At Plaza Grande in the heart of Mérida
Some hotels are worth planning an entire journey around. In Mérida, I found one of them.
This Mérida travel guide began with a hotel I found almost impossible to leave. Fortunately, Yucatán’s elegant capital offered several good reasons to do so: gracious avenues, colonial buildings, Mexican design, quiet courtyards and a spa for muscles still protesting after freediving.
This is not a complete guide to Mérida. It is my personal edit of the places that made my weekend feel particularly stylish.
Stay at Mérida Santiago Hotel Boutique
Mérida Santiago Hotel Boutique was one of the loveliest affordable hotels I found in Mexico. With only seven rooms, it felt less like a hotel and more like a small private retreat.
Our suite had its own terrace and hammock, while the bright bathroom included a shower spacious enough even for a two-metre man. The rooms, the open restaurant beside the pool and the attentive service were all beautifully considered.
Breakfast was prepared à la carte by a chef who had trained in a Michelin-starred restaurant. When I asked for gluten-free waffles, they appeared. It was that kind of place: generous without being overbearing and polished without becoming formal.
The hotel still offers seven individually designed suites, including one with a private terrace and hammock. Its restaurant, pool, cooking classes and tastings remain excellent reasons to spend more time there than originally planned.
Walk through Mérida’s elegant centre
After breakfast, we took a taxi to the roundabout on Paseo de Montejo and walked beneath the trees towards Parque de Santa Lucía. Mérida is known as the White City, although what stayed with me was its combination of historic buildings, grand villas, colonial atmosphere and street life.
From Parque de Santa Lucía, we continued towards Plaza Grande. There were small shops along the way, alongside rather more tourist souvenirs than anyone could possibly need. The pleasure was in taking our time and looking for the places that felt different.
Discover Mexican design at Kukul Boutik
Kukul Boutik was exactly that kind of place. I found clothing, jewellery, bags and accessories, much of it handmade in Mexico and unlike the things available everywhere else.
The advice was warm but never intrusive, making it equally comfortable to shop or simply look around. The boutique continues to work with Mexican designers and artisans, producing traditional craft in small quantities and limited editions. Its current collections include hand-embroidered dresses, bags, shoes, hats and pieces for the home.
A hidden courtyard devoted to art
One of my favourite discoveries was the Fundación de Artistas. Gentle piano music led us into an old colonial building and through to an almost enchanted courtyard, where tree roots appeared to have taken possession of the walls and an old children’s carousel made the place feel slightly unreal.
The non-profit foundation supported art in Yucatán, with exhibitions and rooms filled with furniture, clothes and decorative objects. I sat in the café with a hibiscus lemonade and wished I had brought a book.
I have not been able to confirm current opening information, and the former website is no longer available. I am keeping it here as part of my own experience rather than as a dependable present-day recommendation.
Make time for Boho Spa
After all that walking – and the freediving that had preceded our stay – Boho Spa Centro was exactly what I needed. It was stylish, exceptionally clean and wonderfully calming. The treatment rooms had their own bathrooms, and the menu included massages, facials and body treatments.
Boho Spa still operates several locations in Mérida, including two in the historic centre. Booking ahead is sensible, although I was lucky enough to secure an appointment at short notice.
Return to the hotel for the evening
Back at Mérida Santiago, the evening began with a complimentary drink and small bites beside the pool. A mezcal tasting could follow, although by then there was little reason to go anywhere else. Dinner at the hotel was excellent, and the setting was difficult to improve upon.
Mérida gave me colonial elegance, contemporary Mexican craft and one of those rare hotels that becomes part of the journey rather than simply a place to sleep.
I visited Mérida independently. All experiences and opinions are entirely my own. I have checked the places and links before publication, but opening hours and services can change. Please confirm them directly before travelling.
If you enjoy Latin American cities where colonial architecture meets contemporary art, individual hotels and very good food, discover why Casco Viejo became the point of my Panama City trip.
