Hacienda Chichen

Spend the night amongst Chichen Itza's Mayan temples, in this beautiful 500-year-old colonial hacienda

Just steps away from Chichen Itza's Mayan temples sits this stunning 16th-century hacienda. Ancient temple stones were used to build its base over 500 years ago, and the rooms are filled with sculptures and artwork that evoke the atmosphere of the ruins. If you want to see Chichen Itza by day, by night and best of all, in the early morning, there's simply no better place to stay.

Set amidst eco-friendly tropical gardens, the hacienda is as peaceful now as in its heyday - sit in a rocking chair on your porch and all you'll hear is birdsong. The buildings are typically Mexican: bright yellow walls, open archways and uneven stone paths. And as you'd expect, colour is everywhere - in the terracotta pots, glorious pink bougainvillea and vast jungle of leafy plants. Shaded pathways lead to the 28 rooms and suites that sprawl amongst the grounds. Beautifully furnished and relaxing, they'll make you want to stay far longer than you intended. And when you discover the sumptuous spa, we bet you'll change your flight...

Highs

• The hacienda's proximity to the Chichen Itza ruins (it's a 2-minute walk from the south-east entrance) means you can beat the tour buses
• Owners Belisa and Bruce have fully refurbished the old family mansion to create a luxurious haven for guests and wildlife
• The eco-friendly grounds are stunning: 300 acres filled with exotic insects, birds and plants
• There are guided bicycle rides and bird-watching tours around the grounds...
• ... and an Olympic-size swimming pool to cool off in afterwards
• The spa offers traditional Mayan treatments

Lows

• There are no TVs or phones in the rooms, and the remote location means you may struggle to get a mobile signal
• It's difficult to access Mérida without a car, and there's no airport transfer service
• Although children are welcome, it's the serenity of this place that's so attractive and you might feel self-conscious if you bring lively toddlers
• The restaurant's prices are rather high - but so's the quality of the food