36 Comments
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Stephanie Bennett Vogt's avatar

Loved seeing your lineup! After two decades living part time in SMA there were places I had not heard of, like Casa de la Noche. That portrait of la Turca and her retinue was amazing! 😮 Our home of 21 years is right around the corner from Casa Schuck, by the way, and just a block from Manantial, our favorite local watering hole — also historic, not much to look at from the outside — and a must visit if you haven’t dropped by.

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Michael Jensen's avatar

Just went to Manantial last weekend. It was great!

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Holly Starley's avatar

A door that leads to a secret place within a secret place?! You’re speaking my language.

Fantastic photos.

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Michael Jensen's avatar

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed!

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Susan Cordelli's avatar

Dear Brent and Michael,

Thank you both for the wonderful feature on Casa Schuck and the beautiful highlights you captured throughout San Miguel. Your piece truly reflected the spirit of our boutique hotel, and we’re honored to have been included.

We’ve received such positive feedback and deeply appreciate the visibility your work has brought us. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you ever need more information or would like to collaborate again in the future.

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Michael Jensen's avatar

Our pleasure, Susan. You have a beautiful place. And you're quick! I haven't had a chance to share the article with the places featured yet!

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Kate's avatar

Love seeing this as we've also found some other gems too. Look up Casa de los Soles in centro area. It's near the artisan market. My daughter took salsa lessons with a wonderful teacher next door and I used to get a juice and read my book in the soles courtyard surrounded by smiling "faces." So many spots like this in SMA. Can't wait to move back in fall.

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Michael Jensen's avatar

Thanks! I'll check it out!

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Carol Hubbard's avatar

Gorgeous! We're ending a two-week vacation in Cuenca -- and a number of the doorways in the historic center also reveal "courtyard wonders" inside. But San Miguel de Allende clearly is magnificent (love your analogies to Narnia, by the way).

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Michael Jensen's avatar

I hear you! I definitely feel like a month wouldn't be enough for me. Even with three months there are things we won't see.

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Carol Hubbard's avatar

Any suggestions for finding reasonably priced accommodations (I know SM is pricey) for a one-month or longer stay?

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Brent Hartinger's avatar

It's not THAT pricey if you look around. The villa we stayed at (Casa Frida) was $35 a night, and it was beautiful. The places featured here are all fairly expensive for this town.

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Carol Hubbard's avatar

Wow!! Far better than I expected ... thanks, Brent! :)

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Brent Hartinger's avatar

Always check on both Airbnb and booking, and ask for any special rates. 🙂

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Michael Jensen's avatar

I know on the the San Miguel de Allende Facebook page folks are always advertising places. That might be a good spot to find something. But be sure to vet anyone and get recommendations.

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Carol Hubbard's avatar

Also a great suggestion, Michael -- thank you!

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Michael Jensen's avatar

Sorry about that comment. It was meant for a different person. 🤣🤣🤣

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Carol Hubbard's avatar

Actually, though, it's still a good tip. ;)

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Michael Young's avatar

Wow, some of those hidden courtyards are unbelievable. Just stunning. I strongly suspect this post might also have been a collaboration with Michael Take's Too Many Pictures.. 🤔

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Michael Jensen's avatar

It could’ve been!

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Terrie's avatar

These places ... my god ... leaves me speechless and breatheless. You've activated my travelin' itch! Lol

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Skylar Renslow's avatar

this blew my mind the first time I spent a good amount of time in Mexico as well! would be going to a restaurant or cafe and see the outside and think "uhhhh" and walk in and be amazed

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Michael Jensen's avatar

I’m still frequenty amazed!

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

The beauties of Mexico. So many in SMA! I love how home exteriors mask the wonders inside. Yucatán is like that w/ houses, too. Maybe that is somewhat true of most interior MX cities.

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Michael Jensen's avatar

I think it's true of a lot of hot climates!

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Oh, so true. And that works, like in Spain which they’ve no doubt borrowed from. Plus the lush interior gardens.

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Ruth Stroud's avatar

Wow, San Miguel looks like the most colorful city in the world! Thanks so much for sharing the array of beautiful B&B’s. We’ve been talking about visiting forever. Now perhaps we’ll finally make a plan.

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Michael Jensen's avatar

It is, but nearby Guanajuato is even more colorful!

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Rachel K's avatar

Beautiful photos! Thank you! I also love Guanajuato, where I spent a couple of months studying Spanish a few years ago. Near SMA, less expensive, fewer expats and tourists, also a lovely vibe.

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Michael Jensen's avatar

We spent three days in GTO and loved it!

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Michael Estrin's avatar

I’ve only been to San Miguel once & I loved it! I was fortunate to be visiting a friend’s mom, so I got to meet her friends and see behind many of those modest doors.

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Michael Jensen's avatar

So glad you got to visit!

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Darlene White's avatar

All your SMA posts are seriously making me miss it there. Clearly I have unfinished business…I guess a month wasn’t long enough. We are usually ones to return to places repeatedly, but this may be an exception.

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Michael Jensen's avatar

I hear you. Even three months doesn't feel long enough!

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Eric Johnson's avatar

Very nice but pretty expensive for Mexico.

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A.M. Haus's avatar

These kinds of places make me think about my house and my neighborhood. -From the outside, the neighborhood and homes don't look like much, but I can imagine or hope they are different inside.

For example, my rental home looks desolate from the outside, and gives the appearance that whomever lives here may not have much. But it's the inside that matters. It too was a blank slate, which gives an opportunity to create your own oasis easily. It is nothing fancy like your amazing pictures, but it could be.

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