The Hotel

This 3,810 square foot, two-story building was originally the home and studio of internationally-renowned jewelry designer Hubert Harmon. Portions of Harmon’s original home were incorporated into the hotel’s design, while the remainder of the property was newly constructed in 2004. Designed in Luis Barragan style by famed architect José Duran, the hotel incorporates the elements of Moorish and Moroccan architecture with the natural features of the property. Mexico is full of Moorish designs brought by the Spanish over 500 years ago. These elements are present in Hotel Casa Blanca’s custom-designed Moroccan chandeliers and furnishings, columns, arches, the use of light and open spaces, and intricate geometric patterns. The property features hand-painted details done by talented local artist Rodrigo Mariscal, giving it an unique and exotic appeal that can’t be found elsewhere in Ajijic.

The Accommodations

Hotel Casa Blanca has eight guestrooms, all with a spacious private bathroom, comfortable hotel-quality beds and newly-refinished rustic-style furniture, including a closet, dresser, table and chairs. Additionally, each room features a new large-screen LCD flat-panel TV with cable programming, a purified water dispenser, and space heater and fan. Four rooms also have a fully-stocked kitchenette, including sink, refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, toaster, electric burner, cooking utensils and tableware. Most rooms have a balcony or patio.

The Grounds

Two garden courtyards provide guests with an open areas. The front courtyard features a turtle pond with a fountain, and provides a tranquil outdoor setting for guests to enjoy breakfast, coffee and conversation. The grand back courtyard, shaded by a 129-year-old yellow plum tree, is decorated with tropical plants and flowers, and offers a quiet spot for relaxing.

The Restaurant and bar

Additional monthly income is generated by a highly-successful, independently-operated French restaurant located in the front of the hotel. All licenses, including food, liquor, boutique and hotel licenses, are current.

The future hotel owner would have the option to continue to lease this space, or expand the restaurant/bar operations as they see fit. The property has two separate deeds that gives the new owner the option to separate the restaurant from the hotel.

The restaurant includes high-quality seating for approximately 50 people, and a fully-stocked bar and commercial kitchen.

The kitchen has restaurant-quality appliances, including a six-burner gas stove and oven, flattop grill, ventilation hood, deep fryer, large combination refrigerator and freezer, stainless-steel prep tables, and a dual prep sink.

The tastefully-decorated dining room has ten glass-topped modern tables and forty upholstered dining chairs, with a luxurious antique extra-long sofa, and a kiva-style fireplace.

The bar area includes a dual sink, wine racks, drinking glass racks, track lighting and a large sliding window facing the front of the property.

Laundry Room

The hotel has a laundry room with commercial-quality, large-capacity washer and dryer, and includes extra stock of towels and linens, general storage, irons and ironing board, a full-size refrigerator with freezer, and an employee restroom.

A Rooftop Terrace

From the rooftop terrace, guests can take in views towards the south shore of the lake, as well as the mountains north of Ajijic. Comfortable lounge chairs are available for sunbathing, along with tables and chairs for socializing. The terrace is decorated with a cactus garden.

The Clientele

Hotel Casa Blanca is a favorite of long- and short-term guests from the U.S., Canada and around the world, as well as weekend visitors from Guadalajara. Friends and family of full time residents come here to visit. Tourists come to Ajijic on vacation and potential residents stay here while they consider the area as a possible retirement destination. The area also draws businesspeople here on business. Guests continute to return year after year to Hotel Casa Blanca.

An Apartment For The New Owners

If you decide to buy before June 15, 2011, the current owner will proceed with already-drawn plans to build a one-bedroom studio above the restaurant, for no extra charge. This includes the option to separate the house from the hotel, plus a separate deed for the house from the business deed, allowing the future owner to separate one from the other. Further details available upon request.

A Prime Location

Hotel Casa Blanca is conveniently located in the center of Ajijic, only two blocks from the town square and just one block from the pier and boardwalk. It is just steps away from numerous shops and boutiques, restaurants and bars, and vibrant galleries.

The Lake Chapala Society, one of Mexico’s largest expat organizations, is directly across the street, and is the center for social gatherings, classes and special events. It has an extensive English-language library. The Society provides valuable information and resources to help newcomers integrate into the area.

We are flexible at the terms. We will entertain a possible house exchange in the U.S.A., Mexico, or Canada and partial financing.

About Ajijic And Lake Chapala

Lake Chapala, the largest freshwater lake in Mexico, is home to the biggest expatriate population in the country, and sits at 5,000 feet above sea level in the Sierra Madre Mountains of central Mexico. Mexico’s second most-populous city, Guadalajara, and its international airport, is forty minutes away. The lake is a few hours away from the sandy white beaches of the Pacific Coast.

Lake Chapala is renowned for having one of the greatest climates in the world. The temperatures are mild year-round and the sun shines almost every day.

The village of Ajijic lies on the north shore of Lake Chapala and is famous for its brightly colored buildings, cobblestone streets and the multitude of artists who call the town home. People from all walks of life flock to Ajijic, including ambassadors, generals.