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Puebla, Mexico vacation, travel and tourist information by reviewer Janette Higgins.
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Mexico
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Mesones Sacristia
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The Esposa Family
9 Oriente 16
C.P. 72000
Puebla,
Mexico,
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| Phone: 222-232-8088 |
| My beautifully spacious second-floor room had a window overlooking the street. |
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Review by Janette Higgins
author of The Best Places to B&B in Ontario: A Selective Guide
Six editions of the book were published to critical and popular acclaim. Janette now publishes her B&B
reviews and holiday reports online.
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It was pure serendipity that had me staying at Puebla’s delightful boutique hotel Meson Sacristia de Capuchinas. Here’s the story. I had wandered into what looked like an antique shop, curious about a sign for cooking classes. Indeed there were cooking classes on offer but what I had actually stumbled upon was one of a pair of Mexico’s lovely boutique hotels. This particular branch (the sister to the one I actually stayed at) was called Meson Sacristia de la Compania and had attached to it one of the city’s better restaurants. Staff member Gaby Breton, who spoke excellent English, gave me the lowdown on the cooking classes and as well told me a bit about the two hotels. A few blocks apart, both are near Puebla’s lively zocalo, or central square. And both occupy Spanish colonial buildings from the 16th and 17th centuries.
My mind started working… It just so happened that I needed a place to stay for the upcoming weekend; the last before my return to Canada. By that Friday I would have finished my Spanish language studies and be leaving my homestay. It also happened that a friend had given me the wherewithal to do something special on my trip, to this point unused. Not to mention I was coming to the end of a budget-oriented, two-month, four-country trip that had me sick on three occasions and, on another, robbed of everything, including my passport. That did it. A little luxe was in the cards.
My stay at the Capuchinas branch of the Mesones Sacristia was, well, divine. There is, after all, an ecclesiastical theme to both hotels whose names for the dozen-plus rooms reveal sacred inspiration. Contemporary paintings, fine examples of Puebla’s famed Talavera pottery and a notable collection of antiques, all lend warmth and grace. Turns out that the Esposa family, who own and restored both hotels, have been long-time dealers in fine antiques. In fact, many of the furnishings are for sale. Discreetly, of course.
The first night of my stay I was upgraded to a huge interior room on the main floor with a comfortable sitting room area and loads of ambiance. My room for the next two nights, the Salecianos, was also plenty big enough; number 5, to give it its earthly designation. It had windows overlooking the street, a king size bed and a separate sitting area with TV. The seating was a little shallow so I just moved cushions around. The key for the room’s imposing double wooden doors was suitably grand complete with large tassel. No chance I’d walk off with it. For breakfast, I tried a number of Mexican specialties in the contemporary guest-only dining room. You can have a much or as little as you like for breakfast and it’s all included in the price. The attentive staff will ensure you check off what you’d like the night before.
As for the cooking class that started it all, it was held in the Capuchinas kitchen and Chef Alonso Hernandez had us chopping, roasting, grinding, mincing and processing chillies and other ingredients for various salsas. I had already begun to develop an appreciation for the vast array of chillies one sees in the markets and this class really helped me understand how they are prepared and used. We also made chicken chalupas with corn tortillas, a creamy cinnamon-rice pudding and a popular drink in Puebla, water flavoured with Jamaica flowers. When we sat down to enjoy the repast we were also given a little lesson on the wine which accompanied the meal.
If I’d had the time I would have done the whole week of cooking classes; the prospectus shows them to be an excellent introduction to Mexican cooking. For those who do have the time, the cooking classes and other benefits, such as access to local golf and tennis clubs, have been packaged for those who’d like to come to Puebla for anytime from one to several weeks. See the website or call Gaby for details.
And if you should have any doubt about why you would want to visit Puebla, read my separate review of the city. You’ll find out why it figures as one of my favourite Mexican destinations.
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Reviews of Janette Higgins'
favourite places beyond Ontario
Janette Higgins' reviews
of Ontario's best bed and breakfasts
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Mesones Sacristia, Puebla, Mexico
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| Tell your hosts Janette Higgins sent you! |
| E-mail: |
Click Here |
| Website: |
http://www.mesones-sacristia.com |
| Best to call: |
Anytime |
| Languages: |
Spanish, some staff speak English |
| Season: |
All Year |
| Rates: |
1600-1900 pesos (CDN$168-200 as at March/07) includes taxes |
Currency converter
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| Cards: |
VISA MC AMEX Cash |
| Restrictions: |
adult environment with valuable antiques |
| Facilities: |
Two small inns (6 and 8 rooms); 10 with king beds; 3 with 2 double beds and 1 with queen; air conditioning, cable TV, valet parking, auto wash, high speed wireless internet; public restaurant in one venue |
| Parking: |
valet parking |
| Breakfast: |
Full (in private restaurant or in room) |
| Location: |
Sacristia de Capuchines is 3 blocks south of the zocalo, Puebla's central square. Sacristia de la Compania is 2 (longer) blocks east of the zocalo. They are equidistant from the central square. |
| Directions: |
Obtain when booking |
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