Hotel Casa Santo Origen: The Definitive Review [2024]

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Are you planning a trip and want to know if you should stay at Hotel Casa Santo Origen?

Finding a hotel in Oaxaca is very difficult because there are hundreds and hundreds to choose from.

While there are some great options out there, it’s important to choose the perfect hotel to ensure that your trip is everything that you want it to be.

The last thing that you want to do is choose a bad hotel and return home disappointed and frustrated.

To make sure that doesn’t happen, I’ve set out a comprehensive guide to Hotel Casa Santo Origen so that you can find out everything that you need to know before making your decision.

Let’s dive right in.

*All images of Hotel Casa Santo Origen in this article are credited to Expedia.com and Hotel Casa Santo Origen*

Hotel Casa Santo Origen: The Definitive Review

Where is Hotel Casa Santo Origen?

Hotel Casa Santo Origen is a stunning adults-only modern boutique hotel situated in the hills about four miles north of the historic center of Oaxaca City in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico.

If you aren’t familiar with Oaxaca, it’s a vibrant city in southern Mexico that is known for its rich cultural heritage and colorful traditions.

Probably the most famous of these is the Day of the Dead festival, which is held in Oaxaca each year from 31 October to 2 November.

Other attractions of the city include its countless beautiful colonial-era buildings that date back to the time of Spanish rule in Mexico during the 16th century.

And if that isn’t impressive enough, just a short drive outside the city you’ll find Zapotec ruins that are literally thousands of years old.

Let’s take a look now at how to get you to Hotel Casa Santo Origen.

Hotel Casa Santo Origen: The Definitive Review

How Do I Get To Hotel Casa Santo Origen?

Getting to Hotel Casa Santo Origen is a simple two step process.

The first step is to fly into Oaxaca International Airport (OAX). The second step is to book a private transfer, get a taxi or rent a car to drive to the hotel.

I’ve set out the steps you’ll need to take to get to Hotel Casa Santo Origen as simply and efficiently as possible.

Flying Into Oaxaca

To reach Hotel Casa Santo Origen, you’ll need to first fly into Oaxaca International Airport (OAX), which is around 9 miles from the hotel.

In North America, you can get a direct international flight from Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston or Los Angeles.

From elsewhere in the world, you’ll need to fly into Mexico and take a connecting flight. There are regular flights to Oaxaca from Mexico City, Tijuana, Cancún, Guadalajara, Monterrey, and Mexicali.

Flights from Mexico City are by far the most frequent. Unless you’re planning on stopping over in one of the other cities listed above for a few days, I recommend you fly via Mexico City.

Oaxaca Airport to the Hotel

Once you arrive in Oaxaca airport, you’ve got a few options to get to Hotel Casa Santo Origen. You can book a private transfer, take a taxi or rent a car.

I’ve gone through each of these below.

Rent a Car

If you’re staying in Oaxaca for more than a day or two, I recommend that you rent a car at the airport.

Hotel Casa Santo Origen is situated in the hills four miles north of the historic center of Oaxaca. Since you won’t be staying in the city itself, having a rental car is a great way to get in and out of town without needing to take taxis or public transport.

Also, many of the best attractions in Oaxaca are outside of the city, so having a rental car is the ideal way to make sure you can see everything easily.

Getting a car at the airport is very easy. You can book ahead and pick up your car in the arrivals hall of the terminal when you get off the plane.

I recommend using DiscoverCars to book the best deal available ahead of your arrival. You can expect to pay around US$30 per day plus gas for a basic rental car.

Book a Private Transfer

The simplest way to get to the hotel is by booking a private transfer on a platform like Viator. There are plenty of different providers for you to choose from, and prices start at around US$25 for a couple.

You can also reach out to the staff at Hotel Casa Santo Origen, who can arrange an airport shuttle for you for an additional fee. Their contact details are below:

Take A Taxi

If you haven’t booked a car with the hotel, the simplest way to get from the airport to the hotel that requires absolutely no planning whatsoever is taking a taxi.

You’ll need to be able to tell the driver your destination and agree a price for the trip. The journey should cost you around US$20 – US$25 and you may need to haggle to get the driver down into that range.

You’ll also need to make sure that you have Mexican pesos with you, as the driver may not accept US dollars and won’t take credit cards.

Now that you know where it is that you’re going and all of the options that you have for getting there, let’s get into the review itself.

Hotel Casa Santo Origen: The Definitive Review

Review Of Hotel Casa Santo Origen

Hotel Casa Santo Origen is a secluded haven in the hills above Oaxaca, where you can relax away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

The architecture of Hotel Casa Santo Origen is modern and stunningly beautiful, making ample use of sand-colored stone and wood to give the buildings a natural feel.

Each of its eight suites are spacious, stylishly furnished and open out onto a private terrace or a balcony. The rooms are named after eight different regions of Oaxaca and include Oaxacan artwork and artisanal products in the room’s decorations.

When you’re not in your room, the hotel has a gorgeous pool area with sun loungers and sun umbrellas where you can enjoy a cocktail from the nearby bar.

There’s also a large courtyard area with lounge seating in a very natural setting beneath shady trees where you can wile away a hot afternoon in comfort.

All in all, it’s a perfect oasis of calm for you to recharge your batteries and take a load off during your trip to Oaxaca.

I’ve set out below a summary of the hotel, the rooms, hotel facilities, dining options and nearby attractions.

After that, I’ve given you a list of pros and cons of the hotel and given my personal view on whether you should book Hotel Casa Santo Origen for your trip.

Let’s jump right in.

1. Location

Hotel Casa Santo Origen has a great location in the hills four miles north of the historic center of Oaxaca City.

It’s only 20 minutes in a taxi to the Zócalo, but it’s far enough outside of the city that you’ll be able to enjoy the fresh air and natural beauty of the mountains when you’re not exploring.

It’s a great location, both secluded and yet still close enough for you to access the excitement of the city whenever you want.

It’s the perfect base for you to relax and to explore the city without needing to be in the urban rush unless you want to be.

2. Price

The price per room at Hotel Casa Santo Origen starts at around US$845 per night for a couple.

That price doesn’t include breakfast, which will cost you around US$15 at the onsite restaurant, Entre Sombras.

Discounted offers may be available from time to time, so it is worth checking prices in advance of your travel dates to see if you can get yourself a deal.

Check out Booking.com or Expedia.com for prices and availability on your travel dates, or use the search box below:

3. Rooms

There are eight rooms at Hotel Casa Santo Origen, each individually decorated and furnished to give it a unique look and feel.

Seven of them are Deluxe Suites and one of them is a Deluxe Suite with a hot tub.

I’ve set out more detail on rooms available at Hotel Casa Santo Origen below.

Deluxe Suite

The Deluxe Suite is a spacious 538 sq. ft. that comes with a king-sized bed, a private bathroom with both shower and separate bathtub, a private balcony and a private patio.

The beds are made up with 500-thread count Egyptian cotton bedding and you’ll lay your head down on goose-down pillows of an evening. You’ll also have access to a sofa, writing desk, closet, room safe, TV with cable channels, free WiFi, telephone, coffee machine, herbal tea selection and bottled water.

In the bathroom, in addition to a beautiful stand-alone deep-soaking bathtub and separate shower, you’ll find towels, bathrobes, slippers, luxury toiletries, and a vanity mirror.

The room is decorated with Oaxacan art and artisanal craft products that you can also purchase if you’d like to take them home as a souvenir. The walls are also sound-proofed to ensure that you get a good night’s sleep.

The room is serviced daily and you can also order room service if you would like it.

Deluxe Suites start at US$845 per night for up to two.

Deluxe Suite With Hot Tub

The Deluxe Suite with Hot Tub is a palatial 646 sq. ft. that comes with a king-sized bed, a private bathroom with both shower and separate bathtub, a private balcony, a private patio and a private outdoor hot tub (pictured).

You’ll also have access to all of the amenities available in the Deluxe Suite.

The Deluxe Suite with Hot Tub starts at around US$965 per night for up to two.

4. Hotel Facilities

Hotel Casa Santo Origen has an outdoor pool and patio area and a beautiful courtyard set beneath shady trees, giving a very natural feel to the space.

In addition to the pool and courtyard areas, the hotel also offers free onsite parking, and you can rent bicycles if you’d like to go and explore the nearby hillside.

Pool Area

The pool area at Hotel Casa Santo Origen is a small but very modern pool area set on a raised patio above the nearby courtyard.

Even though the pool isn’t that big, the hotel only has eight rooms in total, so you won’t have to fight for space.

The patio area has lots of sun loungers, armchairs and sun umbrellas where you can set yourself up during the heat of the day and enjoy a cocktail from the nearby bar.

Courtyard

Next to the pool area, Hotel Casa Santo Origen has a beautiful open courtyard area with a large shady tree growing in the middle. The paving stones radiate out from the tree, making the tree the central feature of the space.

Set out around the tree are a few large tables and comfortable lounge chairs where you can relax and enjoy a snack from the restaurant, a drink from the bar, or just soak up the beautiful natural atmosphere of the hotel.

It’s a great space to get some fresh air and just enjoy the afternoon.

5. Dining Options

Hotel Casa Santo Origen has an onsite restaurant bar area called Entre Sombras, which specialises in Mediterranean cuisine but also offers Oaxacan and international dishes.

One of their specialities is the breakfast offering, which includes varieties of Chilaquiles, Totopos, Enmoladas, Enfrijoladas and Entomatadas, all with wonderful sauces including Oaxacan classics like mole negro.

In addition to their delicious food, Hotel Casa Santo Origen is also the proud distiller of a joven Espadin mezcal called Santo Origen and a producer of an artisanal beer called Imperio de Maltas.

As far as onsite restaurant bars go, Entre Sombras is definitely passionate about what they do, and it shows in the quality of the food and drinks offered.

It’s open for breakfast, lunch and dinner from 8:00am to 10:00pm every day of the week.

6. Reviews

Hotel Casa Santo Origen has a rating of 9.6 out of 10 from over 65 reviews.

The story that those reviews tell is that people adore this hotel. The restaurant in particular receives glowing reviews, as well as the attentiveness of staff.

7. Check-In and Check-Out

Check-in at the hotel is from 3:00pm to midnight, and check-out is before 1:00pm.

Late check-in and check-out can be provided subject to room availability, but you’ll need to confirm with the hotel staff in advance.

8. Pet-Friendly?

No, Hotel Casa Santo Origen is not pet-friendly.

Unfortunately, if you want to visit this hotel, you’ll need to find a pet-sitter.

9. Family-Friendly?

No. Children under 18 years of age are not permitted to stay in the hotel.

10. Nearby Attractions

Although Hotel Casa Santo Origen is outside the city, you’re still close enough that you can easily explore all of the attractions in Oaxaca City.

Just give the front desk a call to ask them to book a taxi for you, and by the time you’re ready to go, it will be waiting out the front for you.

Don’t forget your sunhat, suncream, and the bottles of water from the room in your hotel.

Attractions in Oaxaca City

Hotel Casa Santo Origen is north of the city, so I would recommend that you start your exploring at the Templo de Santo Domingo, which is in the north of the historic city center.

It’s a beautiful building designed in the neo-Spanish baroque architectural style that dates back to 1551, and is one of the primary landmarks in Oaxaca City. The Oaxaca Cultural Museum (Museo de las Culturas de Oaxaca) is also next to the church and has lots of fascinating Oaxacan cultural exhibits.

If you feel like resting in the shade a while, you can also walk over to El Llano park, which is known for having a large statue to Benito Juárez, one of Mexico’s most famous presidents who was born in Oaxaca.

Once you’re done exploring that area, you can take the pedestrian-only street (called the Andador Turístico) south to the Zócalo, which is the heart of the city. From there, you can reach all of the city’s attractions, and you have lots of different choices.

Oaxaca’s stunning cathedral (Nuestra Señora de la Asunción) is right opposite the Zócalo, and the beautiful Teatro Macedonio Alcalá is just a few blocks further to the east.

You can also head south to visit some of the city’s great markets like the Mercado 20 de Noviembre and Mercado Benito Juárez.

Attractions Outside Oaxaca City

If you have time to do a day-trip out of the city, there are also some fantastic places that I recommend you visit, and some of them are quite close by.

I’ve described a few of the best of these below.

Monte Albán

The closest attraction outside the city limits is the ruined Zapotec city of Monte Albán. It’s only three miles away from Oaxaca City, so you can reach it easily and can even fit something else in after you’re done exploring.

Monte Albán is built on the top of a hill overlooking Oaxaca. It’s quite large at about four square miles and there’s lots to see. Among other buildings, there are two pyramids, a ball court, and around 170 tombs.

The simplest way to reach Monte Albán is by taxi. It will cost around US$15 – US$20. Make sure you bring Mexican pesos and agree the price before you depart. 

There are also lots of Monte Albán tours available if you’d rather have the trip planned for you. Viator offers lots of different options, and you can often combine it with other attractions.

Hierve El Agua

Hierve El Agua is a unique geological marvel created from two petrified waterfalls about 40 miles to the south-east of Oaxaca.  

The smaller waterfall is called “la cascada chica” and the bigger one is called “la cascada grande”. The waterfalls were formed over thousands of years as mineral-rich waters ran over the edge of the cliff and down the escarpment.  

The plateau above the falls is covered in large shallow pools separated by beautiful mineral formations that look like atolls in an ocean. It makes you think that you are walking on a shallow reef in the Caribbean.

You can also hike to the bottom of the waterfalls, where there some more pools that you can sit in. There are change-rooms and toilets nearby.

The best way to visit Hierve El Agua is with a tour. There are some great tours from Oaxaca that combine Hierve El Agua with a visit to local mezcal producers or other attractions.

The hotel can recommend a tour operator, and Viator also has lots of them to choose from if you’d prefer to arrange a tour yourself.

Mitla

The ancient ruins of the Zapotec city of Mitla is about 30 miles to the south-east of Oaxaca, on the way to Hierve El Agua.  The name is derived from the Nahuatl word “Mictlán”, meaning “place of the dead”.

The ruins are situated in a valley nearly a mile above sea level and the site is thought to have been inhabited as far back as about 500 BC.  The city was a center of religious power in the region and was destroyed by the Spanish shortly after their arrival in the 16th century.

Mitla is perhaps best known for its intricate stone mosaics, which are sometimes called “Zapotec Greco”. You’ll recognize the striking pattern in lots of ancient friezes adorning walls and floors at the site, and it is often used in clothing and other artwork produced in Oaxaca.

My recommendation is to combine Mitla and Hierve El Agua together as a tour. They start at about US$50 per person on Viator, and you can speak to the concierge at Hotel Casa Santo Origen if you’d prefer to organise it through the hotel.

If you prefer to guide yourself, you can reach Mitla from Oaxaca City with a taxi or the bus, and its about a 90 minute trip each way.

Entrance to Mitla costs US$5 so bring your Mexican pesos with you.

Hotel Casa Santo Origen: The Definitive Review

Hotel Casa Santo Origen: Pros and Cons

To try to pull all of the information above together for you, I’ve set out below the pros and cons of Hotel Casa Santo Origen as I see them.

Pros

Pros are easy here, because there are some genuinely top-notch aspects of Hotel Casa Santo Origen.

Beautiful hotel Building

Hotel Casa Santo Origen is absolutely instagram-able, there’s no doubt about that. Similar to the Casona Sforza in Puerto Escondido, the whole hotel is immaculate and screams exclusive luxury.

The architecture and design has also been beautifully executed to integrate wood, stone and brick into the structure, together with living natural elements like the tall cacti and the central courtyard tree, all while still including the contemporary elements that make the hotel truly luxurious.

If you’re looking to stay in the crème de la crème of luxury hotels in Oaxaca, Hotel Casa Santo Origen is the right choice.

Beautiful Spacious Rooms

Another major selling point for Hotel Casa Santo Origen is its exquisite rooms. Its eight suites are all individually furnished and decorated and take their inspiration and color scheme from a different region of Oaxaca.

The suites are all luxuriously spacious and will feel like a small apartment, and the bathrooms all contain separate bathtubs, which is a real rarity in Oaxaca.

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even splurge and upgrade to the one special room in the hotel with a private outdoor hot tub.

Fantastic Restaurant

The hotel restaurant, Entre Sombras, enjoys stellar reviews and the staff clearly take immense pride in their work.

The food and drinks offered are of very high quality and the range covers Spanish, Italian, Greek and Mexican foods, including some homegrown Oaxacan specialities.

The hotel also even distills its own mezcal and brews its own beer, so you can try something truly unique during your stay.

Cons

There are a few cons to Hotel Casa Santo Origen, although some of them come with the style and location of the hotel.

Price

Let’s face it, the price of Hotel Casa Santo Origen is eye-watering and your wallet is going to feel some pain. At US$845 per night for a couple, you’re right up the high end of what you will pay for a luxury hotel in Oaxaca.

That said, you get what you pay for in life, and you get a lot when you pay for Hotel Casa Santo Origen. The rooms are spacious, the luxury level is through the roof, and the hotel only has eight rooms, so you’ll never feel like you’re a cog in a big machine.

If you can afford it, I think it is absolutely worth the money.

no Spa

I think one thing that could reasonably be offered by the hotel as the cherry on top would be spa treatments.

I appreciate that the hotel is small and that a spa area is a big investment, but I think that the setting is just perfect for a spa. A massage or another beauty treatment would be an ideal complement to your stay at the hotel.

This obviously shouldn’t stop you booking the hotel, but if I could have a wish-list for the hotel, this would be on it.

Location

This one might seem unfair, because I’m sure that if you’re interested in Hotel Casa Santo Origen that you’re happy to have a hotel outside of the city.

Still, I think it is fair to list it as a con, because being outside the city does have its downsides. You’ll need to spend the time traveling in and out of Oaxaca City when you want to explore or go out to dinner, and you’ll have to pay for each of those trips in or out.

Because of its location in the north of the city, you’re also a little further away from most of the attractions outside the city, which are mostly in the east or south-west.

This shouldn’t stop you from choosing this as your hotel, but I think it’s fair to point out that the location, while amazing, does have its downsides.

Hotel Casa Santo Origen: The Definitive Review

My Personal Views

I think Hotel Casa Santo Origen is hands-down the best luxury hotel in Oaxaca, within or outside the city.

There are other great options like Quinta Real Oaxaca that are also amazing in their own right. But for modern luxury in an exclusive setting, I think Hotel Casa Santo Origen just has the competition beat.

There’s no doubt the hotel is expensive. In fact, it’s one of the most expensive hotels in Oaxaca. But here, I think the price is at least reasonable, given the level of luxury comforts you receive and the exclusive setting in which you can enjoy them.

Particularly if you’re traveling as a couple and you’re looking for a romantic trip away or you’re on your honeymoon, I think this hotel is the perfect option.

It’s obviously outside the city, but if you’re seriously considering booking this hotel, that won’t be a problem for you anyway. If you can afford the nightly rate, you also won’t mind spending a little extra on taxis in and out of Oaxaca.

Provided that your wallet can stand the beating, I think that you’ll just love Hotel Casa Santo Origen.

Hotel Casa Santo Origen: The Definitive Review

Frequently Asked Questions

Just in case you still have a few questions that I haven’t covered, I’ve set out some responses to a few frequently asked questions about Hotel Casa Santo Origen below.

When Is The Best Time To Visit Hotel Casa Santo Origen?

The best time to visit is during the high season (December to April) because the weather is cooler and there is little or no rain.

However, it’s also more expensive during the high season, so if you’re on a budget and can put up with a little rain, the low season is also a good option.

Is It Safe To Visit Hotel Casa Santo Origen?

There is a 24-hour concierge service at Hotel Casa Santo Origen, so you can be comfortable that your belongings will be safe when you’re not in the room.

You’ll also have no troubles personally when you explore Oaxaca provided you take basic precautions. You can read more about safety in Oaxaca here.

What’s The Closest Airport To Hotel Casa Santo Origen?

Oaxaca International Airport (OAX) is the closest airport, and is about 9 miles away.

You can reach the hotel by booking a private transfer, taking a taxi or renting a car. If you want to book a private transfer, I recommend using Viator or reaching out to the staff at Hotel Casa Santo Origen.

Why Is Hotel Casa Santo Origen Special?

Hotel Casa Santo Origen is a secluded luxury oasis in the hills above Oaxaca, where you can relax away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

If you’re looking for a luxury boutique hotel in Oaxaca in an exclusive location outside of the city, Hotel Casa Santo Origen is the place for you.

Hotel Casa Santo Origen: The Definitive Review

Final Thoughts

Hopefully you now have all the information that you need to decide whether Hotel Casa Santo Origen is the hotel for you.

If you’re interested in booking, you can get the latest current prices and availability on your dates at Booking.com or Expedia.com.

If you want to check prices of car rentals at Oaxaca airport, you can find out at DiscoverCars.com.

Enjoy your stay!