La Villa del Ensueño - a Guadalajara Hacienda Hotel

by Roberto Milk

I recently had the pleasure of staying at La Villa del Ensueño in Guadalajara (Jalisco) and absolutely loved my experience. This is exactly the kind of hotel I look for in my travels -- authentic, beautifully rustic, clean, architecturally elegant, and great service with a smile. Oh, and as an internet CEO, I must have a stable internet connection - the rooms are wired and connection is fast.

If you like staying at corporate hotels, like the Hilton or Marriott, then this hotel might not be right for you. If however, you appreciate traditional hacienda-style architecture with balconies, arches, and columns, and you want to get a more authentic taste of Mexico, you'll be very pleased. These are the things I loved about this hotel:

* The service is excellent. The owner is often on property, overseeing details himself. This is a key success factor to boutique hotels in general, and La Villa del Ensueño is as nice as it is because of Vicente.

* The rooms, the architecture – beautiful. We stayed in the upstairs master suite, and it was very nice, with multiple platforms, a kitchenette and a large bathroom, not to mention the dramatic arches throughout.

* The location. There are bigger haciendas in the Guadalajara area, but they are farther away from the action of the city. La Villa del Ensueño has a big advantage in that it is right in Tlaquepaque. A small town within the huge metropolis of Guadalajara, Tlaquepaque is full of charm and personality. From the hotel, you are a short walk from the heart of this traditional village, with plenty of eateries that will please even the most discerning foodies out there. And, shopping is great in Tlaquepaque too.

* Food to order. They have a partner restaurant that provides food deliveries for lunch and dinner, and it is excellent.

Here are additional details provided by the hotel:

La Villa del Ensueño (The Villa of Dreams) is an enchanting place designed to make your stay a unique experience that will bring you closer to the "Soul of Mexico." With more than a century of history, the two casonas (old houses) are decorated in a beautiful, traditional Mexican style; it is regarded as one of the best representations of Tlaquepaque’s architecture.

Established in 1996, we are the first and largest hotel located in the heart of Tlaquepaque, considered the most important handcraft center in Mexico, and just 20 minutes distance from Guadalajara’s International Airport.

Your stay at La Villa del Ensueño includes: a welcome cocktail at our cozy terraza-bar, a delicious full Mexican breakfast, unlimited local phone calls and light laundry service. For your comfort and safety we have an off-street parking garage and valet parking service.

Whether your trip is for business or pleasure, La Villa del Ensueño’s bilingual personnel is highly trained to make sure your stay becomes an unforgettable experience, 24hrs a day. All our units are finely decorated in genuine Mexican style, all of them different to each other.

We have 9 Jr. suites, some with Jacuzzis, private patios and two with kitchenettes. We also have 11 Deluxe and Standard rooms, all with private baths. All our rooms are equipped with A/ C, cable TV and high speed Internet connection.

There is WiFi in all our terrazas and common areas, and computers with high speed internet access are available 24 hrs, without charge.

The conference room has capacity for 40 people and it is completely equipped with A/C, Video Projector, and Audio System.We also have a business center with fax, printer and photocopy service.

Bar with international and national cocktails as well as a wine list.We accept major credit cards, VISA, MC and AMEX.

Two blocks away from the hotel is "Refugio," the cultural center in downtown Tlaquepaque.

We offer information on tours and destinations in Guadalajara and surrounding areas, as well as assistance with car rentals, airplane tickets and hotel reservations

Let us make you feel at home at La Villa del Ensueño Boutique Hotel. Email us at reservaciones@villadelensueno.com or visit our website at www.villadelensueno.com.