The front of Casa de Alegria, showing two of the decks and the front garden.
Location: Balcones, San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Central Mexico, Mexico (Just up above Nob Hill, Pearl Distric t& Downtown)
Accommodations: House, 3 Bedrooms + Convertible bed(s), 3.5+ Baths (Sleeps 6)
Keywords: House
Casa de Alegria (House of Joy) combines the best of colonial design with a modern sensibility: large rooms in sophisticated Mexican colors; tile floors, baths and kitchen; huge windows, skylights and an atrium, drenching the house in light; and fabulous, inspiring views from the front terrace, large roof-top patios, living areas and master suites.
Our fully-furnished, art- and plant-filled home is located in the lower Los Balcones area. It has spectacular 360-degree views, including 60-mile views of the nearby canyon, San Miguel and sunsets over the Guanajuato mountains.
From our home's quiet hillside location, it is an easy 7-10 minute walk downhill to town, the daily Mercado, and the Jardin - the main square and epicenter of life in San Miguel. A 10-minute walk in the other direction brings you to the Botanical Gardens for viewing native plants, birdwatching, strolling beside the lake, or jogging along its trails.
Our freshly-painted, 3,200-square-foot home comfortably accommodates six adults or family groups. The main level--which has recently been completely redecorated--encompasses an elegant dining room that seats eight, with a tall, curved, brick ceiling called a boveda; a separate sitting room with a high-efficiency non-vented fireplace and boveda ceiling; an adjacent freshly decorated living room that opens to a large covered terrace with great views of San Miguel and beyond.
Our kitchen renovation/expansion was completed in June, 2007. The new 11x19 kitchen includes a boveda ceiling; all-new high-end appliances; granite countertops with a travertine and terracotta tile backsplash; a pull-out panty; a bar/work area overlooking the atrium and sitting room; built-in hutch; purified water at the sink and all-new dishes and cookware. The main floor also has a charming, skylit half bath with talavera tiles.
Throughout the main level, light pours from numerous windows, skylights and an interior atrium with a spiral staircase leading to our large, two-part roof-top terrace/garden with a glass-topped dining table for six next to an entertainment center with a gas/charcoal BBQ plus a built-in refrigerator, as well as the sunning terrace with chaise lounges and a large umbrella. With their 360-degree views of town, the mountains and well beyond, the terraces are perfect for a margarita in the evening when thousands of birds fly in formation down the canyon.
Down the grand staircase from the first floor--topped with a sky-lit boveda-- are two large master suites (one with a king-size bed, the other with a queen) and 'la casita'. All of the bedrooms have been completely redecorated with wonderful delux fabrics, rugs, art and folk art. Each bedroom has a non-vented gas fireplace, so you will always stay warm.
Both very comfortable, light-filled suites overlook and have direct access through French doors to the lovely front garden it's private patio filled with jasmine and bouganvilla, combining privacy with pleasant views over the canyon and San Miguel. Each suite has a high-efficiency, non-vented gas fireplace next to a sitting area with a couch; comfortable beds with luxury linens and featherbeds; large, light-filled Talavera tiled baths with soaking tubs as well as large separate dressing areas with double sinks and capacious 'his & her's' closets. Both bedrooms have hand-carved armoires for the the TV's; the queen bedroom also has a hand-carved desk.
The separate, charmingly decorated casita down the hallway through glass doors has twin beds, a tiled bathroom with tub/shower, a high-efficiency fireplace, and a sitting area. The casita has its own spacious, sheltered patio with a large table and chairs, flowers and fruit trees--the perfect spot for kids, a couple seeking private moments, or to pick the limes for your Margaritas!
The upstairs sitting room and all bedrooms are equipped with cable TV, VCRs, and CD players, one of which includes an iPod dock. We provide FREE high speed, wireless Internet access and FREE, unlimited Vonage long distance calls to the US, Canada and amny other countries.
Casa de Alegria has two entries. You can come up the front steps through the lush front garden to the bedroom level. Or, park in the house's secure gated, covered parking area - which is next to a small, quiet neigborhood park - and enter directly onto the main living floor. On the lower level, there is also a laundry room with full-sized washer and dryer, a service 1/2 bath, plus a small open 'drying patio.'
Maid services three days per week (18 hours) and gardener services twice a week are included in your rental. Belen, our very sweet housekeeper, cleans, does your laundry and will cook your breakfast or 'comida' (mid-day meal) upon request. Though her repertoire is mainly limited to Mexican and Italian food, Belen is a very good cook.
If you are interested in renting Casa de Alegria, we will send you a very informative fact sheet on the house, getting to San Miguel, making arrangements for your stay, etc. We also employ an excellent property management company. They are very responsive and will deal quickly with any need you have or issue that may arise during your time at Casa de Alegria.
Note: Due to its high balconies and roof-top terraces, Casa de Alegria is not suitable for children under six.
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Air Conditioning
- Linens Provided : Luxury linens plus down comforters and silk duvets,
- Washer : Laundry are with full-sized washer and dryer with ample storage
- Dryer
- Garage : 700 SF tandem garage with parking for two cars and ample storage
- Off Street Parking : In garage
- Gas Fireplace : Gas fireplace with blower and ceiling fan
- Beds
- Queen Bed (2) : Large master with valulted ceilings, memory-foam queen bed, sitting area, en-sutie bathroom and flat-screen TV plus guest bedroom with adjacent bathroom
- Convertible Bed : Very comfortable queen sofa bed with down-wrapped cushions in the living room
- Entertainment
- Jetted Tub in Bath : Japanese-style soaking tub in the master bath plus separate shower
- Cable/Satellite TV (2) : We have two flat-screen TVs premium US cable channels
- DVD
- VCR
- CD Player
- Stereo System
- Music Library : Also have a CD player with an iPod doc
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen : Ample U-shaped kitchen with brand-new gas range with convection oven and warming drawer
- Cooking Utensils Provided : This 'cook's kitchen' is very well-equipped for any kind of cooking with brand new appliances, cookware, Cuisinart 'Grind & Brew' and food processor
- Refrigerator : Brand-new high-end stainless refrigerator/freezer with icemaker
- Microwave
- Catering Available
- Outdoor Features
- Charcoal BBQ Grill : Weber kettle BBQ on back terrace
- Deck/Patio : Leafy, secluded patio/terrace behind the house with sustainable teak table and seating for six.
- Balcony : Large balcony adjacent to the living room; perfect for breakfast, lunch or drinks with great views over the greenways and adjacent hills
- View/Location
- Mountain View : Panoramic forest and hill views
- Communications
- Telephone : We do not provide local or long-distance service; you will need to bring your cell phone
- Broadband Internet : High-speed cable broadband service
- WiFi (Wireless Internet) : Free, high-speed 1GB wireless connection; you will need to bring your own laptop
- Other Amenities
- The townhouse is very sophistocated yet very comfortable. The two-story, vaulted living room is flooded with light from floor-to ceiling windows. The house is graced with notable peices from our art collection, mainly from well-known Northwest artists. Their is also a great, light-filled study/loft with another comfortable couch overlooking the living area, which is completely set up for any task, from checking e-mail to doing serious work, since it includes a flat-screen montior to plug your laptop into as well as an HP printer. Our house is just two blocks from a 'town center' with a Starbucks, a great gourmet pizza place, a very pleasant bakery/cafe, and neighborhood grocery store with staples, fresh produce and a great wine selection as well as a dry cleaners.
- Suitability
- Pet Friendly : Pets welcome with prior approval and separate pet deposit
- Minimum Age Limit for Renters : Age six or above
- Smoking Not Allowed : Smoking outside of the house is fine.
- Activities
- Golf
- Tennis
- Shopping
- Swimming
- Biking
- Mountain Biking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Health/Beauty Spa
- Antiquing
- Live Theatre
- Zoo/Wildlife Park
- Restaurants
- Hiking
- Fitness Center/Gym
- Cinemas/Movie Theaters
- Museums
- Other Activities
- Townhouse is less than 10 minutes from Nob Hill/Northwest 23rd, the Pearl District and downtown Portland, with their ample shopping, dining and entertainment options. It is also less than firve minutes from Forest Park, the largest natural urban park in the United States
Rate Details (In US Dollars)
Regular rates: One week= $1200; 2 weeks= $2100; 3 weeks= $2600; One month= $3200
Longer-term rentals are negotiable. 5% SMA lodging taxes are additional.
A 50% deposit is required to confirm your reservation; the remainder
Plus a refundable $300 damage/utility deposit are due 45 days before the
first night of the rental. If the reservation is made less than 45 days
before the first night of the rental, full payment plus the deposit will
be needed to confirm your reservation.
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Owner's Profile
Year Purchased: 2011
Property Photos
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- The front of Casa de Alegria, showing two of the decks and the front garden. - San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico Vacation Rental House
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- One part of our terraces' 360-degree views of San Miguel & the mountains - San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico Vacation Rental House
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- The living room, with great light, views and access to the front terrrace. - San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico Vacation Rental House
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- Gorgeous new kitchen with boveda, granite, new appliances, bar + tons of light!
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- Dining room for 8 with boveda, next to living room, kitchen & front terrace.
Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #30108
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Date last modified - Wednesday, December 28, 2011
