he history of the Spanish Hacienda lies in its Mexican roots.
Hacienda is a Spanish word with a Latin root, literally meaning “things to do”. Historically, the hacienda was the largest most prominent building on a Mexican estate or plantation. It was the centre of the estate’s activities thus the focus of “things to do”.

is decorated with colourful civilizations including the Teotihuacan, the Zapotecs and Mixtecs of Monte Alban, the Maya of Yucatan, the Toltecs, Aztecs, and dozens of smaller, citied groups. None of Mexico's pre-Columbian civilizations is more storied, however, than the Aztecs. Though it is arguable that other civilizations in Mexico achieved greater artistic and scientific feats, none advanced as quickly or ruled as much territory. Prior to the 15th century, the Aztecs were a marginal tribe living on the edge of Lake Texcoco, the site of present day Mexico City. By 1473, after subjugating neighbouring tribes, they ruled the largest empire Mexico had ever seen. Their capital of Tenochtitlan, set in the lake, was a picturesque city of pyramids, mile-long floating roads, aqueducts, animated marketplaces, and one hundred thousand residents. Leading a highly codified government was an all-powerful emperor who exacted taxes from the conquered and distributed land to his people, especially the warriors. When the Spanish adventurer Hernan Cortez arrived in 1519, the rich city was a vision perfectly meshed to his thirst for conquest.

According to an Aztec myth, the white-faced Quetzacuatl - their most important god - had long ago fled to the east, but would one day return. When the Aztec ruler, Moctezuma II, beheld Cortez and his light-skinned men upon their arrival in Tenochtitlan, he believed them to be emissaries of the great Quetzacuatl himself. The opportunistic Cortez, coached by Malinche - a Spanish-speaking Indian who had become his lover back at the coast - did not attempt to correct him. Cortez returned the emperor's hospitality by taking him hostage. A compliant Moctezuma ordered his people to stand down, and by the time the Aztecs began to resist Cortez had already brought in reinforcements from the coast.
Mexico, with its fertile plains and great mineral wealth, was the crown jewel of Spain's colonies. It was heavily taxed and ruled directly from Spain. The Spanish monarchs distributed land to settlers in the form of encomiendas (the predecessor to the hacienda).

These extensive plantations or estates where the centre of activity for the families, functioning similarly to a town square. Over the years the hacienda has change in size and style but the Spanish and southwestern flavour of the dramatic Mexican history still remains.

It is in this spirit of hospitality and camaraderie that the Hacienda Inn welcomes you as their guest.