Frequently asked questions

Yes. High-speed Wi-Fi covers both houses, strong enough for video calls, remote work and streaming, and each house has a dedicated workspace. There is no Ethernet connection anywhere on the property; everything runs over Wi-Fi. Mobile signal on the mountain can be intermittent depending on your provider, so calling over Wi-Fi, through WhatsApp or similar, is the most reliable way to reach anyone.

Both houses have a two-burner stainless steel gas stove, a full-sized refrigerator and freezer, a stovetop kettle and a French press. You'll find pots, pans, knives, a cutting board and cooking utensils, along with plates, bowls, mugs, cutlery, wine glasses and a corkscrew. We provide tea, coffee, drinking water, cooking oil, salt, pepper and seasonings. There is no microwave, oven, electric kettle, toaster, blender, dishwasher or coffee machine, because the off-grid solar system can't support them. Guests regularly cook pastas, steaks, grilled vegetables, salads and long breakfasts, and many bring wine and charcuterie for the evenings or book the private chef for a special dinner.

Meet Greta, our private chef →

It is solar-heated, warmed naturally by the sun, with no temperature control. The pools can be used all year round, 24 hours a day. The water is mild rather than hot: this is a swimming pool, not a jacuzzi. Please cover the pool when you're not using it, which helps it hold its warmth.

Shampoo, conditioner and shower gel are provided in both houses, along with fresh towels, and hot water is gas-heated and instant. Anything more particular is worth bringing with you, including sun protection, as the high-desert sun is strong.

Yes. Selene is Casa Etérea's house manager, and she looks after your stay from beginning to end. She meets you at our designated pickup point, guides you up the mountain, walks you through the house and its systems, and is there again at checkout to see you off. In between, the house is entirely yours. She lives about ten minutes away and doesn't come in unless you ask, but she's a WhatsApp message away at +52 415 119 4511 throughout your stay. She speaks English and Spanish and can arrange anything you need: taxis and drivers, a mid-stay clean, massages, horseback rides or the private chef.

The tap water isn't drinkable, but that's something you'll never need to think about: drinking water is provided in both houses, for both drinking and cooking, and there's plenty to last your whole stay.

Free parking is available directly at the house. A standard car or SUV handles the mountain road perfectly well. If you're driving a low-clearance sports car, we'll park it for you free of charge at Lavanda Spa, at the bottom of the mountain just five minutes from the property, and Selene will bring you the rest of the way. We recommend the same from June to August, when light summer showers can soften the road. In San Miguel itself, street parking is usually easy to find, and there are paid car parks near the centre.

However you arrive, whether by car or without one, every guest is met at our designated pickup point and guided up to the house by our complimentary shuttle, as the house can't be found on any map. On your arrival day, Selene meets you there and leads you up the mountain, and on departure day she brings you back to the same spot. The arrival guide has the pickup points and all the details.

If you plan to spend your whole stay on the mountain, the shuttle is all you need. If you'd like to head down to San Miguel during your stay, a car gives you the most freedom. Without one, Selene can arrange a taxi with about an hour's notice.

Read the arrival guide →

There is no coffee machine — the off-grid solar system cannot support one. You will find a French press and a stovetop kettle, and you are welcome to bring your own beans. It is a small trade-off for a house that runs entirely on sunlight, on a remote mountainside.

The houses are cleaned before you arrive and again once you leave, so the time in between is entirely your own — nobody comes in while you are here unless you ask. If you would like a clean mid-stay, Selene can arrange one for USD 60 (MXN 1,200).

There's no air conditioning or heating, but each house has fans for warmer days, and that's all they need. The houses are built from smart glass that traps warmth when it's cold and diffuses it when the sun is strong, so the interior regulates its own temperature through the day. Even in winter the houses are warm while the sun is up — a light jacket is worth having for the evenings between November and February.

This is our single most important house rule. The off-grid solar system cannot support heating elements — hairdryers, straighteners, curling irons, electric kettles, blenders, and microwaves will overload it. It's one of the trade-offs of living gently off-grid on a mountainside, and the very thing that makes a house like this possible in such a place. Charging laptops, phones, and cameras is, of course, perfectly fine. For photoshoots, we can provide a solar-safe hairdryer and curling iron on request.

There's no washing machine in the houses, and for shorter stays laundry service isn't available — the property's remoteness means clothes must be carried down the mountain to a laundromat in town, with a turnaround of at least three days. For stays of a week or longer, we're glad to arrange it, and Selene can take care of the details.

There's no BBQ or grill, though the kitchen's gas stove handles everything beautifully, and guests regularly cook wonderful meals indoors. For a more memorable evening, our private chef can come to you.

Yes. The Wi-Fi supports video conferencing, and both houses have a dedicated workspace. There is no Ethernet connection — the houses run on Wi-Fi alone, which comfortably handles calls and screen sharing. Many guests combine work with the experience — mornings at a desk with a view of the volcanic landscape, afternoons by the pool.

Absolutely. There is no television, no room service notifications, and no urban noise. The only sounds are birdsong, wind, and silence. Many guests describe their stay as one of the most restful experiences of their lives.

There's no television, and this is by design. Casa Etérea was created as a place to be fully present in nature — the floor-to-ceiling glass frames a landscape that's forever changing, and at night the sky itself becomes the screen. A Bose Bluetooth sound system is provided for music, and the Wi-Fi supports streaming on your own devices.

Approximately 1.2 metres, and level throughout — deep enough to swim and cool off, but not for diving. The pools are unfenced and open directly onto the deck, and there is no lifeguard on the property, so we ask guests to take care around the water.

Yes, gas-heated and instant, in both houses. Because the water is heated by gas rather than by the solar array, hot water is unaffected by cloud cover.

Yes — towels, bed sheets, extra pillows, extra blankets and hangers are all provided, so there is nothing you need to bring for the bed or the bathroom.

US and Mexican standard sockets, so guests travelling from Europe, the UK or Asia will need a travel adapter — we do not supply them. Whatever adapter you bring, the solar system cannot support high-wattage appliances.

Outages are very rare and almost always caused by a prohibited appliance being connected. If an issue occurs, Selene can assist quickly. To preserve the system, please turn off all lights and fans when not in use.

Mobile signal on the mountain can be intermittent depending on your provider. The Wi-Fi is more reliable, so we recommend WhatsApp or internet-based calling for the best experience.

The solar system that runs the houses isn't able to support vehicle charging, so we'd recommend arriving with a comfortable charge. It's one of the gentle trade-offs of an entirely off-grid property.

There's no safe or lockbox, though both houses lock fully and the property is entirely secure. In ten years there hasn't been a single security incident, and Selene watches over everything throughout your stay.

Daily cleaning isn't included. Casa Etérea isn't a hotel but a private off-grid architectural home, with no reception desk and no daily housekeeping. The property's remoteness makes upkeep a genuine undertaking — staff travel up the mountain to maintain and clean the house, and laundry has to be carried down and into town, a journey of some thirty minutes each way. For that reason, cleaning is arranged at the start and the end of your stay rather than daily. A USD 60 (MXN 1,200) fee covers a thorough clean after checkout, and should you wish for a refresh at any point during your stay, we're glad to arrange one at the same USD 60 (MXN 1,200).

Yes. Both houses have a first aid kit, a fire extinguisher, and smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Selene lives about ten minutes away and is a WhatsApp message away throughout your stay if you need anything at all.

On the slopes of the extinct volcano Palo Huérfano, approximately 20 minutes from San Miguel de Allende in Guanajuato, central Mexico.

Explore the location →

Once your booking is confirmed, we share the precise meeting point, where Selene receives you in person and guides you the final stretch up the mountain — the pickup is only a few minutes from the house. What we don't share, for a few reasons we hope you'll understand, is the exact location of the houses themselves. The property sits on the side of a mountain and genuinely has no findable address on any map application, and we keep its satellite coordinates private as well. This is a deliberate choice that protects the privacy and security of whoever is staying at any given moment, and one day that will be you. What we can tell you openly: the houses rest on the slopes of Palo Huérfano, a twenty-minute drive from San Miguel de Allende. And the property is far from anonymous — it has been published around the world and lives openly at @casa_eterea, so you can see exactly what you're booking, even as the front door stays private until you hold the key.

Three airports serve the region: Querétaro (QRO, ~1hr 10min), León/Bajío (BJX, ~1hr 45min), and Mexico City (MEX, ~3hr 45min). We recommend our private driver Efraín for transfers. He speaks English and knows the property well. WhatsApp: +52 415 103 5353. BajioGo (bajiogo.com) also offers shared shuttles and private cars from all three airports. Please book either at least a week ahead.

Read the arrival guide →

Yes, and it's an excellent, affordable option. Two first-class coach lines run from Mexico City's Terminal Central del Norte to San Miguel de Allende: ETN Turistar (etn.com.mx) and Primera Plus (primeraplus.com.mx). Primera Plus makes fewer stops along the way. Seats on both are comparable to first class on a plane. The journey takes 3.5–4.5 hours and costs roughly 500–900 MXN, and tickets are best booked at least a week ahead. From the San Miguel bus station, a ten-minute taxi takes you to Soriana Supermarket, our pickup point for guests without a car. Do your shopping there, and Selene will guide you up to the house.

Yes. A standard car or SUV handles the road well; only low-clearance sports cars struggle. Self-driving guests meet Selene at Lavanda Spa, and she guides you up the final stretch. We recommend stopping at the supermarket on the way, as there are no shops on the mountain.

The drive up from San Miguel takes about twenty minutes, and the last part of it is on an unpaved mountain road. It is a well-used dirt road rather than a technical one — a standard car or SUV handles it comfortably, and four-wheel drive is not necessary. Only low-clearance sports cars tend to struggle. The road is unlit, which is the main reason we ask guests to arrive in daylight. From June to August, light summer showers can soften the surface; if you would rather not drive it then, leave your car at Lavanda Spa and Selene will shuttle you the rest of the way.

We recommend it. A car gives you the greatest flexibility — dinner in town on your own schedule, an unhurried grocery stop, a drive out to Guanajuato or the vineyards whenever the mood takes you. The house sits twenty minutes from San Miguel with no restaurants or shops on the mountain, so a car turns each outing into a short drive rather than an arrangement made an hour ahead. A standard car or SUV is all you need; only low-clearance sports cars struggle on the road up. The stay works perfectly well without one — see below — but guests who expect to go into town more than once or twice usually find a rental simpler, and cheaper than taking taxis.

The mountain road is unpaved and unlit, so we don't recommend driving it after dark unless you know the route well — one of the reasons check-in falls between 3pm and 7pm. If your timing is tight, reach out and we'll help you find the safest way up.

Yes, with notice. Uber operates inside San Miguel, but it does not reach us — the mountain lies outside the city limits, and Uber drivers will not come up. Taxis will come up, but at their own discretion and with about an hour's notice, so trips into town are pre-booked rather than spontaneous. Expect roughly 600–800 pesos, depending on the hour and the driver — higher than an in-town fare, because of the unpaved mountain road and the distance beyond the city limits. Selene can arrange a taxi or a private driver at any point during your stay; just give her an hour's warning.

Of course — the house is entirely yours, and guests with a car drive down to town and back whenever they like. One thing worth planning for if you don't have a car: the complimentary shuttle runs on your arrival and departure days only, so any trip into town in between means arranging a taxi or a driver through Selene, with about an hour's notice each way.

Each house has a single bedroom with one super-king bed and takes a maximum of two adults — best suited to couples, or to close friends who don't mind sharing. Guests who would prefer their own space can book both houses.

Each house sleeps two, and only the guests named on the reservation stay overnight — there is one bed, and the houses were built for two. If you are travelling as three, write to us and we will look at accommodating a third guest case by case. Groups of three or four are often best served by booking both houses, which gives you the whole property and complete privacy between you.

Two: Etérea N°1 and Etérea N°2. Each is a separate, self-contained residence with its own private pool, kitchen, bathroom, and outdoor space.

This is the most common question we receive, and the honest answer is that both houses are extraordinary — but they feel very different. Etérea N°1 is the house that appeared on the cover of Architectural Digest Latin America. It was designed around the concept of reflection — the mirrored exterior dissolves into the mountains and sky. Inside, at 75 sqm, it feels intimate, romantic, and bohemian — like a beautifully kept secret. An iconic hand-beaten copper bathtub sits beside the bed. The kitchen island is large and doubles as a dining table. From its lower vantage point on the mountainside, the volcanic peaks feel close and dramatic in scale. You watch the sunrise from bed, and in the evening, the sunset is reflected in the mirrored façade — one of the most photographed moments at the property. Etérea N°2 was designed around the concept of perception — how you see through things. At 120 sqm, it is nearly twice the size, with red cedar covering every interior surface and glass on almost every corner. The feel is more open, more cinematic — the kind of house you might imagine belonging to a film director. Sunrise and sunset are both visible from the bed as the light moves directly through the house. It has a custom Japanese Hinoki soaking tub in a separate, larger bathroom, a dedicated custom-built dining table, and a larger pool. The views are wider and more panoramic. Both houses share the same pricing and the same amenities. As the architect describes them: two different scents of the same perfume brand. Each has its own distinct notes — and neither is better than the other.

Compare the houses →

Approximately 30 to 40 metres, with acacia trees between them so neither house can see into the other. Both houses also have curtains, and the glass itself is slightly reflective — you see out clearly onto the mountain, while anyone outside sees only their own reflection. Whether one house is occupied or both, each stay is entirely private.

Yes. If both are available on the same dates they can be booked as two separate reservations, which gives your group exclusive use of the whole mountainside — both houses, both pools, and complete privacy between them.

Both have extraordinary views, but they feel different. Etérea N°1 sits at a lower vantage point where the volcanic peaks feel close and dramatic in scale — framed through floor-to-ceiling glass, with the mirrored exterior reflecting the landscape at sunset. Etérea N°2 sits slightly higher with glass on nearly every corner, offering wider, more panoramic views and a direct line to both sunrise and sunset from inside the house.

Etérea N°1. Its large kitchen island doubles as cooking space and dining table. Etérea N°2 has the same appliances but a smaller kitchen, with a separate dedicated dining table.

Casa Etérea was designed as an intimate retreat for two adults, and the houses are not child-proofed — open-plan layouts, floor-to-ceiling glass, an unfenced pool and a remote mountain setting. For that reason we do not accommodate children as a rule, and we know this is disappointing for families. Where parents wish to travel with children and are willing to take full legal responsibility for them throughout the stay, we will consider it case by case — please write to the house before booking.

Casa Etérea is adults only. All guests must be 21 or over, and each house takes a maximum of two adults.

We're great lovers of animals, so this is one we wish we could answer differently. Unfortunately, no animals can be accommodated in the houses, including service and emotional-support animals. The furnishings have been individually sourced and imported from around the world, and even the most well-trained animal can have an accident — the pieces inside are simply too irreplaceable to risk. The mountain is also home to falcons and eagles, seen circling daily, which can carry off small animals with ease. It's a matter of both care and safety, and we hope you understand.

We hold deep respect for the role service animals play, which makes this difficult to write. Unfortunately, the same policy applies to them as to all animals — the houses are filled with irreplaceable, individually imported pieces, and the mountain is home to falcons and eagles that pose a real danger to smaller animals. We'd be glad to discuss your needs directly and do everything we can to make your stay comfortable in other ways.

We understand completely how meaningful emotional-support animals are. Unfortunately, the same policy applies to all animals: the imported furnishings and the birds of prey on the mountain make it both a real risk and a genuine safety concern. We'd welcome the chance to talk through any worries before you book.

To protect the privacy and tranquility of every guest, only the two people named on the reservation are able to stay. We do make exceptions for a photographer, private chef, or security, arranged with us in advance. It's this that allows each stay to remain so private and undisturbed — the quiet is part of what you come here for.

Smoking is welcome outdoors, where the mountain air is yours to enjoy. We only ask that there be none inside the houses.

Yes, and they suit the houses beautifully. We ask only that you never leave one unattended — the interiors are lined in cedar, and we are a long way from town.

Casa Etérea is a private property for adults, and we respect our guests' personal freedoms. Whatever you choose to do here, we ask that you do it responsibly, and with care for the houses, the mountain, and the people who look after both.

Casa Etérea was created for two guests to share a quiet, natural setting, so parties aren't possible. We feel a real responsibility to our neighbours on the mountain and to the fragile landscape around us — and it's that very stillness that makes the place what it is.

No. The nightly rate and the cleaning fee are the only charges — there are no taxes, resort fees, or additions at checkout. What you see when you book is what you pay.

Yes — a single cleaning fee of USD 60 (MXN 1,200) per stay, charged once. Together with the nightly rate, that is the entire cost of staying with us: no taxes, no resort fees, nothing added at checkout.

Directly through casaeterea.com for the best rate — no additional taxes or fees. The property is also listed on Airbnb, though Airbnb adds platform fees, so booking direct costs about 18% less.

Check availability →

Please visit casaeterea.com for current rates. There is a USD 60 (MXN 1,200) cleaning fee per booking and a two-night minimum stay.

We ask for a minimum of two nights, and are not able to accommodate single-night stays. Each stay involves considerable care behind the scenes — shuttle services, on-site preparation, and laundry carried down off the mountain, with many local hands involved. A single night would also mean arriving at 3pm, watching one sunset, and leaving by 10am — barely time to take the place in, and rarely a stay guests come away happy with. For the fullest experience, we recommend three nights.

The minimum stay is two nights, so we aren't able to take single-night bookings. Much of the reason is what it takes to run a house this remote: every stay means a shuttle up and down the mountain, a full preparation of the house before you arrive and again after you leave, and laundry that has to be carried down and into town — a journey of some thirty minutes each way, with many local hands involved along the way. A single night can't carry that. The other reason is simply you: one night means arriving at 3pm, watching a single sunset, and leaving by 10am — barely time to take the place in, and rarely a stay guests come away happy with.

Three nights is ideal. The beauty of Casa Etérea is that the house is never static — the light changes across the landscape at different points throughout the day, and the architecture transforms with it. Three nights gives you time to settle in, see the mountain in different moods, and also visit San Miguel de Allende for an afternoon. That said, two nights is also wonderful, and some guests stay a week.

We recommend booking at least three months ahead to secure your dates, particularly if your travel plans are fixed. With only two houses on the mountain, availability is naturally limited.

Credit card through the website for the stay. Activities and experiences (horseback riding, guided hikes, massages) are paid in cash (Mexican pesos) directly to the providers on the day.

Yes. A hold of USD 500 (MXN 10,000) is placed on your credit card at check-in. A hold is not a charge — no money leaves your account. The amount is simply reserved against your available balance while you are with us, and released after checkout provided there is no damage and the house rules have been followed. Depending on your bank, the released amount can take a few days to show as available again.

Full refund within 48 hours of booking if check-in is at least 14 days away. 50% refund at least 7 days before check-in. No refund within 7 days. Full details on our Cancellation Policy page.

Read the full cancellation policy →

Please contact us as soon as you know — we understand that travel doesn't always go to plan, and we will do everything we can to help. Late check-ins between 7pm and 8pm can be arranged for a small 400 MXN fee. After 8pm the mountain road is unlit, so later arrivals are difficult — but please reach out and we will work with you to find a solution.

Casa Etérea offers one of the most singular off-grid experiences in the world — a private architectural house and pool on a volcanic mountain, the cover of Architectural Digest Latin America, every detail held to the highest standard. We pour that same level of care into every guest and every stay, which is why our pricing stays the same every single day of the year. We don't offer seasonal rates or long-stay discounts. We've set a rate we believe is genuinely fair for what it is, and we keep it consistent for everyone.

High-desert climate at 1,900 metres, with over 300 days of sunshine a year. The sun here is strong and constant — bright and warm through the day, even in the middle of winter — and because the air is dry it loses its heat once the sun drops, so evenings are fresh and best enjoyed with a light jacket. From June to August, light summer showers pass through in the afternoons, after which the desert landscape turns vivid green as the plants drink up the water.

San Miguel de Allende is a genuinely year-round destination — every season has something beautiful. September to May offers the most predictable weather. Winter brings the clearest skies of the year, with warm sunny days and fresh evenings. From June to August, light summer showers turn the landscape lush and green. Cultural highlights by season: October–November for Día de los Muertos and the Jazz Festival; December for Christmas fiestas; February for the Writers' Conference; March–April for Jacaranda season and Semana Santa.

At 1,900 metres, altitude sickness is not an issue for most visitors. Some people notice it a little in the first day or so — slight breathlessness on the walk up, or feeling a drink more quickly than usual. Drinking plenty of water helps.

Check-in is between 3pm and 7pm, and check-out is at 10am. Selene meets you at the pickup point to guide you up and walk you through the house. The afternoon arrival window exists for good reason — the mountain road is unlit, so we ask that everyone arrive in daylight.

We're always glad to accommodate early check-ins and late check-outs when we can — usually when the house isn't booked immediately before or after your stay. Selene can let you know what's possible a few days ahead of your arrival.

Selene, our house manager, meets you at the pickup point, guides you to the property, walks you through the house and its systems, and answers any questions. Both guests must present government-issued photo ID at check-in.

Read the arrival guide →

At Soriana Supermarket — also our shuttle pickup point. Buy everything you need before heading up, including cash from the ATM if you plan to book activities. Once on the mountain, most guests prefer not to leave — and there are no shops or delivery services within reach.

There are no restaurants, shops or food delivery on the mountain — the nearest are in San Miguel de Allende, twenty minutes away. This is why the arrival route includes a grocery stop: it is your one chance to stock up before heading up. Most guests cook for themselves and enjoy the seclusion; if you would rather be looked after, our private chef Greta Ortega can cook at the house.

We don't pre-stock the kitchen, though there's truly no need to — the shuttle pickup point is a full supermarket, Soriana, so you can do all your shopping there before heading up. And for guests who book our private chef, Greta can take care of the entire grocery list for your stay and bring everything up with her.

Food cannot be delivered to the property. It's one of the small trade-offs of a modernist glass house set high on a volcanic mountainside — the very remoteness that gives Casa Etérea its beauty and privacy. Most guests stock up at Soriana Supermarket on the way up and settle happily into cooking and unwinding in the house. For those who would rather not cook, our private chef, Greta, prepares a four-course menu, and is glad to make additional portions at no extra cost — easily warmed on the stove the following day.

Meet Greta, our private chef →

Groceries and drinks from Soriana Supermarket. A light jacket for the evenings, particularly November through February. Comfortable shoes for walking. Sunscreen and a hat. A phone charger. Cash (Mexican pesos) if you plan to book activities. Note: hairdryers and other high-wattage appliances cannot be used.

Casa Etérea has operated for 10 years without a single security incident. The mountain is a close-knit community — all neighbours are employed locally by the property. Our house manager Selene lives 10 minutes away and can see both houses from her property at all times. Concho, the ranchero who leads our horseback safaris, is also a neighbour with a direct sightline to the property. A stranger would have to pass eight homes to reach the house, and everyone on the mountain knows who comes and goes. Both houses can be fully locked from the inside, and motion-activated night-vision cameras cover all exteriors.

Yes. Many solo guests, including solo female travellers, have stayed without any concerns. Selene lives approximately 10 minutes from the property and is reachable by WhatsApp throughout your stay.

San Miguel de Allende is consistently ranked as one of the safest cities in Mexico, with a large international community of residents and visitors.

Casa Etérea sits within an ecological transition zone between semi-desert, grassland, and oak woodland ecosystems — which is why biodiversity on the mountain is surprisingly rich. Guests commonly see gray fox, white-tailed deer, eastern cottontail rabbits, and coyote. The birdlife is exceptional: broad-billed hummingbirds, vermilion flycatchers, northern cardinals, great horned owls, Swainson's hawks, great kiskadees, and hooded orioles are regularly spotted. Bobcat and ringtail inhabit the broader range but are rarely seen near the houses. Comfortable shoes are worth having for walking the mountain, as anywhere in open natural terrain.

There are no deadly or poisonous animals on the land. We do suggest wearing shoes when walking outdoors after dark, as you would anywhere in a natural high-desert setting, but nothing on the property poses a danger to guests.

Yes. A hospital, supermarket, and pharmacy are approximately 10 minutes by car. San Miguel de Allende has multiple medical facilities within 20 minutes. Emergency contact numbers are provided at check-in.

Each house sits on private land. The two houses are separated by Acacia trees and cannot see into each other. Both have curtains for full privacy. The glass sliding doors are slightly reflective — you can see out clearly onto the mountain, but anyone outside sees only their own reflection in the glass. There are no neighbouring properties in the immediate vicinity.

The mountainous terrain and off-grid construction mean the property isn't wheelchair accessible. That said, please don't let it deter you: if you have a disability or mobility concerns and would love to visit, contact us directly and we'll make every effort to accommodate you, including arranging extra assistance for your arrival and settling in.

Horseback safari on the volcano (1,500 MXN per person, 2 hrs), guided mountain hike (900 MXN total, 1.5 hrs), in-house massage (from 1,500 MXN, 60–90 min), four-course private chef dinner (3,000 MXN per person without wine pairing, 4,000 MXN with), celebrations and proposals (on enquiry), couple photoshoots (on enquiry), temazcal ceremony (on enquiry), hot air ballooning (on enquiry) and vineyard wine tasting at Viñedos San Lucas (on enquiry). Full details are on our Experiences page.

See all experiences →

Horseback safari and guided hike: no advance booking needed; arrange them through the house on check-in. Massage: 1 day. Private chef: 2 weeks. Proposals and celebrations: 1 month. Photoshoots: 1 month. Temazcal: 1 week. Hot air ballooning: 2 weeks. Vineyard wine tasting: 1 week.

Yes. The horses are calm and well-loved, and the rancheros who lead the rides have worked these mountains for generations. Complete beginners are welcome. Sunset rides are recommended.

Yes — and this isn't a tourist stable. The horseback safari is arranged directly with a family of rancheros who live on this mountain and have done for generations: real, working cowboys who own their horses and cattle, and whose livelihood depends on keeping them healthy and well cared for. These aren't animals kept for hire — they're worked, known, and looked after daily by the people who ride them. The experience itself isn't open to the public; it exists only for Casa Etérea's guests. It's arranged through the house and paid directly to the rancheros, with nothing standardised or packaged about it. You're not booking a ride. You're spending a few hours inside a real, working ranching life that has continued on this mountain long before Casa Etérea existed — with horses that are treated, quite simply, as family.

You're free to walk it yourself — no booking needed. Some of the most beautiful vistas and viewpoints on the mountain are only a fifteen-minute walk from the house, and Selene can point you in the right direction. There are no marked trails; this is fully natural terrain. But you won't get lost — the house stays in sight in the valley below you the whole way. Bring proper hiking shoes. The guided hike is for guests who want to go deeper into the mountain, and to experience the more varied ecology and geography of the land.

Yes. Greta Ortega designs every menu individually and will discuss your preferences, allergies, and dietary requirements before your stay. She regularly prepares vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and other dietary-specific menus. Every dinner is fully bespoke.

Greta can prepare any meal you'd like. The pricing remains the same across meals, as each is a refined, high-end dining experience — for that reason we most often recommend her for lunch or dinner. One tip worth knowing: Greta charges for her time and for the groceries — never for the quantity of food. So our favourite piece of advice is to book her for your first evening and ask her to cook larger portions. There's no additional charge for it, and you'll have another meal or two waiting in the fridge, easily warmed on the stove the following day. It's the simplest way to let one dinner carry across the rest of your stay.

In Etérea N°1, sunrise is visible from bed. Sunset is best experienced from outside the house, where it reflects in the mirrored façade — this is the iconic image of the property. In Etérea N°2, both sunrise and sunset are visible from bed as the light moves directly through the glass walls. Both pools face the landscape and offer unobstructed views throughout the day.

That is what most guests do. Swim in the pool. Walk the trails. Read. Listen to music. Watch the light change. Stargaze. Casa Etérea is not a property that demands an itinerary.

We look at each celebration individually. Casa Etérea is small — two houses, two guests in each — so what's possible depends very much on what you have in mind and how many people you hope to bring. Write to the house with your ideas and the size of your party, and we'll tell you honestly what we can do.

Casa Etérea is frequently chosen for proposals. The combination of complete privacy, mirrored architecture, and volcanic landscape creates a setting genuinely unlike anywhere else. Proposals are designed individually by Greta Ortega — from candlelit dinners and floral arrangements to musicians and horseback elements. Vogue, Forbes, and Condé Nast Traveller have all featured the property. Contact Greta: +52 415 109 6033, at least one month in advance.

Each house accommodates only two guests, ensuring absolute privacy. Many honeymooning couples book a private chef dinner, a sunset horseback ride, and a photoshoot. Condé Nast Traveller featured the property as a retreat for those seeking solitude.

Yes. Every celebration is fully customised — dining, music, florals, photography, and surprises, all shaped by the property and the landscape. Contact Greta Ortega: +52 415 109 6033.

Casa Etérea has zero light pollution at 1,900 metres — the Milky Way is visible to the naked eye on most clear nights. Travel + Leisure described the stargazing as otherworldly.

Yes. Zero light pollution, high altitude, dry desert air, and unobstructed horizons. The mirrored glass reflecting the night sky adds a compositional element rarely found at other locations.

Yes. Both pools have unobstructed sky views. Swimming under the Milky Way — reflected in the glass of the house beside you — is one of the defining experiences of a stay.

The galactic core is most visible from March through October, with peak visibility April through August, and moonless nights are best of all. With no light pollution on the mountain it is visible to the naked eye — including from the pool.

Please do — we love seeing the houses through other people's eyes. Personal photography and social posts are always welcome. If your work is commercial in nature — a brand partnership, sponsored content, advertising or editorial — just write to us beforehand so we can arrange it properly.

Of course. Let us know before you arrive so we can welcome them properly. If you'd like a recommendation, there are photographers who know these houses and this light very well — you'll find them under Couple Photoshoots in Experiences.

The mirrored façade reflects the volcanic landscape and changes appearance throughout the day — creating images unlike anything else. The property has been published in The New York Times, Architectural Digest, Vogue, Forbes, and over 20 other publications. Follow @casa_eterea on Instagram.

That is Casa Etérea — two residences on a volcanic hillside near San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Available for guest stays at casaeterea.com.

Exceptionally. The architecture, volcanic terrain, high-desert light, and zero light pollution create a remarkable range of conditions. The property has been photographed for Architectural Digest, Vogue, and campaigns by Mercedes-Benz and American Express. Couple photoshoots can be arranged with our recommended photographer, Caro (@caritophotography on Instagram).

We're truly touched by how many wonderful creators reach out — it means a great deal to us. Casa Etérea is a small, community-run property, and every stay directly supports the local families who make this place what it is. For that reason we operate on direct bookings only and aren't able to offer complimentary or collaboration stays. We hope you understand. We'd genuinely love to host you as a guest — and you're always welcome to share your experience with us at @casa_eterea. For professional or commercial productions, our Film Location page has everything.

A UNESCO World Heritage city in Guanajuato, central Mexico. Known for colonial Baroque architecture, cobblestone streets, the iconic pink Parroquia church, a thriving culinary scene, and a vibrant arts community. Consistently recognised by Travel + Leisure as one of the best cities in the world. How far is it from Casa Etérea? 20 minutes by car.

Yes. San Miguel is a small town — walkable end to end in about 30 minutes. Uber and taxis are readily available within the town itself. Note that Uber does not operate outside the city limits, so it cannot bring you back up to the house — see the taxi question in Getting There.

Local recommendations: Atrio (rooftop dining with church views), Bocaciega (modern Mediterranean), El Manantial (seafood), Tostévere (modern Mexican), La Parada (Peruvian), Lavanda Café (breakfast).

October–November: Día de los Muertos, Festival de la Calaca, Jazz Festival. December: Christmas lights and fiestas. February: Writers' Conference. March–April: Jacaranda season and Semana Santa. San Miguel is a year-round destination — even the light summer showers of June to August turn the surrounding mountains vivid green.

There's no gym at the property, but the mountain offers something arguably better — hiking trails, horseback riding, and open space for yoga in the morning air. For a proper gym, the nearest are in San Miguel de Allende, about 20 minutes away.

We can arrange a private driver to collect you directly from the house and take you to the airport. If you would rather take a shared shuttle or a bus to Mexico City, we'll drop you back at the same meeting point where we collected you at the start of your stay — complimentary, as on arrival. Selene can arrange either; just let her know your plans a day or two ahead.

No. A checkout cleaning is included in the cleaning fee. Leave the house in reasonable condition, dispose of food waste, and cover the pool.

Nothing to arrange. Selene is there at checkout to collect the keys and see you off, just as she met you on the way in — there is no lockbox or drop-off to think about.

Subject to availability, and we are always glad to when we can. With only two houses on the mountain, dates go quickly, so the earlier you ask the better the chance. Speak to Selene during your stay and she will check for you.

Contact our house manager Selene. We will do our best to retrieve it and can post it to you if needed.

WhatsApp Selene at +52 415 119 4511. She lives approximately 10 minutes from the property and is available throughout your stay.

Before your stay: Instagram DM @casa_eterea. Day of arrival: WhatsApp Selene at +52 415 119 4511. Emergency: WhatsApp Prashant Ashoka at +33 749 60 33 22.

English and Spanish. Selene, our house manager, is bilingual and is with you from the meeting point in town through to checkout. Written enquiries in either language are always welcome.

Prashant Ashoka — a Singaporean writer and designer with no formal training in architecture. He arrived in Mexico in 2017, found a plot of volcanic land on the slopes of Palo Huérfano, and spent three years building the first house entirely by himself. There was no road, no water, and no electricity on the site. He built his own dirt road, designed an off-grid solar system, installed a rainwater harvesting system, and managed the entire construction process alone. The interiors were created in collaboration with NAMUH.

Read the origin story →

The design draws on "emotional architecture" — a philosophy coined by Luis Barragán and Mathias Goeritz that seeks to create spaces which evoke deep feeling rather than serve purely functional purposes. It also carries the austerity of Kengo Kuma and the modernity of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. Beyond architecture, Ashoka has cited the visual language of the film Ex Machina, the aesthetic sensibility of Tom Ford's A Single Man, and the philosophy of Thoreau's Walden. The mirrored façade was inspired directly by the site — the vast scale of the surrounding volcanic peaks demanded a material that would reflect rather than compete with the landscape.

The land on Palo Huérfano moved the architect profoundly — the scale of the peaks, the quality of the light, and the wildness of the terrain. The concept of the mirror emerged as a direct response to the site: reflecting those vast volcanic ridgelines in the architecture. The mirrored box catches and transforms with the light that filters through the mountain peaks throughout the day, creating a building that is never static.

Etérea N°1 took three years to build — Prashant Ashoka had no architectural training and managed the entire process himself, on a slope with no road, no water, and no electricity. He built his own dirt road to access the site. Etérea N°2, informed by the experience of the first build, took one year.

Every infrastructure decision was philosophical. Connecting to the municipal electrical grid would have been cheaper and easier, but would have required cutting through the volcanic hillside. Drilling for groundwater would have disturbed the ancient rock. Ashoka chose solar power and rainwater harvesting specifically to preserve the landscape that inspired the project. The concessions guests experience — no hairdryers, no microwaves — are a direct consequence of that commitment.

Etérea N°1: mirrored glass panels with UV bird-safety coating, volcanic rock collected on-site for the foundation, concrete, exposed ceiling beams, jute, leather, wood, and stone. The copper bathtub was designed by Ashoka and handmade by artisans in Santa Clara del Cobre, a Mexican town renowned for its copper craft. Etérea N°2: red cedar for all interior walls, ceiling, and surfaces, with floor-to-ceiling glass. A soaking tub in Japanese Hinoki cypress was custom-made for the bathroom.

Ashoka's Asian heritage — he grew up in Singapore and spent time in Japan as a child — deeply influenced the design of the second house. He wanted to create a modernist Japanese-inspired residence, and red cedar, with its warm colour and natural fragrance, was the natural choice. The wood covers every interior surface: walls, ceiling, and cabinetry. The one piece in Japanese Hinoki cypress is the soaking tub, custom-made for the bathroom.

The property spans 8,000 sqm, but only two modest structures occupy it — 75 sqm and 120 sqm. This is deliberate. The entire philosophy of Casa Etérea is to preserve and celebrate the landscape, not develop it. Building more would diminish the very thing that makes the place extraordinary. There are no plans for a third house.

A philosophy coined by Mexican architect Luis Barragán and sculptor-painter Mathias Goeritz in the mid-20th century. It holds that architecture should move beyond function and create spaces that provoke emotional and spiritual responses in the people who inhabit them. Casa Etérea applies this philosophy through mirrored surfaces that blur the boundary between observer and landscape.

No. A patterned ultraviolet coating makes the glass visible to birds while remaining reflective to the human eye. Casa Etérea was designed as a bird-friendly mirrored structure from the outset — one of the first properties in the world to use this approach.

Palo Huérfano is one of the oldest major volcanic systems in central Mexico — part of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, dating roughly 11–16 million years. Its eroded slopes create a transition zone between Bajío grasslands, semi-desert, oak woodland, and volcanic forest, making it an important wildlife corridor. The fractured volcanic rock stores groundwater that sustained pre-Hispanic settlements. Archaeological sites on the western slopes include petroglyph panels and astronomical observation points; the nearby ceremonial centre of Cañada de la Virgen was deliberately aligned with the surrounding volcanic peaks. In Mesoamerican thought, the mountains were not the backdrop — they were part of the temple.

Sustainability was fundamental to the design. The founder chose solar power over grid connection, rainwater harvesting over groundwater drilling, and UV-coated mirror over standard glass to protect birds. The foundation was built from volcanic rock collected on-site. The house regulates its own temperature without artificial heating or cooling.

Casa Etérea earns revenue only from the nightly rate — it takes no commission from any experience or activity. Every provider is paid in full. All neighbours on the mountain are employed locally. The Financial Times recognised this approach, and the property has received international coverage for its regenerative tourism model.

Not enforced, but always appreciated. Everyone who works at Casa Etérea is paid fairly. A small tip goes a long way in Mexico and is a kind gesture for those who work to make your stay memorable.

Casa Etérea is available for film, fashion, editorial, and commercial productions near San Miguel de Allende. The property has hosted productions for Mercedes-Benz, American Express, Vogue, and Airbnb, and was featured on the cover of Architectural Digest Latin America. Two architecturally distinct houses on private volcanic hillside, with 24-hour filming access and no overtime fees. Details on our Film Location page.

See rates & terms →

Casa Etérea provides two contrasting sets within walking distance — eliminating company moves — with complete privacy, dramatic high-desert landscapes, and exceptional natural light at 1,900 metres.

Casa Etérea's mirrored glass architecture and volcanic landscape have attracted campaigns from Vogue, Mercedes-Benz, and American Express. Both houses provide distinct visual environments and shoot-ready designer interiors.

The property offers private land, two architectural residences, 24-hour access, zero light pollution, and over 300 days of sunshine. The mirrored façade creates in-camera reflections that are difficult to replicate at any other location.

Yes. Both residences are offered exclusively as a single package for commercial productions. Full rates, terms, and an enquiry form are on our Film Location page.

Additional crew accommodation for up to 14 guests is available five minutes from the location. For larger crews, San Miguel de Allende offers hotels and rentals 20 minutes away. Catering can be arranged for up to 40 people.

Yes. No known airspace restrictions over the property. The remote mountain setting with no overhead flight paths makes it ideal for aerial footage. Productions are responsible for compliance with Mexican aviation regulations.

Guests are welcome to photograph and film for personal social media — we ask that you credit @casa_eterea. For professional or commercial content, please see our Film Location page.

Casa Etérea is a mirrored glass house on the slopes of the extinct volcano Palo Huérfano, near San Miguel de Allende in central Mexico. The property consists of two residences — one clad in mirrored panels that reflect the surrounding peaks, the other built entirely in red cedar and glass. The New York Times described it as an architectural showpiece. It has been featured on the cover of Architectural Digest Latin America and published in over 25 international design and travel publications.

Read the full story →

Casa Etérea is one of the only properties in Mexico where guests stay inside a mirrored glass house on a volcanic hillside. The mirrored façade shifts from silver to gold to black across the day, dissolving into the landscape. Travel + Leisure described the experience as otherworldly — evoking the feeling of stepping into another galaxy. The property is located 20 minutes from the UNESCO World Heritage city of San Miguel de Allende in Guanajuato.

Casa Etérea has been recognised by Architectural Digest, The New York Times, Dezeen, Dwell, and ArchDaily as one of the most architecturally significant guest properties in Mexico. The design draws on the philosophy of "emotional architecture" — a concept pioneered by Mexican architect Luis Barragán and sculptor-painter Mathias Goeritz — and uses mirrored panels to dissolve the boundary between the built environment and the natural world.

See the press coverage →

Casa Etérea, near San Miguel de Allende, offers two glass residences available for guest stays. Etérea N°1 is clad in bird-friendly mirrored glass; Etérea N°2 is built in red cedar with floor-to-ceiling glass on nearly every wall. Both houses include private pools on a private volcanic hillside.

Casa Etérea is listed on Airbnb but offers the best rate when booked directly through casaeterea.com — about 18% less than the Airbnb price. The property has been featured by The New York Times, Vogue, Forbes, and Condé Nast Traveller, and is one of the only mirrored architectural residences in Mexico available for guest stays.

Casa Etérea operates entirely on solar power and harvests rainwater. The founder deliberately chose not to connect to the municipal grid or drill for groundwater — sustainability was a philosophical commitment, not an afterthought. The property features a UV coating on its mirrored panels that protects birds, and the foundation was built from volcanic rock collected on-site. Despite being fully off-grid, guests have high-speed Wi-Fi, gas-heated instant hot water, and solar-heated pools.

Casa Etérea sits within a wildlife corridor on the slopes of an extinct volcano near San Miguel de Allende. Condé Nast Traveller featured the property as a destination for lovers of solitude and seclusion. The property is home to broad-billed hummingbirds, vermilion flycatchers, great horned owls, gray fox, and white-tailed deer, among other species. There are no neighbours in sight, no light pollution, and over 300 days of sunshine annually.

Casa Etérea accommodates only two guests per house, ensuring complete privacy. Forbes described the architecture as shifting between celestial and terrestrial, echoing the surrounding skies and landscape. Many guests book a four-course private chef dinner, a horseback safari at sunset, or arrange a proposal with Greta Ortega, who designs and runs every celebration at the property. San Miguel de Allende — a UNESCO World Heritage city 20 minutes away — offers world-class dining and cobblestone streets. What does "Etérea" mean? "Etérea" is the Spanish word for "ethereal" — something otherworldly and intangible. The name reflects the way the mirrored architecture dissolves into its surroundings, appearing and disappearing with the changing light.

Casa Etérea is not a hotel — it is a private architectural property. There is no reception desk, no room service, and no daily housekeeping. Instead, you have an entire house to yourself: your own pool, your own kitchen, and a volcanic hillside. Our house manager Selene is available throughout your stay for anything you need, and every guest is personally welcomed and guided to the property.