The Villa at Merida

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A stunningly-restored 19th-century nobleman’s house in the middle of town with succulent gardens and colonial-style bedrooms that pamper you all the way

History simmers in the pot in Merida. This is the old Mayan city of T’ho, taken in 1542 by Francisco de Montejo for the greater glory of Spain. Thereafter, three hundred years flowed under the bridge until a boom in sisal made the town wealthy in the 1870s. Fine Spanish colonial mansions sprang up all over town in neoclassical and Moorish styles, but in the 1920s, boom turned to bust and the mansions began fell into a state of neglect.

The Villa is a sublime restoration. Original ironwork and floor tiles survive, arched verandas have been brought back to life, fountains sing in the lush gardens. Tables and chairs are sprinkled all over the place, giving peace and privacy. There’s a pool surrounded by tall palms, yet, incredibly, you’re in the middle of the Yucatan's capital city. Expect high beamed ceilings, big, old wooden doors, bold reds and ochres and a fabulous inner courtyard. And with just seven guest rooms this urban hacienda never feels crowded.