Haciendas in Yucatán to stay in on a journey back in time

Witnesses of the past, the haciendas of Yucatán are now lodgings for those seeking places with great stories.

Looking for hotels in Mérida? Wouldn’t you like to experience Yucatán’s past and stay in a hotel in the style of the old estate owners?

Haciendas were built by the wealthy classes across the country, in the areas where their products were grown or made.

There were agricultural, cattle, mining, tequila, sugar and even estates worked exclusively with henequen — yes, henequen, Yucatán’s so-called green gold.

Turned into lodgings, in recent decades the haciendas have become the best hotels near Mérida. They appeal to local and foreign tourists, offering great comfort and unique experiences.

Today, Yucatán’s haciendas make up an exclusive portfolio of hotels near Mérida, offering guests personalised services that combine guided tours of the old installations, beauty and wellness treatments and gourmet dining.

Yucatán’s haciendas through time

Most Yucatecan haciendas in the 19th century produced henequen rope, from a variety of agave cactus, which was exported to the booming naval industry.

Within these huge tracts of land, the main house was usually the largest building, where the estate owner lived.

The haciendas also had a machine area used to process the fibre; a chapel; a house for the foreman; and many other smaller buildings for storage or housing.

Each hacienda had a school, an infirmary, a shop, a church, a cemetery, a water system, a jail and a stable.

By the early 20th century, most haciendas fell on hard times. Henequen was no longer a business — synthetic fibre had arrived. The industry collapsed and these grand properties were abandoned.

Rescuing the past: the best hotels near Mérida are haciendas

Today, some Yucatán haciendas have been restored and turned into the best hotels near Mérida, with elegant rooms, impressive dining spaces, pools and magnificent gardens.

This kind of lodging is also much sought after for events, meetings, weddings and birthdays. They have majestic halls adapted for different uses.

Most visited haciendas near Mérida

Hacienda Chichén Resort

This 16th-century colonial icon sits a few metres from the famous archaeological site. Stately and set among lush gardens, it offers great comfort, an excellent location, a restaurant and a pool.

It also has a place for relaxation, YaxkinSpa, which offers holistic healing treatments inspired by the Maya worldview.

Rates start from 1,750 pesos per night plus taxes for a double room. It includes a welcome cocktail for adults and is pet-friendly. It is less than 2 hours from Mérida and has rentable spaces for a wedding on the hacienda grounds.

Hacienda Katanchel

With 40 carefully decorated suites, the 17th-century Hacienda Katanchel is surrounded by tropical jungle.

Hacienda Katanchel has an unmatched connection with nature, reflected in services such as an observatory for the region’s exotic birds with ornithology experts, and excursions to nature reserves and archaeological sites.

One of the most special excursions is to Hacienda Aké. Those keen to know Yucatán’s haciendas in depth can visit the henequen machinery in operation, just as it worked centuries ago. Some rooms have a private pool with fresh spring water.

Hacienda Katanchel is just 30 minutes from the sea and 25 minutes from the city of Mérida.

Hacienda Misné

Built in 1870, Hacienda Misné stands out for the beauty of its gardens and its building, which combines Spanish and French architecture — all of it taking the guest on a journey back in time, or into the dream of relaxation.

All its spaces are charming. Hacienda Misné has 42 rooms and 8 suites that keep the classic layout of a peninsular room. It offers a spa, a pool and a bar. Its restaurant Pitahaya is known for its high standard, and there is space for weddings and special events.

It is just 15 minutes from Mérida’s historic centre and is one of the most visited haciendas for being near the city.

Hacienda Xcanatún

Famous as lodging near Mérida. Xcanatún’s origins date to the 18th century and it takes you on a journey where time stands still, for a stay in total peace.

Turned into a boutique hotel, restaurant and spa, it offers 18 suites that recreate the glorious past of this imposing building. The rooms have a jacuzzi and coral stone for a closer, more luxurious contact with nature.

Note that the hotel may not be suitable for families with small children, since its main focus is guests’ calm — a note on its home page.

Its gourmet restaurant, extensive gardens and spa make this the best refuge for your stay in Yucatán. 15 minutes from the city.

Hacienda Santa Cruz

A well-known hacienda with lodging near Mérida. Hacienda Santa Cruz stands out for its arches and wide terraces. And not only that: it is included in the catalogue of the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), as a cultural sanctuary of Yucatán’s heritage.

Its closeness to Uxmal makes it an obligatory stop on the way to the site. Hacienda Santa Cruz has a restaurant and deluxe double rooms, junior suites and master suites.

The hotel is one hour from Mérida.

Hacienda Mucuyché, destination of Empress Carlota of Belgium

The Yucatán hacienda with perhaps the most endearing story — one that fills meridanos with pride — is Hacienda Mucuyché. Although not a hotel, it is a must on your travel list as a tourist in Mérida.

During her 1865 trip to Yucatán, Empress Carlota of Belgium visited the hacienda, which then had more than 5,000 hectares.

Her visit was so significant that for a long time Mucuyché was known as Hacienda Carlota.

The empress explored its semi-open cenote and bathed in its crystal-clear waters. The cenote now bears her name, and its depth is between 5 and 7 metres. To get there, you just go down some stone steps. The setting, surrounded by vegetation-covered walls, is admirable.

You may be interested in: Maya crafts: 10 towns in Yucatán born to create.

On the peninsula, history never ends, and there is no better place to learn about the state’s cultural, economic and social evolution than staying at a hotel in Mérida — and what better than in Yucatán’s old haciendas.