A Letter from Your Hosts
Dear Guests,
We would like to welcome you to Casa de las Flores and to what we think
is a special inn. But most of all we would like to welcome and assist
you to experience and enjoy more of what Mexico really has to offer .
Casa de las Flores has chosen a one of a kind location in a very special
neighborhood and created a fantastic retreat that you will not find
anywhere else. One of the many reasons that make our location unique is
the little shrine on the corner, just a few houses down from Casa de las
Flores. The shrine is the center of local celebrations and customs that
have been passed down for generations and help keep our neighborhood
traditions flourishing despite the surrounding urban growth.
We also chose our traditional neighborhood in part because of our
neighbors. They are folk artists and craftsmen that have not only kept
artistic skills alive, but also the celebrations, pageants, pilgrimages
and fiestas that make up our local folklore and culture. We may not be
the wealthiest of neighborhoods in terms of money but we are a gold mine
of talented craftsmen, cooks, musicians and folk artists with a wealth
of local tradition and family value — in that we are richer than most.
We have chosen our unique village Tlaquepaque which in some respects you
can enjoy no matter where you stay.
Yes you can take a day trip from Guadalajara to visit the shops, but you
will not find the calm village life or our central location in the busy
city of Guadalajara. There are more fine restaurants within walking
distance of Casa de las Flores than in the whole historic center of
Guadalajara. If a visitor chose to stay in Guadalajara, the historic
center of the city would be the place of most interest. But, unless you
like more traffic, more noise, smog and feeling a bit lonely at night as
a pedestrian, I think you would have made the wrong choice in staying
there . It is much nicer to stay in Tlaquepaque and take day trips to
Guadalajara — I think you will thank me for that advice.
Perhaps more importantly, and nowhere else in Tlaquepaque or
Guadalajara, what we uniquely offer is our special neighborhood, the
restored adobe garden paradise of Casa de las Flores, and the unique
location allowing you to find more of the wonderful color, culture and
customs of our area — no place is better for this than Casa de las
Flores. One of the many wonderful things about small inns, is that we
can express a bit of our personality and style — something you are not
going to find at rubber stamp hotels. You are invited into a home and a
neighborhood where you will be able to enjoy more of the culture
We are bit eccentric in our passion for local contemporary art and folk
art, but we really think that is just one of the ways we can help you
understand and enjoy more of the local traditions and beauty of the
area. Ask me for an in-house tour of our extensive collection of local
folk art. It is one of my pleasures to help guests understand and see
more local art, and understand a bit more of the artistic traditions we
are famous for.
Our gardens may not be huge, but they are a spectacular home garden —
the likes of which you will not find anywhere else in the metropolitan
area.
We wanted to create a space that is unique and at the same time
refreshing and beautiful for guests to relax in and enjoy. We have
designed Casa de las Flores to enchant guests out of their rooms — and a
lovely garden does just that. To meet fellow guests and to celebrate the
culture you are visiting . Our other goal besides helping you see and
enjoy more of Mexico is to offer you a comfortable retreat to relax in.
Besides the gardens , patios and terraces there are a few fireplaces on
the property that during the cool winter months and cool summer evenings
where our guests can gather around a blazing fire with a cocktail from
the bar or complimentary a cup of tea from the tea room.
We have found that part of our success has been our guests themselves. Just by not staying at a Howard Johnson or a Hilton Hotel we know our
guests are people looking to experience a bit more of the country they
are visiting. They are more adventurous and curious, and we find those
qualities and common interests seem to make for good conversation and
enjoyable company. Our guests in general are not tourists — they are
travelers.
In my opinion there is really not much point in leaving home to visit
another country and culture if you are not looking to enjoy the
wonderful differences that make up each country and culture so
interesting and unique. And that is exactly our goal — to help you enjoy
more of Mexico than you would have otherwise; with our support,
information, color, art, comfort, elegance, location and unique style.
We offer guests the best support, with information and experience that
we have acquired over years and years of living, working, building and
studying in Mexico. We welcome you to enjoy the fruits of our
labor—whatever your interests, tasks, amusement or needed information —
we will be able to help you achieve your wishes.
It is always a treat to see the monuments of the world, whether it be the
Eiffel tower or our wonderful colonial cathedral, but I think it is even
more wonderful to meet the monument makers and those are the craftsmen
and folk artist families
that make up our neighborhood.
You may find that you will discover a lot about Mexico just by stepping
out our front door and participating in the colorful daily life of our
street. Or be a part of a neighborhood fiesta, visit a world renowned
folk artist, enjoy an evening bowl of pozole or a tamale at Dona
Victories in-home restaurant just across the street, or join in any of a
number of local customs and celebrations that center around our colorful
location — in other words come meet the monument makers.
We are not only about the great shopping and how close we are to stores;
the shopping anyone can offer. What they can't offer is our special spot
and our support to help you see and enjoy more of Mexico. I think you
will be pleasantly surprised by Casa de las Flores — and pleasant
surprises are what make for enjoyable memories.
We will look forward to hosting your visit and to helping make your stay
effortless and unique
Thank you.
Your hosts Stan and Jose,
and all of the wonderful staff of Casa de las Flores