SHORT BIO: Names: Jim & Nancy Swickard Profession (previous to hoteliers) Frozen Yogurt Franchisers in California, Japan and Scandinavia A favorite quote or life philosophy Origins, Nancy was born and raised in Nebraska and Jim in east central Illinois, first 16 years of marriage in the mountain’s of Colorado and then ten in Southern California prior to moving to Mexico in 1989. The Swickard’s make quick decisions and stick by them. They only knew each other for 6 days prior to their marriage and are still happily married after 44 years. Three generations are now involved with the Hacienda management.
Please choose and answer five questions from the following…
1. How would you define a boutique hotel? Small, Personal and “Spiffy”
2. What is the concept behind your hotel? To take the guest to a different time, step back to experience just a hint of the 1700’s, yet with all the luxuries of the current era.
3. What life lessons did you learn opening/running your hotel? Patience has been the greatest lesson in Mexico. U.S. methods are not always the best.
4. Describe the experience of your hotel in three words. Unbelievable Lasting Friendships Created
5. Why did you choose Mexico and/or why this specific destination? From the time we were married in 1964 we were always drawn to Latin countries, eventually it became a goal to live and work in Mexico.
6. What is your definition of service? Our goal with service is anticipating a guests needs, prior to their expressing their desire. Some guests love lots of pampering, and we are very good at that, others prefer privacy and we honor that.
7. How are you involved with your local community?We participate in scholarship fundraiser’s, church restoration, we promote the village in the U.S. at national pilot conferences, work with the federal/state/local governments to assist in areas when needed, including flying the region for aerial studies, rebuilding the local airport, providing facilities for government conferences, establishing events which draw visitors to all of the hotels in the village and providing meals and assistance during the hurricane of 2008.
8. What is the one local experience you would recommend to your guests. Visiting the Plaza on a Sunday evening.
9. What is the best souvenir a guest can take home from a stay at your hotel/a visit to your destination. A smile and desire to return
10. Advice for anyone wanting to open/run a boutique hotel. Don’t try to expand too rapidly.
Jim and Nancy Swickard’s journey south of the border began in the mountains of Colorado, moving slowly down through Southern California and eventually unfolding in Alamos in the late 80s. Experiences along the way jumped continents to franchises owned as far way as Japan and Scandinavia. One more insight into this remarkable couple: they make quick decisions and stick by them—after a whirlwind courtship that lasted a mere 6 days, they are still happily married after 44 years. Today, three generations of Swickards are involved with the management of Hacienda de los Santos.
1. How would you define a boutique hotel? Small, personal and “spiffy”.
2. What is the concept behind your hotel? To take the guest to a different time, step back to experience just a hint of the 1700’s, yet with all the luxuries of the current era.
3. What life lessons did you learn opening/running your hotel? Patience has been the greatest lesson in Mexico. U.S. methods are not always the best.
4. Describe the experience of your hotel in three words: Unbelievable Lasting Friendships Created (OK, that’s four, but we’ll let it pass)
5. Why did you choose Mexico and/or why this specific destination? From the time we were married in 1964 we were always drawn to Latin countries, eventually it became a goal to live and work in Mexico.
6. What is your definition of service? Our goal with service is anticipating our guests’ needs, prior to them expressing their desire. Some guests love lots of pampering, and we are very good at that, others prefer privacy and we honor that, as well.
7. How are you involved with your local community? We participate in scholarship fundraisers, church restoration, we promote the village in the U.S. at national pilot conferences, work with the federal/state/local governments to assist in areas when needed, including flying the region for aerial studies, rebuilding the local airport, providing facilities for government conferences and establishing events which draw visitors to all of the hotels in the village. We also provided meals and assistance during the hurricane of 2008.
8. What is the one local experience you would recommend to your guests? Visiting the Plaza on a Sunday evening.
9. What is the best souvenir a guest can take home from a stay at your hotel/a visit to your destination? A smile and desire to return
10. Advice for anyone wanting to open/run a boutique hotel. Don’t try to expand too rapidly.
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We think of you guys often, and only wish that we were able to get back to Alamos so that we could dine at Hacienda de los Santos. We did not stay with you, but our several meals with you and your warm hospitality were the highlights of Christmas 2008. We hope that your Christmas this year is indeed merry and that 2010 is a prosperous one for your delightful hostelry.
Dear Mr & Mrs. Button….thanks so much for the nice message that you left on November 28th regarding dining at Hacienda de los Santos last Christmas. We are very fortunate to have such wonderful visitors such as yourselves. Please return again. Also, if you are looking for less expensive accomodations while in Alamos we have opened a new B&B, “Posada Tacubaya” and reservations can be made through our HdlS web site and soon through Mexico Boutique Hotels. Rooms are $99.00, plus tax.
Happy Holidays,
Jim & Nancy Swickard
Hacienda de los Santos Resort & Spa
Dear Swickards,
We were in Alamos 2 years ago and enjoyed wonderful meals at the Hacienda. Read briefly of your Posada Taucubaya and would appreciate more
details.
I attended your cooking school and loved it. Are you still offering that?
Best in the New Year.
Marcia Wood