Special Advertising Section: Casa de Sierra Nevada and Maroma

One and a half blocks from the Parroquia and main city square of San Miguel de Allende, the boutique hotel of Casa de Sierra Nevada is a mixture of 16th to 18th century Spanish colonial buildings. Its 31 rooms and suites are spread amongst nine colonial mansions, including a 17th century fort, and the former residence of San Miguel de Allende’s Archbishop in the 16th century. With the hotel’s buildings situated around the town rather than in one location, the experience is akin to living in a beautiful, historic apartment, but with the fresh, new amenities and genuine Mexican hospitality provided by Casa de Sierra Nevada, making for a true cultural immersion. Founded in 1542, the town of San Miguel de Allende is a National Monument of Mexico. Sitting at 6,400 feet above sea level, the cobble-stoned streets of this colonial town are lined with palasios that today are a mixture of personal residences, galleries, restaurants and boutiques.

San Miguel de Allende Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site

The protective town of San Miguel de Allende and the Sanctuary of Jesús de Nazareno de Atotonilco were declared as World Heritage sites by The World Heritage Committee of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). According to UNESCO, the fortified town, first established in the 16th century to protect the Royal Route inland, reached its apogee in the 18th century when many of its outstanding religious and civic buildings were built in the style of the Mexican Baroque. Some of these buildings are masterpieces of the style that evolved in the transition from Baroque to neoclassical. The Jesuit sanctuary, also dating from the 18th century, is one of the finest examples of Baroque art and architecture in the New Spain. It consists of a large church, and several smaller chapels, all decorated with oil paintings by Rodriguez Juárez and mural paintings by Miguel Antonio Martínez de Pocasangre. Because of its location, San Miguel de Allende acted as a melting pot where Spaniards, Creoles and Amerindians exchanged cultural influences while the Sanctuary of Jesús Nazareno de Atotonilco constitutes an exceptional example of the exchange between European and Latin American cultures.

Sazón Cooking School

Learning to cook with the masters of Mexican cuisine will ensure that you get to enjoy the spice and splendor of San Miguel’s food once you return home, and there is not better place to learn the art of Mexican cuisine than at Casa de Sierra Nevada's cooking school, Sazón.

Sazón offers a variety of programs ranging from one hour cooking classes on local specialties to week-long culinary packages. Culinary packages will combine hands-on cooking history and culture of central Mexico ranging from trips to the local market, dinners in private homes and exclusive candlelit tours of historic buildings.

CHEFS ON STAFF

Chef Gonzalo Martínez. After 14 years of apprenticing in first-class kitchens from The French Room in Dallas to Windsor Court in New Orleans, he has returned to San Miguel as Executive Chef of the award-winning Casa de Sierra Nevada kitchens. “I’ve learned to really feel textures, smell flavors, talk to the food as I cook” he says. The innovative menus he is developing include some traditional Mexican staples like squash, beans and chiles, but all with an exciting contemporary twist.

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Chef Paco Cárdenas. Originally trained as a graphic designer, Chef Paco brings an artist’s creative eye to the delicious creations he offers at Petit Four, his French pastry shop. In his classes, he shows how to prepare a complete meal and have fun while doing it.

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Chef Fernando Padilla. This award-winning Chef received his training at the Culinary Institute of America, in New York. After graduating he studied in Paris and San Sebastian, Spain and managed several Mexico City restaurant before moving to San Miguel de Allende. His classes are always accented by practical culinary hints.

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Chef Michele del Río After studying International Relations she decided to become a chef; studied at Universidad Iberoamericana and took courses in Patisserie at the Ritz Escoffier School in Paris. She has worked at the Au Pied de Cochon in Mexico City and has also dabbled in the catering business. Michelle loves teaching about Mexican cooking because, “you can fit our wonderful and Rich ingredients, culture and history into one boiling pot of clay.”

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LAJA SPA
at Casa de Sierra Nevada

Perhaps the spirit of San Miguel de Allende, in the state of Guanajuato comes from the silver in the dust under your feet; or by sharing the persistent shadows of narrow, winding streets that were known to heroes of the Mexican revolution. This is the region where deep veins of the Laja River gave life to this vibrant community and where silver gave coin and treasure to most of the world for hundreds of years. An enchanting colonial city, San Miguel de Allende is kept vibrant by the bracing whispering winds of Mexico's high plateau, where ghosts are celebrated and the joyful colors of Mexico attract artists from around the planet. Experience San Miguel de Allende's eternally-renewing spirit at Laja Spa.

Each Treatment room is named after a different plant or flower found locally in San Miguel. Laja is the name of San Miguel’s river, Rio Laja. It is located in the state of Guanajuato in arid, central Mexico. The Rio Laja is a vital corridor of green essential for migratory and local wildlife and vital for the survival of local communities. At Laja spa we pay tribute to this abundant river. We use the concept of water as a cleanser, a purifier and an approach to help energy flow throughout the house. This in conjunction with the mountainous area of San Miguel, which sits on a quartz mountain, truly amplifies the healing process.

Packages and Special Offers

Love Serenata

Casa de Sierra Nevada will stimulate all your senses, from the beauty of the area located high in the Sierra Madre Mountains to the intimate accommodations that are unlike any traditional hotel.

Stroll through the main plaza and listen to the mariachi bands, visit the sites such as the Botanical Gardens or Thermal Springs that will make you fall in love with this magical city. It’s the perfect place to stir the passion and to celebrate a "Love Serenata."

Start your love affair in San Miguel with this three night package that includes:

Three nights room accommodations
Daily full breakfast
Bottle of sparkling wine on arrival
Dinner one evening - five-course chef's menu with bottle of house wine
Round trip excursion to Thermal Springs including taxi transfers
A two hour private guided tour of the city
Special turndown with candles and flowers
Taxes and gratuities additional

2008 High Season: October 3 - December 19

Colonial One Bedroom Suite	MXN $22,586
Colonial Junior Suite	MXN $20,096
One Bedroom Suite	MXN $18,206
Junior Suite	MXN $15,716
Deluxe Room	MXN $13,526

Black Out Dates 2008: November 27 - 29

Mexican Culinary Adventure

Get a taste for San Miguel with this 4 night package that includes a cooking class and guided tour.

Voted one of the best three best cities in the Americas by the readers of Conde Nast Traveler, San Miguel de Allende is a 450-year-old colonial town steeped in rich history, and long-known as a spirited hub for indigenous and ex-pat artists, writers and musicians. Its cobbled streets, 16th century churches, magical fiestas and serenading mariachis will charm you.

The Culinary Adventure package allows you to get a real taste of San Miguel and includes:

Four nights of elegant accommodations
A cooking class at the exclusive cooking school, Sazon, where you can choose from among one of the following options:
- a market tour with the Chef de Sazon
- instruction in authentic Mexican cuisine in clay cazuelas
- learning how to make your own signature Margarita
A guided tour covering the local lore and history of this romantic city nestled in Mexico's highlands.
Full daily breakfast.

2008 High Season: October 3 - December 19

Colonial One Bedroom Suite	MXN $27,911
Colonial Junior Suite	MXN $24,591
One Bedroom Suite	MXN $22,071
Junior Suite	MXN $18,751
Deluxe Room	MXN $15,831

Black Out Dates 2008: November 27 - 29, 2008

Casa de Sierra Nevada and Maroma Package

Want to hit the beach or head for the mountains? Well, you can do both with the Casa de Sierra Nevada and Maroma Resort and Spa Package.

Spend two memorable nights in San Miguel de Allende, and then fly to the Mayan Riviera to soak up the sun!

Package Includes:

Two night stay at Casa de Sierra Nevada
Three course dinner at Casa de Sierra Nevada
Airport transfer included to Querétaro
Three night stay at Maroma Resort and Spa
One spa treatment per person
Daily breakfast for two persons
One snorkeling tour per person
Round trip transfer Airport-Hotel-Airport

All this for a total of $2,830 USD.

Sabores en San Miguel

Eating well is a Mexican art form at the Casa de Sierra Nevada. Enjoy sumptuous daily breakfast, a 3-course "menu du jour" for two at one of the hotel's restaurants. As a special treat, sample the local fare at a local restaurant with one 3-course dinner for two as part of this package. You will float off the bed, completely satisfied.

This 4-night Package includes:

Daily full breakfast
A 3-course dinner for two.
One 3-course dinner for two at one of the local restaurants.
Taxes and gratuities additional

2008 High Season: October 3 - December 19

Colonial One Bedroom Suite	MXN $27,148
Colonial Junior Suite	MXN $23,828
One Bedroom Suite	MXN $21,308
Junior Suite	MXN $17,988
Deluxe Room	MXN $15,068

Black Out Dates 2008: November 27 - 29
Seasonal rates for this 4-night package. 7 Days cancellation policy.

San Miguel Exploration

The Casa de Sierra Nevada is the perfect starting point for the exploration of San Miguel and its surrounding region. As the birthplace of the independence movement and the heart of the former silver trade, the town is rich in architectural and historical signifigance.

Nearby Atotonilco, hosts the pilgrimage church of Atotonilco, recently restored, as well as natural curative hot springs. Guanajuato is a fascinating town, rich in museums and curiosities. There is so much to explore and this 5-night package makes it easy.

This 5-night Package Includes:

Daily breakfast
Two private day tours of surrounding cities or sites: choose from Guanajuato, Atotonilco, Pozos, etc.

2008 High Season: October 3 - December 19

Colonial One Bedroom Suite	MXN $34,660
Colonial Junior Suite	MXN $30,510
One Bedroom Suite	MXN $27,360
Junior Suite	MXN $23,210
Deluxe Room	MXN $19,560

VALIDITY: Seasonal rates for this 5-night package. 7 Days cancellation policy.

Black Out Dates 2008 - November 27 - 29

Mexican Siesta

Enjoy a five night stay in this romantic and historic Mexican hideaway and only pay for four nights.

2008 Availability
September 2 - October 2
November 30 - December 19

Colonial One Bedroom Suite	MXN $25,100
Colonial Junior Suite	MXN $21,700
One Bedroom Suite	MXN $19,100
Junior Suite	MXN $15,700
Deluxe Room	MXN $12,700

Please note:
7 Day cancellation policy.
Black Out Dates 2008: November 27 - 29

All prices listed are in Mexican pesos (MXN). All offers are subject to availability and to change without notice. Restrictions apply.

Contact Betty Maclean Travel, Inc. today to check availability
and plan your next vacation at the beautiful Casa de Sierra Nevada!!
Info@BettyMacleanTravel.com : 239-513-0333 or 800-865-8111

Contact Betty Maclean Travel, Inc. today to check availability and plan your next vacation in this Mexican Paradise!
Info@BettyMacleanTravel.com : 239-513-0333 or 800-865-8111