El Mesón del Marqués occupies an old colonial house on the main plaza of Valladolid, on Calle 39, and has welcomed guests for more than fifty years. The building dates from the seventeenth century and is arranged around courtyards, with an outdoor pool and jacuzzi, a bar and two restaurants. The plaza, the convent route along the Calzada de los Frailes and the evening life of the town are all on foot, so it is an easy base for a night or two. Valladolid is about forty-five kilometres from the ruins, which means an early start is entirely possible.
The location is the main advantage. You step out of the door into the plaza, with its church, cafés and evening crowds, and the best restaurants and shops of the old town are within a few minutes' walk. The convent of San Bernardino de Siena and the Calzada de los Frailes are a pleasant walk away, and the nearby cenotes, including those in town, are a short taxi ride.
The hotel has indoor parking, which is useful if you have a rental car and are visiting several sights, and it lies on the road to Chichén Itzá, so an opening-time start is easy.
Rooms are arranged around courtyards in the colonial style, with traditional décor, and the hotel is on the larger side, with well over eighty rooms according to its website. That scale means a choice of room types, so it is worth requesting a quiet courtyard room if you are a light sleeper, since a plaza-side location can be lively in the evening.
The outdoor pool and jacuzzi are welcome after a hot day, and the two restaurants let you eat on site if you prefer, with a focus on Yucatecan dishes. The hotel's own website does not describe breakfast, so check your rate and the dining hours before you arrive.
What to know
It is a colonial building with colonial quirks, so expect character rather than minimalist design, and some rooms are quieter than others. It is a mid-range choice that offers a great deal for the price, especially if you want to walk to dinner and do not want to drive after dark. Plan to see the plaza at night, the convent in the afternoon light and the ruins first thing the next morning. For travellers who want an overnight in Valladolid with the least fuss, this is the classic choice.
Why stay here
- ✓On the main plaza
- ✓Seventeenth-century colonial mansion
- ✓Outdoor pool and jacuzzi
- ✓Two restaurants and a bar
- ✓Indoor parking
- ✓Courtyard rooms
- ✓Walk to the convent and the Calzada
- ✓Short drive to the cenotes
Good questions
Where is El Mesón del Marqués?+
It is on Calle 39 right by the main plaza of Valladolid, in a seventeenth-century colonial house. The plaza and its restaurants are on the doorstep.
Is there parking?+
Yes, the hotel lists indoor parking, which is handy if you have a rental car. Check availability and any fee when you book.
How far is it from Chichén Itzá?+
Valladolid is about forty-five kilometres from the ruins, a drive of under an hour. That makes an opening-time start easy.
