Quebrada 22 - Casa Estrella de la Manana (House of the Morning Star)
Location: Centro Historico, San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Central Mexico, Mexico (90 min. fm. Leon/Guanajuato airport or Queretaro airport)
Accommodations: Colonial home restored in 1996, 3 Bedrooms, 3.5 Baths (Sleeps 5)
Casa Estrella de la Manana (House of the Morning Star), a 1690 colonial gem sharing a wall with the adjacent Convento de los Monjas, was lovingly restored in 1996. A home that seems right out of the pages of "Architectural Digest" or "Veranda", Casa Estrella has been frequently photographed and is featured in the recent books "Mexican Tile" and "Mexican Style Interiors" and its companion "Mexican Style Exteriors".
Hal Box, now retired to San Miguel, collaborated with noted designed Marsha Brown to produce what is undoubtedly one of San Miguel's premier destinations. Now the home of Southern artist Rhea Gary and her husband Leon, Casa Estrella is conveniently located in San Miguel's historical center ("Centro") at Calle Quebrada 22, minutes (three blocks) away from the excitement of the town's main square("El Jardin") and principal church ("La Parroquia").
Step behind the old mesquite doors and experience the intimacy and wonder of a place back in time. Enter into a sun-filled patio where the soothing sound of water from the fountain wall invites you to make yourself at home.
Our comfortable outside dining "sala" features a massive stone fireplace and will become the site of memorable meals prepared by our housekeeper Lourdes. An amazing tile kitchen, possibly the most photographed kitchen in San Miguel, is also gourmet-equipped.
While you will, no doubt, enjoy outdoor living in our near-perfect climate, you will also enjoy relaxing in our indoor living and dining room that contains much of our personal collection of Mexican and Spanish religious art, many books and a CD collection. There, you'll find above another massive stone fireplace, a 16th Century painting of the Holy Trinity that complements several Santos and tin paintings ("retablos").
Up the stone stairway on the second floor are the Jacaranda and Mariposa bedrooms both of which feature custom linens, down pillows and comforters. The Jacaranda bedroom is named for the view (in March and April) of a large, purple blossom-laden Jacaranda tree enjoyed through the large window across from the king bed. This bedroom has direct access to a garden terrace kept in bloom by noted San Miguel garden designer Joseph Turner.
The Mariposa (Butterfly) bedroom has a comfortable queen bed and a lovely view of the adjacent stone walls of the old convent. Both bedrooms feature working gas-log fireplaces --- wonderful on chilly nights.
Above on the third floor is a painting studio with a single bed, a fireplace with gas logs, a full bath and another flower-filled terrace garden. From here, relax in the large patio chairs and enjoy a 270 degree view of spectacular sunsets over the San Miguel hillsides or turn around and be amazed by the up-close view of the dome of the next-door La Conception Church.
Tactfully unobtrusive, Lourdes, our housekeeper and very good cook, will be there to maintain the home and attend to your every need. Fidel, our gardener will help whenever he is needed . . . and, PLEASE - no smoking!
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Washer
- Dryer
- Linens Provided
- Off Street Parking: Off street, covered parking in lot 100' from home can be arranged on a weekly or longer basis
- Gas Fireplace
- Beds
- King Bed
- Queen Bed
- Twin/Single Bed
- Entertainment
- Cable/Satellite TV
- DVD
- VCR
- CD Player
- Stereo System
- Music Library
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen
- Cooking Utensils Provided
- Refrigerator
- Microwave
- Outdoor Features
- Lanai: Terraces on second and third level with panoramic view of nearby hills and mountains.
- View/Location
- Mountain View: Long range view of nearby mountain ranges from second and third floor terraces
- Communications
- Telephone
- Free Long Distance: Vonage internet phone for free calls to the U. S. and Canada.
- Broadband Internet: Cable access high speed internet connection for computers and laptops with wireless access
- WiFi (Wireless Internet)
- Other Amenities
- Fireplaces (4 working with gas logs, one decorative), DVD/VCR, iPod Dock, No Smoking and No Pets please, High-speed wireless internet connection for laptops equipped with a wireless connection card and internet telephone (for no-charge calls to the U, S, and Canada) are also available but not part of the rental agreement as the reliability of services through local providers cannot be guaranteed
- Suitability
- No Pets Allowed
- Not Suitable for Children
- Minimum Age Limit for Renters: Over 15 years of age.
- Smoking Not Allowed
- Activities (on site and nearby)
- Golf
- Tennis
- Shopping
- Sightseeing
- Restaurants
- Biking
- Mountain Biking
- Racquetball
- Cinemas/Movie Theaters
- Live Theatre
- Museums
- Horseback Riding
- Hot Air Ballooning
- Other Activities
- Nearby and easily accessible activities include guided sightseeing to nearby Dolores Hildalgo (Talevera tile and pottery), Guanajuato (pottery), Quetetaro (museums in the historical center), the resurgent former ghost town of Minerales de Pozos (abandoned silver mines and a couple of very good restaurants), Bernal, Tequesquiapan and surrounding country villages, churches and haciendas, Spanish lessons from full immersion downward, diverse and interesting places to shop for Mexican crafts, fine jewelery, art and clothing, mountain and canyon hiking, spas, air balloon rides, giking, gourmet cooking classes, multiple fitness centers, world-class restaurants, classical music performances, swimming and just plain "unwinding" and relaxation
Rate Details (In US Dollars)
All times except Dec 20-Jan 7 and Easter Week .. $1,750/week .. $5,300/month.
During period from Dec 20 thru Jan 7 and for Easter Week - $2500/week.
Rates are for four (4) persons; 5th person maximum (+$300 per week).
Well behaved children over 15 are welcome; No smoking and no pets please.
50% of rental due at reservation; balance due 45 days before start date
$1000/Security Deposit refundable 60 days after rental if no damage
and on receipt of telephone bills. There is a 6% rental tax additional.
Tipping of staff is mandatory (Suggested minimum is $250 pesos/person/week).
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Credit Cards Accepted:
Property Photos
- Quebrada 22 - Casa Estrella de la Manana (House of the Morning Star) - San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico Romantic Vacation Home Getaway!
- Entrance portico - San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico Romantic Vacation Home Getaway!
- Entrance portico looking toward front door - San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico Romantic Vacation Home Getaway!
- Fountain wall in main patio
- Outdoor sala from main patio
- Sala fireplace
- Stone wall, stairway and nicho collection
- La Cocina - tile kitchen looking toward main indoor sala (living room)
- Main indoor sala (living room) with painting of the Holy Trinity (16th C.)
- Jacaranda Bedroom (King Bed)
- Tile lavatories in Jacarana Bedroom bath
- Garden terrace adjacent to the Jacaranda Bedroom
- Third level terrace looking North
- The dome of "Las Monjas" from the third level terrace
Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #34627
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This listing was first published here in 2004.
Date last modified - May 14, 2009
