Hotel Casa San Pancho

Shrouded by lush foliage, Hotel Casa San Pancho is hard to spot on the hilly Calle Pakistan. A simple stairway leads to massive wooden doors that give way to the stunning open-air lobby. Designed to feel like a private home, the lobby looks like an swanky living room with its tastefully curated art collection and cushioned wicker furniture. Casa San Pancho is owned by an older couple, and managed by their adult sons. The family’s Balinese tapestries, statues, and photographs decorate the entire property, and give the lobby a Zen aesthetic, which is only enhanced by the surrounding palm trees and potted plants. 

The majority of guests at Casa San Pancho are American couples over the age of 35. It’s an ideal property for independent travelers who plan to explore San Pancho and the surrounding area -- not those who intend to stay within the confines of a hotel. While the hotel staff is always available (reception is 24 hours), this is not the place to come for pampering. Children under the age of 14 are not allowed, so the hotel has a quiet, relaxed atmosphere. It should be noted that the property has a unique layout, and it involves a lot of stairs. From the lobby level, only a few rooms are accessible without the use of stairs, and there's no elevator on the property. 

Casa San Pancho is located in San Francisco, a sleepy beach town about 30 miles north of Puerto Vallarta. Pancho is a common nickname for the Spanish name Francisco, so the town is affectionately called San Pancho -- a name you’ll hear more often than the official one. For many travelers, San Pancho offers the perfect balance of Mexican authenticity and tourist-friendly features. On the town’s main drag, Avenida Tercer Mundo, you’ll find humble taco stands next to upscale restaurants, open-air markets across from artisanal craft shops, and groups of locals and foreign tourists mingling with one another as they listen to sidewalk musicians. The town’s gorgeous beach stretches for miles, and provides good conditions for both swimming and surfing. San Pancho has an undiscovered, “Nayarit 20 years ago” feel. But, the secret’s out now, and the town is popping up on many travelers’ radars; especially as nearby Sayulita becomes overrun with tourists. 

Casa San Pancho is located on the hilly Calle Pakistan (if you’re wondering about the funky street names, yes, the main street is called Third World Avenue, and, yes, the side streets are named after so-called third-world countries). The hotel is within a 10-minute walk of everything San Pancho has to offer, including shops, bars, restaurants, and the beach. If you’re planning to stay in San Pancho for the entirety of your trip, a car isn’t necessary. But note that the hotel is a 50-minute drive from the nearest international airport in Puerto Vallarta.  

Casa San Pancho’s individually decorated rooms feature a mix of Mexican and Balinese design. Beds are dressed in locally made sarapes and topped with Huichol-print pillows, while exotic Balinese tapestries and thought-provoking photographs hang on the walls. The entire hotel is constructed with sillar, naturally sedimented clay similar to adobe. The sillar bricks are visible on the hotel’s interior and exterior walls, and their orange hue and gritty texture bring a unique look and feel to rooms’ decor. Rooms are purposefully simple -- they’re meant to be quiet, reflective spaces, so there are no TVs or phones. The only in-room amenities are simple open closets and bare desk spaces, plus a daily refilled carafe of purified drinking water. Bathrooms have open shower stalls and small vanities with vessel sinks. Some have incredibly carved granite basins. Guests should note that there aren’t any doors between the bedroom and bathroom areas. Only a few rooms have (shared) outdoor space. The master suite has its own private balcony.  

The hotel has two room types -- Double Rooms and the Master Suite. Double Rooms are equipped with one queen or one king-size bed, while the Master Suite has a king and a twin. The Master Suite is located above the lobby and is much larger than the Double Rooms. It also has a large bathroom and a private outdoor balcony. One thing we have to point out is the area's rooster population. Every morning before the sun rises, roosters greet the day with their signature cock-a-doodle-doos. The sound is loud, incessant, and aggravating -- even sound sleepers may have trouble ignoring it. The morning racket is heard throughout San Pancho, not just at this hotel, so we recommend bringing ear plugs no matter where you choose to stay. 

Casa San Pancho’s best on-site feature is its delicious free daily breakfast. Every day, the hotel serves a two-course breakfast in the cozy open-air dining room off the lobby. The first course consists of fresh fruit and juice, followed by coffee or tea and the daily main course. This main course could be Mexican chilaquiles or huevos rancheros, or American classics like omelettes or pancakes. Only one main course is offered daily, but guests can alert staff members to food allergies upon check-in. 

The hotel’s tiny salt-water pool is surrounded by a lush tropical garden. It’s a nice space to relax, but it’s not the kind of pool setting that entices people to spend their whole day lounging there. Additional on-site amenities include free Wi-Fi and free street parking.