Casa Maria

We live in San Augustin Etla and stop by the bar pretty often. The staff are always lovely, and the drinks are well made and really inexpensive. I tried the Black Mezcal cocktail for the first time and it was incredible. The Don Adolfo is great too. My husband always orders a mezcal margarita sin azucar because he's allergic to cane sugar.

The hotel sits in a beautiful mountain setting, with lovely views across the valley. It's small, maybe just four rooms, but there's a nice dining area and a wonderful bar, and the prices are very affordable. The restoration is exquisite, with the blend of old architecture and modern touches I love about Mexico. Everyone on staff was kind and helpful. Finding somewhere to eat nearby was the tricky part. The hotel serves breakfast, but there wasn't even a menu to look at, and we weren't very keen on the enfrijoladas. We had a great dinner at Mia Arroz one evening, though we couldn't get a collectivo back because they were all full. It's very close to Centro de las Artes de San Agustin, a wonderful old fabric factory now adapted as an arts center with a museum and workshops. We took a long walk down from the art center and loved being immersed in everyday Mexican life. There's also another abandoned factory to explore down there, next to the church. Just don't throw dead animals in the river! We plan to stay again. It was so beautiful.

The room had a big tub and shower, and breakfast was the best we had on our trip. The staff were so kind and patient with us. The place was beautiful, peaceful, and clean, almost like staying in a spa. We'll definitely come back.

The tostada with pico de Gallo had barely any diced camerones, and the Chilli Rellenos was dry, flavorless, and filled with potatoes. I wouldn't recommend the food.