By My small village inn, Los Dos B and B in Jocotopec, was recently invited to join the prestigious hotel Association, Haciendas y Casas Rurales de Jalisco. This organization was originally the brainchild of a few owners of restored haciendas and grand old village homes, converted to hotels.
Two years ago the association signed on a new director, former Mexican sheep rancher and Wisconsin native, Maria Piotrowski. Thanks to her enthusiasm, energy and eclectic talents, the association has grown and evolved during the past two years to include many new members from all corners of the state.
Each hacienda, mansion, working ranch, woodsy cabin, luxury spa or B and B offers unique opportunities for lodging and leisure, with something to satisfy every taste and budget. In future columns I'll be pleased to share details about these little-known destinations.
As different as each hotel may be, the owners share qualities in common. Newcomers enjoy a warm spirit of helpfulness and camaraderie among the members, as well as a passion for improvement and professionalism. There is also agreement on a fixed set of standards for any new hotel wishing to enter the association.
The prime prerequisites for admission to ACHR: guests must receive very personalized attention, including answers to their questions, tours in the area and lots of smiles!
Equally important are hotel cleanliness and a general high quality of service. Standards of honesty in such matters as paying commissions to travel agents and respecting reservations are obligatory. Most, but not all, of the properties are in rural settings. They also tend in general to cater more to adults than to families with small children.
The last requirement is the most difficult to pin down and definitely more subjective: each property must project an image of something special.
When Maria first visited Los Dos, she said, "That sign has got to go." (I already knew this). I next led her to my knock-em-dead breakfast terrace view of Mount Garcia, Lake Chapala and the village.
Approving, Maria nonetheless said, "Many places have gorgeous views, charming gardens, or a handsome Mexican décor. What you have, however, nobody else can claim: Georg Rauch's studio, his unique paintings on the walls of your rooms, and his quirky touches everywhere- such as the painted bicycle wheels hanging from the Mesquite trees. That is your something special."
I have since traveled with Maria on her quest for new locations and watched that eagle eye zero in on pluses and minuses, while hoteliers anxious for her verdict, hang on every word, "More color needed, that has to go, what is your occupancy?" All are grateful for her input and more than eager to follow suggestions, immediately if not sooner!
Lakeside newcomers, and old timers as well, should be surprised and pleased to learn how much more there is to see, do, and learn in our home state of Jalisco. Having hauled themselves and their guests many times to nearby shopping destinations, and well-known mountain villages, you might be yearning to add something new to your getaway dockets, and I look forward to helping you with this project.
Georg and I made a sentimental return trip to France in 1999. Before leaving I was excited but nervous. The fact that I would be the sole chauffeur felt daunting. A Lakeside friend calmed me down considerably when she said, "It's not that big a deal. France is about the same size as Jalisco."
Once on the road in Europe, I learned that one of the major differences between Jalisco and la belle France isn't one of distances but of density. Due to its rich history, France still felt very big!
As you come to know Jalisco better, I know you will begin to feel it stretching around you to include many new experiences, landscapes, and hidden Jalisco treasures.
