Hotel Hacienda San Bartolo

The rooms are large, and the place has a rustic feel. Getting there is the hard part: the road is really uneven and bumpy.

The food was a letdown, especially the mole. It arrived right away, but the chicken breast was dry, there wasn’t enough mole, and the food wasn’t very hot. The molcajetes were okay. Prices were much higher than at other restaurants in Xico, and the tab felt overpriced. Their beer and liquor choices were limited too, and the one kind of mezcal didn’t taste good. We were first told they’d stopped service, even though we’d arrived before closing. Then, as we were leaving, we asked about the property and a manager urged us to eat, saying they’d be happy to accommodate us. After we ordered, the server came back twice to say they had no guacamole, then again to say they couldn’t make one of our dishes, a fish entree. In the end, we were told the only two things available were molcajete and mole. Paying was difficult too. They wouldn’t take our Visa credit card from a popular US bank because they don’t accept international cards, and they hadn’t warned us. We were three people speaking English and broken Spanish among ourselves, clearly not locals, but no one mentioned the policy beforehand. They had no ATM or other payment option, so my friend had to go back to the car for cash. The service and the way they handled things were questionable: they offered only a handful of menu items, gave no warning or visible notice about the card policy, and had no alternative way to pay. The mole didn’t seem freshly made. The plate felt hot but the food was cold, so it was probably microwaved. If you’re on the road back from enjoying the cascada, I’d avoid this restaurant. There are much better options in town, with more honest service and lower prices.

A great spot to unwind with family, spend time together, and play while taking in the gorgeous view. The food they serve is delicious and awesome. I highly recommend coming here to relax.

The field behind the hotel has cows, a horse, herons, and more to watch while you relax. It’s one of the most tranquil places around, and Xico, a nearby Pueblo Magico, is well worth exploring. The views are gorgeous too. We arrived on an overcast day, so seeing the snowcapped volcano in the distance was a lovely surprise. The hotel is very clean, with comfortable, well-stocked bathrooms, a restaurant, and incredibly friendly staff. WiFi was good, and cell reception was decent up there. Just keep in mind they’re closed on Mondays.