You’ll be in the heart of old San Jose when you stay at the Encanto Inn Hotel. Located in midst of central San Jose’s Historic and Art District - it’s just steps away from gourmet and trendy restaurants, a micro-brewery, designer boutiques, art and native crafts galleries and more.  Another block away is the central Cathedral Plaza with its Victorian bandstand, lighted musical fountains, busts of famous Mexican personages and the Municipal Palace. Behind the hotel to the north is San Jose’s famous wildlife preserve and estuary with its fresh water river that journeys to the ocean a mile away – birdwatchers love this place.

The hotel consists of two buildings a half-block apart – one just a few years new.  All rooms are professionally decorated with Mexican antiques and rustic furnishings.  The beds will soften the hardest day spent shopping with their extra plush bedding, mattresses and pillows.  The suites and pool area of the newer addition are graced with lush flowering trees, bushes and palms and a sparkling tiered Spanish colonial fountain.

One can enjoy even more peace and serenity in the new Ixchel Salon and Spa located in a two-story building just off the pool.  There, overlooking the verdant pool area, one can indulge in everything from pedicures, manicures, hair styling and facials - to steam baths and massages. Wander past the pool and one comes upon the hotels wedding chapel situated in its own semi-private walled plaza - perfect for celebrations of up to 200 people.  The recently built “colonial” chapel is a tour de’ force of murals featuring angels, master stonework and woodworking. A pretty young woman played magnificent melodies on a well-tuned antique baby grand piano the day this writer visited the chapel. She played alone in the empty chapel while 100’ away, folks lounged by the pool lost in their books.  This Mexican tropical hacienda hotel oozes tranquility and beauty.

Accommodations: 28 rooms, including 3 junior suites and 4 suites with kitchen, AC, Telephone and Direct TV. Wi-fi Internet around the pool.  Rates from $114 to $288US.  Call (624) 142-0388 for the hotel, (624) 142-2330 for Ixchel Spa.