By Shannon Collins
Amid the cultural hubbub of Mexico City, in the lesser known neighborhood of San Rafael, El Patio 77 welcomes travelers from all walks of life with open arms. If you are looking to eschew chains in traditional tourist zones, this is the place for you. Part traditional Mexican decor, part period furnishing, the building is flooded with natural light and filled with lush plants. And the best part? It is environmentally friendly and sustainable ethos.
Completely renovated in 2009, El Patio 77 is a beacon of sustainability and environmentally friendly hospitality practices, and the first of its kind in Mexico City. Having retained the original details of the house, owner Alan V. Favero has infused new life into the house through rescued wood. Theirs is a wonderful example of the renovation of spaces and objects, in such a way that history is not rewritten, but productively fused with the modern.
The sense of fusion that this engenders is reflected within, and on, the walls of El Patio 77, where the building’s historical origins mingle with the stories of today’s travelers and nomads. Under vaulted ceilings you will find 8 suites, all named after a state in Mexico. Each is imbued with the culture and history of its respective state; you’ll want to spend time getting to know the unique decor before heading into the city.
The unique green credentials here are understated but essential. Their innovative water system collects rainwater and recycled grey water, whilst showers are heated using solar power. The B&B also relies on fair trade exchanges with Mexican artisans to furnish their rooms and, in keeping with their community ethos, you can purchase everything.
You can take breakfast – vegetarian, organic, ever-changing – on the Patio Principal, an oasis designed to provide respite from the man-made engineering which dominates the city.
El Patio 77 also extends their environmentalism beyond their own walls, encouraging you to visit other neighborhood businesses, including Favero’s own initiatives, Mercado El Cien, and the Taller Lu’um creative design workshops. It is crucial that, in urban spaces, businesses like this continue to cultivate a sense of community.
Emerging through the wrought iron gates of the B&B will lead you to an area of the city where modern identity looks to the foundations of the past for inspiration. Known for its eclectic mix of art deco buildings and austere shop fronts, Colonia San Rafael is an up and coming neighborhood worth the stroll, and you can make it on foot to Mexico City’s centre in no time.
Giving you a pastoral retreat from the urban sprawl into a secluded escape, this progressive organization will give you a one-of-a-kind experience. In one of the largest cities in Latin America, El Patio 77 offers friendly service and a stunning space on a human scale.
To learn more about El Patio 77 eco-friendly B&B, click here.
For more on local initiatives run by Alan V. Favero, click here.
Read more:
What Are Energy Vampires And How Can We Keep Them At Bay?