Hey, Mezxine friends!
There’s something about that back-to-school feeling that stays with us even as adults, and that makes fall such a perfect time for fresh starts. My hope for this new season? To slow down and stop feeling like I’m being chased or chasing after something every single day. Ambitious, I know. But with that spirit, I’m excited to share an interview with Miroslava Castelán, whose family leads a gorgeous boutique hotel tucked in the peaceful cloud forest of Hidalgo. We top it off with a brand of inspiring perfumes and, of course, some equally inspiring cocktails.
And last but not least, we share our very first Mexzine Classifieds, featuring two gorgeous vacation rentals from two of our readers (one overlooks a volcano at 12,100 feet above sea level and the other is a Pacific-fringing casita in Careyes).
Let’s go!
–Cristina Alonso, Managing Editor
Let’s Chat: Miroslava Castelán, General Manager of Agua Morada, a boutique hotel in the heart of the Hidalgo forest
Just a two-hour drive from Mexico City, among the mountains and forests of Acaxochitlán, Hidalgo, Agua Morada is what many places strive to be, but few actually achieve: a sanctuary in nature. Developed and run by the Castelán family, it is an invitation to slow down and explore Mexico in a different way – far from any trends, top 10 lists, or viral dishes. Cristina Alonso talked to General Manager Miroslava Castelán about the joys and challenges of a family-run boutique hotel, Hidalgo as an underdog destination, and the gift of spending time surrounded by nature.
Cristina: Agua Morada is a family-run project. How did it come to be?
Miroslava: “We are located in a six-hectare complex that was an aguardiente factory during the Revolution called Fábrica La Fe. The owner, Amado Castelán, was married to a French woman, which is why the building has a Colonial style with some European touches. The factory was abandoned, and eventually, my parents purchased it.
My parents are from Hidalgo. They have always loved nature, and at first, they wanted to create a summer camp for kids, which is why some of our guest rooms are treehouses, but they ended up making it a hotel. The pandemic changed things for us. I was in Mexico City working in fashion, and I came to Hidalgo because the project needed a lot of work and love. We started to grow because guests needed to escape; they needed space and nature. I think we all realized that true luxury is green. Today, we have nine accommodations – between treehouses, suites, and houses–, and we are building two more. This lets us really get to know our guests and offer highly personalized service.”
Cristina: What kind of guests make it to Agua Morada?
Miroslava: “We welcome lots of couples and families –and they bring everyone, from grandparents to tiny kids. I think people who come here feel the need to really connect with each other, even if they don’t know how. Even though we have WiFi, when you get here, you really feel a call to disconnect from all of that; spend some time with your family, sip on some café de olla. A beautiful river surrounds the property, and its sound is an invitation to slow down. Sometimes guests arrive anxious; they ask me what there is to do here. And of course, we have a lot of experiences – we have tours, massages, picnics, evenings around the fire pit. But I always answer, “Just do nothing.” You can hang out on a lounge chair, read a book, take a nap on a hammock. That’s probably what you really need.”
Cristina: Tell us about those tours. How can people experience Hidalgo through Agua Morada?
Miroslava: “All of our tours are personalized and can be adapted to our guests’ interests. We offer waterfall tours because we are surrounded by them. We go to a beautiful waterfall called Chimalapa, and then we visit a weaver who uses the traditional backstrap loom technique. Hidalgo embroidery traditions are beautiful, and many people don’t know that tenangos (colorful embroidery that usually represents fantastical creatures) are from here.
We are part of a beautiful community; an indigenous Náhuatl community that has preserved its traditions and customs. They are just 10 minutes away from the hotel, and we take our guests to immerse themselves in that magic –a magical side of Mexico you rarely see in a city.”
Cristina: Even as Mexicans, not a lot of us are aware of how much Hidalgo has to offer.
Miroslava: “Hidalgo is not a very well-known state, but it has so much potential. We are very close to Mexico City, but we get overshadowed by destinations like Valle de Bravo or Tepoztlán, which have, of course, worked very hard to position themselves.”
Cristina: What is it like to run the hotel as a family?
Miroslava: “My oldest sister studied communication, the middle one is an architect, and I’m a designer, so we make a good team. It’s a great blend of skills and creativity. My dad leads the entire operation, and my mom is our greatest inspiration. We face challenges every day, and we all have our own vision, but it’s been going well so far. I know many projects fall apart because of differences between families, but we always try to talk and find a middle ground.”
Cristina: What’s coming up next for Agua Morada?
Miroslava: “Right now I want us to be part of the Tesoros de México program. You have to meet very strict quality standards, so we are working to meet them. We also have our own orchard, and we want to serve more of our own produce. We want to have a seasonal menu at some point. We are designing our own furniture with local artisans and craftspeople, because we love Mexican architecture and design, but mostly because many of these traditions are being lost. The younger generations don’t want to continue the craft because they think there’s no money in it.
What we’re most excited about is Día de Muertos. We’re planning a very special experience.”
Mexzine Classifieds (9/28)
This is our noticeboard of vacation rentals submitted by Mexzine readers and approved by our team. We don't take a commission, and we're not involved in — or responsible for — any booking or stay. Think of it as a noticeboard, not a brokerage: all arrangements are made directly between you and the host. To list your vacation rental, email us at brandon@mexzine.com.
Vacation Rental #1: Casa Copilli
Location: San Nicolás de los Ranchos, between CDMX & Puebla:
About: Perched at 12,100 feet with volcano and forest views, this off-grid cabin runs on solar power, has no cell service, and is filled with artisan textiles and pieces sourced from across Mexico — a rare high-alpine escape for anyone ready to disconnect. Your host, Jessica, meets you on arrival to guide you up the final stretch of dirt road and settle you in.
5 guests, 2 bedrooms, 3 beds, 1 bath
Vacation Rental #2: Ocean-View Casita
Location: Careyes, Mexican Pacific Coast
About: Renovated in 2021 and set on one of the Pacific's most unspoiled stretches, this spacious casita sleeps up to six across three air-conditioned bedrooms, with Pacific views, breezes, and sunsets from its covered outdoor lounge and terrace. Inside, there's an air-conditioned living room with a Smart TV, a guest room with a workspace, a fully equipped kitchen, and a covered dining area that seats eight—everything you need to slow down, body and soul.
6 guests, 3 bedrooms, 3 baths
Design We Love: Xinú
From the deserts of Chile to the mountains of Colombia, all the way to the Mexican jungle, Latin America’s visual and olfactory landscapes inspire Xinú, a Mexican fragrance brand envisioned by designers Ignacio Cadena and Héctor Esrawe, and creative director Verónica Peña.
Evocative scents include Vetiverde (with notes of grapefruit, vetiver, and palo santo) and Monstera (with monstera leaves and fruits, and bull horn orchid), complemented with candles, bath amenities, and scented oils paired with volcanic stone diffusers. Xinú fragrances are available online, but it’s the boutiques – located in Mexico City, San Miguel de Allende, Mérida, and Oaxaca – that offer a truly immersive experience. –CA
Bar Spotlight: Handshake Cariño, Mexico City
The team at Mexico City’s Handshake seems to have a bottomless supply of energy and creativity, constantly sprouting new ideas and experiences. The latest is called Cariño, an intimate 12-seat space – also within the NH Hotel – dedicated to Mexico’s unique spirits and flavors.
The logic behind it sounds simple enough: “Handshake is a bar in Mexico, but it’s not really a Mexican bar,” explains Eric, “and we wanted to express our love for the country.” The result, as everything Handshake does, is anything but simple. A six-course cocktail tasting menu where liquids like tepache, charanda, and pox take unexpected shapes and forms. – CA
Where do you want us to feature next? Have a story for us? Shoot an email over to Cristina@Mexzine.com or Brandon@Mexzine.com.
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