Casa Lecanda Boutique Hotel

This charming boutique hotel retains many historic original features and has the cozy feel of a home accompanied by modern comforts and a tranquil atmosphere. The property has lovely gardens full of lush greenery -- the grounds are dotted with palm trees, tropical plants, climbing vines, and patios furnished with comfortable seating. Original details throughout, like gorgeous decorative tiles and beautiful restored doors and windows, lend historic charm to the interiors. A black-and-white checkerboard floor complemented by deep red walls and wooden furnishings and ceiling beams provide a striking backdrop for the lobby. A white, round ottoman gives seating at the center of the space, while an arresting oil painting adorns one of the walls. Potted plants throughout deliver a refreshing burst of green. The adjoining open-air lounge area holds more seating, with several elegant armchairs and a wood-framed sofa clustered around a coffee table. The bolder color choices are exchanged here for soft shades, with cream-colored walls and textiles that are a nice setting for lovely clay tile floors. The space overlooks a beautiful garden with a water feature skirted in lush plants and vines romantically covering the walls. There are several charming patio spaces such as this one, furnished with elegant and comfortable seating and even hammocks, all offering an idyllic, serene respite.

The hotel is located in the historical center of Merida, the capital city of the state of Yucatan. It’s conveniently situated two blocks from the Paseo Montejo, the city’s prestigious main avenue full of shops, restaurants, bars, and mansions that’s modeled after the Champs Elysees. The property is within walking distance of several sights, including the Merida Cathedral (15-minute walk), the Popular Art Museum (11-minute walk), and the MACAY Museum, also known as the Ateneo Museum of Modern Art of Yucatan (about 15 minutes away). The hotel is under a ten-minute walk from the train station. Merida International Airport is about a 25-minute drive.

The hotel’s seven rooms vary in size and layout, but all are elegantly appointed and feature clay tile floors and custom crafted wooden furnishings. Patio Rooms open on to the gardens or pool, while Balcony Rooms offer lovely, furnished wooden decks; both types feature yellow-hued walls that complement the wooden furniture, doors, and window frames. The Garden Suites offer seating areas and are tastefully adorned with soft, creamy hues paired with wooden furnishings and colorful oil paintings on the walls. All rooms have flat-screen TVs, minibars, iPod docks, air-conditioning, electronic safes, and free Wi-Fi. The lovely bathrooms feature beautiful, decorative tiling, walk-in rainfall showers illuminated by sky lights, organic bath products, and fluffy bathrobes and slippers, while Garden Suites add stone bathtubs. Guests should note that there have been some complaints about outdoor noise from the common patios in some rooms.

The hotel has lovely grounds that include beautiful gardens dotted with greenery and palm trees, with several patios offering charming seating areas as well as an outdoor pool. There's no full restaurant, but the hotel’s Wine and Tequila Bar is an elegant space made up of a bar lounge and a lovely poolside patio. A selection of Mexican and international wines are served as well as a variety of Mexican tequilas accompanied by snacks and cheese plates. A daily continental breakfast is included in the room rates, as is a welcome cocktail. The hotel works with a local tour operator to offer a variety of tours and activities including Merida city tours, cooking classes, and golfing. Airport transfers are available for an additional fee and parking and Wi-Fi throughout the hotel are free, plus a computer is available for guests’ use.