the neighborhood noises (mostly from dogs and roosters). But, we appreciated being in a "real" neighborhood with a mix of vacation homes and local residents as opposed to the more exclusive resort areas along the beach and north of town. Seen from the street, Casa Sophia appears handsome and secure, but also subtle and understated. It blends in well with its surroundings and only reveals its true charms when you enter. The house worked well for us with our daughter, however the balcony railings are kind of low so if you have rambunctious youngsters you might feel a bit nervous upstairs.

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, romantic getaway.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

• Summer vacation in the Winter 2012

  Summer vacation in the Winter 2012

  • Guest Randy & Diane
  • Date of stay 01/26/12
  • Review Submitted 02/25/12
  Just wanted to say what a fantastic place to stay in San Pancho. We arrived late on Thursday and took a tour of your beautiful house Casa De Sophia and couldn't believe that we would be staying in such a fantastic place for 10 days. It is in a very friendly neighborhood and just a short walk to town and a lot of very good restaurants{ El Retorno ,The Blue Pig , Baja Takeria , EsRiquisimo , Dolce Amore ?Italian Restaurant on corner }. We spent more time at the house and in the backyard than we thought we would it is so peaceful and quite. We enjoyed the pool and the lounge chairs just to sit in the sunny weather and take a nap. We also enjoyed the trucks that would drive by the house selling fresh fruits,vegetables,shrimp. We walked to the beach everyday to lay in the sand and watch the sun set at one of the restaurants on the beach. One day we even watched the Turtles being released and learned about them from the volunteers. The cleaning lady and pool man were very friendly and kept the house and yard very comfortable. Randy & Diane

  Recommended for: Families with teenagers, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 3/3

• Penny & Bill

  Penny & Bill

  • Guest Penny & Bill
  • Date of stay 01/10/12
  • Review Submitted 02/24/12
  One of the most effortless vacations we have ever had. We walked through the door of Casa de Sophia and felt like we were home. Welcoming, classy and very private. Wide doors open onto tropical gardens and a sparkling azure pool. Shaded settees were perfect for reading and napping. Upstairs you emerge into a huge open palapa with views of the little town or the mountains beyond. Case de Sophia has the kind of personal touches one rarely see in a vacation house. From the clever open spaces to the littlest design choices in pottery, wall hangings, and exotic woods. And what adventures are right out the door! Jungles, isolated beaches, surfer hot spots, open air cafes, tiny art galleries, nightlife, crafts & farmers markets and even an elegant Polo Club. But there are no cruise ships docking here, no street lights and only one ATM. San Pancho is a treasure whose secret won't last much longer. Our advice? Go soon.

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

• Ideal local experience

  Ideal local experience

  • Guest Nathalie
  • Date of stay 03/31/11
  • Review Submitted 04/17/11
  I just stayed at Casa de Sophia for the first week of April and it was awesome. There are so many facets to the spacious house, you can have a different setting for every occasion. For example, there's the open space on the second floor with fun lighting where you can lounge before going to bed in the cozy bedrooms. The location is great too. I loved feeling like I was a resident of San Pancho, a place to which I'd like to go back and continue to explore, as well as the surrounding towns. Lastly, the stay was made impeccable by the warm hospitality of Mirta, the property manager who made sure we had evrything we needed for a comfortable stay at Casa de Sophia and San Pancho in general.

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

• Thrilled!

  Thrilled!

  • Guest A.G.
  • Date of stay 03/31/11
  • Review Submitted 04/13/11
  My title says it all: Casa de Sophia is a beautiful, sun-filled, comfortable, luxurious haven. The well-appointed and secluded backyard and pool were a big treat. Most of the other reviewers touched on the basics, so I'll mention some of the finishing touches, which I particularly enjoyed, like the (local?) artwork, pretty dishware, and the lovely lighting, inside and out. I even enjoyed the generous bathroom showers, with their pebbled floors. The house was very well-maintained, and the property manager and owner were conscientious and helpful. I'd recommend Casa de Sophia to all, without a doubt!

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

• totally apt and the back yard was truly a bit of paradise!

  totally apt and the back yard was truly a bit of paradise!

  • Guest Jimmy
  • Date of stay 02/18/11
  • Review Submitted 06/25/11
  My wife and I stayed for a week at this lovely property in San Pancho in late winter. It was a wonderful respite with colorful, comfortable decor and close proximity to shops and many good, affordable restaurants... all within a ten minute walk--- including the gorgeous stretch of beach where we spent most sunsets with our feet in the sand and sipping margaritas! We also spent lots of time in the very nicely maintained back area watching birds, reading, and swimming. It's a beautiful, secluded area filled with pretty plants.. perfect to hang out in and do exactly what we came to do...RELAX! We shall definitely be back!

  Recommended for: Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

• Amazing, Beautiful, better than the pictures!

  Amazing, Beautiful, better than the pictures!

  • Guest VVV
  • Date of stay 10/16/10
  • Review Submitted 02/21/11
  When my boyfriend and I arrived at this house I probably walked around the place for over an hour excited about how lucky we were! I have stayed in San Pancho many times, and for the price, this was by far the best. We spent our evenings in the back garden sitting at the table and listening to the wind rustle through the palms, insects chirrping, and would delight at the occasional nut fall. There is no house behind the back garden, so you could see the sky clearly, and feel very private in the little backyard oasis with pool. The managers were very responsive, and would come over to the house immediately with even the slightest problem we had. The pool was cleaned regularly, and the woman who cleaned the house was as sweet as could be. Best service I have had at any property. The master bedroom has a little balcony overlooking backyard that opens with french doors that we liked to keep open at night to have a nice breeze. I have no idea what the above review is talking about. We had no problem getting our deposit back, there were no complaints, and the owner was extremely kind and flexible to work with. The kitchen had everything we needed and more. It is about a ten minute walk to beach, and a nice walk because you get to pass by all the stores, restaurants and people. The only complaint I would have is the "camaron" vendors from the street in the morning, but hey! its mexico. I have stayed up more in the jungle before, had to rent a car, it was a pain, and it feels very isolated. Here, you had the peace of the garden (truly) oasis in the backyard, and a little local flavor!

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

• Casa Sophia is ALL that it Claims to Be & More!

  Casa Sophia is ALL that it Claims to Be & More!

  • Guest Leslie
  • Date of stay 08/07/10
  • Review Submitted 08/22/10
  This romantic Mexican House packs a lot into the outdoor living quarters of the upstairs living area, outdoor garden, pool and garden. The inside space is just perfect when it's time to make a meal (when not eating out at the many restaurants) or relaxing in this accessible town. Our stay was fun and adventuresome, as we explored the many towns & beaches nearby. A wonderful way to relax in this well-appointed home. The owners really take great pride in the details of this charming home. They catered to our every need and wanted to be sure that nothing was overlooked for our pleasant stay. We would highly recommend it to anyone.

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/4

• San Pancho is great, but don't stay at Casa Sophia

  San Pancho is great, but don't stay at Casa Sophia

  • Guest Love Mexico
  • Date of stay 08/10/09
  • Review Submitted 07/25/10
  San Pancho is a great Mexian town. It has an outstanding sense of community, good restaurants, beautiful beach, and great people. However, there are a lot better places to stay than Casa Sophia. Casa Sophia is located on the outskirts of town on a very dusty and noisy street. We encountered three scorpions, two tarantulas, and hundreds of cockroaches and mosquitoes during our stay. I believe the sample pictures must have been taken when the house was new, because they make the house look a lot nicer than it really is. The pool gets dirty quickly because the jets have been sealed, prohibiting the water from circulating properly. There was also a stray cat that snuck into the house and sprayed our toiletries. In addition, at the end of our stay we were left with the unpleasant surprise that the owners took from our deposit household items that we never even saw. This house is a very poor value.

  Owner response: This review is false and misleading. If you email me directly, I am happy to provide the other side of the story. But to address their specific allegations, here is my response. Casa de Sophia is located on the first street in town, and is a pleasant 10 minute walk through town to the beach. Being away from downtown keeps us away from the noise and street congestion of that area. Mexico is dusty; many of the streets are not paved. It is a fact of life in Mexico and many parts of the world. Our street is the same as any other street in San Pancho. Bugs are always a challenge in the tropics. Casa de Sophia is sprayed for bugs when guests are not in residence. A long-term tenant will prevent such spraying from taking place. The photos shown on my VRBO website are current and may only not show additional local art that I add to the house when I come down for my vacation every winter. The pool works fine, however pool filters do not work if dogs are allowed to swim in the pool. Leaving doors open at night when a tenant is not home may encourage a neighborhood cat into the house. What can I say about that? Long-term tenants are provided with and sign for a photographic inventory of furnishings. If items are missing or damaged, the value is deducted from any security deposit. This is standard procedure with all high quality rentals. In closing, I hope you will also read the other reviews that vacationing guests have posted and see that Casa de Sophia 'is' a lovely place to stay, that is well maintained (it is my vacation home too!), and beautifully decorated with local art and furnishings. If you have any questions at all, please contact me. Thanks.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 7/11

• Casa de Sophia is an enchanting place to stay!

  Casa de Sophia is an enchanting place to stay!

  • Guest Laurel
  • Date of stay 02/11/09
  • Review Submitted 08/23/10
  We've stayed at Casa de Sophia several times in the last few years and find it absolutely lovely, beautifully kept up and extremely comfortable. In fact, it's one of the most tranquil places we've ever stayed. The beach and town are wonderful but we mainly enjoy just staying "home" cause it's so pretty and also wonderful relaxing in the beautiful pool and garden...and eating outside! Each time we stay we find more colorful flowers and plants have been added and it really does feel like being in the midst of a tropical vacation paradise. The owners are incredibly responsive and helpful in providing sightseeing suggestions. They make and keep their home a gorgeous and welcoming place to stay and we're already looking forward to returning next February!

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/5