Casa Silencio: inside the world’s first mezcal hotel

Unlimited cocktails, innovative eco-design and luxury in the middle of the desert. Charlotte Lytton checks in
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Charlotte Lytton11 May 2023

Long lauded as Mexico’s culinary capital, Oaxaca also happens to be the premier spot in the country for another consumable — mezcal.

More than 70 per cent of the world’s production of the spirit is grown in the state, including at Casa Silencio — a desert oasis-cum-distillery where ‘the elixir of the gods’ is never more than the twist of a bottle cap away.

Where is it?

Casa Silencio - Exterior
Casa Silencio

In Xaagá, a little town an hour’s drive out of central Oaxaca. If you’re looking for an escape, Casa Silencio is it: the desert is in full view from every vantage point of the property, with espadin agave plants and cactus dotted across the vast expanse. It’s a magical spot to sip from as the sun sets and the stars begin to crowd overhead.

Style

A solar-powered mezcal wheel looks like a work of art
Casa Silencio

Understated desert luxe, where every corner looks as if it is perfectly crafted from the land around it. Stone and reclaimed wood are the materials of choice, and there’s not a sink, piece of art, or even staff T-shirt graphic that hasn’t been carefully created for the property by Mexican designer Alejandro D’Acosta.

Beyond its moody hues of blacks and earth tones, freshened up with pops of bronze and bright white, sustainability is at Casa Silencio’s core: solar panels power the place (as well as its mezcal distillery), rainwater is diverted to the production plant, hotel and restaurant, and its art installations are made from recycled bottles. Going green has rarely looked— or tasted — this good.

Facilities

Take a dip in the midst of desert scenery
Casa Silencio

Facilities include an onsite distillery at which all guests are invited to complimentary tours and tastings of El Silencio mezcal; a library, and an angular pool from which you can sip cocktails on demand (the Red Rooster is particularly good).

The property’s secret snug, with unlimited access to El Silencio-stuffed fridges, is an after-dinner must. Visitors during February are invited to Umbra, a 20-hour electronic music extravaganza, featuring food and music from some of the state’s biggest hitmakers.

Extracurricular

The cobbled streets and grand churches of Oaxaca are stunning — but, if you’ve made it to the region, you’ve likely done so for one thing: food. Mimi Lopez’s traditional dishes have made her something of an Instagram sensation in recent years, in large part thanks to her son, Charlie.

The pair now run cooking classes from her restaurant in Matadamas (around half-an-hour from the town centre), where you can try your hand at Oaxacan staples including mole negro and tortillas. Mimi’s squash blossom tamales are easily the best you’ll have in Mexico.

Food & drink

Mezca
Casa Silencio

Your glass will never run dry at Casa Silencio: mezcal cocktails are unlimited and abundant, with the brand’s own versions of standards alongside a range of unique concoctions (premium mezcals and wine incur an extra charge).

Food is included, too: expect refined Oaxacan classics, like blue corn tlayudas (thin tortillas stuffed with beans and local Castillo cheese), guacamole, and chapulines (grasshoppers). Dinner is a five-course primarily local affair with an Italian influence: there’s arancini on a bed of grasshopper sauce and a Caprese salad, plus a delicious catch of the day, taco, rib-eye, and, for dessert, chocolate crème brûlée. The menu changes twice a year.

Which room?

Casa Silencio’s rooms complement the desert surroundings
Casa Silencio

There are six suites, all in different earthy hues that keep their cool in spite of the heat. All come with their own sofa, and floor-to-ceiling glass walls or doors that open to the outside decking. Try Tierra if you’re looking for a relaxing soak in its freestanding bath, or Luna for an extra pop of gold and bronze.

Best for...

Mezcal lovers, and anyone looking to ascend to desert design heaven.

Details

Rooms, including all food and drink, are £890 per night; casasilencio.com

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