Hacienda Santa Rosa

Luxurious and beautifully presented 18th-century hacienda outside Mérida, with a stylish modern finish

The delightful Hacienda Santa Rosa is located in the heart of the Maya archaeological zone, 70km south west of Mérida. Dating back to the 18th century, it was formerly a grand nobleman’s estate. More recently, it’s been beautifully restored and embellished with modern touches to combine the best of 5-star hotel luxury with the timeless grace of a historic hacienda. Much of the original structure has been retained: the arched veranda, high-beamed ceilings, enormous wooden doors and cool floor tiles. Antique furnishings and walls coated in hues of deep red, sky blue and ochre add to the hotel's character.

Hacienda Santa Rosa is also blessed with a friendly management who create a relaxed atmosphere in spite of the grandeur. There are just 11 guest rooms, all different, making it feel more like a private home than a hotel. This would be an excellent choice for anyone wanting to stay in laid-back yet sophisticated surroundings while having easy access to some of the Yucatán’s most impressive sites.

Highs

• You'll find tranquillity, comfort and privacy
• The hotel is surrounded by charming landscaped gardens, complete with strutting peacocks
• It's a stylish and serene base for sightseeing excursions
• Three of the suites have a private plunge pool
• The hacienda is part of the Starwood group; the service is top-notch but the atmosphere remains endearingly quirky

Lows

• Some may find the location too isolated: there are no towns nearby and most excursions require at least a 30-minute drive
• It's only accessible by car or taxi
• The pool looks great but it can be very cold
• Meals and drinks are expensive, and the menu is limited
• During our visit, we found some of the rooms to be slightly musty
• Like other luxury hacienda hotels, it has a high price tag