Have you ever wandered what it would be like to step back in time and live on a hacienda? Guests won’t be giving up any modern day luxuries to stay at Casa Degraciela in El Salvador, but the look and feel of the property is authentic hacienda. Built in the late 19th century, Casa Degraciela has been in the Doña Graciela family for 150 years. The colonial style boutique hotel regally reflects its architectural beauty.
The bed and breakfast is composed of four rooms and a suite, each room features a hand-painted tile on the outside of the door with the name of the room. There are other rooms on the property for the current family members, as Casa Degraciela still serves as the family home. I liked the Western feel of the estate, with its saddles and leather work strewn about the corridors. Several fountains were strategically placed within the hacienda, surrounded with plants, thus bringing the natural beauty of El Salvador inside.
My room featured a double bed for two, in addition to a bathroom with beautiful tile and rock work in the shower. At night, I opened the door to my room to step outside and listen to the rain pounding down on the terracotta roof tiles.
Don Madecadel’s bedroom
All rooms include complimentary breakfast and there is a small bar on site. Common rooms include a billiard room with a small library and wifi is available throughout the property. At Casa Degraciela, guests are treated like members of the family.
Breakfast at Casa Degraciela
The family owned and operated bed and breakfast has a welcoming atmosphere and accommodating staff. I say this because of the way breakfast was handled the morning of my departure. After a heavy evening rain, as is typical of the wet season in El Salvador, I came out to the courtyard and breathed in the fresh morning air. Pink and purple bougainvillea plants graced the courtyard.
In the center of the courtyard a gazebo sheltered a table dressed for a party. Chairs were wrapped with cloth and tied with satin bows as if waiting for royalty to be seated. Instead, myself and our party sat down to a gourmet Salvadorean breakfast. Everyone raved about the El Salvadorean coffee – the family still owns a local coffee plantation. My favorite part of the breakfast? I loved the rich and silky hot chocolate. I asked how the hot chocolate was made and the owner brought me a small stack of chocolate discs for my trip home to California – a thoughtful reminder of my short time as a guest of Casa Degraciela.
Rooms rates range from $94 – $247 for the suite, including tax, breakfast, wifi and valet parking. The hotel is steps from the center of town. For more information or to make reservations, check the website. You can also make your reservation through agoda.com.
Review and photos by travel writer Nancy D. Brown. I was a guest of El Salvador Tourism during my visit to Casa Degraciela. All opinions are my own.
