Nido de Pájaros: an Airy “Bird’s Nest” in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, México
A bright, spacious one-bedroom apartment in the heart of San Miguel de Allende is available for long-term rental (minimum: one-year lease). Renovated, tastefully furnished, well-appointed second-floor “casita” with large windows facing south and north. Living room, with dining and office areas, has a gas fireplace
, flat-screen TV, DVD player, mini stereo and library of movies and books. Large sky-lit bedroom with queen-size bed and generous closets. Tiled bath with large walk-in shower, vanity and linen closet. Two lovely outdoor spaces with tropical plants: private patio, just off the kitchen, is ideal for al fresco dining; roof terrace (shared w/owners) offers a quiet spot for sunbathing, stargazing, and viewing San Miguel's landmark churches and colorful skies, filled with hot air balloons, birds, sunsets and fireworks. Centrally located on a quiet, cobblestoned callejón and partial pedestrian walkway in desirable southeast San Antonio, a half-block from Ancha de San Antonio (San Miguel's "restaurant row" and main transportation artery). Instituto Allende, Mercado SANO, and Tianguis Organico are within a couple of blocks. In addition, there a several neighborhood fitness options, including Weber Tennis Courts (clay), Wolf Gym, yoga, Zumba, Pilates, tai chi, spinning and swimming. A five-minute walk to Juárez and Guadiana parks and a 10-minute, flat walk to El Jardin (Centro). Rent: $1,350 USD per month; minimum one-year lease (security deposit, first and last months’ rent and references required). All-inclusive rent includes maid (1 hr. a day, 3x wk.), linens changed, laundry done (1x wk.), gardener (3x wk.), Wi-Fi, cable TV with English package that includes several American networks, PBS, CNN, Fox News and BBC World News, free local and long-distance (Mexico and USA) telephone service (shared with owners); and all utilities (gas, water, electric). Additional amenities include a property manager, Sirce alarm, and a video surveillance system; pressurized, filtered, water-purification (UV-light) system, water softer and on-demand hot water; gas fireplace; quality linens and bedding, including down pillows and comforter, screened windows and doors; ceiling fans; a safe; and a hairdryer. Owners are amenable to splitting yearly cost of “La Conexión” mailbox with their tenants. Reasonably priced long-term parking is available next door in a secure lot. Please note: tenants are responsible for purchasing their own drinking/cooking water (garrafón provided). Landlord also asked occupants to provide a modest weekly tip ($300 MXN suggested) for the maid. No smoking inside or out; no pets (small dog considered). The owners, full-time San Miguel residents, occupy the first-floor apartment with their rescue dog Taco. For more information email Kate Cohen: [email protected]. Photos:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=Casa.Nido.de.Pajaros&set=a.391438661043685. NIDO DE PÁJAROS REVIEWS
Nido de Pájaros has been welcoming guests since 2014. Here are their comments:
“I fell in love with Nido de Pajaro when viewing the photos. I had my share of dark apartments in San Miguel in the past, and I loved all the windows and natural light that I saw in the photos. The furnishings appeared comfortable, the decorations and art and colors were perfect, and the abundant greenery created a lovely “nest.” Kate knows how to craft an environment that is functional, comfortable, and relaxing.
“We have lived here a year now and are very sad to have to return to the US. Kate and Steven are excellent landlords and neighbors, and Carmen the housekeeper and Jaime the gardener have taken great care of us and have even helped me with my Spanish. We will miss them all.
“To speak to the practical; the apartment is as comfortable as it appears in the photos with a spacious bathroom and kitchen, ample hot water, and terrific water pressure. There is abundant storage, especially in the kitchen - rare in Mexico. Kate has provided everything you need to move in and feel at home immediately. The neighborhood and street are very safe, well lit, and mostly quiet with an occasional dog barking in the far distance and an even more distant and fairly quiet rooster (far enough to be charming.) We love the carillon of bells at Inglesia de San Antonio and after a couple weeks didn't notice the regular calls to mass/the church bells at all. We slept great every night on the comfortable queen bed. There is a nice patio off the kitchen where we would relax and watch the hummingbirds at our feeder and the sunset view from the rooftop patio is very nice. Internet can be slow in general in SMA, but we had very little issue streaming Netflix, Amazon, and Hulu using our own firestick and VPN, and the TV had plenty of US channels to watch. Power and Internet are very stable.
“Along with all this, there are some other things that set this apartment apart from many others: softened water, UV system for water, alarm system, personal safe, easy 12-minute walk, mostly flat with slow incline, to the Jardin. Plenty of shops and restaurants and live music within just a few blocks. Except for a half block of cobblestones, nice sidewalks all the way into town.
“When we return, we would look in this neighborhood, on this street first! Maybe we can return to Nido de Pajaro and to Kate and Steven in the future. It has been a delightful year (even with Covid), because we had a lovely place to live!
“I recommend this apartment and the landlords without reservation!”
—Liz Rediske, Austin, TX
“We have rented Nido de Pajaros on Callejon de la Bayoneta for the last 18 months. We have thoroughly enjoyed our time here. It is a gem of an apartment. The only reason we are moving soon is because we have bought a home here in San Miguel.
“Bayoneta is one block off the Ancha so you are literally just steps away from shops and tiendas. We love this location so much that we bought an apartment just around the corner.
“This apartment is bright, light, airy, and surprisingly spacious for a one bedroom. You do have the sense that you are in the treetops here, which is a lovely feeling. Cross breezes are fabulous in the warmer months and all windows are screened. The beautiful gas log fireplace warms the entire apartment very quickly when the weather turns cold. The kitchen is equipped with every tool and small appliance you could possibly need and is quite large with great pantry storage. There is a private patio just through the French doors in the kitchen, plus a rooftop terrace with beautiful views. The bathroom is very large with a huge linen closet.
“What we have appreciated the most I think is Kate herself. She is a fabulous landlord — the kind you always hope you’ll have when you rent. You just could not ask for anyone better. She is immediately responsive if you have a concern or problem. Even when traveling out of the country, she was in close contact with us and helped to solve a problem we had encountered. She and her husband live downstairs, but are very respectful of our privacy. The apartment is completely furnished, but Kate graciously offered to move out a few pieces of furniture so we could purchase our own sofa and chairs. We have loved living at Nido de Pajaros.”
—John and Patricia Verplank, San Miguel de Allende, GTO, MX
“Nido de Pájaros is my answer to the perfect rental in San Miguel. I have rented many places here and liked them all. The difference is that ‘Nido’ has every one of my requirements: perfect location, an abundance of light, outdoor space, charming decor and all the comforts of home. More important, the owners are personable and helpful.”
—G. Rachor, Santa Fe, NM
“Not least of the joys of staying in this airy, sunny, well-decorated and-appointed apartment are its owners, who were always right there when needed, then magically evaporated, or so it seemed. On a quiet cul-de-sac at the edge of the Centro, it is steps from the action, yet at a slight and welcome remove. Part of the fun of being in San Miguel is making new friends, and, while the restaurants are fabulous, we found it a boon to also have a charming place to invite people in for cocktails and/or a light supper by the fire on a cool February night.”
—M. Bethany, Malden Bridge, NY
“Centrally located in the heart of San Miguel, this renovated and decorated contemporary 'artsy' space has lots of light overlooking the rooftop garden. The immaculate, one-bedroom apartment is extremely well appointed: the bed and sofas were comfortable and the towels and linens, soft and plentiful. Useful kitchen with dishes, wine glasses and enough pots and pans to cook a gourmet meal. A wonderful location within walking distance to all San Miguel attractions. I plan to return soon and certainly recommend Nido de Pájaros to anyone who enjoys a well-designed, light-filled open layout.”
—H. Shur, Craryville, NY
“Nido de Pájaros is a well-located, one-bedroom gem in San Antonio. On Callejón de la Bayoneta, a charming, well-lit block just off Ancha de San Antonio, it's easy to get everywhere. But, if you prefer staying close to home, there are many great restaurants super close. The apartment's layout is really smart and stylish, not overdone with patterns and chachkas. Large windows on all sides give Nido de Pájaros a greenhouse effect, which contributes to its happy mood. Other San Miguel apartments are dark in comparison and I delighted in staying in such a bright space; it really is a 'lightbox' and was a mood elevator each time I walked in. Wi-Fi was great, shower had pressure and getting a good night's sleep was never a problem. Kate and Steven are attentive hosts, really nice people who are also involved and committed to their neighborhood community.”
—A. Holtzman, Philadelphia, PA
“I highly recommend Nido de Pájaros for your visit to San Miguel. We really enjoyed staying there. Its location is ideal, on a very quiet passageway in a wonderful part of town—centrally located near delicious restaurants and a natural food store. The apartment is immaculate (its cleaned several times a week), and is updated with top-notch appliances. There's lots of natural light and lovely outdoor roof space. And, the hosts are wonderful!"
—J. Toth, New York, NY
“I'm a 'foodie' and Nido de Pájaros is just steps from really good grocery shopping, including fresh produce and meats, wine/liquor stores, flowers, roast chickens, good cheeses, great bakeries, the weekly organic market. There's nowhere else in San Miguel that has such handy shopping: while others have to constantly think about their next trip to big-box supermarkets La Comer or Soriano, the variety of nearby food shopping in this location offers guests minimal schlepping and maximum quality.”
—C. Reynolds, Roaring Gap, NC
“Spacious, beautifully appointed, light-filled apartment with patio in great central location. Private entrance, closed, no-traffic street. Perfect.”
—A. Davidson, Spencertown, NY
