Far from the sounds of Mexico’s urban clatter, a selection of remote haciendas in the Yucatan meld a taste of history with elegance.
Originally called estancias, the hacienda system in Mexico dates to 1529, when Spaniards were granted tracts of land by the Spanish crown in reward for their conquest. A number of those haciendas were restored in the 1990s and are open for day visits and overnight stays.
Five Mexico haciendas, including three in the Yucatan—Hacienda Temozon, Hacienda Santa Rosa and Hacienda San Jose—are operated under Starwood’s Luxury Collection (800.325.3589; www.thehaciendas.com).
“The attraction is exclusivity and relaxation,” says Daniel Mellado, director of sales and marketing for Starwood’s Luxury Collection. “There are no hotels like the haciendas. Guests are interacting with the history of the property.”
Hacienda Temozon (011.52.999.923.8089) stands out for incentives or small groups. Temozon, which was chosen for a summit meeting between President Bill Clinton and Mexico President Ernesto Zedillo in 1999, offers 28 rooms, including the Casa del Patron presidential suite.
The property is set in the jungle near the Mayan archaeological site of Uxmal, a popular day trip. Other nearby tour options include swimming in cenotes (caverns with underground rivers) and dinner accompanied by a folkloric ballet.
Hacienda Santa Rosa (011.52.999.910. 4852) is the smallest of Starwood’s Luxury Collection haciendas, with 11 rooms and suites. Horseback riding and bicycle tours can be arranged as well as tours of its botanical gardens.
Hacienda San Jose (011.52.999.910.4617) offers 15 rooms and suites, including four Mayan villa rooms, featuring a terrace, a hammock and gardens.
Aside from Starwood’s properties, there are a number of other haciendas in the Yucatan. One of the most popular is Hacienda Xcanatun (011.52.999.941.0273; www.xcanatun.com), built in the 18th century and reopened in 2000 as a boutique hotel with 18 suites, a full-service spa and function rooms for up to 50 people.
Hacienda Katanchel (011.52.999.923.4000; www.haciendakatanchel.com), which dates to the 17th century, is another restored complex on 740 acres of tropical jungle. Up to 10 suites are available for rental at the high-end property, as well as amenities such as spa treatments.
At Hacienda Yaxcopoil (011.52.999.900.1193; www.yaxcopoil.com), the buildings have been preserved to retain their true historic flavor, and artifacts are on display from the nearby Mayan ruins of Yaxcopoil.
