Fabulous Lower Balcones Home w/ Great Views- Summer Discount in San Miguel de Allende

Casa de Alegria (House of Joy) combines the best of colonial design with a modern sensibility: large rooms in sophisticated Mexican colors; tile floors, baths and kitchen; huge windows, skylights and an atrium, drenching the house in light; and fabulous, inspiring views from the front terrace, large roof-top patios, living areas and master suites.

Our fully-furnished, art- and plant-filled home is located in the lower Los Balcones area.  It has spectacular 360-degree views, including 60-mile views of the nearby canyon, San Miguel and sunsets over the Guanajuato mountains.

From our home's quiet hillside location, it is an easy 7-10 minute walk downhill to town, the daily Mercado, and the Jardin - the main square and epicenter of life in San Miguel. A 10-minute walk in the other direction brings you to the Botanical Gardens for viewing native plants, birdwatching, strolling beside the lake, or jogging along its trails.

Our freshly-painted, 3,200-square-foot home comfortably accommodates six adults or family groups. The main level--which has recently been completely redecorated--encompasses an elegant dining room that seats eight, with a tall, curved, brick ceiling called a boveda and it's own fireplace; a separate sitting room with a high-efficiency non-vented fireplace and boveda ceiling; an adjacent freshly decorated living room that opens to a large covered terrace with great views of San Miguel and beyond. 

Our kitchen renovation/expansion was completed in June, 2007.  The new fully-equipped 'cook's kitchen' 11x19 kitchen includes a boveda ceiling; all-new high-end appliances; granite countertops with a travertine and terracotta tile backsplash; a pull-out panty; a bar/work area overlooking the atrium and sitting room; built-in hutch; purified water at the sink and all-new dishes and cookware.  The main floor also has a charming, skylit half bath with talavera tiles.

Throughout the main level, light pours from numerous windows, skylights and an interior atrium with a spiral staircase leading to our large, two-part roof-top terrace/garden with a glass-topped dining table for six next to an entertainment center with a gas/charcoal BBQ plus a built-in refrigerator, as well as the sunning terrace with chaise lounges and a large umbrella.   With their 360-degree views of town, the mountains and well beyond, the terraces are perfect for a margarita in the evening when thousands of birds fly in formation down the canyon.

Down the grand staircase from the first floor--topped with a sky-lit boveda-- are two large master suites (one with a king-size bed, the other with a queen) and 'la casita'. All of the bedrooms have been completely redecorated with wonderful delux fabrics, rugs, art and folk art.  Each bedroom has a non-vented gas fireplace, so you will always stay warm.

Both very comfortable, light-filled suites overlook and have direct access through French doors to the lovely front garden it's private patio filled with jasmine and bouganvilla,  combining privacy with pleasant views over the canyon and San Miguel. Each suite has a high-efficiency, non-vented gas fireplace next to a sitting area with a couch; comfortable beds with luxury linens and featherbeds; large, light-filled Talavera tiled baths with soaking tubs as well as large separate dressing areas with double sinks and capacious 'his & her's' closets. Both bedrooms have hand-carved armoires for the the TV's; the queen bedroom also has a hand-carved desk.

The separate, charmingly decorated casita down the hallway through glass doors has twin beds, a tiled bathroom with tub/shower, a high-efficiency fireplace, and a sitting area. The casita has its own spacious, sheltered patio with a large table and chairs, flowers and  fruit trees--the perfect spot for kids, a couple seeking private moments, or to pick the limes for your Margaritas!

The upstairs sitting room and all bedrooms are equipped with cable TV, VCRs, and CD players, one of which includes an iPod dock.  We provide FREE  high speed, wireless Internet access and FREE, unlimited Vonage long distance calls to the US, Canada and amny other countries. 

Casa de Alegria has two entries. You can come up the front steps through the lush front garden to the bedroom level. Or, park in the house's secure gated, covered parking area - which is next to a small, quiet neigborhood park - and enter directly onto the main living floor. On the lower level, there is also a laundry room with full-sized washer and dryer, a service 1/2 bath, plus a small open 'drying patio.'

Maid services three days per week (18 hours) and gardener services twice a week are included in your rental. Belen, our very sweet housekeeper, cleans, does your laundry and will cook your breakfast or 'comida' (mid-day meal) upon request. Though her repertoire is mainly limited to Mexican and Italian food, Belen is a very good cook. 

If you are interested in renting Casa de Alegria, we will send you a very informative fact sheet on the house, getting to San Miguel, making arrangements for your stay, etc.  We also employ an excellent property management company.  They are very responsive and will deal quickly with any need you have or issue that may arise during your time at Casa de Alegria.

 Note: Due to its high balconies and roof-top terraces, Casa de Alegria is not suitable for children under six.

• Fabulous views from throughout the house and from the two terraces, the front garden  and front balcony.
• Numerous outdoor spaces: two rooftop terraces, a terrace off the living/dining areas, a front garden with a private sitting area, and a sheltered patio next to the casita.
• Rooftop terrace includes entertainment center with BBQ and
  refrigerator.
• Two large master suites with dressing areas and separate bathrooms
  plus a casita with twin beds.
• Wonderful new very fully-equipped 'cook's kitchen' with granite,
  travertine and purified water and a 20-foot long arched boveda ceiling.
• Five non-vented fireplaces, which keep the house very warm.
• Four TVs with major US cable channels, DVD and five stereos/boomboxes
  plus an iPod dock.
• FREE hi-speed wireless internet plus Vonage phone with free calls to
  US, Canada and many other countries..
• Maid Service: three days per week. Our maid is an excellent cook as
  well.
• Gated secure covered parking.

Easy 7-10 minute walk to the Mercado, the Jardin and all the wonderful activities in San Miguel or to the art center at La Aurora.

An easy 10-minute walk in the other direction takes you to San Miguel's wonderful botanical gardens.

- 25% off May 2010 rentals; -10% July-August 2010 rentals!

Regular rates: One week= $1100; 2 weeks= $1900; 3 weeks= $2500; One month= $3000

• Rates include all utilities + maid/gardener; 5% SMA lodging taxes are
  additional.
• Rates for rentals of more than one month are negotiable.
• Rates are for 1-6 people.
• A 50% deposit is required to confirm your reservation; the remainder
  plus a refundable $300 damage/utility deposit are due 45 days before the first day of the rental.
• If the reservation is made less than 45 days before the first night of the rental, full payment plus the damage deposit will be needed to confirm your reservation.