Welcome to Casa Duende in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico!
Casa Duende is in the authentic Mexican neighborhood of San Rafael which borders on El Centro, the downtown neighborhood. It is a one mile or 20 minute walk to the La Parrochia in El Centro, but the neighborhood has so much lively flavor to offer that you will end up doing much of your shopping within a couple of blocks of home.
As you approach the street door framed in bougainvillea flowers and a large rosemary plant, look up to see the windows of the Art Studio and the ground floor Casita.
Entering through the front gate (with a second larger gate door for parking your car) you are immediately in a magical garden and can hear the sound of a fountain. Straight ahead is the main house and to your right is the side wall of the separate Casita and Art Studio.
The Casita is a charming studio apartment with a queen-sized bed, a full if tiny kitchen and a bathroom with shower.
Back outside, an exterior circular stairway takes you to the Art Studio with its own large sink and a toilet tucked behind a wall.
Descending from the Studio you re-enter the garden and look towards the main house. Passing the burbling fountain on your right you walk onto the cozy patio and enter the house with living room to the left, dining and atrium ahead, and kitchen to the right.
The dining area seats eight, the living room has a gas fireplace. The kitchen is spacious and has a modest pantry. The living and dining spaces separately open onto an atrium with a fountain and a half bath.
The first floor has a Library / TV room and two large bedrooms each with king sized bed and en-suite bath with shower. The bed in the second bedroom can be separated into two singles if preferred. The master bedroom has a small balcony looking out over the garden with a bit of view of the mountains to the southeast.
All rooms on this level have dramatic bovedas (arched brick ceilings) that, along with the 1 foot thick stone walls, help to moderate the temperature throughout the house. No heating or cooling is needed, although each room has a ceiling fan for comfort in the summer. Although winter evenings can touch into the 40s (f) and occasionally even into the 30s (f), the stone retains and slowly releases heat until the following day. Then the delightful 70s and 80s temperatures re-warm the house. During the summer daytime temperatures are generally in the 80s.
The roof terrace has both roofed and uncovered areas with a laundry room and spectacular 360 view. There is even a peek-a-boo view of La Parrochia that is especially lovely at night.
San Miguel de Allende can be reached by airports in Leon or Queretaro, both with excellent bus service to town.
Renting begins January 2022.
