Hacienda Xcanatun is the hotel for travellers who want to sleep in one of the Yucatán's restored haciendas without going far from the city. It sits in the village of Xcanatún, a short drive north of Mérida, in a setting of gardens and shade trees, and its main house dates to the era when the region's haciendas were at their height. The property has been renovated into a small luxury hotel, with suites arranged around the grounds, a swimming pool, a spa and a restaurant that is popular with locals as well as guests. The atmosphere is calm and unhurried, and the hotel appeals to couples, honeymooners and anyone who wants a retreat after days of sightseeing. It is a different experience from staying in the historic centre, because evenings are spent in the gardens or at dinner on the property rather than in the plazas, but the trade-off is quiet and space. The city is easy to reach by taxi, and the hotel's location north of town is convenient for drivers heading to Izamal, Chichén Itzá or the coast, since it avoids the traffic in the centre.
Location and getting around
Xcanatún is roughly a fifteen to twenty minute drive north of the historic centre, depending on traffic, so you will use taxis or a hire car to reach the Plaza Grande, Paseo de Montejo and the restaurants of Mérida. The hotel can usually arrange transfers, and tour operators will collect guests for day trips, though it is worth confirming the arrangements when you book. If you are driving, the position on the northern edge of the city makes it a good launching point for Izamal and the coast, and parking is straightforward.
Rooms and facilities
The accommodation consists of suites with a generous sense of space, set in or around the main house and the gardens, with high ceilings, traditional touches and modern comforts. The pool is set among the gardens, and the spa is a good place to recover after a day in the heat. The restaurant serves regional and international dishes in an atmospheric setting, and is a pleasant place for a long dinner. Services and facilities vary with the season and the rate, so check what is included, particularly breakfast and transfers.
Who it suits
Couples, honeymooners and travellers who want a quiet, atmospheric base and are happy to travel into the city for sightseeing. It is less suitable if you want to walk out of the door into the city's plazas and markets, or if you are on a tight budget, so those travellers may prefer a hotel in the centre.
A good plan is to split your stay, spending a night or two in the centre for the plazas and the food scene and then moving to the hacienda for a quieter finish. Dinner in the gardens on a warm evening is part of the appeal.
Why stay here
- ✓Restored hacienda main house
- ✓Landscaped gardens
- ✓Outdoor swimming pool
- ✓Spa
- ✓On-site restaurant
- ✓Spacious suites
- ✓Quiet village setting
- ✓Short drive to Mérida centre
Good questions
Where is Hacienda Xcanatun?+
In the village of Xcanatún, a short drive north of Mérida, roughly fifteen to twenty minutes from the historic centre depending on traffic.
Is it walkable to the city centre?+
No. You will need a taxi or a hire car to reach the Plaza Grande and Paseo de Montejo, so it suits travellers who want a quiet retreat rather than a city base.
Does the hotel have a pool, spa and restaurant?+
Yes, the property has a swimming pool in the gardens, a spa and a restaurant, though services can vary by season, so check when you book.
