We just returned last week from our independent trip to the Copper Canyon. I had placed my room reservations with them directly through their website (I worked w/ Yanira Espinoza who was very helpful and nice). In order to make independent room reservations with them, you will need to do a wire transfer. Luckily they have bank accounts set up in the U.S. so the fee to do this is lower than it would be if you had to send it to Mexico. We got a room rate of $248/night since we only stayed one night and didn't use any of their other hotel locations (if you stay multiple nights or use their other locations, you get a discounted rate). The rate included breakfast, lunch, dinner and transfers. Since we were coming from Creel via the local bus, we told them ahead of time that we would just call them when we arrived at Divisadero which is exactly what they did and they were there within 15 min. I was really quite sick the day we checked in and the hotel was super nice at sending my lunch food to my room so I could eat in peace. The room was very clean w/ an awesome view of the canyon (we were on the top level which was incredible). The bathroom was clean and had plenty of hot water. My husband (who is Mexican) and I both found the food to be nice....however, if you are looking for Tex-Mex food you won't find it here. Everything we had was more traditional dishes that if you actually try with an open mind are actually quite good. All the staff was very nice and we never felt out of place being an independent traveler....I actually think we got better attention that way. All in all, I would highly recommend this location and I plan on returning when I take my parents on the same trip.

We stayed in this hotel for two nights the first week in September, 2008, as part of a trip on the Sierra Madre Express. Our room was on the third level so we had no one above us and an uninterrupted view from our balcony of the stunning canyon and its mists, stars, and the fires of the Raramuri at night. The temperatures were moderate during the day and night, so we did not have the problems with being cold or being hot in our room which others have mentioned. The beds were comfortable, and the bathroom, closet, and shower were clean and spacious. We were with a group, so perhaps we were catered to more than independent travelers, but I think the hotel and dining room staff are genuinely nice people who would treat everyone well. However, I do agree that the one manager woman at the front desk is hateful. We would love to go back and stay in this hotel and do more touring in the area if it were not so hard to get to where it is located.

Very interesting reading other people's reviews. Seems that the only constant is the inconsistency!

Three of us spent 3 nights at the Mirador (we specifically requested this hotel) as independent travellers. Thankful that they had our reservation even though they didn't have a record of our excursion voucher. We purchased it again. We were greeted warmly at the front desk (although the welcoming margaritas/ice tea for the "tour groups" ran out by the time we were able to partake). Even at mid-afternoon, we were served lunch (our arrival was over an hour late due to the train!) and given the key to our room. I know everyone got the same amazing breath-taking view and it was awesome. The additional pluses were: plenty of hot water in the bathroom, warm bathroom floor tiles, and a switch that turned on extra heat. Nice since it gets pretty darn cold. There was an electric heater in one corner of the room and a kiva (?) fireplace in the other. There was ample drinking water (coolers outside the rooms that we could use to fill up our water bottles). The heater still generated heat when we unplugged it (couldn't find the control panel) and to combat the heat, we cracked open the patio doors a wee bit. Nedel, the hotel guide and the restaurant wait staff were all very friendly and helpful. Nedel gave us suggestions on what we could do on our own and what tours we could take. The only "unfriendly" staff was the lady manager at the front desk and the lady in the shop. They weren't unfriendly, but compared to the others, they were aloof. It was kind of funny to be in the hotel as an independent traveller when 90% of the people are in tour groups but everyone's more than happy to say hello and share their travel experiences.

Meals were good but the same. Breakfast buffet (good for all three mornings since we could grab whatever we wanted) but fish for lunch (different sauces), Mexican plate (chicken or beef) for dinner. Tells me that people really just stay for a night. Because we were on the independent pkg (I'm sure the pkg tours catered to their clients) the tours that we joined were in Spanish and English. Brush up on your Spanish (we speak no Spanish beyond Hola). It will seriously enrich your time here (it's not like Cabo or Puerto Vallarta) and maybe I could have asked for enchiladas for dinner and not fretted so much about when the hotel transport was leaving for the train station! This is a small "town". No pharmacy - bring whatever you think you may need.

We stayed 2 nights here with a tour group. The view is spectacular. However there very little heat in the rooms requiring us to sleep in "sweats". It's cold at night at this elevation. Bottled water is the rule and the food is served on cold plates resulting in cold food.