Name: Quinta Quetzalcoatl Boutique Hotel
Address: Calle Zaragoza 307, Chapala Centro, 45900 Chapala, Jal., Mexico, Chapala, Chapala, Chapala, 45900, Mexico
Rating: 9

Location

Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla Guadalajara International Airport

Quinta Quetzalcoatl Boutique Hotel

What a find! Beautifully restored old Mexican villa. Famous for the fact that DH Lawrence stayed there and wrote part of his novel The Plumed Serpent! This was a great experience. Beautiful room with a terrace, use of pool and Jacuzzi. The hotel is managed by Sandra, one of the best customer service professionals I’ve ever come across and is she is bilingual. Nothing was too much for her and she even got me a memory foam for my bed when I asked her. Everyone who worked there, from the hotel manager to the women who cleaned my room looked happy to be there and enjoying their work - always a good sign - and the atmosphere was one of peace and harmony and beauty. Will go back and highly recommend it to anyone visiting the Lake Chapala area.

This is a little gem hidden behind the secure wooden gates in Chapala.  Beautiful grounds, historic property with 8 rooms/suites, modeled after a former resident, D.H. Lawrence.   I stayed in The Royal Palm room, a very nice room, filled with Mexican tiles and pottery -- soaring ceiling.   Loved sitting outside reading a book in the sunshine in the lovely patio area surrounded by tropical plants.     My friends stayed in the DH Lawrence room which was lovely, a huge room filled with some antique furniture.  The staff was very friendly and helpful.   Prices are very reasonable,  cash only.  They are still in the midst of some refurbishing- hope to add breakfast, bar service and perhaps even dinner options in the next phase and refurbish the pool.  Property is just a block or two away from the lakeside promenade. I was only there for 4 nights, but hated to leave this wonderful spot.   Only negative I will relate - and not any fault of the QQ - but if you are light sleeper, bring your earplugs as local church bells start very early! 

First, as my aunt warned me, DON'T read the old write ups.  About 6 months ago new owners took over this historically significant hotel and have spruced it up in so many ways.  When you walk through the wooden doors into this place's lush courtyard is to truly walk back in time.  The large courtyard is filled with comfortable sitting areas, fountains, statutes, incredible plants and flowers and trees and palms.  And a beautiful pool in the center (soon to be renovated as well!) 

Chapala is a lovely town but as always can be very "go go".  It was such a wonderful relief to be able to walk into this relatively quiet courtyard and have some alone time...with a book, a drink, a couple of friends.  SO refreshing.  

Placed around this amazing courtyard are 7 varied rooms, each with it's own flavor.  We were lucky to stay in the D H Lawrence room, where he reportedly stayed in 1923 while he was writing "The Plumed Serpent."  A beautiful big room with large bed, sitting area, and huge bathroom.  Our friend stayed in another room filled with wonderful tile and brick work, and a thatched ceiling.  We were fortunate to be able to take a tour of some of the other rooms.  One was filled with fanciful pinks and purples and looked like something out of Dr. Suess.  Another room featured horse racing features and even a saddle.  Just great attention to furnishing and design in each room.  Other smaller courtyards were filled with fragrant flowers, charming tile steps, turrets and a host of fanciful architectural features.  

And the staff were all just wonderful.  Attentive, helpful, eager to oblige.  

The whole experience, utterly delightful!  Romantic traveling experience?  You bet!!

looooved the place! it was so quiet, private and nice, it was perfect for a lovely weekend getaway with my SO.
The owner is so friendly and will try to help you to get around.
The hotel is just at a 3 min walk from Chapala pier so you can go out and explore the area enjoy the views and when feeling like resting you get back to a super comfortable pool surrounded by a lovely garden.
This place is like a secret garden. 
You won't be disappointed if you stay here.


Stayed here with my sister in law and her two granddaughters. We came for a family event and this was a great place to stay. It's right in the center of Chapala so you can walk everywhere. The owner, Robert, was very gracious. Lovely breakfast each morning. The staff especially Margarita were very nice and accommodating. The rooms were well appointed and very spacious. We would stay here again even our relatives who,live here were impressed.

Well-located 1.5 blocks or so from the lake and Malecon and walkable to local markets, countless restaurants and shopping.
  
QQ Inn is a welcome step that is far from the norm with character abounds.  Rooms are one-of-a-kind, private and chock-full of art and collectables.  Meandering tropical gardens and fountains below mature trees are among the nicest anywhere. 
 
WiFi in the covered outdoor patio lounge area is good, otherwise spotty to non-existent in our room "The Royal Palm Suite".  The lounge area is relaxing with garden views, comfortable seating and a diversity of reading material provided.  Self-service coffee and tea would make it great.

Breakfast at QQ is formal served at 9 am and might be a skip if you are an early riser with a carpe diem mindset—or perfect for you because of it.  Al fresco table service and seating with fellow guests is an elegant touch, but it may be out of step with your personal sensibilities.  Breakfast was served individually on the plate consisting of fresh eggs, juice, bread, fruit, and bacon with French-pressed coffee.  Lighter versions of the same theme with cereals served every other day.  But management might do more for guests by doing less.  Try a self-serve buffet breakfast available to guests at their leisure.  Serve international favorites-- coffee, tea, yogurt, cereals, muesli, fruits, juice, hard eggs, bread, etc.  

A bit of the quirky won't likely affect your stay much... 
 
No credit cards are accepted--cash only policy might create some headaches, but it’s common to the area.

Bath towels are rough and scratchy for the price-point offerings of the hotel. 
 
No hot water in the bathroom vanity sink, but plumbing is otherwise very good.

No in-room, self-service coffee or tea.  

The garden patio Bar area appears to be out of service long ago but there's a little Tienda steps away.
  
Our stay, poolside lounge chairs parked, not so welcoming and out of use with no cushions.  Neighbors cranked up the music in the early morning hours one night on the weekend, but it was otherwise peaceful and quiet.  Over eager bell ringer at the cathedral nearby may amuse or annoy depending on your disposition.  See if you can figure out the bell-ringing logic, we couldn't.

Go to QQ for the character and embrace the quirks.  You are not likely to find one without the other and the location is very good.  

The Local Chapala Area:
It’s a very scenic and relaxed vibe in Chapala--perfect to hang out and decompress.  Walk the Malecon, enjoy lake views and the surrounding volcanic mountains.   
Limited on local activities, you’ll find pamphlets on things to do, see, etc., at the QQ lounge.  A few days aught’a do it in Chapala if you want to see the area and feel the vibe, but a good number of expats call it home. 

Nearby Ajijic:
If you'd like to see what Mexico’s version of Carmel, California looks like, then do the gringo shuffle to countless boutique stores down the main boulevard in the geriatric gringolandia of Ahijic. Seriously though, if you are looking for those unique one of a kind items, the artisans here are terrific.

TIPS:
Hire a water taxi from the main pier for a ride on the lake to get a great view of your local surrounds.  Skip the Scorpion Island tour, it’s a bit of a hustle and the island looks like its seen better days.

Go out and find some coffee and fruit while you are waiting for the QQ breakfast and hike up to the big white cross at the top of hill for stunning panoramic views of the lake, mountains and town.  Its close by at about 4-blocks northwest of the QQ—it takes about 15-20 minute vigorous hike up, 10-minutes down.  Find the cross street "Lopez Cotilla" off the main avenue "I. Madero" at the Plaza.   It’s a steep climb with periodic steps and uneven rocky path along the way.  Enjoy!

Chapala

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Magical, wonderful experience!

Charm Galore

A hidden Gem thanks to New Management!

excellent place for a quiet getaway

"Lots of Character, Beautiful Gardens”

Great Place

This property is very quaint with the gardens and the lovely private homes that share the grounds. Most rooms have a private patio area and there is a group gathering area too. The location is very central to shopping and the lake. Rooms have refrigerators which is very nice, ours (carriage house) even had a gas burner stove. But please be aware of the following; the pool is not conducive to swimming or even getting into, very shallow and water is not clear. The Wi-Fi/internet is virtually non existent - it only worked a few times for short periods and you would have to be outside to recurve it. There is no breakfast at this B&B. A key is required to enter and EXIT the gate into the property, this is not convenient if one of your party wants to go out the other had to walk them down to let them out and back in (ask for an extra key). No coffee makers in the room but ask for one. Also this is Mexico, don't flush TP, don't drink the water and keep an eye out for dog dodo. But a great, friendly town with wonderful food. Enjoy the adventure!

Pros & Cons of our 11 day stay

I am a bit of a book geek so really wanted to stay in the DH Lawrence suite of this hotel. We travelled 4 hours from Patzcuaro especially to stay here and even though I had a printed email confirmation from the owner for our reservation, when we got there there was already someone else in our room and they had no others available.
We were told that the owner is unwell and had gone back to Australia, and I hope they make a good recovery, but that did not help us when we are stood in the street with suitcases and nowhere to stay at 5pm on the Saturday of a national holiday weekend.

Quinta Quetzalcoatl Boutique Hotel

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