Lift your spirits at Mexico’s Casa Silencio
Sip mescal under stars at new luxury retreat and working distillery
You’ve heard of posh vineyard hotels, but what about a swanky retreat at a mescal distillery? That’s what you’ll find at Casa Silencio, a boutique getaway just added to the distillery belonging to the award-winning spirit maker Mezcal El Silencio. Located in Mexico’s mountainous Valley of Xaaga, about an hour’s drive from Oaxaca City, the chic new hotel opened its doors last month.
The backstory: For the 9.5acre property, El Silencio cofounders Vicente Cisneros and Fausto Zapata teamed up with acclaimed Mexican architect Alejandro D’Acosta. The design follows the spirit brand’s “made by hand” philosophy, with a focus on using local, reclaimed materials whenever possible. The rammed-earth walls were constructed with soil from the hotel’s grounds, for example, while ceilings are made from recycled wood. The result is an earthy space that looks as if it belongs in the region’s vast, natural landscape.
The rooms: There are just six homey two-storey suites (from $1,235), varying in size from 318 to 572 square feet. Each has an inviting fireplace, a monolithlike stone sink in the bathroom, burnt-wood tables, copper lamps, and locally crafted art and accent pieces, such as wool rugs hand woven in the nearby village of Teotitlán del Valle. The suites each feature distinct layouts and design elements — for example, one bathroom showcases a mosaic wall made from recycled mescal bottles.
The dining: For meals at the only on-site restaurant and bar, guests can gather around the 53-foot-long table, made from a 17-ton basalt stone slab, which extends from the interior dining room to the outdoor patio. The cuisine is focused on traditional Oaxacan dishes, like rib eye with black chichilo sauce and adobo grilled fish with Oaxaca string cheese. Naturally, highlights of the cocktail menu include drinks made with Mezcal El Silencio, such as smoky palomas.
The extra amenities: Areas to lounge around include an outdoor plunge pool and bonfire pits. Of course, a visit to the working distillery is essential for anyone staying at the hotel. Get a peek at the inner workings of spirit-making at the 1,000-pound, solar-powered
open-air tahona wheel, ovens and fermentation areas. You can help chop piñas (the heart of the agave plant) and toss them into the ovens, or book a mescal tasting course, where chef Rodolfo Castellanos, the first winner of “Top Chef Mexico,” will prepare pairing bites inspired by Indigenous Oaxacan cuisine.
The nearby sights: Casa Silencio is in a remote location, surrounded by deserts and agave fields, but there’s still plenty to do. The hotel can also arrange guided tours and day trips to neighbouring towns like Mitla (where you’ll find Zapotec ruins and caves with prehistoric paintings) or into bustling Oaxaca City. For more exploring, the historic archeological site of Monte Albán is also within driving distance.