Hotel projects are in the news once again in San Miguel de Allende, along with a federal bypass safety warning, more local restaurant changes and an update on a controversial golf course proposal. Find all the details below.
Hotel project fined following noise complaints
Construction of the Waldorf Astoria hotel on El Cardo in Centro was temporarily halted after neighbors complained about late-night noise from the operation of heavy machinery. The work was reportedly allowed to continue after a fine of about 100,000 pesos (US $5,361) was paid to the city.
A neighbor confirmed there had been a lot of after-hours disruption from the project, which is going in at the site of a former parking lot. Work has been occurring there since shortly after the announcement in December 2022 that it would be a Waldorf Astoria with 120 rooms and 24 residences.
The hotel is scheduled to open in about a year, after the date was pushed back from October 2025. It will be the company’s third property in Mexico. The others are in Cancún and Cabo San Lucas.
Owned by Peakair Group, the hotel is being developed by Mexico City-based Skyplus Developments Corp. and will be managed by Hilton.
Bypass lane configuration draws federal safety warning
Municipal modifications to the José Manuel Zavala bypass near El Caracol have prompted federal transportation officials to issue a safety warning due to hazard potential.
Officials from the Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation Ministry said the current layout doesn’t meet the original project standards, and that the changed design limits maneuvering space and could cause turning problems for heavy vehicles and freight trucks.
They plan to restore the original design with two uphill lanes and one downhill lane. However, they said that layout was modified by the city with painted pavement signs and concrete safety barriers instead of widening the road itself.
Reports state that federal and municipal officials are working to resolve the issues.
Local restaurant scene serves up more changes
Café Rama, a restaurant, bar and venue for music and other events at Calle Nemesio Diez 7 in Centro, has a new owner. Jon Heintschel, who has a marketing background in Los Angeles, has taken over from long-time owner Cheryl Finnegan.
According to the restaurant’s website, this new chapter will involve “renewing the space, refreshing the menu and bringing new energy to the bar and dining experience.” The site uses the name Rama, rather than Café Rama.
The former Vivali restaurant at Hernández Macías 66 across from Bellas Artes is available. Vivali suddenly closed about a year ago without any explanation. Meanwhile, Mi Vida, another Italian restaurant just down the street at Hernández Macías 97, has also closed, but that space doesn’t appear to be for rent.
Ten Ten Pie al Carbon, which operated for many years at Stirling Dickinson 5 in the San Antonio neighborhood, remains closed, and word is the site will no longer be used for retail purposes.
Hotel holds grand reopening after 3-year remodel
La Puertecita Boutique Hotel at Prolongación Santo Domingo 75, adjacent to the Atascadero neighborhood, is holding a grand reopening this month after three years of remodeling, including new restaurant and bar spaces.
The hotel was built in 1990 and is said to be the first boutique hotel of its kind in San Miguel. It had been listed for sale in previous years but appears to have been given new life with this extensive remodel.
Update on proposed golf course near El Charco
The online petition opposing construction of a golf course near the El Charco del Ingenio Botanical Garden continues to attract support two months after it first appeared.
As of Oct. 22, the petition had more than 92,000 verified signatures and 356 comments. Signers are concerned about threats to the environment and water supply, and are advocating for preserving wildlife habitat and green spaces.
Although state and local officials have said the project would need to comply with the law and currently lacks authorization, El Charco management recently said there’s no guarantee a permit won’t be issued in the future.
In its October newsletter, El Charco also said the project as envisioned is more than a golf course, but a “real estate undertaking of vast proportions” that would include luxury residential zones, vineyards and commercial areas organized as a gated community on land meant for ecological preservation.
The proposal emerged about a year ago with the backing of Lorena Ochoa, a World Golf Hall of Famer. El Charco has said the golf course would be in “the worst imaginable location” on a large rural tract of land directly bordering the botanical garden.
San Miguel currently has three golf courses: two 18-hole courses (Malanquin and Las Ventanas) and one nine-hole option (Zirandaro).
Cathy Siegner is an independent journalist based in San Miguel and Montana. She has journalism degrees from the University of Oregon and Northwestern University.