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Posada el Castillo

he setting couldn't be more spectacular! El Castillo (The Castle) is located in the town of Xilitla (He-lit-la), in the state of San Luis Potosi. Xilitla is a lively village nestled into northern Mexico's Sierra Madre mountains, in a peaceful, semi-tropical mountain valley that is teaming with wildlife and magnificent sights. This little Shangri-la has been an inspiration to many who have happened upon it. The area offers everything from the excitement of market day in one of the many Indian villages to hiking the miles of scenic trails, ending your day relaxing by our pool as you enjoy a peaceful sunset over the breathtaking view of the surrounding Sierra Madres.

Follow your passion...float down one of the areas many beautiful rivers, go fishing, hire a guide to take you on a nature walk. This area is known as the Huasteca (Was-tec-a), and is famous for its spectacular caves. It's beautiful country where orchids grow wild, flocks of parrots abound and waterfalls cascade into crystal clear pools. Climb a mountain, jump on a horse and ride thru an orange grove, paint, write or photograph the beauty that surrounds you. Working in conjunction with the Sierra Gorda Ecology Group, we offer the avid naturalist both hiking and guided birding tours of the Huasteca, home to more than 300 species of exotic birds. Of course, the most impressive attraction of the area is Las Pozas (The Pools), the surrealistic sculpture garden built by Edward James.

The house which was designed and built by Plutarco Gastelum, was also the former home of the artist and eccentric English millionaire, Edward James.

The accommodations at El Castillo are as individual as the Guest House itself. The house offers 8 spacious bedrooms each with their own private bath, a grand dining room, game room, pool, television room and a library.

A luscious breakfast, lunch, and dinner can be arranged.

Our guests can enjoy all the warmth, comfort, and amenities of a private home, while the spacious layout of El Castillo offers the opportunity for privacy. Architecturally, the home is an intriguing blend of Mexican, English and Moorish styles. The result is very dramatic and full of whimsy.

Come and experience the flavor of this culturally rich area of Mexico. You'll be glad you did.

A Bit of History -- Just a short walk from El Castillo, Edward James built one of the biggest and least known artistic monuments of the 20th century known as Las Pozas. Over a 20 year period, over 36 surrealistic structures were built in concrete at this magnificent site.

Edward abandoned the intellectual, social and artistic circles of London, Paris, New York and Hollywood for the jungles of Mexico. He lived in Xilitla with his close companion Plutarco Gastelum, a Yaqui Indian, and his family. Plutarco would later become Edward's construction foreman at Las Pozas. El Castillo was built by Plutarco and became the home of his family. Edward also lived there when he wasn't staying at Las Pozas.

Before coming to Mexico to build Las Pozas in the early 1950's, he had already led an extraordinary life. His family owned a 300 room mansion and 6,000 acre estate in England, which Edward later converted into West Dean College, now an internationally recognized center for restoration arts. Born to immense wealth and privilege in 1907, Edward's life imitated the surrealist art he loved and collected. He turned his back on the rigid aristocratic circles of Edwardian England that he was born into, and befriended and supported dozens of artists who would become household names in later years. The people in his life included Dali, Picasso, and Stravinsky. He wrote poetry all his life, however it was in his building of Las Pozas that he realized himself as an artist.

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