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Which is the Best Bed and Breakfast in Merida?
- Angeles de Merida (18%)
- Casa Esperanza (31%)
- Casa Santana (6%)
- Casa Santiago (11%)
- Cascadas de Merida (23%)
- Las Arecas (6%)
- Los Arcos de Merida (5%)
Loading ...This week, Working Gringa’s father and stepmother are coming to town. They are staying the month in Akumal (escaping the impending Colorado winter for awhile) and coming to Merida for a brief sojourn, to meet the dogs and tour around the not-quite-finished house. Since our rental home doesn’t have a comfortable place for them to stay, we were faced with the decision of where to put them up for the night.
We imagine this is not unusual for other people who live here, who often have guests that need to stay somewhere other than their home. So in service to those of us who want to give our visitors the best experience when they are visiting, here are our initial nominations for Best B&B in Merida.
They are probably (but not necessarily!) priced lower than the small hotels of our previous poll. They also probably afford the visitor a more intimate experience of Merida, since most B&B’s are indeed an extension of people’s homes. We realize the category has been stretched like a piece of semantic taffy in the last few years, so we are going to create our own set of rules for the purpose of this poll. Each of the B&B’s nominated by us or anyone else should have five rooms or less, should have the owner or owners living onsite and should serve breakfast as part of the cost of the room.
Here are our initial five nominations. Anyone can add a nominee over the next two weeks (before November 31) by suggesting another B&B in the comment section. The voting will continue until December 31, 2007 at which point we will turn off the poll (and all the others) and in January, we will award the winners.
Oh, and just so we can avoid having to explain this multiple times, our next poll is going to be Best Budget Hotel in Merida and will be the best category for places where the owner DOESNT live or which DONT serve breakfast.
Yucatan Living’s Readers Choice Polls Best B&B in Merida nominees are:
Angeles de Merida – Created by John Truax and his partner, Angeles de Merida has new expat owners who have moved in and are carrying on the Angeles de Merida tradition. The rooms are set in a multi-storied old home, beautifully renovated with the rooms all loosely centered around a courtyard with a swimming pool. The location, just down the street from Parque Santiago, is ideal for a combination of quiet getaway and tourist convenience.
Website: www.angelesdemerida.com
Casa Santana – One of the most uniquely and personally decorated and renovated homes in Merida that we have ever seen, Casa Santana is the brainchild of Debbie LaChapelle, who lives half the year in Merida and half the year in Maine. The house is filled with folk art and antiques from Mexico and other lands of apparent enchantment. The garden is surrounded by old stone walls and features a swimming pool set among the trees. It feels miles away from downtown Merida, which it isn’t.
Website: www.casasantana.com
Cascadas de Merida – Run by Ellyne (from New York) and Chucho (from Merida), this unique B&B has four modern rooms that all open to a sparkling swimming pool in the center of the property. Thanks to Chucho’s ingenious construction abilities, each room boasts a glass-enclosed shower that looks out onto a waterfall. Water features are everywhere! Thanks to Ellyne, guests enjoy a delicious breakfast and lots of sound advice on what to do and what to see in Merida.
Website: www.cascadasdemerida.com
Las Arecas – Another colonial turned into a B&B, but run by a Merida local. Mauro Ruiz spruced up his family home and runs it as a modest bed and breakfast. Five rooms in the back of the house share a living and dining room and a central outdoor patio. Each room is charming and simple, with a few whimsical touches like stone sculptures or sixties-era lamps. Some rooms have kitchenettes, one has a private garden, another has a rooftop view. The location couldn’t be better, close to everything.
Website: www.lasarecas.com
Los Arcos de Merida – Only two guest rooms in this popular B&B. The main house and the garden are chock full of books, art, plants, furniture… enough to keep any guest busy who isn’t already swimming in the large pool, enjoying a delicious breakfast by that pool or going just down the street to the center of Merida for entertainment. Rooms are tucked away in the back of the garden, away from the main house, in their own little world.
Website: www.losarcosmerida.com
Casa Esperanza – Casa Esperanza is located in a colonial home originally built in the 1890’s. Claudette and Sergio have turned this lovely building into an even lovelier and very comfortable home away from home. The rooms are painted in a bouquet of pastel colors, all within easy access of a lovely pool. Casa Esperanza is just a few blocks from the Plaza Grande, Parque Mejorada and the city’s main market. Gourmet breakfast served daily.
Website: www.casaesperanza.com
Casa Santiago – A reader-nominated bed & breakfast, Casa Santiago is a 3-room establishment that has recently come under new management. The owners, Vince and Frank, share their home with guests and a “quiet and friendly” Boston Terrier named Felix. There is a pool in the back, breakfast served each morning and wine and cheese in the afternoons. Casa Santiago is close to the park of the same name, and just a few blocks west of the Plaza Grande.
Website: www.mexicanbedandbreakfast.com
(Please rate this article)
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My husband and I have been staying at Casa Esperanza owed and ran by Claudette and Sergio Terrazas for the last couple of years when we visit Merida.
We love the whole package ! Claudette and Sergio are warm,friendly professional inn keepers that are there when you have questions or needs including great conversation and yet also you alway feel your privacy is respected .The breakfast are wonderfully prepared and presented and will take you through the day.The grounds are beautiful ,perfect pool large enough to swim laps or lay in a water hammock.The three rooms are private,spacious and well appointed.A true oasis in the city!
This is by far our favorite Bed and Breakfast anywhere and after our first visit I could not wait to return! Website is http://www.casaesperanza.com
Casa Santiago is a great bed and breakfast to stay at. It has been in business for 1 1/2 years, and anyone looking for a reasonable and friendly experience should consider it. Vote for the others, but stay at this one.
November 18, 2007
We stayed at Angeles de Merida for 4 days, a couple weeks ago. My husband and I were charmed by the B&B as well as the owner, Dawn. From the moment we arrived (after she had to come pick us up because we were wandering around the Centro lost) she was the perfect host. Food prepared for us, margaritas waiting at 9:30 PM!
The rooms were lovely, decorated beautifully, fluffy towels, robes, first class all the way.
Breakfast every morning made by Luis was marvelous daily, snacks in the afternoon.
Enjoyable and highly recommend.
Deb Shepherd
This year our escape to Mexico from sometimes damp and gloomy Seattle included a four night stay at Angeles de Merida.
Dawn is running a first class operation. My wife and I tend to get lost easily. Dawn was our personal GPS in Merida. Dawn’s breakfast Mojito would definately start the day off right.
Mike walker in damp Seattle.
We just finished a short, but glorious holiday at Angeles de Merida. What a fabulous place! Comfortable, tastefully appointed rooms…yummy breakfasts with cosmopolitan flare…lovely hosts…fun, lively chat, but quiet privacy too…just wonderful in so many ways. Without hesitation – this has been our favoirte getaway yet in Merida. We will be back many times…Angeles de Merida has set the new standard for B&Bs.
Enjoy!
N. Waldon
Casa Esperanza B&B is indeed my home away from home when I travel to Merida from Seattle. Proprietors Sergio and Claudette never fail to please when it comes to providing a scrumptious breakfast to start the day. Centrally located in the colonial district, Sergio, always the gentleman and with a cheerful smile, will arrange tours to the surrounding Maya ruins and have the 9-passenger van pick you up at the front door right after breakfast. I will be making my third visit to Merida in March and look forward to that cold bottle of Superior that I know will be waiting in my room’s fridge when the taxi drops me off from the airport at 9PM. Then it’s off to a late night dinner with my grandson.
After staying in several B&B’s during our frequent visits over the years, Casa Santigo has become our choice several times during the last year when we have been in Merida. Newly established, the inn is very conveniently located, has a sunny atmosphere as well as a sunny pool…and the owners (two sets that we have experienced) have been wonderful hosts. The present innkeeper, Vince, is a masterful, caring professional who goes that extra mile to make sure his guests are happy and well cared for. This even included taking us to a near by pharmacy to get meds! The breakfasts are hearty and delicious, the afternoon wine and snacks are welcomed treats after a day of touring and exploring. The price is very reasonable, allowing longer stays without breaking the bank.
Casa Esperanza is an incredible oasis of tranquility hidden in the middle of a bustling and fantastic city that teems with history. The propritors Claudette and Sergio are well versed in the area, culture and attractions. With broad smiles and genuine hearts they are more than happy to share the warmth of thier home and beautiful city. I have stayed at what is the best B&B in Merida twice and intend to return ASAP. When its time to leave the Canadian Winter behind Casa Esperanza is just what the DR Orders.
Our absolute favorite and the only place we stay in Merida is Casa Esperanza. You have to experience this amazingly tranquil, beautiful and historical B&B to appreciate all it has to offer. The only thing better than the atmosphere is the warmth, kindness, hospitality and laughter of it’s owners, Claudette and Sergio. We felt like we were old friends within minutes of meeting them! If fact, we extended our first visit longer than planned because we couldn’t bear to leave. Claudette’s breakfasts are to die for! All the rooms are gorgeous and full of interesting local items. There is a well-stocked library and the swimming pool is surrounded by lush tropical gardens. We love to sit out on the patio and read or enjoy a nice glass of wine in the evening before heading out to explore a new place for dinner. We truly feel like we are “home” when we enter the doors of Casa Esperanza.
We were very glad to find Casa Santiago and Merida as a quick getaway from our longer trip to Cancun. Vince is a very thoughtful inn keeper, even loaning us some pesos until we were able to make it to the bank. Casa Santiago is clean and comfortable and Vince makes everyone feel as if they are at home.
We found the Casa Santiago to be a wonderful place to stay. The house is quite nice, the rooms are large and comfortable, and the small pool is a real treat. The location is close to the centre of city, thus walking to many places is quite easy. The owners work as the staff, and they are helpful, friendly and informative. We strongly recommend the Casa Santiago.
If I didn’t live in Merida, I would definitely want to stay at Cascadas de Merida. It is an absolutely charming B & B – lovely appointments, ambiance and attractions… but it also has something additional: Cascadas de Merida has Ellyne! She is a wonderful hostess who treats her guests like royalty. She loves her work and it shows. Her collection of Mexican popular art is something to behold… I would highly recommend Cascadas de Merida to anyone who needs accommodation in Merida and who enjoys being pampered.
The absolute best B & B we have ever stayed in is Casa Esperanza in Merida. On our first stay in Merida we fell in love with it and can’t wait for an excuse to go back. It is a beautiful oasis within the bustling historical district. The owners, Claudette and Sergio, are the perfect combination of warmth and kindness and exceptional hospitality. To say nothing about a whole lot of fun. They are there when you need them and the rest of the time you can enjoy blissful privacy in their charming rooms and peaceful pool surrounded by lush gardens. Because each room has it’s own outside entrance it give s you more of a more of a sense of privacy and ends up feeling more like a small boutique hotel inside a garden paradise. Each room and is beautifully appointed and very comfortable. The breakfast was incredible and their wonderful menagerie of pets are an added bonus. Ask about the turtles. We give it a 10 out of 10!
I just stayed at Casa Esperanza for a week and LOVED my stay, claudette and Sergio are the nicest couple and Claudette is a superb cook, breakfast is great. I can’t wait to return.
I am writing from Merida. We have just polished off a bottle of Chilean white wine with Vince and Frank. They were concerned it wasn’t enough,so they brought out chips and a chile dip. They gave us Neemm soap, maps,directions, recommendations for restaurants. They gave us a huge king bed with impeccable service. A custom breakfast. What’s not to like? They made us feel like…..like home. HIghly recommended.
I have stayed in several of the B&Bs mentioned and they are all well above average. The one that was just the greatest was Los Arcos, run by David Reed. Anyone wishing to run a B&B should first take a class from him. His quiet, friendly graciousness, the awsome breakfasts, and the lovely rooms and pool make this the Cats Meow. My sister, who has travelled all over the world ranks Los Arcos as the #1 B&B she has stayed at.
My husband and I were looking for the perfect place to have a second honeymoon. A friend told us about Angeles de Merida and suggested we go. We were looking for a romantic getaway far away from Oakland. We were NOT disappointed. What a wonderful time we had. The B&B was beautiful. I could not have been more pleased with our room. Dawn went out of her way to make us feel welcome. The food was delicious and the margaritas were fantastic…just what we were looking for! We spend many leisurely hours by the pool just getting acquainted with each other again. When we did go out Dawn was the perfect guide to all the places we wanted to see. I was so happy with our second honeymoon that I am planning a surprise third honeymoon next year…and it will be at Angeles de Merida.
My wife and I have had the pleasure to stay at Casa Esperanza our last 2 time in Merida. Claudette and Sergio are wonderful hosts and delightful people! The B&B is beautiful, the grounds are immaculate and the rooms are very well appointed, and peaceful. We echo the comments previously posted here and do not hesitate to recommend Casa Esperanza. For us, staying at Casa Esperanza is not just a wonderful get-away, it is a chance to connect with our new friends Claudette and Sergio.
During our most recent trip to the Yucatan we had planned on staying at our house we had just purchased on the beach. (That is a long and bug filled story) Well, as things turned out we needed to find a place to stay, and called Claudette and Sergio (or rather had a friend e-mail them – darn US cell phones). They were able to accommodate us during our emergency, and after chatting with us for quite a while, and allowing us to borrow a kitty, managed to get us calmed down enough to enjoy the rest of our trip. (Which needless to say we spent at the B&B).
The week I spent at Casa Santiago was among the most peaceful and fun weeks of my life, I was attracted to the place by its website which offered a welcome to people of all types and backgrounds so long as they were nice. Vince who runs the place is a completely authentic human being and both helpful and cheerful. Loved the sweet house mascot, a Boston Terrier named Felix. The hot breakfast in the morning was delicious. The big beds are very comfortable. Very charming colonial architecture, very clean throughout, great pasta tile floors. Sitting beneath the flower covered pergola next to the pool–it does not get much better.
I spent four days at this lovely Casa Santiago B&B and enjoyed the location and the company. It was a different experience than the usual Hyatt Merida stay and I made some wonderful new friends and enjoyed the company of excellent hosts in Vince and Frank. This is an excellent place to stay and I would recommend this to anyone wanting a tranquil location in Centro Merida.
We’ve stayed at Cascada de Merida twice, and the second visit was due to the first. Ellyne and Chuco Basto are wonderful hosts. They made us feel as though we are old friends. Ellyne arranged our daytrips and even our transportation to Cancun via Chichen Itza. On our second trip, we took an old friend on her first trip out of the USA. We have also recommended Cascadas de Merida to other friends, and some of them have visited, too. We intend to return to Merida, and we will want to stay at Cascadas de Merida again.
Cascadas de Merida is a wonderful B and B. It is a lovely oasis of peace and beauty amidst the calles of Merida. The rooms are comfortable and the pool provides a beautiful setting in which to relax. The abundant breakfast is a great way to start the day! Ellen and Chucho are friendly, extremely welcoming and helpful. Definitely the best B & B in town!
I spent a week at Cascadas, and enjoyed every minute of it. Needless to say the location was perfect and Cascadas was fantastic. I especially loved Ellyne and Chucho. As hosts, they made you feel like family, like a long lost relative. I liked Ellyne’s meals and her Mexican art collection, and Chucho’s sense of humor.
Cascadas de Merida is great! Highly recommended. Chucho and Ellyne are wonderful and the delicious breakfast is the highlight of the day. B & B is peaceful and beautiful and a hidden gem.
I’ve been at Cascadas de Merida 3 times in the last 3 years. It’s small, well appointed and relaxing. I was there just after they opened and the place continues to be particularly well maintained and clean. Ellyne and Chucho have always be happy to answer questions and make suggestions of places to go, things to do, places to eat, etc., and I have always enjoyed whoever the other guests happened to be. It’s within walking distance of the Centro in a place that gives you some flavor of a neighborhood while still being both charming and comfortable and modern. I consider myself lucky that they have space for me.
Nowhere in Merida surpasses Cascadas de Merida in comfort, conveniences, style, charm and hospitality. The suites are the most private of any B & B I’ve stayed at anywhere, and Ellyne and Chucho are the most gracious and helpful hosts. It is a true gem!
We have stayed at a couple of places in Merida and without question the best has been Cascadas de Merida. Whether it is for us or friends, I cannot imagine staying anywhere else. I am sure a number of the B&B’s nominated have great facilities but it is the personal touches provided by Ellyne and Chucho that make Cascadas our favorite. Literally within minutes of arriving we felt we were visiting old friends. I am proud to say that now that feeling is reality.
If you want tranquility and privacy within the walls of cascading waterfalls, you must stay at Cascadas de Merida. It is simply the most interesting B&B in Merida. Ellyne and Chucho are friendlyand fun ,and do everything they can to make your trip memorable. They help you arrange excursions as well as educate you on Yucatan history and “must sees”. ¡Viva Cascadas de Merida!
I’ve been in CASCADAS DE MERIDA plenty of times, I can assure you there’s no better B&B in Merida than this. Peaceful enviroment, friendly service and lovely Hosts! Chucho is the funniest guy in town and Ellyne a person who would do everything there’s in her hand to make you feel at home.
I highly reccomend it if you really wanna enjoy your time in Merida.
Just stumbled across this. What can I add to the things people have already said about Cascadas de Merida that hasn’t already been said? Not much, but I am happy to see that others feel the way I do. I’m so happy for Ellyne and Chucho, just the nicest people.
I have been to Casacdas de Merida on many occasions and I cannot find the right words to begin to describe how wonderful Cascadas de Merida really is. It is truly a wonderful place that provides every commodity anyone can wish for. It is private, relaxing, comfortable, and the list goes on. The waterfalls are truly unique and give a sense of freedom in the privacy of this Oasis. I cannot say enough about Cascadas de Merida; it is truly a paradise that brings a unique experience. Of course impossible to forget the best hosts Chucho and Ellyne, who are like family. They are truly the nicest people on the surface of this earth who will do anything to make your stay memorable. In summary there simply is no better place than Cascadas de Merida!
Cascadas de Merida es un excelente lugar para su estancia en la cuidad de Merida, la recomiendo ampliamente. (Translation: Cascadas de Merida is an excellent place for your stay in Merida. I recommend them highly)
I would like to say that I had the best time in my life at Casa Esperanza, I have been all around the world and the best B&B and where I felt like home or even better was with Sergio and Claudette, my vote goes to Casa Esperanza.
Cascadas de Merida is a great place to stay. Relaxing and comfortable enviroment and the best hostess you can find:Ellyn…Located in a very convenient spot. I can assure you will have a great experience !!
It’s been 3 years since we stayed at Las Arecas. We stumbled across this affordable jewel after leaving previous accommodations which had disappointed.
Mauro Ruiz, owner of Las Arecas, keeps a very clean home. He is readily available to answer questions. If you are looking for comfort, clean and budget friendly, we highly recommend Las Arecas.
Mr. and Mrs. M Carlyle
I have stayed at many of the guesthouses in Merida…without a doubt, Los Arcos is the best. They go out of the way to make you feel at home. The home is lovely and the food great.
thanks for a wonderful stay
Another vote for Casa Santiago. We stayed in the honeymoon suite. Great bed and excellent bathroom. It’s like having your own house (Vince lives in house behind the casa). An incredible value.
We spent 7 days at Casa Santiago and loved every minute. We were in the patio room which I loved because it was like having a private entrance to the pool area and we had a private place to sit. Vince and Frank have become personal friends of ours…We would like to try other places but Casa Santiago seems more like home to us now. The beds are very comfortable and the house, wonderful.
My husband and I had the pleasure to stay in Las Arecas for 2 weeks in Jan ‘08. Mauro keeps a spic-’n-span house, and Raul serves coffee and delicious fresh fruit every morning with courtesy and charm. Oh! He squeezes fresh oranges for delicious juice every morning. We were so pleased with Las Arecas, we are taking 7 family members to stay there for 10 days this winter. Can’t wait to stay in Las Arecas, a peaceful haven.
I will be traveling to my favorite B&B in Merida, Casa Esperanza, in June 2010, via Las Ruinas de Copan in Honduras, then Guatemala City to Cancun, Mexico to finally take the bus to Merida, Yucatan, Mexico and meet my daughter Andrea and her family at Claudette’s fabulous Casa de Huespedes. I know a cold beer will be waiting, and in the morning an outstanding breakfast. Good friends, good food, good beer, you can’t go wrong at Casa Esperanza!
I will be traveling to my favorite B&B in Merida, Casa Esperanza, in June 2010, via Las Ruinas de Copan in Honduras, then Guatemala City to Cancun, Mexico to finally take the bus to Merida, Yucatan, Mexico and meet up with my daughter Andrea and her family at Claudette’s fabulous Casa de Huespedes. I know a cold beer will be waiting, and in the morning an outstanding breakfast. Good friends, good food, good beer, you can’t go wrong at Casa Esperanza!