What makes Casa Tres Leones so special?
It is all driven by our experiences when we first came to the Lake
Chapala area to explore. We were unable to find all those conveniences
in one place that make life comfortable and convenient. And so, as the
idea for Tres Leones began to form, I decided that I wanted to
provide all the niceties that my husband and I couldn't find in a hotel
when we first came to Ajijic -- air conditioning, access to a kitchen
and fridge, and more -- all the comforts of home.
At first we were just tourists. With the change of altitude and the
hustle at the airport, we both were tired, hot and ready to collapse.
All we wanted was a comfortable bed and air conditioning. We both were
thinking of a wonderful cool room to rest in and to regain our strength.
We checked every hotel in the Lake side area and we finally found a
Mexican guide who knew the area and he promised a room with air
conditioning. While we were having lunch the guide came back and said
there were no rooms with air conditioning available in the village. We
would have to go to Guadalajara for a hotel room with air conditioning.
Mexico was the place that we wanted to visit with the idea of maybe
retiring one day. We checked into a local hotel. With all the windows
and doors open and the breeze coming into the room, we still couldn't
get cool. It was at this point that we decided that any house that we
would buy was going to have an air conditioner.
We looked at every house that was available, but we didn't find
anything that appealed to us. There were problems with every house. The
day before we were to go home, we made friends with a couple and saw the
perfect house for us. It had been for sale but then was taken off the
market.
We called and they invited us over to look and see if we liked the
house and the view. The view was wonderful. The big terrace had a great
cool breeze that relaxed you completely. This was it. Our new home in
Mexico.
My husband looked at the lot and starting asking questions about the
size of the lot. We soon found out that behind the 6-ft. wide
bougainvillea, there was a stone wall and that the lot went from street
to street. It was a small house but with all the vegetation gone it
would be a big lot. So with a handshake and with very happy hearts we
returned home.
A few weeks later we packed and were off to Mexico to begin our new
life. Before we could move in, all had to be paid for and a new deed had
to be made out in our names. Being in Mexico, this was not a quick
transaction. So again we checked into a local hotel.
We were there for five weeks and everyday we dreamed of being in our
new home. I would have loved a small apartment with a kitchen, but there
were none available for such a short period of time. Every time we drove
past the fruit stands, I would dream of a little kitchen where I could
prepare some nice sliced fruit for lunch.
All of these experiences stayed with me and as we remodeled our new
home, we put in air conditioners and a small apartment with a small
kitchen for people that might need a place to stay while their new home
is getting ready for them to move into. While guests are here they will
have full access to our kitchen after breakfast is served. Every room
has a private garden or terrace to relax in and Bedroom #104 has a
mirador with a fantastic view of Lake Chapala.
My husband and I look forward to sharing the Lakeside area with you!
Mary Moore
