Recently we had an interesting talk with Roberto Fleischer, the new owner of the Hotel Villa Granada. We stopped in for a drink at the bar and saw him outside overseeing a crew of workers making some improvements to the buildings. Roberto has curly black hair, an engaging smile, and a personality that radiates energy. He took us on a tour of the hotel, pointing out some of the remodeling in progress.
We used to stay at the Villa Granada before we had our own place, so we were familiar with its layout, but we didn't know its history. It was built in 1962 by Roberto's parents, Roberto and Luisa Fleischer, and is the oldest hotel in Puerto Peñasco. Those who have visited it will remember an art work in the dining room near the end of the bar made of clay pots pressed into a clay background and fitted with lights inside some of the pots. I'd often admired its use of light, texture, and dimension. Now I found out that it was Roberto's idea. The mason who built it for him was very dubious about it and kept wanting to abandon the project, but Roberto kept saying, "It'll be fine. Trust me." He was right.
Roberto showed us an old ad for the hotel. It featured the "great fireplace room" next to the lobby. The beautiful stone fireplace is still there, a focal point for companionship and relaxation. Roberto's mother was the hostess, still remembered by old-timers for her charm and hospitality.
After she died, for a number of years the hotel had an owner-manager who was not a family member. But his interest has been bought out by Roberto, who now owns the hotel with his father and his brother.
Roberto has a degree in hotel and restaurant management from Pima Community College in Tucson and owns and manages the Pithaya Bar. He went into this field so he could enter the family business, but he's always wanted to be an architect and builder. Evidence of this comes from some of the changes he's making in the old hotel. He showed us the new kitchen. Its walls are of shiny ceramic tile in alternating black and white squares, some of which can be seen from the dining room. He also invested in new kitchen equipment, so the whole room gleams and reflects light.
One of the parts of the old hotel we always liked was the large ramada between two of the bedroom wings. Roofed with lattice, it was covered with a profusion of bougainvillea vines and flowers. Although this made the area somewhat dark, it was cool and shaded, very attractive on hot days. There was a barbecue grill at one end and a bar at the other, neither of which I ever remember seeing in use, but I always thought what a lovely place it would be for a large party or conference. When Roberto took us out to see it, I gasped with surprise. The roof and the bougainvilleas were gone. The whole patio was light and bright. The old barbecue grill had been replaced by another beautiful, tiled bar, and the bar opposite had been rejuvenated. The effect was totally different, yet strikingly attractive. Roberto told us he plans to put a water fountain in the center of the patio. He explained that he'd had to take out the roof to make needed repairs and the vines with it because they were grown into and around the slats in the roof. He pointed out that the bougainvilleas had only been cut, not dug out, and reassured me that they would grow back. I felt better. I'd always loved those gorgeous flowers.
The Villa Granada is an old hotel by Puerto Peñasco standards, and time and the weather have taken their toll of the plumbing and electricity. Roberto is replacing everything in the infrastructure that is worn out or non-functional, one room at a time. He compared the job to "raising the Titanic," but when he's finished--maybe in a year, the place will be spectacular.
Meanwhile, the kitchen and bar are fully functional. The restaurant, which has always had a reputation for excellent food, features seafood and Mexican cuisine. There's a buffet from 12-5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays and a long happy hour from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The bar opens both to the dining room and to the pool area outside. There are places to sit at tables or in lounge chairs around the pool. Or you could have your drink inside in front of the fireplace or at the bar.
It was good to see our old friend the hotel in such good shape and in such good hands. We look forward to the further raising of this proud ship.
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