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House Rules and Information

Villa el Cerrito Staff

Villa el Cerrito’s staff is committed to making your stay a unique, pleasurable, and luxurious experience. Whether they are creating a fabulous meal for you at the villa, making a dinner reservation for you in town, serving you guacamole and margaritas poolside or arranging an in-villa massage for you, our staff is devoted to making sure you are completely comfortable and content throughout your stay with us.

Felipe
Butler

Felipe is your primary contact at Villa el Cerrito for any needs or requests you may have during your stay. Simply let Felipe know what you would like and he will be happy to arrange it.

Gerardo
Security/Night Watchman

Gerardo assists Felipe as needed and serves as the night watchman.

Leticia
Chef

Villa el Cerrito employs an excellent professional chef, Leticia, who can make many wonderful authentic Mexican and international dishes for you, and for a very good value. The price is the cost of the food plus a 20% service charge, and any overtime required (usually none for breakfast or lunch). Please inform Felipe at least one day in advance of which meals you plan to have at the villa, and what you would like to eat. This allows time to shop for the freshest food and ingredients. Ask Felipe to see our “Menu of Suggested Dishes” (also at the back of this information binder). Please consult with Felipe, and he and Leticia will do their best to accommodate your wishes. Don’t miss Leticia’s homemade tortillas and tortilla chips! And Felipe’s margaritas!

Angeles and Luisa
Housekeeping

Angeles and Luisa keep the house and your room clean and fully stocked with fresh towels and amenities. They will also take care of any laundry requests. Simply place items to be laundered in your room’s hamper/laundry basket and you will receive them back clean and ironed the next day.

José
Gardener

José maintains Villa el Cerrito’s vast and magical landscape. If you haven’t strolled through Villa el Cerrito’s gardens, discovering its mystical paths, secret hideaways, exotic flora, and many other treasures, you have not experienced the true essence of what makes Villa el Cerrito such a unique place.

Sra. Gwendoline van Hamme
Villa el Cerrito Manager

Señora Gwendoline manages Villa el Cerrito, ensuring it has a trained, competent, and friendly staff. Felipe can handle your needs throughout your stay, but will gladly contact Sra. Gwen at your request.

House Rules and Information

To make your stay at Villa el Cerrito as enjoyable and comfortable as possible, it is very important that you familiarize yourself fully with the below information and house rules:

No children under 12

No pets

Villa el Cerrito Staff
The magic of Villa el Cerrito is brought to life by an extremely professional, friendly, and able staff trained to make your stay as pleasurable and fulfilling as it can possibly be. Villa el Cerrito employs a full staff, including a mayordomo (butler), a veladore (security/night watchman), one cocinero (chef/cook), two criadas (maids), and a jardinero (gardener).
Felipe, the home’s mayordomo, manages the staff on a daily basis and serves as the primary contact for all your needs. Felipe is extremely pleasant, professional, and competent, and is happy to arrange dinner reservations, tours, trips, in-villa massages, manicures, pedicures or facial treatments for you. In addition to providing full concierge services, Felipe will shop at the local market for the freshest foods and ingredients should you desire a home-cooked meal prepared by Villa el Cerrito’s fabulous chef, Leticia. Felipe, along with Gerardo if needed, will also serve any meals you choose to have at the villa. Perhaps most importantly, Felipe makes an excellent margarita! With Felipe and the rest of our staff to take care of you and your guests, you can feel confident that your experience at Villa el Cerrito will be everything you could have hoped for - and more.
Please address any questions, requests or concerns you may have during your stay to Felipe.

Casita el Cerrito
The casita is reached via a Venetian bridge leading from the pool and loggia area, or via a pathway through the cascading ponds. The casita is a charming little home all in itself, with two bedrooms (plus an extra single bedroom just above), a living room, a small kitchen, and a breakfast patio.

CD Player
Villa el Cerrito is equipped with a state of the art sound system, with speakers dispersed throughout the main villa. Please ask Felipe for assistance with using the CD player.

Checkout
Checkout time is 11:00am.
However, you may ask Felipe whether a late checkout is possible.

Concierge Services
Felipe provides full concierge services.
Please address any questions, requests or concerns you may have during your stay to him.

Damaged Items
If any items have been damaged during your stay, or if you have noticed anything at all during your stay that you believe needs attention, please let Felipe know so that we can ensure that the house is fully ready and prepared for the next renters (and hopefully for your future return!)

Dining at Villa el Cerrito
Villa el Cerrito employs an excellent professional chef, Leticia, who can make many wonderful authentic Mexican and international dishes for you, and for a very good value. The price is the cost of the food plus a 20% service charge, and any overtime required (usually none for breakfast or lunch). Please inform Felipe at least one day in advance of which meals you plan to have at the villa, and what you would like to eat. This allows time to shop for the freshest food and ingredients. Ask Felipe to see our “Menu of Suggested Dishes” (also at the back of this information binder). We recommend you select a set menu in advance for your group (e.g., for dinner, a starter, a main course, two sides, and a dessert). Please consult with Felipe, and he and Leticia will do their best to accommodate your wishes. Don’t miss Leticia’s homemade tortillas and tortilla chips! And Felipe’s margaritas!

DVD Player
A DVD player accompanies the TVs located in the villa and casita living rooms, and in the studio.

Fax Service
The fax machine is located in the studio room atop the villa. You will only be charged the cost of the fax transmission. In order to send a fax, simply place the fax in the machine, enter the fax number (with a leading “9” to get an outside line), and press the Negro (black & white) or Color “Iniciar Fax” button.

Fireplaces
The five gas fireplaces located throughout Villa el Cerrito are the property’s primary source of heat. For your own safety, please always ask Felipe or Gerardo for assistance with using the gas fireplaces – whether it be turning them on or off. A very dangerous condition can result if a gas line is left open.

Gardens of Villa el Cerrito
The terraced landscape integrates a cornucopia of gardens, fountains, walking paths, seating areas, meditation spots, ponds, pillars, vegetation, and other natural and man-made wonders. Perhaps Villa el Cerrito's most exceptional outdoor feature is an acoustically impressive Roman amphitheater where performers, singers, musicians and mariachis can entertain you and your guests late into the night. Conceived by a master New England landscape designer and created by San Miguel's premier landscape architect, Villa el Cerrito's setting is a work of art in itself, and a true luxury to be explored and enjoyed.

Heating
The five gas fireplaces located throughout Villa el Cerrito are the property’s primary source of heat. For your own safety, please always ask Felipe or Gerardo for assistance with using the gas fireplaces – whether it be turning them on or off. A very dangerous condition can result if a gas line is left open. Some rooms are also equipped with in-wall electric heaters, but in order to conserve energy these electric heaters should only be used when you are in the room. Finally, in particularly cold weather (or in rooms without a fireplace or electric heater), it may be necessary to utilize the free-standing gas heaters located throughout the property. For your own safety, please always ask Felipe or Gerardo for assistance with using the gas heaters.

Housekeeping Service
Daily housekeeping service is provided. To help conserve water (a scarce and precious resource in San Miguel), linens are changed every 2-3 days, and towels are changed on an as-needed basis (simply place towels on the floor if you wish them to be replaced). Please ask Felipe if you would like your linens changed more often, if you require additional towels, or if you have any other housekeeping requests.
Note that special green pool towels are located in the pool and spa area for your convenience.

House Keys
Felipe will provide you with a key to the villa upon your arrival, although most of the time there will be a staff member on duty who can let you in if you forget your key. House keys must be returned to Felipe upon checkout.
There is a 200 peso charge per key for any keys not returned.

Internet Service
High-speed internet access, located in the studio room atop the villa as well as in the casita, is complimentary. Due to the pervasiveness of harmful computer viruses spread through the internet and email attachments, we ask that you be appropriately cautious when using the internet and email.

Kitchen
Villa el Cerrito’s kitchen is spectacular with traditional Mexican tiles lining the walls and boveda ceiling, and is fully equipped with the most modern of appliances. While it is a pleasure to admire, the kitchen is primarily the domain of the staff. If you would like to personally use the kitchen in a functional way (beyond just grabbing a drink from the fridge), please consult with Felipe.

Laundry Service
Simply place items to be laundered in your room’s hamper/laundry basket and you will receive them back clean and ironed the next day. There is no extra charge for laundry service other than overtime.

Outside Guests
If you would like to invite outside guests to Villa el Cerrito for a meal, cocktail party or other event, there is a service charge of 50 pesos per guest. For security reasons, events at the villa are limited to double the amount of occupancy unless special permission is granted by Señora Gwendoline.

Overtime
There is a charge of 50 pesos per staff member per hour overtime (100 pesos on Sundays and holidays) if the staff works beyond their regular hours. Regular hours for most of the staff are from 8:00am to 3:00pm on weekdays, 8:00am to 1:00pm on weekends. Gerardo works 6:00pm to 8:00am. The staff is not required to work overtime, but is usually more than happy to do so for the extra income.

Parties and other Events
You are welcome to throw a small party or other event at Villa el Cerrito. Felipe can make all of the arrangements with respect to music, food, waiters, bartenders, and any other needs. However, for security reasons, events are limited to double the amount of occupancy unless special permission is granted by Señora Gwendoline van Hamme, Villa el Cerrito’s manager. Also, please note there is a service charge of 50 pesos per outside guest.

Payment
You will receive a bill at the end of your stay for all charges accumulated during your stay with us (with the exception of telephone charges). Payment is due upon your departure.

Pool and Spa
The pool and spa area boasts a heated pool where you can literally swim among the tree tops while overlooking the dramatic gardens, ponds, and fountains. The spa offers a place for tranquil relaxation and rejuvenation, while the adjacent outdoor loggia provides comfortable chairs and tables. The temperature of the pool and spa can be adjusted. Please ask Felipe for assistance. 

Pool Area Bar
The pool and spa area has a bar containing special green pool towels, a stereo system, a sink, a wine and bottle opener, a small fridge, a combination game set, and a deck of playing cards.

Safe Deposit Boxes
Most rooms have their own safe deposit box for storing your valuables. To operate the safe, press the reset button on the inside of the door (near the hinges), enter your own four-digit code and press “B” to confirm. Press down the chrome handle to lock the safe. To open the safe, enter your four-digit code and press the “A” button. Pull up the chrome handle to open the safe. To re-lock the safe, close the lid and press down the chrome handle again. Please ask Felipe or Gerardo if you need assistance using the safe. Please leave the safe open upon your departure.

Shopping
Felipe will shop for the freshest foods and ingredients should you desire a home-cooked meal prepared by Villa el Cerrito’s fabulous chef, Leticia, and he can also shop for drinks and snacks for you to enjoy.
There is a 20% service charge added to the cost of any items purchased.

Security Deposit
Your security deposit (or balance) will be returned to you after we have reviewed the telephone bill. Please be patient as this can take as long as three months because telephone bills in Mexico are generated bi-monthly.

Telephone Service
The household phones are for local calls only. Please use a calling card to make long distance calls. If necessary, you can make long distance calls without a calling card, but this is much more expensive, and the cost will be deducted from your security deposit after we have reviewed the phone bill (which can take up to three months). Dial “9” for an outside line. Please ask Felipe if you need any assistance.


Telephone Numbers

Dial “9” for an outside line

To call long-distance within Mexico:
Dial 01 + Area Code + Local Number

To call long-distance outside Mexico:
To USA/Canada dial 001 + Area Code + Local Number
To other countries dial 00 + country code + area code + local number
Note: San Miguel is in the Central Time zone

México Country Code: 52
San Miguel de Allende Area Code: 415

Calling Card Numbers:

Toll Free Airline Numbers

Villa el Cerrito
Tel. (415) 152-2244
Fax. (415) 152-7811

www.villaelcerrito.com

Phone Extensions:

Sra. Gwendoline van Hamme
Villa el Cerrito Manager
Tel. 152-6752/154-4089
Email: elm@unisono.net.mx


Emergency Numbers

Doctors (bilingual, will make house calls)

Dentists (bilingual)

Hospital de la Fé San Miguel

American Consulor Agency

Television
Several of Villa el Cerrito’s bedrooms are equipped with television sets, and there is also a television in the main living room, and in Casita el Cerrito’s living room. Villa el Cerrito uses Satellite TV in the living room. There is a complete list of channels in the basket below the TV in the living room.

Selected English-Language Channels:

ABC Family	180		CNN	200		MTV	160
ABC	007		Comedy Central	107		MTV 2	161
A & E	118		ESPN	140		NBC	004
CBS	002		ESPN 2	144		TBS	139
CNBC	208		ESPN News	142		TNT	138
Court TV	204		FOOD Network	110		Travel Channel	215
C-SPAN	210		FOX	005		USA Network	105
C-SPAN 2	212		Headline News	202		VH1	162
Discovery Channel	182		History Channel	120		Weather Channel	214
E! Entertainment	114		Lifetime	108		PBS	249

Tipping
Tipping is extremely important to the economic well being of the staff, and therefore a minimum tip of $100 USD per room per week is suggested of all Villa el Cerrito’s guests.

Water
While the tap water at Villa el Cerrito is filtered, and thus safe for showering and other personal hygiene needs, it is not recommended for drinking. A jug of drinkable bottled water is provided in every bathroom, and refilled every day during your stay. In addition, a five gallon jug (a garrafon) of drinkable water is located in the kitchen.

We hope this information has been helpful. Please feel free to ask Felipe any questions you may have. Our goal is to make your stay as enjoyable and comfortable as possible.

Local Information

There is much to see and do in San Miguel de Allende, from visiting old churches, to strolling through the Jardín, to taking a walking tour or house and garden tour, to going to the theater, to exploring the artisan market, to hiking up to the Botanic Garden, to soaking in the hot springs, to visiting the Sanctuary of Atotonilco (a World Heritage site), to taking art or language classes, to eating at marvelous restaurants, to dancing the night away at a local nightclub, to attending a concert, to horseback riding, to flying in a hot air balloon. For a small colonial town of less than 150,000 people, San Miguel is packed with fabulous shops, restaurants, cafes, bars, galleries, churches, museums, and many other treasures.

For local information, you may wish to consult Villa el Cerrito’s house copy of “The Insiders Guide to San Miguel” (located in the breakfast room). This local guidebook is considered an accurate and trusted source of information. You can buy your own copy at many bookstores.

In addition to local guidebooks and free books and pamphlets about San Miguel that you will come across as you explore the town, there are also several good internet sites for local information, including:

www.internetsanmiguel.com
www.portalsanmiguel.com
www.sanmiguelguide.com
www.mexonline.com/sma.htm

Restaurant Recommendations

There are many fabulous restaurants in San Miguel. For a more complete list of restaurants we recommend you consult “The Insider’s Guide to San Miguel” (a house copy is located in the breakfast room) or one of the many other guidebooks and free pamphlets about San Miguel which are available around town. Below are twelve of our favorite San Miguel restaurants.
Note on Tipping: It is standard to leave a 10-20% tip depending on the service.

Bugambilia
Authentic Mexican cuisine
Hidalgo #42 (2½ blocks from the Jardín)
Tel. 152-0127, Hrs. Daily Noon-11pm

Café de la Parroquia
Breakfast and Lunch (cash only)
Jesús #11 (not far from the Jardín)
Tel. 152-3161, Hrs. Tue-Sat 8am-4pm, Sun 8am-2pm, closed Monday

El Campanario
Mexican and International cuisine
Canal #34 (3 blocks from the Jardín)
Tel. 152-0775, Hrs. Daily 1-11pm, closed Thursday

El Market Bistro
Authentic French cuisine
Hernández Macías #95 (between Pila Seca and Umarán)
Tel. 152-3229/3140, Hrs. Daily 1-11pm

El Pegaso
Mexican and International cuisine (casual dining)
Corregidora #6 (1 block from the Jardín – across from the post office)
Tel. 152-1351, Hrs. Daily 8:30am-10pm, closed Sunday

La Capilla
Mexican and International cuisine
Cuna de Allende #10 (alongside La Parroquia)
Tel. 152-0698/154-4944, Hrs. Daily 1-11pm, closed Tuesday

La Puertecita Boutique’Otel
Mexican and International cuisine
Santo Domingo #75 (just up the road from Villa el Cerrito)
Tel. 152-5011/2275/2250, Hrs. Breakfast 8-11:30am, Lunch 1-4pm, Dinner 7-9pm
Texas BBQ Buffet – Thursday 2-4pm and 6-8pm
Mexican Lunch Buffet – Sunday 2-4pm

L’Invito
Authentic Italian cuisine
Ancha de San Antonio #20 (inside Instituto Allende – back courtyard)
Tel. 152-7333, Hrs. Daily 1-11pm (50% off food & drinks Mon-Fri 4-7pm)

Nirvana
Gourmet International fusion
Mesones #101 (inside Casa Linda)
Tel. 150-0067, Hrs. Daily 8:30am-10pm, closed Tuesday

Planta Baja
Gourmet International fusion
Canal #28
Newly Opened

Ristorante da Andrea
Authentic Italian cuisine
Dr. Mora (2.5km outside of town – worth the trip)
Tel. 120-3481, Hrs. Thursday-Sunday 1-11pm

Tío Lucas
Authentic Mexican cuisine
Mesones #103 (across from Teatro Angela Peralta)
Tel. 152-4996, Hrs. Daily Noon-Midnight (live jazz 9pm nightly)

Buen Provecho!

Guest Book

A guest book is located in the breakfast room should you wish to share your thoughts and impressions of Villa el Cerrito and/or San Miguel. We always like to hear our guests’ feelings about their stay.

¡Muchas Gracias!

We at Villa el Cerrito thank you for visiting with us. We hope you have enjoyed your stay here in San Miguel de Allende.
Please come back and visit us again soon.

The Villa el Cerrito Family
www.villaelcerrito.com 

San Miguel de Allende City Map key ('E' are parking lots)

1. San Miguel de Allende's Jardin (Town Square)
2. Church - San Miguel de Allende's Parroquia (Parish Church)
3. The Presidencia Municipal (San Miguel's City Government Offices)
4. Casa de Allende, family home of Ignacio Allende, now a museum
5. Casa de Canal (A large, colonial-era home, also houses an appointment only museum)
6. Art School Bellas Artes, houses one of Mexico's most prestigious art schools
7. Church - Templo Las Monjas - one of San Miguel's most beautiful churches
8. Teatro Angela Peralta
9. Biblioteca Publica de San Miguel
10. Church - El Oratorio de San Felipe Neri
11. Church - Nuestra Señora de la Salud
12. Colegio de Sales
13. Plaza de Allende - San Miguel's Civic Plaza
14. Church - Templo de San Francisco
15. Casa del Inquisidor - Home of San Miguel's (Spanish) Inquisition Representative
16. Art School - Instituto Allende
17. Parque Juarez - a beautiful park with large 100-year-old + trees
18. El Chorro - Springs where San Miguel was founded, also Lavados - where many do washing
19. Mercado de Artesanias - Artisans Market
20. El Mirador - San Miguel de Allende's "Lookout Point" - panoramic vista of historic district
21. Plaza del Toros - Bull Ring

San Miguel was founded in 1542 by a Franciscan monk, Father Fray Juan de San Miguel. The original settlement, San Miguel Viejo, was an Indian mission near the present railroad station, and was named for Father Juan’s patron saint. During the latter part of the 16th century it was moved near the springs of El Chorro. With the building of a Spanish garrison in 1555, San Miguel soon became an important commercial center along the road connecting Mexico City with Zacatecas. San Miguel Viejo became San Miguel Grande, and the flourishing town attracted tremendous ranching and farming wealth.

During the war of independence (1810-21) San Miguel was a center of rebel activity. Four heroes of the revolt against Spanish rule were Father Miguel Hidalgo (the Father of Mexican Independence), Ignacio Allende (who was born in San Miguel Grande and who posthumously gave it his last name), Mariano Jimenez and Juan Aldama. On September 16th, 1810 (Mexican Independence Day), Father Hidalgo, the parish priest in nearby Dolores, delivered his famous Cry of Independence speech (“El Grito”), and joined forces with Allende, Jimenez and Aldama. The revolution which would lead to Mexican independence in 1821 was begun, but unfortunately the Spanish government defeated and executed the four insurgents, hanging their heads in cages outside the Guanajuato granary (Alhondiga).

Allende was a brave independence fighter, and on March 8th, 1926, the Guanajuato state government honored his heroism by renaming the city San Miguel de Allende. The colonial town was also declared a national monument to preserve its historical nature, which is why there are no traffic lights, neon signs, fire hydrants, and only a limited number of fast food/chain establishments (and even they must blend in).

With the founding of the Instituto Allende (an intellectual center and arts academy) in 1951, the foreign population began to grow, with Americans and Canadians making up the majority. Now San Miguel boasts a thriving cultural and entertainment scene, with many events (plays, lectures, art classes) in English. San Miguel also hosts a full calendar of religious festivals and fiestas throughout the year. For shoppers, the city touts some of Mexico's finest craft shops, boutiques and art galleries. And the dining scene is superb – San Miguel has a reputation for having the best "small town" dining in all of Mexico.

San Miguel’s attractive and well-preserved historic treasures (most of which are clustered around the compact downtown area), lively municipal life, and notable penchant for fiestas make it a truly charming and enjoyable place to visit. From exploring the old churches, to strolling through the Mercado (the market), to sitting in the Jardín (the central park), we know you will enjoy your time here.