The Deep Luxury of Simplicity at Hacienda San Lucas in Honduras

by Alison Wellner (RSS feed)
May 20th 2009 at 11:02AM

At luxury hotels, there's something of a formula: the latest electronic gadgets, check. Personalized service, check. Luxurious linens, lovely room design, delicious food, check, check check. Maybe I'm jaded, but doesn't it get a little same-old, same-old after a while?

What's really rare is a place that provides true luxury outside this conventional mold -- a feat which I think is only accomplished by having a person of impeccable taste paying attention to every last detail of a guest experience. And to my mind, the exemplar is Hacienda San Lucas, in Copán Ruinas, Honduras.

Hacienda San Lucas is an eco-lodge has just eight rooms, and no, it doesn't have the latest bells and whistles. There's no flat screen TV, no whirlpool tub, no "in room console" where you can open and close your shades while lying on your bed. There's not even a telephone in the room -- which, come to think of it, is a luxury of its own kind. But owner Flavia Cueva is a person of impeccable taste, and she has rigorously thought through every single detail. The result is a total retreat that's simply and sensually luxurious.

When you arrive through the tropical lush greenery, you'll smell strong scent of burning wood, hear the pat pat pat of fresh tortillas being made, and see commanding valley views: in places, directly into the town's Mayan ruins, with the the wavy-topped mountains as a backdrop. The main building was Cueva's centuries-old family home, some nine years ago, she added guest rooms at a remove from the main building. The rooms feature pitched wide wooden planked ceilings, white plaster walls, adorned with local tapestries and art work and smooth stone floors. At night the entire property is lit by countless candles, in the rooms, along the walkways, and in the dining area.

In a quiet spot, there's Gaia, a dedicated yoga pavilion and meditation space with views into the Mayan ruins. Arrange yoga classes during your stay with excellent local teacher (and ex-pat Canadian) Leah Glatz, who frequently works with Aum Rak, a local Mayan shaman. Or attend an organized retreat: on August 8th-16th, Global Soul Adventures is running one of its acclaimed yoga retreats at San Lucas.

Gallery: Hacienda San Lucas in Copan Ruinas, Honduras

Hacienda San Lucas Day Dining is Simple Elegance in the

Tags: central america, CentralAmerica, ecolodge, honduras, latin america, LatinAmerica, travel

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Green

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Jennifer May 23rd 2009 8:38PM

It looks like a dump.

Tabby May 23rd 2009 10:06PM

NOW, this is a place I'd stay. Bet I won't find urine stained matress covers here....like I've found during a stay at Holiday Inn. I love to camp and I don't mean camp as in RV. I mean I camp in a tent. Me, the moon, stars, night air, animal sounds, and yes, many times rain, but I can spend a weekend in a tent (minus all the luxuries: phone,tv,fridge,etc) and I feel like I've been away for a week. We don't get to hear about places like this very often. Now, if only they had seen fit to give us a price range. Okay...hitting the search engine to find out and making sure my passport is up to date.

John May 24th 2009 12:19AM

Is it just me? This place looks like a Cracker Barrel restaurant that needs its property weeded. And no pictures of a room. It just doesn't look luxurious to me. Also, I think a hotel room filled with gadgets is fun. I'm going to checkout the resorts main page and see if it changes my mind.

alexis May 25th 2009 12:00PM

john you are so right-- if it looks like a duck and walks like a duck its a duck!! or dump!!!

John May 24th 2009 12:33AM

I went to their official site. I still don't see where the luxury fits in. No a/c, no pool and no rates. I'm an adventurous, outdoorsy type person, but this place just doesn't appeal to me. Perhaps it's a fancy get-a-way for the locals.

John Brodell May 24th 2009 1:04AM

I have stayed at the Hacienda, and Flavia is a terrific person and does run a beautiful place. To watch your own handmade tortillas being made in front of you, is a real delicacy. The rooms do not need A/C but are provided with a fan if needed. I see from previous comments, those greedy/needy travelers would likely not see the beauty of this place and very likely not appreciate this area. The Copan ruinas are right across the river. The location and the services provided by Flavia and the Hacienda for out of area day trips are superb. I highly recommend this place to travel and stay. And do not bring your cell phones.

Lara May 24th 2009 7:20AM

This place looks like a dump to me. The question is, how much did this dump pay AOL to place an ad disguised as an article for them?

Alison Wellner May 24th 2009 9:52AM

It's interesting what happens when you ask people to stretch their conception of luxury! I visited this property twice, and stayed a week last summer. It was a simple, elegant and deeply luxurious stay. I met and spoke to many guests, from all around the world, and the common theme was the sense of finding a magical spot, a special place off the beaten path.
I think that some of you are reacting to the hammocks throughout the property, and the fact that this is a historic, centuries-old property. So here's the great thing, if this is not your brand of vodka, you're spoiled for choices of modern, five-star hotels all around the world. I've stayed in plenty, enjoy them and discuss many of them here on Luxist, to wit: http://www.luxist.com/2009/05/02/maui-four-seasons-announces-special-rates/

jackx May 24th 2009 8:50PM

Nothing says luxury like a mammoth fire hazard, with lit candles at every turn. And, the grounds do look like they need weeding.

Jeff May 26th 2009 7:40AM

Why would anyone ever want to go there. There are enough illegals from there here in America. Looks like a damn dunp anyway. NASTY NASTY place

Britt May 26th 2009 9:28AM

Now this looks like a REAL getaway. No traffic, not a hundred people, not a buffet with all the food made the same... just earthy with a real look of exotic relaxation. If you're going to sit in a room, watch tv, and listen to your ipod while playing video games, why not stay home?

D Ferguson Jun 15th 2009 7:13PM

most of this resorts are over priced and people with a doller have caused it
the prices in costa rico have tripled in the last three years
you go to the least traveled places in mexico and it is half what the resort towns are but the big spenders have money to blow. so they start charging accordingly
i can go to a place like this if the price is right