About Us
GOAL AND COMMITMENT TO GUEST SATISFACTION
After many years in the hospitality business working for the likes of Wolfgang
Puck of Spago fame, and managing one of The Bay Area's finest French restaurants
( Zagat Guide) for the better part of 17 years, my longtime plan of living
in Mexico has been an adventure.
My objective is to maintain a private and comfortable home for travelers visiting GDL for vacation, business on this side of the city, near the newly enlarged Expo center and equal distances from the historical downtown district and the new Plaza Andares in Puerto Hierro. A little of both worlds that should be seen by visitors to this great city, far from the media's drug cartel news, 800 miles to the North of this peaceful city. We are right in the middle of it all. A perfect home base for the times you just want a snack from the kitchen and watch the news or nap...to a full quiet night's rest for the nex days adventure or work.And one can always mix a working trip with pleasure as well! Conducting business in Guadalajara does not have to be boring, especially in the comfort and privacy of a home that is set up for both work and pleasure.
I offer coffee, teas, fresh fruit and daily baked pastries when you decide you would like to get up. Since most accomodations are all scheduled like cruise ships, I decided to let you do what you want to do when you want to do it! I have been told that this is the "your on your own approach" . Well, these are usually people who can't read posted information and want room service 24/7. This IS available all around you in this upscale area of the city. And you will of course pay the price for these extra services. I offer a low all inclusive price for my MANY amenities. People who get up at 6:AM need only to push a button for a FRESH pot of coffee, to go with fresh breads and pastries, or yogurt and fresh, healthier diets. If you want bacon, ham & eggs in the refridgerator, I will have them for you. And they ARE available 24/7 to enjoy on your time schedule! A full service supermarket is available 3 blocks away as well. I have found that many guests don't all want to eat at the same time. They want to sleep in, yet still can have fresh coffee.... instead of the 6 AM coffee that was left over from the earlier risers.For the independent traveler that likes to plan their own day, this has worked out so well for everyone involved. Just because you did not get up for breakfast at 6-7-8AM, etc., does not mean that a nice cheese or fresh vegetable omelette will not be fresh at 10AM, or when you really would like to have it! My kitchen is open to my guests 24/7. I have been told that this is a nicer arrangement especially for the business and tourist traveler. We all have different schedules and diets.
The size of the house is comfortably large for one to eight people at a time. It is a secure, gated home with private parking. Several bed and room configurations can be set up with ease depending on your needs. Call or e-mail for details. An e-mail will get a faster response, and it will be cost free. I am not home 24/7, and do not always get my messages from guests who answer the free phones, that are in all bedrooms. But I will do my best to call you back if you would please leave a message and phone number to be reached at and when. It will be at my cost, not yours.
Several options for things to do are made available on the LINKS page of
this fairly comprehensive web site. If you choose not to bring your laptop,
there are several internet cafes close by. My computer is a business computer. I will set up a house computer if I have the demand for one. So far, I have not. Most of my guests travel with laptops on this western side of the city.
*Please note that the free phone service is for the United States and Canada only. If you would like to make calls outside of these two countries, a list of our low rates can be reviewed by you. Most are incredibly low and I do not charge for them. But I do like to know in advance.
We offer comfortable settings decorated more in the fashion of an American home, with a splash of beautiful and modern, stylish Mexican colors throughout. The living area and bedrooms beckon your arrival after your long trip or busy day. Maid service is here as often as needed depending on the number of guests in residence, and their needs.There there are plenty of fresh towels, soap and shampoo in washrooms. Again, maid service is at your schedule, not at specific hours. If you keep your bedroom door closed when the maid is here, she is aware that the door has a reason! Who has not been to a country that has persistant maids knocking on your door,ignoring that perhaps some guests like to sleep in on their vacation! We will do just about anything to accommodate you on your schedule.
. A new washer and dryer is here for your convenience, again at no additional charge to you.There is plenty of purified water on hand at all times, for guests, friends and associates.
Our commitment to you and your guests will be unsurpassed by much higher priced hotels in this area and in different locations of this large city, keeping in mind that they do provide the room service and all other things that I might not provide.......for a price! Pools are beautiful, but if you are busy and never use it...why pay for it? You might need your computer more often, and not have to pay 12.00 U.S. daily for it!
Colonia Chapalita is a self contained neighborhood, and you have anything you could wish for within walking distance, with a short inexpensive taxi ride to the downtown district, or to the outlying art colonies of Tlaquepaque and Tonala, the new Plaza Andares area of town (very upscale), and of course the Basilica of Zapopan and surrouding area quickly becoming a nightlife area away from downtown. They make excellent day trips! Guadalajara is proud to be hosting the 2011 Pan American Games. The downtown core is going through a restoration that is finally starting to look great. It has some torn up areas, but they are being slowly opened again to the public.Although you must see the sites of downtown, it is good to come home, dust off and relax to make plans to go out later, since Guadalajara does not close down at 9:00PM, as do other surrounding towns. It is a quiet neighborhood setting that is minutes away fromjust about anything, yet walking distance to some of the finest clubs and restaurants in this entire metropolitan area.
And for the busy business people,a quiet and restful night's sleep, ready for the next day's meetings, can make all the difference in the world. The entire home is business ready with wi-fi of speeds of up to 4Gs., without the extra costs mentioned earlier. I have invested in the fastest wi-fi available for this city, and it is quite fast indeed, regardless of the number of guests using their laptops at the same time, in different areas of the house, rooftop or nearby parks.
Feel free to E-mail or call with any questions you might have that are not answered on this web site. And once again, welcome to Guadalajara. We look forward to your visit!
Your host, James Dickinson - (famous family ties article posted in The Guadalajara Reporter)