Merida is one of our favorite colonial cities; it has a rich cultural heritage, a lively fiesta spirit, and is close to some of the best sightseeing in the world.

But with the city chaos and heat, it can sometimes feel like hard work to explore the historic center of town.

The ideal solution is to have a luxurious refuge close to the heart of the city; an indulgent property with a large swimming pool, shady gardens with sun loungers, and atmospheric guest rooms. The Villa@Merida has all of this and more and makes a perfect base from which to explore this captivating city.

With only seven rooms, the Villa is also one of the most intimate and romantic properties in Merida. Each guest room is furnished with luxurious linens and in the style of the henequen haciendas. Many rooms boast soaring ceilings and the original tiled floors of the century old mansion.

The Villa also has a special arrangement with an excellent local guide; a Mayan man who not only has an in depth knowledge of the nearby archaeological sites but can also take interested guests into the traditional villages for an insight into the Mayan lifestyle over the ages.

There are also many impressive natural attractions in the area, from vast caverns to flamingo nesting grounds and underground rivers and lagoons of crystal clear water. It's possible to spend a week or more here and still only see the highlights.

We'd recommend allowing several days for guided excursions to the surrounding areas, but also some time to explore the city on foot - the hotel is only ten blocks from the cathedral and taxis are plentiful.

However long or short your stay, we highly recommend this charming and unusual property as a great base to visit Merida and this fascinating region.