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At a Glance

Sister property to Cuixmala, Hacienda de San Antonio was built by a German immigrant and his Mexican wife in the late 1800s. They created a coffee farm and a residence in the foothills of the Colima volcano. A century later, billionaire Sir James Goldsmith purchased the house and tasked his daughter Alix with overseeing a decade-long restoration. In 2000, the Hacienda reopened as a 22-suite property with views of the Alhambra-inspired gardens, the volcano and river. Alix and designer Armand Aubery hand-selected every item in the hotel, from antique furniture down to the doorknobs and painted tiles. Guests spend time on the tennis court, by the pool or enjoying hot-air-balloon rides, skydiving, quad biking, horseback riding and much more in the 5,000-acre Rancho Jabali. Come evening, meals are crafted from produce grown on the Hacienda’s ranch, drinks are served in the Yellow Bar and the property’s pathways are lit with hundreds of dazzling candles and lanterns.

The Standout: El Volcán Grand Suite, with corner views of the Colima volcano
Don’t Miss: A lakeside picnic, complete with mango grappa distilled on-property and a cheese plate sourced from the Hacienda’s dairy farm

Indagare Loves

• Outdoor activities like hot-air ballooning, skydiving, ATV touring, hiking and horseback riding
• The romantic atmosphere at night when the Hacienda is lit with a sea of candles
• A dedication to sustainability, with almost all food grown and produced on its organic ranch

Hacienda de San Antonio Review

A former coffee plantation sitting in the shadow of a brooding volcano near the town of Colima, Hacienda de San Antonio was rescued from a state of neglect by the billionaire Sir James Goldsmith in the 1970s. He spent many years commuting between this grand seat in the mountains and his beachfront palace, Cuixmala. After his death, his daughter Alix Marcaccini added her stylish flair to the rooms and transformed the house into a hotel—one that feels like a private house where the mistress pays occasional visits and guests get to enjoy her hospitality in a palatial and distinctly Mexican setting.

The mammoth pink ranch house is built around a courtyard garden with the public areas, a cozy library, grand main salon, dining room and a chapel set in the rooms on the main floor. Adjacent two-story wings on each side contain the 25 bedrooms, which have views toward the imposing volcano or down to the gardens where the pool and tennis courts are set.

Each room is designed differently, but all of them have four-poster, wrought iron beds and feature beautifully crafted Mexican pottery, fabulous fabrics and Mexican paintings and antiques which were all hand-chosen by Alix to create special environments; it is worth asking to peek into other rooms just to see the spectacular design. The bathrooms have hand-painted Mexican tiles around the soaking tubs, and all the fixtures, from the doorknobs to the faucet handles, clearly convey the love and care shown in the upkeep of this magnificent property.

Note that there is no air-conditioning in the rooms, as there is no need for it—either open the French windows for a cool mountain breeze or fall asleep to the hum of a fan. In the cooler months, the staff will light the wood-burning fireplace in your room before you go to bed.

The property encompasses a 5,600 acre ranch, so activities include horseback riding, biking, hiking, visits to the organic farm where much of the ingredients used in meals is grown, coffee tastings at the hacienda’s working coffee factory, tennis and lounging by the enormous 110-foot pool. Special events can be arranged on the grounds, such as a romantic candlelit dinner on a boat deck or a fun BBQ lunch in a field facing a lake with a volcano as its backdrop.

Who Should Stay

Couples celebrating special occasions and anyone who loves unique boutique hotels

Spotlight: A Day at the Hacienda

Rise early for a hot-air balloon float above the highlands valley. After breakfast, visit the stables at the Hacienda’s Rancho Jabalí. From here, set off on horseback for a ride around the property, stopping for a private picnic at the lake. In the afternoon, sun-worshippers will want to hang out at the peacock-blue pool, while others may prefer quiet time in the wood-beamed library, or an in-room spa treatment. Come sunset, watch as the original hacienda—refreshed last year by owner Alix Goldsmith and designer Filipe de Lencastre—comes aglow with candlelight before heading to dinner. Toast your trip with a local mezcal.