Rooms

There are 20 rooms at Hacienda Mérida - a mix of Standard and Executive Rooms in the main hotel, with 3 further rooms and a pair of Suites in the VIP block next door.

We stayed in Executive Room 1, which opens out onto the pool with its own terrace and hammocks. It's at ground level so there's slightly less privacy, but it's ideal for a quick dip! Some more Executive Rooms and the Standard Rooms are built around a separate shaded courtyard that houses the massage pavilion. They may not have the views of the more central rooms, like ours, but they're much quieter.

Décor wise, there is a consistent theme among all rooms in the main hotel of contemporary white furniture and a cool grey scheme that coordinates the walls with the linens. The Executive Rooms are generous in size, with kingsize or twin queensize four-poster beds clad in Egyptian cotton. Dark-wood floorboards match the heavy set doorways, and the spaces are smartly kitted out with wrought-iron chairs, tables and lamps. The large bathrooms are rendered in polished stone with a double sink, a vanity area and a large mirror. To one side is a sizeable walk-in shower with a sisal scrub sponge. The hotel makes its own range of 100% natural toiletries, which are placed in square white dishes around the bathroom - the creamy oatmeal and honey soap smells divine.

The standard rooms share the same décor but are smaller, and their bathrooms only have 1 sink. One standard room has a queensize rather than a kingsize bed.

The rooms in the VIP block are similar but have a more colonial flair than the others. The furniture is in a natural wood finish rather than the crisp white of the main hotel but follows the same design, and they have cool stone floors. Within this building are 3 large deluxe rooms and 2 very spacious suites which come with their own terrace. Outside is a separate pool area, colonnaded terrace, massage pavilion and bar only open for guests staying in these rooms; the slightly higher prices for this block reflect the additional privacy offered by the fact that fewer people share these facilities.

Excellent abstract paintings created by Phillipe Duneton (Alexandre's father) adorn the walls in all rooms. His style is distinctive and modern, with golds and deep reds daubed on white canvas.

Features include:

• Bathrobes
• Fan
• Safe box
• WiFi

Eating

Breakfast (an extra cost, but good value at around GBP4) is served in the pretty courtyards from 7-11am. There's a choice of 3 menus (continental, American - think streaky bacon and spicy potato wedges - and Mexican), all very moderately priced. The Mexican breakfast consists of spicy scrambled eggs and refried beans garnished with nachos - perfect for an authentic start to the day. Freshly squeezed orange juice is on the side, and extras include granola, yoghurt, chocolate muffins and croissants.

Finding good food in Mérida is a cinch, though, and there's a useful booklet in each bedroom detailing local eateries by cuisine. We particularly liked Amaro (Calle 59, no. 507), which has live music and features some unusual Mexican vegetarian options like soya bean enchiladas. On our last visit, we couldn't get enough of La Negrita - a busy local cantina with an electric atmosphere, great bar food and live Cuban music every night.

Bakeries are great for lunch, offering huge selections of fresh bread, biscuits and muffins, plus savoury patitis con queso (baked cheese slice). Los Bisquets Bisquets Obregon on the north west corner of the Plaza Mayor sells delightful treats and has a café attached. Also on Plaza Mayor is the irresistible Helados Janitzio, which sells ice creams and popsicles with flavours like grape, cinnamon and tamarind. It offers desserts such as flan and arroz de leche, too - delicious.

The 2 bars at the hotel (one in the main building, another in the VIP block) are open from 3pm onwards, and both are well stocked. The barmen serve up cocktails (try the zingy margaritas), which can be taken by the pool and come served with a side of bruschetta or salted nuts. Drinks can be delivered to your room at any time.

Features include:

• Bar
• Breakfast
• Restaurants nearby
• Room service

Activities

• Relax in the breezy courtyards, either on a lounger or a padded chair, or take a dip in the lovely pools (the water is from a cenote, so is non-chlorinated)
  
  
• Hire a car and visit Chichen Itza's ruins (a 1.5-hour drive away) to marvel at the Mayans' architectural ability. Arrive before 10am to have the structures to yourself
  
  
• Have a coffee in Plaza Hidalgo at one of the outdoor cafés spread around the beautiful church, Iglesia de Jesus
  
  
• Hang out in Plaza Mayor. Admire the stunning exterior of the Cathedral of San Idelfonso; inside, visit the famous statue of Cristo de las Amphillas. On the south side, examine the façade of the oldest house in Mérida, the Casa de Montejo, built in 1549 (avoid the interior which houses a bank)
  
  
• With its increased tourist popularity, there’s been a number of excellent museums opening in recent years – most of them free. Museo Casa Montejo is located on the main plaza and Museo de Art poular de Yucatan showcases some excellent local work.
  
  
• Shop for souvenirs and handicrafts. We recommend the Mercado Maya ‘Tita’ between Calle 62 and Calle 59. The unassuming shop front opens up to a huge emporium for Mexican ponchos, ceramics and Mayan crafts. Although you might pay a few extra dollars, it's worth it for the informative service and no-hassle sell. This is the place to come for genuine panama hats and hammocks made from the sisal plant (apparently a natural mosquito repellent)
  
  
• Take a stroll at night, when the plazas come alive with vibrant music. We loved the wistful trio of older Mexican gentlemen strumming flamenco on guitars in Plaza Mayor
  
  
• Have a relaxing massage in the hotel's little pavilions (one in the main hotel, one in the VIP block). Treatments include the unusual 'Mayan Ceremony': a ritualistic massage to promote fertility in women (one for honeymooners, perhaps?)

  Activities on site or nearby include:

  • Historical sites
  • Museums / galleries
  • Nightlife
  • Shopping / markets

Kids

Children of all ages are welcome. The hotel can provide an extra bed in the Executive Rooms and all rooms in the VIP block for no added charge for children aged 0-12, although no baby cots are available. Babysitting is available on request. Please note under 12s should not swim unaccompanied in the pools.

Best for:

Toddlers (1-4 years), Children (4-12 years)

Family friendly accommodation:

Extra Beds Available

Distances:

• Airport: 5 minutes

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Hotel Hacienda Mérida is set in the city of Mérida, on the Yucatán peninsula of Mexico.

By Air
Mérida Rejón (just 5km away) is the closest airport. Click on the links below for a list of airlines serving this airport.

From the Airport
The hotel can arrange a transfer, but it's 4x the price of a taxi. Much better to just hop in a taxi for the 5-minute journey to the hotel.

By Car
If you want to explore while you're here, you may want to hire a car. If so, see our car rental recommendations. There's free parking a 2-minute walk from the hotel.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.

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