I fully enjoyed my stay at this Fiesta Americana in Xochitepec; the location resides in a quiet…read moreresidential town in Mexico, about 15-20 minutes away from the bigger town/city of Cuernavaca.
Fiesta Americana is a beautiful and historic 18th century sugarcane hacienda turned hotel - maintaining its Spanish colonial design, architecture, and landscape with added modern amenities. When you think of a telenovela filmed at a picturesque hacienda, this is it. I spent a few mornings just walking the grounds and taking it all in, from century-old murals to photos and paintings on the wall to hidden hallways and rooms that - I must admit - made me a bit timid to explore further on my own. While touring the grounds on my own accord, I came across black and white photos of Mexican film "Los Gavilanes" (1956), which was shot at this hotel. (The film starred Pedro Infante, Lilia Prado, and Ana Bertha Lepe.) I also learned that in 2017, a secret wine room was discovered, which now the hotel hosts special private dinners for up to 10 people. So much history on this property...
We stayed at the hotel for three nights, and throughout the stay we had reliable wifi, hot water, and A/C. The highlights of the stay - for me - was the grounds (I'm a plant mom and loved the landscaping), the pool (you can't beat the weather in Cuernavaca), and the breakfast buffet at La Molienda. I ate chilaquiles and papaya every single morning.
Features and amenities include:
:: Two pools on opposite sides of the property (both with bar service and pool towels)
:: A cardio + weight gym (with gym towels, hand sani, and complimentary water bottles)
:: One restaurant, La Molienda
:: Spa
:: A Starbucks cafe
:: Multiple venue spaces for weddings and large events
:: A chapel
:: Bridal and groom suites
:: A cantina/game room (very basic with a pool table and foosball)
:: Conference rooms and convention space
...And it's dog-friendly!
The only thing that wasn't five-stars about it, and you can't fault the culture/customs of a small, slow-paced town, was the service. It takes - what feels like - forever to order a drink, close a tab, get a cab (so plan ahead, and even when you do arrange for a cab, double check with the front desk). Oh, and the a la carte menu items weren't that amazing. The brunch buffet is where they truly shine.