The Hotel That Tequila Built, Casa Salles

Over 400 years ago, Spanish explorers in southwest Mexico learned of a fermented beverage made from the blue Weber agave plant…that beverage is known today as Tequila. Tequila is so important to the local economy, that if you’re traveling through the state of Jalisco, where most Tequila production takes place, all you can see for miles on end are fields of blue agave. A Pueblo Magico, the village of Tequila takes its name from this drink. 

Towering over the village of Tequila is an extinct volcano called simply Tequila Volcano. The rich soil of the region, perfect for cultivating blue Weber agave, was a gift of the volcano. The other is the clear spring water used to make El Tequileño, premium Tequila.

Agave fields in Tequila. photo Penny Sadler

Casa Salles a Tequila Hotel

Set within an ancient mango tree grove with a view of the volcano, Casa Salles is a boutique luxury hotel located in Tequla, Mexico. Owned by the founders of El Tequileno, a premium Tequila brand, it is a natural expansion of the award-winning brand into the hospitality sector. The Salles family started making premium Tequila in 1960, and in 2020, Casa Salles opened. It’s the only luxury hotel with a distillery in Tequila and it is located on land once used for Salles family gatherings.

Casa Salles combines luxury hospitality in a peaceful setting.  Only a five-minute walk from the cobblestone streets of Tequila, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the location offers the best of the old world and the new. The twenty-five-room hotel has a modern, minimalist design, and a very hands-on approach to hospitality. Ask and you shall receive. 

Mango trees at Casa Salles. Photo Penny Sadler

Casa Salles is a little like staying at a private residence or hacienda. The property is surrounded by a wooden fence with a gated entrance. Once inside you’re in the midst of what was a mango forest, and yes, there are mangos everywhere. Within this oasis, there’s outdoor seating for the hotel’s excellent and aptly named Mango Cocina de Origen restaurant and bar, and a gorgeous pool with a waterfall feature.

The Reposado Spa is located in a separate building in a more secluded area away from the hotel entrance. There’s outdoor seating for relaxing both before and after your treatment–I had an excellent Swedish massage and confidently recommend booking a spa appointment. 

Next door to the hotel is the El Tequileño distillery, La Guarreña. You can book a tour of the distillery and a tasting experience.  I found the tour fascinating and I learned a lot. Pro tip: Good quality Tequila can be drunk neat but it also makes delicious cocktails. For any gin or vodka drink you can substitute Tequila.  

Tequila! photo Penny Sadler

Eat at Mango Cocina de Origen

Meals at Casa Salles onsite restaurant are a gastronomic experience. Every meal I had was perfectly paired with a signature Tequila or Tequila cocktail. One of my favorites was a simple grilled octopus with potatoes paired with a classic margarita made with El Tequileño blanco. At breakfast, a latte and a basket of Mexican sweet bread felt decadent. The huevos rancheros were also really good. Mango Cocina de Origen serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. 

A drink you must try is the Batanga, originally made at a famous, hole-in-the-wall bar, La Capilla. It’s a simple but delicious blend of El Tequileño Blanco, Mexican Coca-Cola, muddled limes, and salt. Very refreshing! Of course, you can make this drink yourself with any brand of Tequila, but for the original only use El Tequileño. 

Deluxe king room. photo courtesy Casa Salles

Rooms

The twenty-five rooms at Casa Salles are luxurious in simple decor and modern colors. Seating and a small bar area with a mini-fridge were welcome additions. Some rooms have valley views and some have views of the mango garden. Rooms are either king or queen beds, or double queen and king. The beds are luxurious Ashley beds with down comforters. I had a king deluxe room with a small balcony and a view of the mango garden and the pool.  

I loved the layout of the bathroom with plenty of counter space good lighting, a magnifying mirror, and a vanity chair so you could sit down and do your makeup properly. The L’Occitane bath products were a nice touch as well. 

Other room amenities include a Nespresso coffee maker, plush bathrobes, a private bar, and mini-fridge.

Things to do

Visiting Tequila is all about drinking Tequila! The excellent team at Casa Salles will help you book appointments at other premium producers if you wish. A few recommended makers include Fortelesa, Jose Cuervo, and Antanasio. But there are many others to choose from. The town is safe to walk alone and in the evening as well. Visit the 15th-century cathedral, play some lotteria, walk the colorful streets, and please, drink a batanga! There’s also hiking and horseback riding in the highlands outside the city. So, are you ready to plan your getaway to Casa Salles and Tequila? 

Rates start at approximately $250 per night. You can book online here and check rates on Booking.com here.