El Fraile Ranch House 酒店丨墨西哥瓜纳华托丨Heryco

The El Fraile Ranch House hotel in Guanajuatito, Mexico, was designed by Heryco. It expands an existing country home into a contemporary retreat in 2024, featuring two volumes linked by a service corridor. The design incorporates natural materials and a retractable glass façade to blend modernity with the surrounding rural landscape, aiming for a seamless indoor-outdoor experience.

The Guanajuatito retreat combines sophistication and serenity

Set among the rolling landscapes of San Miguel de Allende, El Fraile Ranch House reinterprets rural life, blending contemporary design with the raw beauty of the countryside. This architectural intervention, which is part of an agricultural and equestrian estate, expands an existing country house, transforming it into an exquisite refuge designed for large-scale gatherings, while maintaining its intimate connection with nature.

The project develops through two volumes, connected by a discreet service corridor. The first, a dramatic social pavilion, welcomes guests with a grand entrance hall that bridges the gap between the main residence and the entertainment spaces.

The interiors of El Fraile Ranch House prioritize perfect functionality

At its center, a sculptural bar with a climate-controlled wine cellar anchors the experience, complemented by a 24-seat dining area, a floating fireplace, games tables and a secluded patio. An elevated wooden canopy, supported by sturdy wooden columns, protects the space, while a fully retractable glass façade dissolves the boundaries between inside and out, framing sweeping views of the ranch.

The second volume is clad in locally sourced stone and houses a professional kitchen, an air-conditioned pantry, a service patio and bathrooms dedicated to events. Materiality is key to shaping El Fraile’s atmosphere. The interplay between wood, stone and glass creates a dialog between tradition and modernity, while the soft, ambient lighting infuses the space with warmth and tranquility.

Every detail is meticulously selected to enhance the sensory experience, from the tactile richness of natural materials to the seamless integration of indoor and outdoor living. More than a site, El Fraile Ranch House serves as a statement on contemporary rural architecture.

Combined components for contemporary Mexican architecture

The project’s design components focus on striking a balance between sophistication and serenity, redefining the way we gather, celebrate and connect with the land, demonstrating a successful reinterpretation of rural architecture.