Mexican Resort Ideal Destination For Mexico Flying

A beautiful white 1999 Cessna T206, tricked out with all the latest mods, stands near an AOPA Expo 2006 booth showcasing one of the most unique flying destinations available to pilots. The Hacienda de los Santos, or House of Saints, is a Spanish colonial estate in a historic Mexican village about 300 nautical miles due south of Tucson, AZ.

The property was developed by Jim Swickard, a well-to-do gringo who fell in love with the area 15 years ago when he first flew into the village of Alamos, in the state of Sonora, Mexico.  The hotel features twenty-five different rooms located within five haciendas and between them and the rest of the estate, they share 57 completely unique chimneys attached to wood-burning fireplaces among lush foliage.

It includes vintage furniture from around the world and, patios, spas, pools, and fountains, all designed to appeal to the five senses. It even made the cover of Architectural Digest Magazine last year.

But what is most appealing to pilots is that aviators and their families and friends are the majority of the guests you will find there because of the hotel's isolation. Around 70% of the guests are pilots, with the rest about evenly split between adventurous Americans who brave the 450 mile drive from Arizona or charter a private aircraft, and families from Mexico City looking for tranquility

The nearby Alamos Airport features a freshly expanded and improved 5,000 foot runway capable of accommodating virtually all piston planes and has even seen a Falcon jet owned by a friendly couple well-known to flight students. A ten thousand square foot hangar can house around 14 planes on an as-available basis.

The airport lies at an easy 1350 foot elevation and any person who lands an airplane there is eligible to become an elite member of the "Club Pilotos de Mexico". Jim Swickard says there are three pre-requisites, to become a member in good standing, "1. Flying left seat and finding Alamos, 2.  Having a safe landing, and 3. Staying at Hacienda de los Santos." There are no dues, and every "piloto" is addressed as "capitan"

Swickard is excited that next year the airport will have facilities to expedite customs for aircraft arriving and leaving the country and  be renamed Alamos International Airport.

The village of Alamos is composed of dozens of similarly extravagant haciendas -- a result of a formerly-productive silver mine, and lies near spectacular Copper Canyon which is said to be ten times the size of our Grand Canyon.

The Hacienda de los Santos would seem to be the ultimate vacation resort equivalent of the $100 hamburger. But the resort isn't just an excuse to fly -- it may well be the very best reason to fly.

FMI: www.haciendadelossantos.com/