What to Expect at Hacienda Sepulveda:
Hacienda Sepulveda in Lagos de Moreno, a couple of hours northeast of Guadalajara, is a 17th century hacienda, or estate, that was a family ranch and country home for three generations. The estate is associated with Mexico Boutique Hotels, a collection of small properties throughout Mexico distinguished by their individual style. The ranch has been flawlessly updated without destroying the original ceilings, thick stone walls, and brick work. The result is a charming and unusual property.
Guest Rooms at Hacienda Sepulveda:
The ranch has 11 suites, most with wood-burning stoves. They are decorated in different themes with hand-picked art, tapestries, and antique pieces unearthed during the owner’s travels around Mexico. The atmosphere is old-style Mexico, with ample lounging areas and inner courtyards. This is a place where you can leave your key in the door. The property is wired for the Internet. TV in rooms mostly carry Spanish stations.Dining at Hacienda Sepulveda:
The main dining room has high ceilings, original brick walls, and is lit by candles. Should you like to dine elsewhere, the hosts will set up a table where you wish on the property. In the morning a woman in traditional Mexican dress rings a bell outside your room to alert you to the coffee, juice and cookies awaiting you on a small table outside your door. At night, local musicians serenade guests during dinner. Country cuisine features Mexican recipes passed down for generations.Weddings at Hacienda Sepulveda:
Hacienda Sepulveda can arrange anything from a small wedding for 20 to a grand banquet for 700 guests. For smaller events, they use the more intimate areas, such as the island in the pond, the pool terrace, the courtyard, the garden, or the spa.Honeymoon at Hacienda Sepulveda:
For the wedding night, couples ought to choose from the room named Doña Barbara (with a whirlpool in the bathroom) or Pendejaus with its canopy bed. Suites are decorated with flower petals, roses or bougainvillea, dozens of candles, and incense with romantic aromas. Outside the door to the suite, the hosts hang a medallion created from two linked circles of white flowers.Spa at Hacienda Sepulveda:
The spa is a loose interpretation of the owner’s memories of one in Turkey. Carved out of the original hay room, it is a spare, dreamy place with high ceilings, treatment areas filled with soft music, candles, and pools of bubbling warm water to soak in. It's a spa ambiance that big hotels try yet often fail to create. Spa treatments include chocolate or tangerine wraps, local fruit and herb facials, and a temazcal, a three-hour ancient Toltec steam ritual performed by a native shaman.Nearby Hacienda Sepulveda:
The quaint village of Lagos de Moreno is just minutes away by car. The town is filled with old churches, museums, a yoga and Pilates studio, and antiques stores. We finished the day by buying a $5 bottle of rompope, the Mexican version of eggnog spiked with rum, from a nun at the Templo del Calvario church and convent.Who Should Avoid Hacienda Sepulveda?:
Even though there’s a spa, a pool, and horses on the property, there’s no gym. So anyone addicted to pumping iron would be happier elsewhere. As would families with young children: Hacienda Sepulveda only accepts children 13 and older. Another thing to consider: The village is small and this ranch in the middle of Mexico is quiet, so go elsewhere if you want more stimulation and nightlife.Is Hacienda Sepulveda Right for You? :
If you like the country life, the scene here is nothing short of idyllic. Peacocks roam the property, and horses hang out at the gate, waiting for the next guest to saddle up for a ride on the ranch’s network of well-groomed trails. Hammocks, hot tubs, and sitting areas decorate a beautifully landscaped lawn — and your wake-up call is the chipper crow of a rooster at dawn.Where to Find Out More about Hacienda Sepulveda:
Hacienda Sepulveda
Km 4 Lagos - El Puesto Road
Lagos De Moreno, Jalisco 47400
Phone (Mexico): 01-800-508-7923
Reservations: (US and Canada): 1-800-728-9098
Official Hacienda Sepulveda Web site
As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with complimentary accommodation and meals for the purpose of reviewing those services. While it has not influenced this review, About.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see our ethics policy.
