Hotel Hacienda Merida

Housed in a beautiful, historic colonial building that dates back to 1840, this charming boutique hotel is centered around a lovely outdoor courtyard filled with lush, potted palms, a verdant lawn, azure pool, and stone walls romantically covered in creeping ivy. Providing a serene retreat from Merida's busy streets, the hotel’s atmospheric and stylish interiors feature colorful walls painted in warm tones like peaches and yellows as well as high ceilings and rustic details that include exposed ceiling beams and old wooden doors. Guests are greeted in a small reception area, the floor of which is covered in beautiful decorative tiles that complement salmon-colored walls. Farther inside, the lobby’s dusty red and orange shades pair well with vibrant abstract art on the walls and square-shaped armchairs, while huge arch-shaped doors with wrought-iron details overlook the enchanting courtyard outside. The same square armchairs line the cloister running along the courtyard’s edge, where guests can enjoy drinks from the elegant lobby bar. The enchanting courtyard is a highlight here and provides an oasis-like atmosphere in a bustling city. Guests tend to be couples, who value the tranquility and quiet.

The hotel is conveniently situated within walking distance of some of the top sights, including Merida Cathedral and Zocalo Square, both about nine minutes away on foot. Zocalo is Merida’s main square and flanked by several sites, including the Montejo House Museum, the MACAY Museum, City Hall, and the State Capital Building. There are many shops, restaurants, and bars in the surrounding area, and the Paseo Montejo, the city’s main avenue, is an eight-minute walk from the property. This prestigious avenue was modeled after the Champs Elysees and is lined with shopping and dining options, as well as mansions and museums. Several ancient Mayan ruins can be reached in about an hour’s drive, such as Uxmal, while Mayapan and Chichen Itza are about an hour and a half away. The Merida International Airport is about a 20-minute drive.

The homey, colonial-style rooms feature colorful walls painted in warm yellow and peach shades as well as lovely king-size canopied beds topped with plush Egyptian cotton sheets and bright, colorful bedspreads. Abstract art in complementary color palettes adorns the walls and the spaces are furnished with dark-wood furniture. Executive Rooms offer more space and have larger bathrooms with double sinks compared to the smaller Standard Rooms. All rooms have flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning (though some of these units can be noisy), alarm clocks, telephones, electronic safes, free Wi-Fi, and lovely bathrooms with large walk-in rainfall showers -- though amenities like coffee/tea facilities and minibars or mini-fridges are lacking. Some have doors that open onto balconies or the inner courtyard, flanked by armchairs and hammocks. 

The hotel has a lovely outdoor pool with non-chlorinated water located in its courtyard, with a couple of padded loungers and comfortable, shaded seating lining the surrounding sundeck. The cloister running along the courtyard’s edge is also lined with armchairs, where guests can enjoy a drink from the lobby bar. There’s no full restaurant, but breakfast is available for an added charge and served in the courtyard. The adjoining Hotel Hacienda VIP offers a restaurant serving lunch and dinner, as well as a bar. An on-site spa specializes in massage treatments. Wi-Fi is free throughout.