Hacienda Hotels



Haciendas are Mexico's equivalent to American southern plantations, mid-western ranches, and European land estates. Dating from the late 1600s to the early 1900s, haciendas were built by the wealthy throughout Mexico in the areas where their products were produced or developed. There were agricultural haciendas throughout Mexico, cattle raising haciendas in the northern part of Mexico, tequila producing haciendas in Jalisco, mining haciendas in Hidalgo, sugar producing haciendas in Morelos, lumber haciendas in the state of Mexico, and the Yucatán's henequen or sisal producing haciendas.

Each hacienda has the main house, the machine house, the worker's humble one-room homes, a school, an infirmary, the store (where the workers were kept in debt), the church, the cemetery, the hydraulics area, the jail, and the stables.

The haciendas of Yucatán saw their heyday in the early 1900s when the local economy was booming due to the sisal fiber that was used to make rope, cord, and twine. The mansions on the Paseo de Montejo and Avenida Colón in Mérida, are the rich homes the "green gold", henequen, helped provide. It was the same owners of these mansions who built haciendas off in the countryside where the henequen was produced.

In the 1940's, with the invention of synthetic fibers, the entire henequen industry went bust, and with it, the hacienda owners saw grey times. With no economical staying power, the haciendas were slowly abandoned and fell into disrepair, a derelict state they remained in until the early 1990s when, once again, wealthy Mexicans set their eyes on these opportunities. 



Hacienda Chichén Resort
The Hacienda Chichén Resort, "a 16thCentury colonial landmark" is a hop and a skip from the archaeologicalsite of Chichén Itzá. A stately hacienda, nestled in lush gardens, thishotel has modern amenities that include color satellite TV, AC, anexcellent location, restaurant, and pool. Prices start at $165 pernight for a double room plus taxes. Hacienda Chichén also offers YaxkinSpa, a Mayan retreat designed for sanctuary, healing and renewal. Checkthe website for rates and services. 
www.haciendachichen.com

Hacienda Petac
It was bought in 2000 by the American couple Chuck and Dev Stern. With the help of renowned architect Salvador Reyes, they lovingly restored Hacienda Petac and now offer it in rent as a home. With five buildings housing huge bedrooms and elegant bathrooms, an enormous game-filled game room, a library, bar, chapel, pool, fountains and lush gardens, spa and exercise facilities,
this is the perfect place to have an up-scale family vacation with all the trimmings. Sleeps up to 10. Prices range from $6,720 - $10,500 USD per week, or from $4,800 to $6,000 USD for a four-night stay. 
www.haciendapetac.com

Hacienda Yaxcopoil
It was built in the 1600's and has been in the Faller Cervera family since 1864. Present day owner, Miguel Faller, is 5th generation. He has opened the hacienda, which is on the way to Uxmal,  as a museum, making it a popular stop for tourists. He has also finished a casita, with a kitchen, that is available to the public for $60 US per night. You can also opt for the extra $20 for a delicious breakfast and dinner served in the casita. This is a wonderful place at an accessible price where you will surely get the feel of hacienda living. 

www.yaxcopoil.com



Hacienda Xcanatun

The closest hacienda to Mérida, Xcanatun is owned and run by Jorge and Cristina Ruz, a couple from Mexico City. His father, Alberto Ruz Lhuillier, is the archeologist who discovered the Royal Tomb of Pacal in Palenque. When the owners were restoring this hacienda, they used the finest materials available and did it with excellent taste and care. Today, The Hacienda Xcanatun, a Star Diamond Award winner from AAA Diamante, is a boutique hotel with 18 luxurious suites, a restaurant that boasts exquisite international and Caribbean cuisine, and a spa where they will surely pamper you. Hotel rates run from $245 to $325 US per night including a continental breakfast. Spa rates are $30 to $ 75 US plus tax. 
www.xcanatun.com 

Hacienda Santa Cruz
This hacienda was completely restored and is just twenty minutes outside of Mérida, in a lovely, peaceful setting. Owners Robert and Caroline Franck moved from Paris and bought the hacienda in 2007. The hacienda is spacious and laid-back. The food is hearty and delicious. The pool is filled with chemical-free water from the cenote below, and guests are welcome to enjoy it all. The hacienda has two casitas, which easily sleep four people each, and children are especially welcome. Rates start at $149 US. The hacienda also has a beauty salon and aesthetic center on site. www.haciendasantacruz.com 

Hacienda Teya
Dating to 1683, Hacienda Teya is now a restaurant-hotel-social events place. Owned and run by the Cardenas Sosa family, they have slowly but surely developed a name for having the best Yucatecan food in the area. Lunch is served from noon to 6 PM. The social events parts of the hacienda have a chapel, an elegant staircase (great for pictures), lush gardens, and stained glass windows that make Hacienda Teya a very popular place that is the perfect setting for a wedding. Nightly rates are around $100 US, and include a continental breakfast in the room. www.haciendateya.com

 

Hacienda Katanchel

Located 30 minutes by car from Mérida's International Airport, this is Yucatán’s most prestigious property and has been operated since 1996 by its current owners as a high-end
boutique hotel. Heavily damaged by hurricane Isidore in 2002, Hacienda Katanchel has been recently restored and is back in operation as a premier destination for families and small groups. The gardens are so lush that they have evolved into a botanical garden with hundreds of varieties of trees. Minimum reservation is four rooms for three nights. A full range of services are available, including world-class dining, spa treatments and guided excursions to nearby cities, beaches, and archaeological zones. Ideal for weddings, meetings, incentives, families or friends travelling together. 
www.haciendakatanchel.com

Luxury Collection
One man in particular, Roberto Hernandez, bought several haciendas.
Today, these restored haciendas make up The Luxury Collection -
Haciendas Temozón, SantaRosa, and San José, in Yucatán, and Uayamón and
Puerta Campeche in Campeche. These hotel haciendas, Grand Tourism
establishments that "don't mean to spoil you, but they will", are the
ultimate getaway in total luxury. Prices range from $US 246 to $610 per
night. www.luxurycollection.com

 

Hacienda San Pedro Nohpat

This is a small hacienda 8 kms. from Mérida, just off the Mérida to Cancún highway. Owned by Canadians, their claim to fame is their restaurant and the different packages they put together including meals and a room. Prices start at $95 USD for an overnight and breakfast. www.haciendaholidays.com