Best Small Hotel in Merida Centro
Even though we have lived here for six years and have at least three places in Merida where we can hang a hammock, we occasionally have the need to recommend or put up a friend or family member at a hotel. Most of our friends don't like sleeping in hammocks, and the number of beds we have is limited.
So we find ourselves every few months in the position of having to recommend a place to stay for someone we care about. And of course, since we live here, they expect us to choose the best place for them, depending on their tastes. What we realize is there are a lot of charming small hotels that have sprung up over the last few years, just in the downtown area, and we haven't stayed in all of them... or many of them, for that matter!
So it's time to tap the collective wisdom on which is the best small hotel in Merida Centro.
The following are our first five nominations for Best Small Hotel in Merida Centro. To qualify, a hotel must have fifteen rooms or less and the nightly tarifa (rate) for at least some of the rooms must be under $100 USD. The hotel must be located within the confines of the Circuito Colonias in the Centro Historico of the city. That's about it. This isn't about price, though. It's about selecting from a distinctive style of hotel... we'll post Reader's Choice Polls for luxury, hostel and B&B hotels in the months ahead.
We think the things to keep in mind here are ambiance, service, location, and whether the bed is comfortable. Not to mention the all important consideration: If you book your best friend or mother-in-law a room at that hotel, will they be pleased and think you really know what you're talking about?
Here are our five nominations. As always, we hope that you will add your nominations (if you don't see your favorite on the initial list) by leaving a comment, and we will add the new name to the poll.
Nominations are open until September 15th and the voting will be open until midnight on December 31st, 2007. The winner of this and the other Reader's Choice Polls will be announced early in January 2008.
The initial nominees for Best Small Hotel in Merida Centro under $100 in alphabetical order are...
Casa Mexilio - The Grand Dame of small hotels here, Casa Mexilio has been in operation since before we came to Merida. Located in a multi-story colonial home, it is chock full of antiques and ambiance. We hear the rooftop bar is really lovely, but we've never been there. Casa Mexilio has --- unique rooms priced between $55 and $120 US.
Website: www.casamexilio.com
Casa Sacnicte - Located on Calle 62 just a short stroll south of the zocalo, Casa Sacnicte is one of the newest small hotels in Merida, but it is already enjoying favorable word-of-mouth. While it sometimes bills itself as a bed and breakfast, we think its eight rooms places it in the small hotel category. Room rates are priced between $40 and $65 US.
Website: www.casasacnicte.com
Luz En Yucatan - Located next to Santa Lucia Church in what is rumored to have once been a nunnery, Luz En Yucatan's room are each different, all with kitchenettes. There's a pool, a community dining room and kitchen and lots of nooks and crannies. One of the friendliest and quirkiest hotels in Merida... perhaps in the world. Luz en Yucatan has rooms priced between $30 and $85 US.
Website: www.luzenyucatan.com
Hotel Marionetas - We used to live across from this colonial jewel of a hotel and we watched them build it into the popular spot that it is today. All the rooms have beautiful tiled floors in a riot of Mexican color. Rooms also have modern amenities, they surround a pool and garden, and guests are treated to a different delicious breakfast every morning. Hotel Marionetas has 8 rooms priced between $80 and $100 US.
Website: www.hotelmarionetas.com
Hotel Mediomundo - The first place we ever stayed in Merida, and we aren't alone. The bright colors and lush garden continue to be a great initiation into the living experience of Merida for many people. Hotel Mediomundo has a gift shop, a pool and 12 rooms priced between $55 and $90 US.
Website: www.hotelmediomundo.com
Casa Álvarez Guest House - This is the first reader-nominated hotel (See Tito's comment, below). While it doesn't have a pool and they don't offer breakfast, this is a good choice if you want to experience authentic Merida Colonial ambiance and be only steps away from the zocalo. There are eight rooms, each with private bath and cable TV. Casa Álvarez Guest House is located at Calle 62 #448 between 53 and 51. The rooms cost between $30 and $35 US.
Website: www.casaalvarezguesthouse.com
Comments
David Coll 17 years ago
David, North Bergen, NJ
About a month ago my family (3) and I spent a week at Hotel Julamis (www.hoteljulamis.com) in Merida Centro and we couldn’t have made a better choice.
This is a small and intimate hotel, around 7 rooms with two levels of open spaces where guests can relax and enjoy delicious breakfasts and peaceful siestas.
Mel is a New York artist and a nice, always accommodating host.
We sincerely recommend this Small Great Hotel and the price, after doing some homework we thought it was unbeatable ($25 / night double room with breakfast included)
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Ultsch Ute 17 years ago
Casa Alvarez
A little correction: I wrote: The guests are very kind - but I mean the HOSTS.
which doesn't mean that the guests have not been very very nice!
Kleine Korrektur: Ich schrieb, die Gäste sind ausserordentlich nett, aber ich meine die GASTGEBER, was nicht bedeutet, dass die Mitbewohner nicht ausserordentlich nett waren. Bis heute haben wir zu einigen anderen Gästen noch Kontakt.
Ute & Klaus Ultsch
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Ultsch Ute 17 years ago
Casa Alvarez
It is easier for me to say some words about this wonderful little hotel it in german:
Durch Zufall fanden wir dieses Hotel nahe des Zocalos. Ursprünglich wollten wir nur 1 Nacht bleiben - am Ende waren es 4 Nächte! Der Grund lag nicht allein an Merida, sondern an den ausserordentlich netten Gästen.
Sollte ich jemals wieder nach Merida kommen, gibt es für mich nur dieses eine Hotel. Ich kann es jedem wärmstens empfehlen!
Ute & Klaus Ultsch
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John & Dorianne Venator 17 years ago
Our choice for one of the best B&Bs is Casa Esperanza. Located on the corner of Calle 54 #476 at Calle 55 & 57. Near Santa Lucia and Mejorada Parks, Plaza Grande, international restaurants, etc. Built by the Canton family in the 1890s. Present owners, Claudette and Sergio Terrazas, renovated this beautiful colonial home and gardens, and are extremely hospitable and knowledgeable about the sites in the Yucatan and can arrange tours. Gourmet breakfast is a feast for the eyes and stomach. Rates are under $100/night. It would be worth your checking out.
Regards,
John and Dorianne Venator
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fernando pardo: 17 years ago
¡¡¡¡felicidades!!!! a casa alvarez la atencion es exelente y servicios de primera.
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amyk 17 years ago
We loved our stay at the Marionetas hotel as well as the 10 other guests who stayed their for our wedding weekend. Marionetas is run by a wonderful couple who runs the small, charming hotel very well. The rooms are charming and have attention to detail that most other small hotels only try to achieve. They are colorful, clean and adorned with substantial antiques.
The meals and the pool were wonderful. We highly recommend this hotel to anyone traveling in Merida - even better, two locals with very discerning taste, choose the Marionetas as one of the few places that they recommend as well!
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Casandra De Campeche 17 years ago
Casa Alvarez
El mejor hotel pequeño donde he estado hospedada con mis padres y hermanos , es como estar en casa de nuestra propia familia , es muy limpio y muy acogedor , tambien tienen el servicio de renta de carros y tours , tienen una cocina donde nosotros cocinabamos nuestra comida y siempre encuentran en la cocina agua purificada , cafe , etc.
es muy bonito
Casandra Campos.
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Lamberson Family from USA 17 years ago
Looking to set yourselves or family up in an hotel that offers superb Yucatecan hospitality? Well, we have a secret we don't really want to share. However, for our hosts' sake we'll spill the beans... Having traveled throughout Mexico for four months with two kids under ten we can attest that CASA ALVAREZ is one of the BEST small HOTELs in ALL OF MEXICO, let alone Merida. We intended to stay in Merida for two nights and ended up staying for a month--with Enrique and Miriam. Our kids went to school with Miriam's daughter and we became family. What else could travelers ask for? Not much. We even returned six months later for another month in our now home away from home.
(Incidentally, the kitchen was always stocked for morning breakfast with eggs, fruit, bread, jam, margarine, milk, coffee, tea and even cereal. They are the type of hosts who under report but over deliver.)
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ADRIAN SARAZ 17 years ago
CASA ALVAREZ:
ES EL MEJOR LUGAR DONDE HE ESTADO HOSPEDADO , LOS DETALLES Y LIMPIEZA DE LOS CUARTOS ES LO QUE ME IMPRESIONO.
SE RESPIRA PAZ Y TRANQUILIDAD TODO EN CASA ALVAREZ ES MUY BONITO PORQUE ES 100% FAMILIAR.
UN ATRACTIVO MAS DE CASA ALVAREZ ES UNA GATITA LLAMADA "MISS KITTY".
EL QUE LLEGA AHI ES COMO ESTAR EN SU PROPIA CASA .
MI FAMILIA Y YO SE LOS RECOMENDAMOS.
ADRIAN SARAZ Y FAMILIA.
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lucy regalos jade 17 years ago
realmente casa alvarez me encanta es maravillosa su arquitectura el trato calido ycordial de su personal es como estar en casa lo amo
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Merry 17 years ago
casa alvarez es el mejor hotel en la cd que me ha impresionado por su contruccion colonial y la hospitalidad de sus anfitriones Miriam Y Enrique cuenta con sus habitaciones que te deja uff y con todas las comodidades que ellos nos proporcionan tour y renta car
les recomiendo ampliamente casa ALVAREZ
Merry
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