Hotel Cielo Rojo: A Boutique Hotel Near Sayulita

Gisela Marin was born and raised in Los Angeles, a first generation American from Mexican parents from Chihuahua, Mexico. In 2005, and brand new to the hospitality industry, Gisela embarked on an exciting and successful adventure as owner of Hotel Cielo Rojo in San Pancho, which is just a short distance from Sayulita.

How did you discover San Pancho? Why run a hotel there?

The sign off the highway that read San Francisco “right turn” looked interesting to me. I had just spent a weeklong vacation in San Blas and was headed to the airport to return to Los Angeles. (San Pancho is also called San Francisco). The minute I stepped foot into San Pancho, I was immediately drawn into its magical vortex. A small town with a very strong sense of unity and community drew me in. I remember standing at the front door of the hotel and I envisioned myself there in this special place for people to come and experience it for themselves. Experience the ocean, the community, and a home to stay and unplug from the hectic city lifestyle. It started with a vision that turned into my passion- to provide an intimate cozy home, free of toxins, with friendly staff, and just all around holistic options from the food you eat to the sheets you sleep in.   

How did you come up with the name Hotel Cielo Rojo?

When I bought the hotel it was not operating as a hotel. It was built as a hotel and named Los Amigos, but never really took off. I changed the name when walking back from a sunset and realizing how intensely red the sky was...thus the name hotel Cielo Rojo, that coincidently is a famous song in Spanish made famous by Lola Beltran during the golden age of movies in the 30's and 40's in Mexico. 

Hotel Cielo Rojo is located in the art community of San Pancho. What is this area like?

San Pancho is a community with a population of 1000 people mixed with ex-pats, residents since the founding of the town, artists, and some tourists. The jungle surrounds the town where the ocean meets an estuary right at the ocean’s front. There are very good restaurants, art galleries, and the truly recognized community center, ”Entre Amigos,” providing an array of classes and art projects for the community, especially for children to participate and to grow.

How would you describe the ambiance of this boutique hotel near Sayulita?

The ambiance is relaxed and slow paced. When guests wake up, most of them come to dine at the “Bistro Organico” restaurant, located in the hotel garden patio. Many guests have commented that they feel they are at home. The staff is friendly and it’s a place to unplug and tune in to nature and tranquility. Because the hotel is located in the center of a quiet town, you are able to become part of it. Slow walks to the beach may take you to stop and have a cappuccino, pet a monkey, and see the many colors of the houses. You feel as though you can really engage in the experience of living in this little charming seaside town.  

What amenities are offered?

We offer 100% organic cotton sheets, lavender spritz at turn down of the beds, mineral water in the rooms, original art, mostly collected in Mexico, towels for the beach, bicycles for rides in town and the jungle, organic handmade lemongrass soap from a community of women in San Miguel de Allende, concierge services for trips or car rentals, wifi, air conditioning, and an organic restaurant featuring breakfast and lunch during the summer months and breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the winter. 

Hotel Cielo Rojo is now certified on the list of Hoteles Boutique Mexico. What does this mean?

Hoteles Boutique Mexico is an organization with about 30 small, independent hotels that must meet strict requirements for their recommendation list that is international in demographics. They have done the groundwork, visited every hotel, and know every owner. They monitor travel satisfaction. They have curated their collection of hotels very carefully to ensure that you will enjoy Mexico’s marvelous creative spirit and warm hospitality in the best settings. Hoteles Boutique is the most reliable brand when seeking premier, independently owned lodging in Mexico that is unique and special.

Being an ecologically friendly hotel is important to you. What steps have you taken to become eco-friendly?

We follow the philosophy of organic, local, sustainable, and regional on all levels of operations. We have sourced most all of “Bistro Organico” restaurant’s ingredients within Mexico. For example, our olive oil is from Valle de Guadalupe, Baja California. We recycle, we compost, we work with our local farmers to help grow the greens we use in our recipes, we use non-toxic ingredients to clean, and we have energy saving air conditioning. We simply want to cut down on our carbon footprint and look into areas that we can accomplish this. No more plastic straws for us. Instead we use bamboo straws and can clean them and re-use them. This helps our oceans and the planet.  

The hotel’s restaurant, Bistro Organico, is open to the public. How would you describe the food?

The food is 75% certified organic for real. We follow the PH philosophy of cooking pescatarian from our local waters, and we offer vegetarian and vegan dishes. Articles written about us have made references to farm to table concept and serving our style of Mexican influenced seaside vegetarian with a flare. We make our own yogurt from scratch and we make most all our ingredients from scratch. Our passion is to continually bring new healthy options, which keeps our menu creative, and us satisfied to see people leaving happy and feeling good.  

Currently you are offering organic tacos on Saturdays from 12pm-4pm. Will you tell me more about this?

Basically we wanted to create the Mexican street tacos that are so prevalent throughout Mexico and make them in our healthy organic style. We traveled to Mexico City to find the corn that we use to make the tortillas and all ingredients used are local. We made them affordable - 125 pesos and you get 2 tacos of your choice (fish, veggie or shrimp), salad, and the fresh fruit water of the day. We have many regulars who look forward to lunch on Saturdays. Come with friends or come alone and work on your novel or Facebook chats. 

How convenient is it for someone staying in Sayulita to get to the restaurant?

Super easy. Take a taxi from the Sayulita square and tell them to drive you to San Pancho to Hotel Cielo Rojo on #6 Calle. Literally 5km North. So close yet so different from Sayulita. It’s worth the experience. Many come and make it a day excursion by visiting the beach and walking the charming town. 120 pesos is the normal rate for a taxi from Sayulita to San Pancho.