If I could rate higher than 5 stars, I would. Especially for the service, I would give them 10 out of 5! The hosts are a lovely family, and their dedication to ensuring our comfort and meeting all our needs was incredible, even by the very best service industry standards. One of the owners, Stephan (spelling?) insisted we text or call with any needs, emergencies, etc. "even if it's at 3AM" (bear in mind, this isn't a hotel with a traditional reception staff). I tested this myself when we wanted a spur of the moment bottle of wine around 9PM. I received an instant response offering red, white, or rose, and had a chilled bottle from a well-known local winery in my hands less than 10mins later. Their service includes breakfast, which is included in your fee if you book directly. They even cooked for my uncle, who wasn't on the initial reservation, at no additional charge. The food itself was delicious! They described it as "no frills" but to be honest with you, it was perfect. It was authentic home cooking, and let me tell you, it was lovely to wake up to in the mornings. You go to an beautiful outdoor garden patio near reception, with bushes, vines, and flowers throughout, and they will bring your meal to your table. Fresh fruit, OJ, coffee, chilaquiles, huevos revueltos, quesadillas, chips and salsa, etc.
The property is large, with several clusters of buildings with multiple different styles. They're described quite well on their website, including detailed photos, so you can pick whichever variety suits you best. The one we chose this time (I booked another weekend before we even left) was a beautiful blend of rustic sophistication. The room was airy with two of the walls largely composed of windows, high ceilings, and a spacious layout. And yet, when you pulled the floor to ceiling curtains closed at night, and turned on some of the light features, it became remarkably cozy and romantic. The couch and bed were very comfy, so much so that when we laid down on the bed for the first time, just to try it out, we briefly fell asleep. My spouse said that if we were to have a second home, this is exactly how it should be.
This is a quiet place, perhaps not the best if you're looking to throw a rowdy party. But the quiet was well suited to our group of 6, and it made for a very relaxing vacation. At night, the stars come out with visibility you rarely get other than if you're camping. In the early morning, fog rolled in, which I found ideal for running.
One thing to be aware of is that the property itself is a little off the beaten path, and the Valle is already a bit of a rural area, so that's saying something. But before arriving, the owner texted me extremely detailed driving directions, including coordinates, a maps link, as well as what to program into a gps. It takes quite a few turns down a dirt road, but trust me, it's worth it!
I've stayed at several types of places in the Valle, including reservations directly with wineries, eco houses, and more traditional hotels. Casa Mayoral is hands down the very best. I'm pretty sure I'll never stay anyplace else in the area, now that I've stayed here. read more